What is Anthropology?



Well, the answer to that question depends on whom is being asked and in what circumstances the question is asked. 

Basically, it is the scientific study of the species homo sapiens (that's us... humans that is). 

According to The American Heritage® Dictionary:
an·thro·pol·o·gy    n. 
1. The scientific study of the origin, the behavior, 
and the physical, social, and cultural development 
of humans. 
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anthro·po·logi·cal or anthro·po·logic adj. 
anthro·po·logi·cal·ly adv. 
anthro·polo·gist n. 
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Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.



According to Encyclopædia Britannica
anthropology 
the study of human beings, in particular the study of their physical character, evolutionary history, racial classification, historical and present-day geographic distribution, group relationships, and cultural history. Anthropology can be characterized as the naturalistic description and interpretation of the diverse peoples of the world. 

"Anthropology." Encyclopædia Britannica 2003 Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service.
06 Mar, 2003 http://search.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=7896




Here are some links to pages at various informational and educational organizations with definitions and explanations of what Anthropology means to them. 



American Anthropological Association 

AnthroTech 

University of Colorado at Boulder 




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What do you |~_~|



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