Anthropology For Dummies

Study the science of all of us Anthropologyis the organized study of what makes humans human. It takes an objective step backto viewhomo sapiensas a species andaskquestions like:Given our common characteristics,why aren'tall of usexactlythe same? Why do people across the world havevariableskin and hair color andso many inventivewaysto sayhello?Andhowcan knowing the reasons behindour differences-as well as our similarities-teach us useful lessons for the future?The updated edition ofAnthropologyForDummiesgives you a panoramic view ofthefascinating fieldwork and theorythatseeks toanswer these questions-andhelps youviewthe humanworldthroughimpartial,anthropological eyes. Keeping the jargon to a minimum,AnthropologyForDummiesexploresthe four mainsubdivisions of the discipline, fromtheadventurous Indiana Jones territoryof archaeology and the hands-on biological insightsprovided by our physical natureto thestudiousbook-crackingbrainwork of cultural and linguistic investigation. Along the way,you'lljourneydeepinto ourprehistorywherewebegin to differentiateourselves fromourprimate relatives-andthenfast forwardintothe possibilities ofcenturies yet to come. Explorethe history of anthropology and apply its methods Get adeep, scientifictake on contemporary debatessuch asidentity Excavate the human past through new fossil discoveries Peer into humanity's future in space Whether you're studyinganthropologyfor schoolor just want to know more aboutwhat makesushumanswho we are, this is the perfectintroductionto humanity's past and present-anda clue to what we needto build a better future.