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Anthropology
The study of the human species
and its immediate ancestors
Studies man from a holistic point of view:
• its culture as well as its origins and development as a human
species.
Discuss with your neighbour?
1) What does it mean to be human?
2)How are human beings unique?
Anthropology
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7p_whtOtQ&feature=related
Branches of Anthropology
Physical
anthropology
BIOLOGICAL or PHYSICAL
ANTRHOPOLOGY
Study of human
biological diversity in
time and space
cultural
anthropology
ARCHEOLOGICAL
ANTRHOPOLOGY
Archeology
reconstructs,
describes, and
interprets past
human behavior
and cultural
patterns through
material remains
CULTURAL ANTRHOPOLOGY
LINGUISTIC
ANTRHOPOLOGY
Ethnography provides
an account of a
Studies language
particular community,
in its social and
society or culture
cultural contexts
across space and
over time.
Ethnology examines,
interprets, analyzes
and compares the
results of
ethnographic data
from different
societies
Let’s Check out Physical Anthropology
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What makes us human?
How are we different from other species?
What is the origin of the human species?
What are the similarities and differences
among human beings today?
Let’s Meet Some Physical Anthropologist!
Raymond Dart
• Anthropology teacher in South Africa
• In 1924 Discovered skull and fossilized brain of
human child that lived three million years ago
• He named the species AUSTRALOPITHECUS
AFRICANUS
Louis and Mary Leakey
• They were searching for evidence of human
ancestors in Tanzania in July of 1959
• They found a complete fossil skull
• Important in establishing that the earliest
human beings lived in Africa
Donald Johanson
• Digging in Ethiopia in 1974
• Found 40% of a skeleton that he named LUCY
• First early skeleton of its type that could be
reconstructed
Jane Goodall
• In the 1960’s was one of the first to study the
behaviour of chimpanzees at close quarters
• First to observe chimps making and using
simple tools ( an activity thought to be
uniquely human)
Charles Darwin
The Story of Creation
Genesis 1:1-5, 20-26
In the beginning God created the heavens and
the earth…God said “Let there be light,” and
there was light. God called the light “day” and
the darkness “night”. Together these made up
one day.
And God said, “Let the waters swarm with fish and
other life. Let the skies be filled with birds of
every kind.” And God said, “let the earth bring
forth every kind of animal – livestock, small
animals, and wildlife.”
Then God said, “let us make people, in our image,
to be life ourselves. They will be masters over all
life –the fist in the sea, the birds in the sky, and
all the livestock, wild animals and small animals.
*NOTE: This was all said to have occurred in 6
days, the length of which is unclear
ACTIVITY TIME
• Froogliooops – Claws, language, fur
• Barachooks –Fangs, perfect sight, can breath
underwater
• Weebers – Tall, Webbed feet, wings
• Snilleywits – Small, no limbs, can breath
underwater
• Traloopos- Tail, great sense of smell, very tall
Will you survive?
Scenario #1: A predator came to town today!
You can only survive if you hide in the lake, fly
away or fight back if you have claws.
Scenario #2: A huge storm is coming! You need
shelter. You will only survive if you are small
enough to fit in a hole underground, you can
claw yourself a deeper hole, or you can look
for a clear dry place to stay.
• Scenario #3 – You are starving and need food.
You will only survive if you can use your claws
kill for food, or use your fangs to eat.
• Scenario #4 – Your species is fighting! You will
only survive if you can communicate with one
another and share ideas.
THEORY OF EVOLUTION THROUGH NATURAL SELECTION
Charles Darwin’s Origin of the Species 1859
• Starts with the assumption that variations within species do
happen but in tiny bits of expression.
• The variations were carried by genes that formed part of
the population’s gene pool.
• Some of these variations allow organisms to become better
adapted to the environment while others did not.
• In the process of coping with
survival, that variations that allowed
greater adaptation of organisms to
the environment were preserved in
the gene pool and assured of better
and greater chances for inheritance.
• The species that inherited these “strong variants”
survived and reproduced its kind.
• The others died and became extinct.
Ideas Behind Darwin’s Theory of Evolution
1) Overpopulation
2) Struggle for Existence
3) Variations
4) Survival of the Fittest
5) Inheritance of Variations
The Evolution of Humans
• Handouts
– “The evolution of Humans”
– “How did the human species develop?”
– Skull worksheet
– Figure 2.2
– “Distinguishing Apes From Humans”
– “The Differences between Humans and Hominids”
Human Diversity
Primates vs Humans
• Humans belong to the biological group called
primates and are the highest order of mammals
• May have a common ancestor
• Genetic makeup of primates and humans varies
by only 1-2 percent
• We share many physical and some social
characteristics
That’s why physical anthropologist study
primates! For clues on the evolution of humans
Humans & Primates
shared features
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Opposable thumbs
Three dimensional(binocular) vision
Highly developed brain
Offspring dependent on adults for a long time
Depend on the group for survival-social creatures
Share a capacity for aggression and defense
Unique Human characteristics
• Bipedalism: walk upright over long distances
• Ability to communicate complex and abstract
ideas through language
Becoming human
• 3 anthropological hypothesis:
1)Aggressive warlike traits encouraged humans to
develop tools and weapons (killing pary and enemies)
2) Language Development: Development of effective
communication needed when hunting in groups
combined with tool production
3) Social skills: human ability to get along in groups
were crucial in the development of their ability to
think(tool-hunting-language connection is only a
consequence)
Activity
• Read” Human Diversity: Myth or reality” on
page 22 and answer both questions in class.