physical anthropology

physical anthropology
—physical anthropologist.
the branch of anthropology dealing with the evolutionary changes in human bodily structure and the classification of modern races, using mensurational and descriptive techniques. Cf. cultural anthropology.
[1870-75]

* * *

Branch of anthropology concerned with the study of human evolution and human biological variation.

Research on human evolution involves the discovery, analysis, and description of fossilized human remains. Two key goals are the identification of differences between humans and their human and nonhuman ancestors, and the clarification of the biological emergence of humankind. A variety of quantitative methods are used, including the comparative analysis of genetic codes. Research on biological variation among contemporary humans once relied heavily on the concept of race, but today principles of genetics and the analysis of such factors as blood type have largely eliminated race as a scientific category.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • physical anthropology — n anthropology concerned with the comparative study of human evolution, variation, and classification esp. through measurement and observation called also somatology compare CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY * * * a branch of anthropology that deals with the …   Medical dictionary

  • physical anthropology — n. a major division of anthropology that deals with the physical variation, characteristics, and evolution of humans …   English World dictionary

  • physical anthropology — noun Date: 1873 anthropology concerned with the comparative study of human evolution, variation, and classification especially through measurement and observation compare cultural anthropology • physical anthropologist noun …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • physical anthropology — phys′ical anthropol′ogy n. pan the branch of anthropology dealing with the evolutionary changes in human body structure and the classification of modern races, using mensurational and descriptive techniques Also called biological anthropology… …   From formal English to slang

  • physical anthropology — n. branch of anthropology that deals with the genesis and physical differences between people …   English contemporary dictionary

  • physical anthropology — /fɪzəkəl ænθrəˈpɒlədʒi/ (say fizuhkuhl anthruh poluhjee) noun a branch of anthropology concerned with human evolution and the classification of peoples by means of the measurement and description of physical characteristics …  

  • physical anthropology — noun the branch of anthropology dealing with the genesis and variation of human beings • Hypernyms: ↑anthropology • Hyponyms: ↑craniometry …   Useful english dictionary

  • physical anthropology — noun the science of human zoology, evolution, and ecology …   English new terms dictionary

  • Canadian Association for Physical Anthropology — The Canadian Association for Physical Anthropology (CAPA) is a learned society of Physical Anthropologists. The society’s mission is to spread information on Physical Anthropology to its members and to supporting institutions and the public at… …   Wikipedia

  • Yearbook of Physical Anthropology — The Yearbook of Physical Anthropology (ISSN 0096 848X) is an annual peer reviewed periodical published by Wiley Liss, Inc. of New York City.According to EBSCOhost, the magazine covers [b] road, thorough coverage of developments within the… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”