So this post might actually be the most fitting to this blog's name--after all this is BITS of Anthro Today--so here are not one, not five, but TEN quick and interesting (and hopefully fun to learn) anthropology facts to heighten your knowledge of this field! Let's get right into it.
Anthropology is an ancient study which dates back to a Greek and Roman philosophers, historians, and scholars like Herodotus and Tacitus.
While cultural anthropology focuses on living human societies & their cultures, archaeology, also considered to be under the great umbrella of anthropology, studies past groups of people (especially their materials).
Did you know that almost all humans have some Neanderthal DNA? Thanks to a recent study by Princeton University, it has now been found that even those who are of fully African descent, who were previously thought to have no genetic connection to Neanderthals because Neanderthals never reached Africa, may have some of their DNA thanks to human migration in and out of Africa.
Taking anthropology as your college major is a strength in the career world, not a weakness! This is because it opens a variety of doors for you, and teaches you key skills such as critical thinking, advanced research skills, and cultural awareness. Anthropology majors are hired everyday for jobs in medicine, business, public health, marketing, forensics, environmental protection, human resources, and museums (check out my post on career paths for anthropology majors for more examples!).
Anthropology has played a significant role in educating others on important social matters such as gender, race, and inequality.
We all know that the human population is pretty huge today, but just how many of us there ever were on Earth is pretty extraordinary. Since just a century ago, our population has quadrupled from two to eight billion people, and in total about 108 billion people have lived on this planet!
Without forensic anthropologists, who examine human remains and perform autopsies to determine causes of death, many criminal cases would go unsolved.
To properly examine all facets of human life throughout time, including not just artifacts but politics, religion, relationships, and art, anthropologists need to have an understanding of the principles of numerous disciplines such as geology, art, biology, history, and psychology.
Humans have many physical qualities apart from their brain which are remarkable. For example, humans are exceptionally good runners for tailless bipeds, and very adept at swimming for primates.
In most cases, anthropologists work with and support marginalized communities.
As the "Looney Tunes" cartoons used to say, 'That's all folks!', and sorry for the delay with the posting of this blog (adjusting to school can take a second). Until next week! :)
1 Comment