Vocabulary for Describing Anthropology and Archaeology

Here are a few terms related to anthropology and archaeology:

• Culture – The shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, and artifacts that characterize a group or society.
• Ethnography – A method of cultural anthropological research that involves spending extended periods of time living with and studying a particular group of people.
• Cultural relativism – The idea that cultural practices and beliefs should be understood in the context of the culture in which they occur, rather than being evaluated according to the values of another culture.
• Cultural evolution – The changes and development of cultures over time.
• Archaeology – The study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of artifacts and other physical remains.
• Stratigraphy – The study of the layers of soil and rock that build up over time, and the artifacts and remains that are contained within them.
• Radiocarbon dating – A method of determining the age of an object by measuring the amount of carbon-14 it contains.
• Dendrochronology – The study of tree rings to determine the age of trees and the artifacts and structures made from them.
• Paleontology – The study of ancient life forms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.
• Paleolithic – The earliest period of human history, characterized by the use of stone tools.
• Neolithic – The period of human history that followed the Paleolithic, characterized by the development of agriculture and the use of pottery.
• Civilization – A complex society with advanced political, social, and economic systems.
• Hierarchical society – A society with a clear hierarchy of power and status.
• Hunter-gatherer society – A society in which individuals obtain their food through hunting and gathering.
• Agricultural society – A society in which individuals obtain their food through farming.
• Anthropology of religion – The study of religious beliefs, practices, and experiences across different cultures and historical periods.
• Mythology – The study of myths, or traditional stories that explain natural phenomena, cultural beliefs, and historical events.
• Ritual – A repetitive and symbolic behavior that is performed in a particular cultural context.
• Archaeological site – A location that contains artifacts, remains, and other physical evidence of human activity.
• Excavation – The process of digging into the ground to uncover artifacts, remains, and other physical evidence of human activity.
• Artifact – An object made or used by humans, such as tools, pottery, or jewelry.
• Bioarchaeology – The study of human remains from archaeological sites, including bones, teeth, and mummies.
• Anthropometry – The study of the physical dimensions of the human body and their measurement.
• Human osteology – The study of human bones and the structure and function of the human skeleton.
• Cultural resource management – The management of cultural heritage sites and the artifacts and remains they contain, to ensure their preservation for future generations.
• Historical archaeology – The study of human societies and cultures from written records and other historical sources.
• Ethnology – The comparative study of different cultures, with a focus on understanding the similarities and differences between them.
• Cultural ecology – The study of the relationship between culture and the environment, including how human activities affect the natural world and how the natural world affects human culture.
• Ethnoarchaeology – The study of contemporary societies and cultures to understand how archaeological remains are created and how they can be interpreted.
• Historical archaeology – The study of human societies and cultures from written records and other historical sources.
• Material culture – The physical objects, structures, and other material remain of human culture, including artifacts, buildings, and landscapes.
• Landscape archaeology – The study of the relationship between human culture and the natural environment, including how human activities have shaped the landscape over time.
• Maritime archaeology – The study of human culture and activity in coastal and underwater environments, including ships, ports, and maritime trade.
• Public archaeology – The study of the ways in which the public interacts with and understands archaeological remains and cultural heritage sites.
• Zooarchaeology – The study of animal remains from archaeological sites, including bones, teeth, and mummies, to understand human-animal relationships and the use of animals in human societies.
• Historical anthropology – The study of the relationship between cultural practices, beliefs, values, and historical events, including political, economic, and social changes.
• Linguistic anthropology – The study of language and communication in cultural contexts, including the relationship between language and culture, language evolution, and the structure of language itself.
• Psychological anthropology – The study of human behavior, including emotions, beliefs, and motivations, in cultural and social contexts.
• Socio-cultural anthropology – The study of human societies and cultures, including their social organization, economic systems, and cultural beliefs and practices.
• Physical anthropology – The study of the biological and physical aspects of human evolution, including human anatomy, physiology, genetics, and primatology.