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Anthropology Facts & Worksheets

Anthropology is the study of how human communities and civilizations came to be. Languages, belief systems, social structures, organizations, and material possessions are all examples of learned behavior, called culture.

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Anthropology is the study of how human communities and civilizations came to be. Languages, belief systems, social structures, organizations, and material possessions are all examples of learned behavior, called culture. Using various methods, anthropologists investigate the features of historical and contemporary human societies. They achieve this by looking into and describing the historical lifestyles of our planet’s inhabitants.

See the fact file below for more information on Anthropology, or you can download our 31-page Anthropology worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

OVERVIEW

  • Anthropologists have the objective of studying and presenting their human subjects in an unbiased manner. They achieve this by observing their subjects in their natural environment and engaging in ethnography, where they describe interactions and customs. 
  • Through participant observation, anthropologists actively participate in the daily lives of their subjects, gaining a deeper understanding and explanation of local institutions, cultures, and practices.
  • As anthropologists explore societies and cultures different from their own, they are mindful of potential biases and strive to ensure objectivity in their interpretations. 
  • Ethnocentrism, a common bias, involves viewing one’s own cultural group as superior to others. 
  • Anthropologists must be vigilant in avoiding such biases to provide a more accurate and fair representation of the people they study.
  • In doing so, anthropologists can effectively describe and understand people and their cultures from the individuals’ perspective. This approach allows for a more authentic and comprehensive portrayal of human societies.

HISTORY OF ANTHROPOLOGY

  • The study of anthropology has a rich history connected to our relationships with other cultures. 
  • In ancient times, figures like Herodotus engaged in ethnography, providing detailed observations of customs and social structures in various regions. 
  • Exchange routes, like the Silk Road, played a significant role in fostering interest in different societies and cultures, as diplomats like Zhang Qian negotiated trade agreements and treaties. 
  • During medieval times, explorers like Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta traveled extensively, documenting the cultures they encountered and expanding Europe’s understanding of Asia, its peoples, and practices.
  • Modern anthropology is thought to have developed during the Age of Enlightenment, an 18th-century European cultural movement emphasizing reason and advancing society and knowledge. 
  • Enlightenment scholars sought to understand human behavior and culture through defined principles. 
  • They were influenced by natural historians like Georges Buffon, who studied humanity as part of the flora and fauna.
  • During the colonial era, scholars applied natural history principles to document newly colonized territories and indigenous cultures, often viewing them as inferior “human primitives.”
  • This colonial thought greatly influenced 19th-century anthropologists who followed theories of evolutionism and diffusionism. 
  • Evolutionists saw all societies evolving sequentially, placing non-European colonies in the “savagery” stage and considering European powers as “civilizations.” Diffusionists believed all communities derived from cultural circles that spread their practices worldwide.
  • These theories were later criticized by 20th-century anthropologists, who emphasized cultural relativism and understanding specific cultures on their terms. 
  • Modern anthropologists now use participant observation and ethnography to describe societies without comparing them to European traditions. They also analyze practices in developed countries, leading to a broader scope of ethnographic work.
  • Contemporary anthropologists benefit from new technologies, like CT scanners, to uncover complex information about human remains and cultures. 
  • For example, Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass used CT scans on ancient Egyptian mummies to learn more about their health and identify important historical figures like Queen Hatshepsut.
  • The field of genetics combines elements of anthropology and biology, focusing on how characteristics are inherited from one generation to the next. 
  • Geneticists study DNA, the chemical present in every living cell, to understand the genetic makeup of organisms. DNA studies suggest that all humans share a common ancestry, with some ancestors migrating from Central Africa approximately 60,000 years ago.
  • On the other hand, anthropologists utilize their skills and tools to explore how humans form new social connections and cultural identities. 
  • Michael Wesch, a National Geographic Emerging Explorer, investigates the impact of new media platforms and digital technologies, such as Facebook and YouTube, on human communication and relationships. 
  • As a “digital ethnographer,” Wesch gathers data from hundreds of participants and presents his findings through videos and interactive web experiences. His work, along with that of other anthropologists, expands our understanding of the digital environment and transforms the approach to anthropological research.

SUBDISCIPLINES OF ANTHROPOLOGY

  • Anthropology encompasses a wide range of subjects generally classified into four subdisciplines. 
  • These subdisciplines represent specialized fields of study within the broader discipline of anthropology. They include cultural or social anthropology, linguistic anthropology, biological or physical anthropology, and archaeology.
  • Although these subdisciplines may intersect and are not always considered entirely distinct by scholars, each utilizes unique techniques and methods in its research.

Cultural Anthropology

  • Cultural anthropology, often known as social anthropology, is the study of the way diverse groups of people learn to behave in certain situations. 
  • Cultural anthropologists primarily rely on ethnography as a research method, engaging in fieldwork and participant observation to gain insights into the customs and cultures of different societies.
  • For example, Elizabeth Kapu’uwailani Lindsey, a National Geographic Fellow in anthropology, researched during her doctoral studies on the nearly forgotten traditions of the palu, Micronesian navigators who navigate without maps or instruments.
  • Among the rules she examined were the chants and practices of the Satawalese, a small cultural group residing in a single coral atoll within the Federated States of Micronesia.
  • Ethnologists, a subset of cultural anthropologists, specialize in analyzing and comparing diverse cultures. 
  • They observe how specific customs develop uniquely across different societies and seek to interpret the reasons behind these variations.
  • Wade Davis, a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, exemplifies an ethnobotanist. Davis spent over three years in Latin America studying and collecting plants various indigenous groups used daily. 
  • His work compares how these communities perceive and employ plants as food, medicine, and in religious ceremonies.

