Posted: April 27th, 2019

Anthropologists study many different aspects of humanity

instructions:
Description:

Anthropologists study many different aspects of humanity in order to fully understand the diversity of the human species. For the assignment, the student will first discuss and investigate evolution as viewed by physical anthropology, and then the student will investigate and discuss evolution from one other subfield – cultural, linguistic, or archaeological. Remember, evolution can apply to both physical and societal changes, so things like language and customs can evolve just as much as bodies and brains.

Directions:
In a 4-6 page written assignment, answer the following questions.

1) Define evolution using the course materials.

2) Define physical anthropology. Discuss some of the general ways physical anthropologists investigate evolution.

3) Using the APUS Library, find at least one appropriate outside source that identifies one specific research project in which physical anthropologists are studying evolution (e.g. the Human Genome Project- conduct your own original research, do not use this example). Write a page paper – Describe the research project and its significance in our understanding of evolution. Be sure to cite your source.

4) Choose and define a second subfield of anthropology (cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, or archaeology).

5) Discuss some of the general ways an anthropologist in this second subfield investigates evolution.

6) Using the APUS Library, find at least one appropriate outside source that identifies one specific research project in which anthropologists in this second subfield are studying evolution. Write a page paper – Describe the research project and its significance in our understanding of evolution. For example, an archaeologist may look at how tools have changed through time, and what has caused that change (conduct your own original research, do not use this example). Be sure to cite your source.

8) Discuss how the study of evolution between physical anthropology and your chosen subfield compares and contrasts.

9) Conclude by discussing and reflecting on one new piece of information you learned about evolution.
Disclaimer

Originality of attachments will be verified by Turnitin. Both you and your instructor will receive the results.

Writing Expectations

All written submissions should be submitted using APA formatting. In part, this includes:

Typewritten in double-spaced format with a readable style and font and submitted inside the electronic classroom.
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See a Basics of APA Style tutorial for coaching on APA formatting. For additional resources see our Library, and the Purdue Online Writing Lab.

Note:

This course has “Resubmission” status enabled to help you if you realize you submitted an incorrect or blank file, or if you need to submit multiple documents as part of your Assignment. Resubmission of an Assignment after it is graded, to attempt a better grade, is not permitted.

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Free sample essay

Anthropology

Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Course
Professor’s Name
Date

