Anthropology quiz
What is Human Evolution?
The process by which human beings developed on Earth from now-extinct primates.
What does evolution assume?
It assumes that all natural forms arose from their ancestors and adapted over time to their environments.
What are the ways in which evolution occurs?
The most noted are Natural Selection and Adaptation.
What is Darwin's theory of evolution?
all life is related and is decended from a common ancestor: the birds and the bananas, the fishes and the flowers - - all related.
What is natural selection?
as random genetic mutations occur within an organism's genetic code, the beneficial mutations are preserved because they aid survival. They are passed down throigh offspring, over time these mutations accumulate and the result is an entirely different organism. Naturalistic equivalent to domestic breeding.
What is a Primate?
Large-Brained, mostly tree dwelling mammals with three-dimentional colour vision and grasping hands. Humans are primates.
What is a hominid?
Modern human beings and our ancestors, generally defined as the primates who habitually walk upright. members of the family hominoidea.
Australopithecus
A genus of the family Homonidea characterized by small brained homonids with mixed fruit/vegetable diets.
homo
A genus of the family hominoidea characterized by large brained homonids with an omnivorous diet.
Australopithecus aferensis
from 4 to 2.9 million years ago
australopithecus afticanus
from 3 to 2.2 million years ago
homo habilus
from 2.5 to 1.6 million years ago
paranthropus robustus
from 2.1 to 1.5 million years ago
paranthropus boisei
from 1.8 to 1 million years ago
homo erectus
from 1.6 to 300k years ago
Homo sapiens
from 300k years ago to now
homo neanderthalensis
from 175k - 50k years ago
when were the theories of evolution accepted
by 1890's
What are the Seven Elements of Culture??
1. Customs and Traditions
2. Arts and Literature
3. Religion
4. Government
5. Economics
6. Language
7. Social Organisations
What are some uniquely human characteristics?
Reasoning
Spirituality and dieties
ability to really think about time
Three main subdivisions of Anthropology??
Physical - study of physical differences including genetic. evolutionary, adaptability
Cultural - scientific study of human cultures
Archeology - study of human culture through recovery, documentation and analysis of material remains and environmental data.
What are two rites of passage ceremonies and their significances.
Baptism - when catholic children are cleansed of their initial sin by the holy water of the chirch. This is significant as it allows the child of this family to be accepted into the religion itself.
Graduation from a secondary school - ends the persons chapter as a child and begins their chapter as an adult. This is significant as many do not believe that you have truly become an adult or have the full capabilities of an adult unless you have at least graduated from a secondary school.