Anthropologists and Archeologists : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Anthropologists and archeologists often do fieldwork. Quick Facts: Anthropologists and Archeologists Job Outlook Employment of anthropologists and archeologists is projected to grow 4 percent from 2014 to 2024, slower than the average for all occupations. Prospective anthropologists and archeologists will likely face strong competition for jobs because of the small number of positions relative to applicants. What Anthropologists and Archeologists Do About this section Some anthropologists and archeologists excavate artifacts. Anthropologists and archeologists study the origin, development, and behavior of humans. They examine the cultures, languages, archeological remains, and physical characteristics of people in various parts of the world.

Duties Anthropologists and archeologists typically do the following: Plan research projects to answer questions and test hypotheses about human behavior and the interaction between humans within a culture, between different cultures, and between nature and culture Develop data collection methods tailored to a particular region, specialty, or project Collect information from observations, interviews, and documents Record and manage records of observations taken in the field Analyze data, laboratory samples, and other sources of information to uncover patterns about human life, culture, and origins Prepare reports and present research findings Advise organizations on the cultural impact of policies, programs, and products By drawing and building on knowledge from the humanities and the social, physical, and biological sciences, anthropologists and archeologists examine the ways of life, languages, archeological remains, and physical characteristics of people in various parts of the world. They also examine the customs, values, and social patterns of different cultures. Many anthropologists and archeologists use sophisticated tools and technologies in their work. Although the equipment used varies by task and specialty, it often includes excavation and measurement tools, laboratory and recording equipment, statistical and database software, and geographic information systems (GIS).

Technology is integral to modern research and fieldwork and the use of new technologies is rapidly expanding in the field. Archeologists examine, recover, and preserve evidence of human activity from past cultures. They analyze human remains and artifacts, such as tools, pottery, cave paintings, and ruins of buildings. They connect their findings with information about past environments to learn about the history, customs, and living habits of people in earlier eras. Archeologists also manage and protect archeological sites. Some work in national parks or at historical sites, providing site protection and educating the public. Others assess building sites to ensure that construction plans comply with federal regulations on site preservation. Archeologists often specialize in a particular geographic area, period, or object of study, such as animal remains or underwater sites. Some anthropologists study the social and cultural consequences of current human issues, such as overpopulation, natural disasters, warfare, and poverty; others study the prehistory and the evolution of humans. A growing number of anthropologists perform market research for businesses by studying the demand for products by a particular culture or social group. Using their anthropological background and a variety of techniques—including interviews, surveys, and observations—they may collect data on how a product is used by specific demographic groups.

The following are examples of types of anthropologists: Biological anthropologists, also known as physical anthropologists, research the evolution and development of the human species. They look for early evidence of human life, analyze genetics, study primates, and examine the biological variations in humans. They analyze how culture and biology influence each other. Some may examine human remains found at archeological sites to understand population demographics or to identify factors—such as nutrition and disease—that affected these populations. Others may work as forensic anthropologists in medical or legal settings, identifying and analyzing skeletal remains and genetic material. Cultural anthropologists study the customs, cultures, and social lives of groups. They investigate social practices and processes in settings that range from remote, unindustrialized villages to modern urban centers. Cultural anthropologists often spend time living in the societies they study and collect information through observations, interviews, and surveys. Linguistic anthropologists study how humans communicate and how language shapes social life. They investigate nonverbal communication, the structure and development of languages, and differences among languages. They also examine the role of language in different cultures, how social and cultural factors affect language, and how language affects a person’s experiences.

Many linguistic anthropologists study non-European languages, which they learn directly from native speakers. Work Environment About this section Archeologists manage and protect archeological sites. Anthropologists and archeologists held about 7,700 jobs in 2014. The industries that employed the most anthropologists and archeologists were as follows: Research and development in the social sciences and humanities 28% Engineering services 7 Anthropologists and archeologists worked in research organizations, government, and consulting firms among other types of organizations. The work of anthropologists varies according to the specific job. Although most anthropologists work in an office, some analyze samples in laboratories or work in the field. Archeologists often work for cultural resource management (CRM) firms. CRM firms identify, assess, and preserve archeological sites and ensure that developers and builders comply with regulations regarding archeological sites. Archeologists also work in museums, at historical sites, and for government agencies, such as the U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Park Service . Anthropologists and archeologists often do fieldwork, either in the United States or in foreign countries.