Anthropology
Definition
Evolution is a process of continuing variation that occur over many generations. According to Villmoare (2018), evolution involves a significant change of heritable characteristics across successive generations of biological populations. It occurs when specific characteristics become rare or common within a population. Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace’s concept of evolution in the mid-19th century. According to the duo scholars, successive generations develop favorable characters that enable them to survive and reproduce (Villmoare, 2018). The survival according to the evolution theory shows that only the strong survive since they adapt to the environment. Evolution is an important tool for studying anthropology since it provides a framework to understand the diversity of human physiology and human behavior, leading to diversity. The study of evolution involves various evolution types that describe how organisms change, culture, or language change across successive generations.
Physical Anthropology
Physical anthropology or biological anthropology involves biological or physical aspects of human beings. It deals with origin, evolution, and diversity of the human population. The anthropology category deals with three major areas, including human and non-human primate evolution, human variation, and its importance (Garvey, 2018). It also deals with a biological basis that describes human behavior. Physical anthropology deals with the evolution of the human population, including their ability to develop adaptations and variability. Physical anthropologists study evolution by examining past populations of nonhuman primates and fossil hominins. They also study the social structure and behavior of the closest living relatives in the animal population (Villmoare, 2018). It is a scientific way of establishing connections between successive generations using an evolutionary perspective.
Research Project
Villmoare (2018) examines early homo and the role of the genus in paleoanthropology. The study examines the controversy among scholars on the discovery of early fossils. It examines the disagreement among the professionals using early homo and taxonomic hypothesis for the genus. The study also compares hominin taxonomy against taxonomic practice outside paleoanthropology (Garvey, 2018). The study provides a rich background that examines taxonomy and the role it plays in paleoanthropology. The research project is important in understanding evolution since it explains the genus’s role in paleoanthropology using evidence from early homo and across successive generations. For example, Villmoare (2018) examines current taxonomies in human paleontology and identifies the various weaknesses concerning evolutionary biology. The in-depth analysis provides a candid explanation of evolution.
Subfield of Anthropology
Archeology is the study of human activity through recovery and analysis of material culture. It involves a study of artifacts, architecture, ecofacts, and biofacts. It also comprises studying past human activities through excavation, interpreting objects and providing a historical perspective of the events or objects (Garvey, 2018). They excavate and preserve objects that help them to understand evolution across generations. For instance, the excavation of human skulls across generations shows the evolution of the human population. It also provides new information about the past and fills information gaps about the evolution of human beings. For instance, the explanation by Charles Darwin about human species and evolution provides critical information to answer questions on the evolution of human beings and other animals (Villmoare, 2018). Archeology and anthropology encompass human beings’ study by providing critical information on the relationships with other animals or past generations.
Investigating Evolution
Archeology has a major impact on evolution since it explains daily activities using ecological adaptations, technological, cultural, and political changes (Garvey, 2018). Archeologists also provide the scientific information that evolution requires to define or describe various changes that occur across generations. For example, archeologists will find an old skull or object, and their study will reveal the evolution of human beings (Villmoare, 2018). When Charles Darwin explains man’s evolution, he utilizes the pieces of information available through archeological findings.
Archeology generates information that explains the process of growth, development and change across successive generations. The information is critical to anthropologists who need to close the existing gaps in explaining human changes and their origin (Garvey, 2018). Archeology is an important discipline since it provides answers to different questions about their past, history, and future. It helps anthropologists explain physical structure, behavior, and language in the human population and animals.
Second Subfield
A study by Garvey (2018) archeology has an important contribution to cultural evolution. It helps in tracking cultural changes that occur across subgroups of the human population. Archeological records are important in cultural evolution by identifying cultural patterns and evolutionary models. Archeological research utilizes various tools to gather diverse data for purposes of human social learning. It helps establish the innovations and changes that occur in the daily lives of people. Archeological data is a complex relationship that exists between genetics and paleontology.
The study is significant in understanding evolution since it proposes data utilization to establish relationships between changes that occur in people and the external forces. The research also provides cultural patterns and evolutionary models that effectively understand how and why people change across generations (Garvey, 2018). Darwinian models and methods also elaborate on the different types of changes that human beings species have gone through in the past. Archeological strengths also boost the understanding of evolution and how different forces participate in altering the direction of human culture and physical structure.
Archeology v. Physical Anthropology
The two are important in studying human beings and the changes that occur across generations. They also attempt to explain why the changes occur and the forces that determine the extent of the changes (Villmoare, 2018). For example, physical anthropology explains human beings’ behavioral aspects, while archeology utilizes material culture to study human activity. Physical anthropologists can study various aspects of nonhuman primates to examine their behavior and relationship with human beings. For example, they can identify the relationship between nonhuman primates like chimpanzees with human beings. On the other hand, archeology involves studying material culture, including artifacts, ecofacts, biofacts, and landscapes, to establish relationships with past generations (Garvey, 2018). The skills, tools or work, and methodologies of archeologists and physical anthropologists also provide a sharp contrast between the two fields. However, they all provide information on evolution and how various animals or human beings change over successive generations.
Conclusion
The study of evolution provides insight into a broad field that comprises various fields, including anthropology and archeology. For a person to understand evolution, they should consider the arguments by various scholars from both archeology and anthropology. It is unlike a linear explanation of the changes that occur across successive generations. It is a challenge for students to expand their knowledge of various components of anthropology. Understanding the relationship between various fields, such as physical anthropology and archeology, is insightful. The information on archeology and anthropology is challenging for essay writing students to deepen their interest in evolution.

References
Garvey, R. (2018). Current and potential roles of archaeology in the development of cultural evolutionary theory. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 373(1743), 20170057. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2017.0057
Villmoare, B. (2018). Early Homo and the role of the genus in paleoanthropology. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 165, 72-89. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.23387