Linguistic Anthropology

  • Linguistic anthropology examines the influence of language on social life, providing people with the intellectual tools for thought and action. This subdiscipline focuses on how language shapes societies, including social networks, cultural beliefs, and an individual’s understanding of themselves and their environment.
  • Linguistic anthropologists closely document people’s daily language use for social and cultural purposes, employing participant observation, audiovisual recording, and interviews. 
  • For instance, Lera Boroditsky, a cognitive scientist, studied communication among the Pormpuraaw, an Indigenous community in Australia, where cardinal directions are integral to language.
  • This allows the Pormpuraaw to navigate precisely but may hinder communication for those without knowledge of cardinal directions.
  • Additionally, linguistic anthropologists work to preserve endangered indigenous languages. 
  • The Enduring Voices Project by National Geographic aims to prevent language extinction by documenting threatened languages and supporting indigenous communities in language revitalization efforts.

Biological Anthropology

  • Biological anthropology, also called physical anthropology, explores the evolution of humans and their relatives, both living and fossilized. 
  • It connects human evolution with culture and behavior, studying how physical developments, like skeletal or genetic makeup changes, interact with social and cultural aspects throughout history.
  • To comprehend human evolution, some biological anthropologists study primates, notably monkeys and apes, our closest living relatives. 
  • Comparing similarities and differences between humans and these primates provides insights into human evolutionary processes.
  • Additionally, linguistic anthropologists work to preserve endangered native languages. 
  • The Enduring Voices Project by National Geographic aims to prevent language extinction by documenting threatened languages and supporting indigenous communities in language revitalization efforts.
  • Jane Goodall, a renowned primatologist, has extensively studied wild chimpanzees in Tanzania for over four decades. 
  • Through immersive experiences with the primates, she discovered striking parallels between humans and chimpanzees, enriching our understanding of our evolutionary connections.
  • Some researchers, like paleoanthropologist Zeresenay Alemseged, focus on examining hominid fossils to understand the diversity of early hominid species and why some survived while others did not. Additionally, biological anthropology may investigate how the natural characteristics of living people are shaped by their social and cultural practices, as seen in the unique physical features of the Ju/’ hoansi, a foraging society in Namibia.

Archaeology

  • Archaeology is the study of past humanity using physical remains, such as artifacts and buildings. It aids in interpreting the actions and experiences of earlier populations and civilizations.
  • Archaeologists specialize in studying specific periods of history or cultures. 
  • For example, they may explore prehistoric cultures or focus on the artifacts and ceremonies of particular cultures. 
  • Constanza Ceruti, a high-altitude archaeologist, examines artifacts and features of the Incan Empire, combining archaeological evidence with historical sources and Andean beliefs to reconstruct ancient sites and their symbolism.

Anthropology Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Anthropology across 31 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Anthropology. Anthropology is the study of how human communities and civilizations came to be. Languages, belief systems, social structures, organizations, and material possessions are all examples of learned behavior, called culture.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Anthropology Facts
  2. Four Pics, One Word
  3. Crossword Puzzle
  4. FAQs
  5. Four Subdisciplines
  6. Which of the Four?
  7. Anthropologist Overview
  8. Anthro vs Archaeo
  9. My Cultural Identity Collage
  10. Research 
  11. Infographic

Frequently Asked Questions

What is anthropology?

Anthropology is the scientific study of humans, encompassing their cultural, biological, archaeological, and linguistic aspects. It seeks to understand human diversity and evolution across different societies and time periods.

What are the main subfields of anthropology?

Anthropology consists of four main subfields:

  1. Cultural Anthropology: Examines the beliefs, practices, and behaviors of various human cultures.
  2. Biological Anthropology: Focuses on human evolution, genetics, and physical variations among populations.
  3. Archaeology: Studies past human societies by analyzing their material remains and artifacts.
  4. Linguistic Anthropology: Investigates the role of language in human communication, culture, and cognition.

How do anthropologists conduct research?

Anthropologists use a variety of methods, including participant observation, interviews, surveys, ethnographic research, and laboratory analyses. These methods allow them to immerse themselves in the cultures they study and gather both qualitative and quantitative data.

What is cultural relativism in anthropology?

Cultural relativism is an anthropological concept that suggests cultures should be understood within their own context and not judged by the standards of another culture. It emphasizes respecting and comprehending the practices and beliefs of a culture without imposing external values.

How does anthropology contribute to contemporary issues?

Anthropology contributes to understanding and addressing modern challenges by providing insights into cultural differences, social inequalities, human rights issues, and more. For instance, anthropologists can aid in sustainable development, healthcare initiatives, and policy-making by offering culturally sensitive perspectives and solutions.

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Use With Any Curriculum

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