Fieldwork may involve learning foreign languages, living in remote areas, and examining and excavating archeological sites. Fieldwork usually requires travel for extended periods—about 4 to 8 weeks per year. They often will have to return to the field for several years to complete their research. Fieldwork may require travel to remote areas or international locations, where anthropologists and archeologists must live with the people they study to learn about their culture. The work can involve rugged living conditions and strenuous physical exertion. While in the field, anthropologists and archeologists often work many hours to meet research deadlines. They may also work with limited funding for their projects. Work Schedules Most anthropologists and archeologists work full time during regular business hours. When doing fieldwork, anthropologists and archeologists may be required to travel and work many and irregular hours, including evenings and weekends. How to Become an Anthropologist or Archeologist About this section Students may attend archeological field schools to learn how to excavate historical and archeological sites. Anthropologists and archeologists need a master’s degree or Ph.D. in anthropology or archeology. Experience doing fieldwork in either discipline is also important.

Bachelor’s degreeholders may find work as assistants or fieldworkers. Education Most anthropologists and archeologists qualify for available positions with a master’s degree in anthropology or archeology. The typical master’s degree program takes 2 years to complete and includes field or laboratory research. Anthropology and archeology students typically conduct field research during their graduate programs, often working abroad or in community-based research. Many students also attend archeological field schools, which teach students how to excavate historical and archeological sites and how to record and interpret their findings and data. Although a master’s degree is enough for many positions, a Ph.D. may be needed for jobs that require leadership skills and advanced technical knowledge. Anthropologists and archeologists typically need a Ph.D. to work internationally in order to comply with the requirements of foreign governments. A Ph.D. takes several years of study beyond a master’s degree. Ph.D. students must also complete a doctoral dissertation, which typically includes between 18 and 30 months of field research. Those with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology or archeology and work experience gained through an internship or field school can work as field or laboratory technicians or research assistants.

However, anthropologists and archeologists need a master’s degree to advance beyond entry-level positions. Many people with a Ph.D. in anthropology or archeology become professors or museum curators. For more information, see the profiles on postsecondary teachers , and archivists, curators, and museum workers . Other Experience Graduates of anthropology and archeology programs usually need work experience in their respective fields and training in quantitative and qualitative research methods. Many students gain experience through field training or internships with museums, historical societies, or nonprofit organizations. Important Qualities Analytical skills. Anthropologists and archeologists must possess knowledge of scientific methods and data, which are often used in their research. Critical-thinking skills. Anthropologists and archeologists must be able to draw conclusions from observations, laboratory experiments, and other methods of research. Communication skills. Anthropologists and archeologists often have to present their research and findings to their peers and to general audiences. Investigative skills. Anthropologists and archeologists must seek and explore all facts relevant to their research. They must be able to combine various sources of information to try to solve problems and to answer research questions. Writing skills.

Anthropologists and archeologists need strong writing skills because they often write reports detailing their research findings and publish results in scholarly journals and public interest publications. Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics The median annual wage for anthropologists and archeologists was $61,220 in May 2015. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $35,440, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $97,040. In May 2015, the median annual wages for anthropologists and archeologists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows: Federal government, excluding postal service $74,860 Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program Employment of anthropologists and archeologists is projected to grow 4 percent from 2014 to 2024, slower than the average for all occupations. These workers will be needed to study human life, history, and culture, and to apply that knowledge to current issues. Corporations will continue to use anthropological research to gain a better understanding of consumer demand within specific cultures or social groups. Anthropologists and archeologists will also be needed to analyze markets, allowing businesses to serve their clients better or to target new customers or demographic groups. Archeologists will be needed to monitor construction projects, ensuring that builders comply with federal regulations on the preservation and handling of archeological and historical artifacts. Because anthropological and archeological research may be dependent on research funding, federal budgetary decisions can affect the rate of employment growth in research. Job Prospects Overall, prospective anthropologists and archeologists will likely face strong competition for jobs because of the small number of positions relative to applicants. Job prospects will be best for candidates with a Ph.D., extensive anthropological or archeological fieldwork experience, and experience in quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Job opportunities for anthropologists are expected to continue to grow in businesses and consulting firms. Archeologists should have the best job prospects in cultural resource management (CRM) firms. Employment projections data for anthropologists and archeologists, 2014-24 Occupational Title State & Area Data About this section Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) The Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Anthropologists and archeologists Projections Central Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at . Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. Career InfoNet America’s Career InfoNet includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area.

