Studying Change
Evolution refers to a continuous change and progression of an organism, enabling a species to advance and enhance its origin and ancestral nature to allow it continue to exist in its present or new environment. It refers to a transformation in the nature of populations of particular species or group of organisms, over the course of generations. The subject of evolution assists individuals to appreciate how humans and other organisms have progressed in various aspects of life, such as culture and language.
Physical Anthropology and the General Ways Physical Anthropologists Investigate Evolution
Physical anthropology focuses on beings as a biological species and explores subjects like human heredities, human evolution, the fossil record, as well as the ecology of existing populations. In evolution, physical anthropology’s major area of concern is the investigation of the sustained evolution of humankind using the evidence that humans and their ancestors have availed and the genetic material that can be currently obtained. Physical anthropology explores how humans differ, evolve biologically, and adjust to ecological stresses. It entails the research of both living and past humans, including human ancestors and their lineages (Larsen, 2014).
To study the evolution of humans, physical anthropologists use several techniques. They explore the fossil record, and investigation of fossils reveals the evolution of human ancestors and other animals. The level that the fossils are discovered indicates the estimated age and period, enabling the advancement of every stage in the evolutionary course. Another technique is comparing the anatomy as well as the genetics of existing, similar organisms with the ones from the past.
Physical anthropologists also use human growth and development, both for present and early humans to study evolution. They analyze the development rates of existing humans, other primates, as well as the remains of early hominids in all phases of life. To comprehend human physical growth and evolution, physical anthropologists explore prehistoric evidence like skeletal, and mainly perform their work in a laboratory setting (Larsen, 2014). .
They analyze DNA from existing humans, hominid ancestors, non-human primates, as well as primate ancestors to research their roots and kinship. Human biologists study existing humans by observing their behavior to find out how biology, culture, and environment interrelate. A physical anthropologist also researches organisms by fully analyzing the way people lived and endured on a daily basis. Bones, muscles, organs, reproduction, and the culture where the fossils are discovered are significant aspects for physical anthropologists (Larsen, 2014). .Top of FormBottom of Form
A Research Project in Which Physical Anthropologists Study Evolution and Its Significance in Understanding Evolution
The project named ecological diversity and modern human adaptations by S. Stinson examine the biological adaptations that humans display in their different environments. This project reveals that the best illustration of human hereditary adaptation to climate is skin color, which possibly evolved as an adaptation to ultraviolet radiation. Differences among populaces in body size as well as shape can also be partly associated with adaptation to climate. Humans maintain adaptations to severe climates that progressed in their ancestors who had limited technological capacity to overcome environmental stress.
Cultural Anthropology
Cultural anthropology studies human cultures in the present as well as recent past. It analyzes the way cultures differ and transform over time. Cultural anthropologists concentrate on humanity’s numerous cultural systems and how they impact humans (Muckle, González, & University of Toronto Press, 2016). .
General Ways a Cultural Anthropologist Investigates Evolution
Cultural anthropologists stress participant observation, fieldwork, and artifacts, as research methods. Investigators engross themselves for a longer period in the society or group they intend to research. For example, those who explore a certain tribe in a community live among the tribe’s members for a certain period. They engage in the tribe’s daily life to acquire first-hand information on of the culture and the way the group struggles with the problems of daily life (Muckle, González, & University of Toronto Press, 2016).
A Research Project in Which Cultural Anthropologists Study Evolution and Its Significance in Our Understanding of Evolution.
The project the Stone tool making and the evolution of human culture and cognition by Dietrich Stout examine the hierarchical organization of toolmaking action sequences to offer a clear basis of conclusions about culture and cognition. Though several species exhibit behavioral traditions, human culture is distinctive in the intricacy of its technological, symbolic as well as social contents. The outcomes indicate that the degrees of Palaeolithic culture change may have been underrated and there is a direct link between rising technological complexity and diversity.
How the Study of Evolution between Physical Anthropology and Cultural Anthropology Compares and Contrasts
Both physical anthropology and cultural anthropology investigate the evolution of a specific species over time. They both conduct studies to benefit the existing humans and species. In some cases, cultural anthropologists deal in the physical material just as physical anthropologists. Moreover, both physical and cultural anthropologists utilize the scientific method to explore evolution and develop evolutionary theories regarding a particular field of interest. On the other hand, it is the kind of proof and how it is gathered that make the two subfields to contrast. Physical anthropology focuses on physical proof and its interpretation whereas cultural anthropology mostly utilizes more interpretation of behaviors than physical evidence. Biological anthropology research physical material, for example, fossils, bones, as well as other objects. Much of their work in performed in a laboratory. On the contrary, cultural anthropology investigates the aspects of the subject for more details about the culture.
Reflection on a New Piece of Information Learned About Evolution
I have learned that evolution does not only entail progression of bones and organs as well as the way they have developed, but also the progression in interaction, transportation, and survivability. These areas of evolution are intensely researched and offer proof of the extend the world has come today compared to several years ago.
References
Larsen, C. S. (2014). Our origins: Discovering physical anthropology. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.
Muckle, R. J., González, L. T., & University of Toronto Press. (2016). Through the lens of anthropology: An introduction to human evolution and culture. Toronto [etc.: University of Toronto Press.