What is the difference between anthropology and history

A subdiscipline is a specialized field of study within a broader subject or discipline. Anthropologists specialize in cultural or social anthropology, linguistic anthropology , biological or physical anthropology, and archaeology. While subdisciplines can overlap and are not always seen by scholars as distinct, each tends to use different techniques and methods.

Cultural Anthropology Cultural anthropology, also known as social anthropology, is the study of the learned behavior of groups of people in specific environments. Cultural anthropologists base their work in ethnography, a research method that uses field work and participant-observation to study individual cultures and customs.

Among the traditions she studied were the chants and practices of the Satawalese, a tiny cultural group native to a single coral atoll in the Federated States of Micronesia. Cultural anthropologists who analyze and compare different cultures are known as ethnologists. Ethnologists may observe how specific customs develop differently in different cultures and interpret why these differences exist.

He spent more than three years in Latin America, collecting and studying plants that different indigenous groups use in their daily lives. His work compares how these groups understand and use plants as food, medicine, and in religious ceremonies. Linguistic Anthropology Linguistic anthropology is the study of how language influences social life.

Linguistic anthropologists say language provides people with the intellectual tools for thinking and acting in the world. Linguistic anthropologists focus on how language shapes societies and their social networks, cultural beliefs, and understanding of themselves and their environments.

To understand how people use language for social and cultural purposes, linguistic anthropologists closely document what people say as they engage in daily social activities. This documentation relies on participant-observation and other methods, including audiovisual recording and interviews with participants. Lera Boroditsky, a cognitive scientist, studies forms of communication among the Pormpuraaw, an Aboriginal community in Australia.

Boroditsky found that almost all daily activities and conversations were placed within the context of cardinal directions. Linguistic anthropologists may document native languages that are in danger of extinction.

The Enduring Voices Project at National Geographic aims to prevent language extinction by embarking on expeditions that create textual, visual, and auditory records of threatened languages. The project also assists indigenous communities in their efforts to revitalize and maintain their languages. Biological Anthropology Biological anthropology, also known as physical anthropology, is the study of the evolution of human beings and their living and fossil relatives.

Biological anthropology places human evolution within the context of human culture and behavior. This means biological anthropologists look at how physical developments, such as changes in our skeletal or genetic makeup, are interconnected with social and cultural behaviors throughout history.

To understand how humans evolved from earlier life forms, some biological anthropologists study primates, such as monkeys and apes.

Primates are considered our closest living relatives. Jane Goodall, a primatologist, has studied wild chimpanzees in Tanzania for more than 40 years. By living with these primates for extended periods of time, Goodall discovered a number of similarities between humans and chimpanzees. Toolmaking is considered a key juncture in human evolution. Other biological anthropologists examine the skeletal remains of our human ancestors to see how we have adapted to different physical environments and social structures over time.

This specialty is known as human paleontology, or paleoanthropology. Zeresenay Alemseged, a National Geographic Explorer, examines hominid fossils found at the Busidima-Dikika anthropological site in Ethiopia. Paleoanthropologists study why some hominid species were able to survive for thousands of years, while others were not. Biological anthropology may focus on how the biological characteristics of living people are related to their social or cultural practices.

A thick layer of fat protects vital organs of the chest and abdomen, and veins shrink at night. Archaeology Archaeology is the study of the human past using material remains. These remains can be any objects that people created, modified, or used. Archaeologists carefully uncover and examine these objects in order to interpret the experiences and activities of peoples and civilizations throughout history. Archaeologists often focus their work on a specific period of history.

Archaeologists may study prehistoric cultures—cultures that existed before the invention of writing. For example, macaw eggshells, skeletal remains, and ceramic imagery recovered at archaeological sites in the United States Southwest suggest the important role macaws played as exotic trade items and objects of worship for prehistoric peoples in that area.

Other archaeologists may focus their studies on a specific culture or aspect of cultural life. Constanza Ceruti, a National Geographic Emerging Explorer, is a high-altitude archaeologist specializing in artifacts and features of the Incan Empire.

Along with archaeological evidence, Ceruti analyzes historical sources and traditional Andean beliefs. These data help her reconstruct what ancient sites looked like, the symbolic meaning behind each artifact, and how ceremonies took place. History of Anthropology Throughout history, the study of anthropology has reflected our evolving relationships with other people and cultures.

These relationships are deeply connected to political, economic, and social forces present at different points in history. The study of history was an important aspect of ancient Greek and Roman cultures, which focused on using reason and inquiry to understand and create just societies.

Herodotus, a Greek historian, traveled through regions as far-flung as present-day Libya, Ukraine, Egypt, and Syria during the 5th century B. Herodotus traveled to these places to understand the origins of conflict between Greeks and Persians. Along with historical accounts, Herodotus described the customs and social structures of the peoples he visited. Skip to content Home Psychology What is the relationship between history and anthropology? Ben Davis July 13, What is the relationship between history and anthropology?

What is the main relationship between sociology and anthropology? What is the relationship of sociology and anthropology to other social sciences? Is sociology and anthropology a similar field in social science?

Which is easier anthropology or sociology? What is the key difference between anthropology and sociology? Is Anthropology like psychology? What job can a sociology major get you? What are the goals of anthropology? What is the main focus of anthropology? What are the key concepts of anthropology? What is anthropology and its importance? What is the concept of anthropology? What is Anthropology in simple words?

What are the benefits of studying anthropology? Is anthropology class hard? The same allows further education in the form of M. Phil and PhD, which enables one to build up a better career life in academic sector.

The common job profiles available for those who got educated in history are mentioned here. Name required. Mail will not be published required. Entrance Exams - Education and Career in India. Difference between Anthropology and History. Anthropology and Opportunities After completing HSC course, one can go for bachelor degree courses in Anthropology according to their interest. History is the wider area of study where as Anthropology acts as a sub content of the former.

History involves analyzing and evaluating certain events where as Anthropology identifies the behavior and associations of human beings. The main aim of History is to identify the past of humans where as anthropology discovers the true nature of human beings. The area of application of both the subject is different from each other. Conversely, anthropology has only one central goal and that is holism. It envisions a holistic view of what humans are and what human nature really is.

Summary : 1. History has a broader scope compared to anthropology. The one who helps in writing accounts about history is a historian whereas the one who studies about anthropology is called an anthropologist. History seeks to discover the answers of the cause and effects of certain events whereas anthropology primarily deals with homo sapiens the humans.

The key objective of history is to know and understand the past whereas anthropology is geared towards discovering the true nature of human beings. Cite APA 7 ,. Difference Between Anthropology and History. Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects. MLA 8 ,. This is by far the worst comparison I have ever seen on the net. Julita, you probably failed your college entrance test, because you could not compare apples to oranges.

How is that even possible? What do you think is more complex, the study of the past or the study of a human being and all the ancestors of a human being who has actually made this past? Anthropology involves not only acquiring the knowledge of human history which is in fact is much shorter time wise than those millions of years that are covered by anthropology but also biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology!!!