There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code. William & Mary - What do Anthropologists Study? What do Anthropologists Study? Native Studies Students take Anthropology courses for a variety of reasons, whether or not they are planning to major in the discipline. Any member of the Anthropology faculty will be glad to talk to you informally about the field and our class offerings, but undeclared undergraduates should never hesitate to engage in the formal advising process. If you have questions or are experiencing problems with the formal advising process, please contact the Office of Academic Advising , or the Director of Undergraduate Studies, [[blweis, Professor Weiss]]. Many students are drawn to the field because of the excitement of research in a natural setting or curiosity about the origin or meanings of everyday things. There is an allure in understanding what lies behind customs of a nomadic pastoral people or the intriguing interplay within a group of chimpanzees. Some find it intensely exciting to painstakingly unearth the foundations of a long lost city or reconstruct changes in the ceramic styles of Virginia.

The challenge of recording and describing the sounds and syntax of some of the world's remaining unwritten languages may hold a powerful appeal. These are the kinds of activities that are often showcased in television and news stories about anthropology. Because anthropology is often absent from high school curricula, those of us who are aware of anthropology at all often receive our first introduction to the topic through popular media. The portrait of the field as adventuresome and prone to work in far-off and out-of-the-way places is, in fact, true - but it is not the whole story. Increasingly, anthropologists work close to home. They study transnational corporations, captive animals, school classroom and daycares, newspapers, social movements, and social inequalities linked with race and gender. Today, within the social sciences and humanities, anthropology is more defined by its approach than its subject matter. Anthropology takes its comparative scope to be all humans at all times and places. The normative framework for anthropological understanding requires that markets, representative governments, legal and religious belief systems, social inequalities, sexual orientations, families, and general human capacities be placed in a broad comparative framework.

While some of the insights of the field are readily grasped, as with any serious field of inquiry, rigorous and disciplined study over a number years develops a facility for applying the anthropological approach to the study of real-world problems. ﻿There are different paths along which a student may travel to arrive at anthropology. Although a few students come to college intending to major in anthropology, most receive their initial introduction in an elective topic that awakens their interest in the field. Such courses might include, "The Rise and Fall of Civilizations" or "Medicine and Culture." Once they have decided to major in anthropology, however, students must fulfill course requirements in a number of other areas as well. The requirements aim to have students experience a general overview of the conceptual underpinnings of the field. Some students may take an introductory 200 level course and decide to matriculate as a major. Others may taken an upper-level course and then enroll in an introductory course for a more systematic introduction to a subfield. Whatever the path taken, the goal of the undergraduate curriculum is threefold: Provide students with a general background in the subfields of anthropology.

Enable students to specialize in an area of interest, usually by taking a number of courses in a logical sequence within a specific subfield or otherwise tailoring their coursework so that the interrelation between methodology, issues and basic literature of a topic may be grasped. Provide students with the opportunity to engage in original research and synthesis involving a writing project, either in a capstone seminar, independent study, or honors research course. Finally, as with all liberal arts majors, anthropology undergraduates hone critical thinking, speaking, and writing skills. The Four Subfields Its unique history has bequeathed United States anthropology with an intellectual grounding in four subfields. This may be seen in the articles appearing in the flagship publication of the American Anthropological Association, American Anthropologist, on its webpage at http: and in the organization of the Association itself into sections and interest groups. In different colleges and universities, however, professionals doing research and teaching in these subfields may be housed in different departments. Bookstores will often shelve books written by anthropologists in many different sections-while the offerings in the anthropology section appear relatively thin (this is true of the William and Mary Bookstore, for example).

The four subfields are usually called socio-cultural anthropology, archaeology, biological anthropology, and linguistics. Socio-cultural Anthropology is the study of the social and cultural dimensions of living peoples. Such study often involves the method called participant observation, often complemented with other sorts of data gathering methods. Language learning and study often compel us to use the tools of linguistics. Relevant social and cultural topics encompass all of human experience - immigrants' memories of loss, the maintenance of common fishing grounds or irrigation works, understanding and treatment of illness, great holiday meals and feelings of sacredness. The range of topics that have attracted the attention of socio-cultural anthropologists is practically limitless, and the applications of disciplinary theories and methods are wide-ranging. In Archaeology a distinction is often made between historical archaeology, in which written records are available to complement what is unearthed, and the broader enterprise of archaeology involving human populations where writing was not used. However, in all cases archaeologists address many of the same questions posed by socio-cultural anthropologists using creative approaches to document the remains of past human activities. They are also in a position to address questions involving spatial distribution and patterns and development through time.

