Social anthropology is the study of human societies and cultures and how they function. It examines the social structures, beliefs, and practices of different groups around the world. Key Characteristics / Core Concepts Holistic Perspective: Social anthropologists consider all aspects of a society, from kinship systems to economic organization. Ethnographic Research: The discipline relies heavily … Read more
Protohistory is the period of a civilization’s history before the availability of written records, but for which some information may be gleaned from archaeological evidence and traditions passed down through oral history. It bridges the gap between prehistory (the period before written records) and history (the period after written records). Key Characteristics / Core Concepts … Read more
Prehistory is the period of time before written records. It encompasses the vast majority of human history, from the earliest hominids to the development of writing systems. Key Characteristics / Core Concepts Absence of written records: Defining characteristic distinguishing prehistory from history. Archaeological evidence: Reliance on artifacts, fossils, and other physical remains to understand the … Read more
Cultural anthropology is the study of human cultures and societies. It examines how people live, interact, and create meaning in their worlds. Key Characteristics / Core Concepts Holistic Approach: Considers all aspects of a culture, from social structures to religious beliefs and material culture. Ethnographic Research: Relies heavily on fieldwork, immersing researchers in the communities … Read more
Comparative mythology is the study of myths and legends from different cultures to identify common themes, motifs, and narrative structures. It seeks to understand the underlying universal human experiences reflected in these stories. Key Characteristics / Core Concepts Cross-cultural analysis: Comparing myths across various societies and time periods. Identifying archetypes: Recognizing recurring characters, symbols, and … Read more
Archaeology is the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains. It involves investigating past cultures and societies by uncovering and interpreting the material evidence they left behind. Key Characteristics / Core Concepts Excavation: Carefully digging up and documenting archaeological sites. Artifact Analysis: … Read more