In this edition of Anthropology,
What Does it Mean to Be Human?
We explore the rich diversity of human cultures around the world and through time. We look at how people have adapted to different environments and developed ways of living that enable them to use their resources in sustainable ways. This book provides a comprehensive overview of anthropological thought for students who are interested in the subject matter or those who may be considering anthropology as a profession.
The book is divided into four major areas-contexts, methods, evidence, and concepts. The first section of each chapter begins with a discussion of the history and context in which anthropologists work as well as their goals for studying different cultures. This contextual information sets up what we know about our cultural past and how that has influenced who we are today.
Methods focuses on the different ways that anthropologists study other societies through their material culture (tools), social organization (marriage/family), religious beliefs (animism) or economic systems (trade). Evidence includes texts written by early travelers to non-Western countries; these accounts often provide us with important insights into customs people have practiced over many centuries before they were documented in more formal ways.Â