Technical advances in such fields as chemistry, geology, and remote sensing have expanded the repertory of data gathering methods in archaeology. Biological Anthropology seeks to understand biological and biocultural similarities and differences among populations of nonhuman primates, extinct human ancestors, and modern humans. This type of study may shed light on human culture, communication, society, and behavior. Such efforts may range from studies of great ape foraging or modeling the evolution of technology and language, to researching pathologies observed in human skeletal remains or study of genetic markers allowing us to infer how populations may have diverged and merged through time. A key concern within this subfield is exploring the relationship among genes, behavior, and environment in order to understand the consequences - both historically and in the present day - of genetic determinist theories. Linguistics studies one of the most fundamental aspects of culture. It may be closely associated with socio-cultural approaches to specific cultures or forms of communication. Alternately, some linguists broadly focus on the human capacity to create and understand language and its relation to other modes of communication. Linguistic courses at William and Mary are offered through Linguistic Studies , an interdisciplinary program administered by the Charles Center.

In particular, ANTH 204 "The Study of Language"(crosslisted with ENGL 220), forms part of the sequence of introductory courses to the anthropological subfields, although it is not required for the Major. Linguistics courses generally carry ANTH 204 or ENGL 220 as a prerequisite. ﻿ As with most classifications, the four subfields are a bit of a simplification. Many research agendas cross-cut the subfields. There are biocultural anthropologists, evolutionary ecologists, ethnoarchaeologists, and socio-linguists, for example. Some anthropologists consider themselves primarily as applied anthropologists. These generally work for clients or employers and seek to use the tools and results of anthropological research to address specific problems of clients. What is Anthropology? » Anthropology » Boston University What is Anthropology? What is Anthropology? What is Anthropology?

Are you as interested as I am in knowing how, when, and where human life arose, what the first human societies and languages were like, why cultures have evolved along diverse but often remarkably convergent pathways, why distinctions of rank came into being, and how small bands and villages gave way to chiefdoms and chiefdoms to mighty states and empires? —Marvin Harris, Our Kind Those words, written by the American anthropologist Marvin Harris, convey some of his fascination with the field of anthropology. But what is anthropology? Study of Humankind The word anthropology itself tells the basic story. From the Greek anthropos (“human”) and logia (“study”), it is the study of humankind, from its beginnings millions of years ago to the present day. Nothing human is alien to anthropology. Indeed, of the many disciplines that study our species, Homo sapiens, only anthropology seeks to understand the whole panorama—in geographic space and evolutionary time—of human existence. Though easy to define, anthropology is difficult to describe. Its subject matter is both exotic (e.g., star lore of the Australian aborigines) and commonplace (anatomy of the foot).

And its focus is both sweeping (the evolution of language) and microscopic (the use-wear of obsidian tools). Anthropologists may study ancient Mayan hieroglyphics, the music of African Pygmies, and the corporate culture of a U.S. car manufacturer. But always, the common goal links these vastly different projects: to advance knowledge of who we are, how we came to be that way—and where we may go in the future. “I am a human, and nothing human can be of indifference to me.” —Terence, The Self-Torturer Curiosity. In a sense, we all “do” anthropology because it is rooted in a universal human trait: curiosity. We are curious about ourselves and about other people, the living as well as the dead, here and around the globe. We ask anthropological questions: Do all societies have marriage customs? As a species, are human beings innately violent or peaceful? Did the earliest humans have light or dark skins? When did people first begin speaking a language? How related are humans, monkeys and chimpanzees? Is Homo sapiens’s brain still evolving? Such questions are part of a folk anthropology practiced in school yards, office buildings, and neighborhood cafes.

But if we are all amateur anthropologists, what do the professionals study? How does the science of anthropology differ from ordinary opinion sharing and “common sense”? Comparative Method. As a discipline, anthropology begins with a simple yet powerful idea: Any detail of our behavior can be understood better when it is seen against the backdrop of the full range of human behavior. This, the comparative method, attempts to explain similarities and differences among people holistically, in the context of humanity as a whole. Anthropology seeks to uncover principles of behavior that apply to all human communities. To an anthropologist, diversity itself—seen in body shapes and sizes, customs, clothing, speech, religion, and worldview—provides a frame of reference for understanding any single aspect of life in any given community. To illustrate, imagine having our entire lives in a world of red. Our food, our clothing, our car—even the street we live on—everything around us a different shade of red. And yet ironically, in a scarlet world, isn’t it true that we will have no real grasp of the color red itself, nor even the concept of color, without being able to compare red with yellow, blue, green, and all the hues of the rainbow?

We [anthropologists] have been the first to insist on a number of things: that the world does not divide into the pious and the superstitious; that there are sculptures in jungles and paintings in deserts; that political order is possible without centralized power and principled justice without codified rules; that the norms of reason were not fixed in Greece, the evolution of morality not consummated in England. Most important, we were the first to insist that we see the lives of others through lenses of our own grinding and that they look back on ours through ones of their own. —Clifford Geertz Evolutionary Perspective As a field, anthropology brings an explicit, evolutionary approach to the study of human behavior. Each of anthropology’s four main subfields—sociocultural, biological, archaeology, linguistic anthropology—acknowledges that Homo has a long evolutionary history that must be studied if one is to know what it means to be a human being. Cultural Anthropology In North America, the discipline’s largest branch, cultural anthropology, applies the comparative method and evolutionary perspective to human culture.

Culture represents the entire database of knowledge, values, and traditional ways of viewing the world, which have been transmitted from one generation ahead to the next—nongenetically, apart from DNA—through words, concepts, and symbols. Cultural anthropologists study humans through a descriptive lens called the ethnographic method, based on participant observation in tandem with face-to-face interviews, normally conducted in the native tongue. Ethnographers compare what they see and hear themselves with the observations and findings of studies conducted in other societies. Originally, anthropologists pieced together a complete way of life for a culture, viewed as a whole. Today, the more likely focus is on a narrower aspect of cultural life, such as economics, politics, religion, or art. Cultural anthropologists seek to understand the internal logic of another society. It helps outsiders make sense of behaviors that, like face painting or scarification, may seem bizarre or senseless. Through the comparative method, an anthropologist learns to avoid “ethnocentrism,” the tendency to interpret strange customs on the basis of preconceptions derived from one’s own cultural background. Moreover, this same process helps us see our own society—the color “red” again—through fresh eyes.

We can turn the principle around and see our everyday surroundings in a new light, with the same sense of wonder and discovery anthropologists experience when studying life in a Brazilian rain-forest tribe. Though many picture cultural anthropologists thousands of miles from home residing in thatched huts amid wicker fences, growing numbers now study U.S. groups instead, applying anthropological perspectives to their own culture and society. Linguistic Anthropology One aspect of culture holds a special fascination for most anthropologists: language, hallmark of the human species. The organization of systems of sound into language has enabled Homo sapiens to transcend the limits of individual memory. Speech is the most efficient medium of communication since DNA for transmitting information across generations. It is upon language that culture itself depends—and within language that humanity’s knowledge resides. “As you commanded me, I, Spider Woman, have created these First People. They are fully and firmly formed; they have movement. But they cannot talk. That is the proper thing they lack. So I want you to give them speech.” So Sotuknang gave them speech, a different language to each color, with respect for each other’s difference. He gave them also the wisdom and the power to reproduce and multiply.

—Hopi Indian Emergence Myth Linguistic anthropologists, representing one of the discipline’s traditional branches, look at the history, evolution, and internal structure of human languages. They study prehistoric links between different societies, and explore the use and meaning of verbal concepts with which humans communicate and reason. Linguistic anthropologists seek to explain the very nature of language itself, including hidden connections among language, brain, and behavior. Language is the hallmark of our species. It is upon language that human culture itself depends. Linguistic anthropologists, of course, are not the only ones who study historical dimensions of culture. Anthropologists recognize that, in seeking to understand today’s society, they should not confine attention only to present-day groups. They also need information about what came before. But how can they trace the long-ago prehistory, reaching far back into the millennia, of societies that left no written record? Archaeology Fortunately, the human record is written not only in alphabets and books, but is preserved in other kinds of material remains—in cave paintings, pictographs, discarded stone tools, earthenware vessels, religious figurines, abandoned baskets—which is to say, in tattered shreds and patches of ancient societies.

Archaeologists interpret this often fragmentary but fascinating record to reassemble long-ago cultures and forgotten ways of life. Archaeologists, long interested in the classical societies of Greece, Rome, and Egypt, have extended their studies in two directions—backward some 3 million years to the bones and stone tools of our protohuman ancestors, and forward to the reconstruction of lifeways and communities of 19th-century America. Regarding the latter, many archaeologists work in the growing field of cultural resource management, to help federal, state, and local governments preserve our nation’s architectural, historical, and cultural heritage. Biological Anthropology But human history begins in a different place further back in time. It starts about 8 million years ago, when a population of apelike creatures from eastern Africa turned onto a unique evolutionary road. Thus, the anthropologist’s comparative perspective must be expanded to include more than prehistoric human societies, for behavior has primate roots as well. To fully understand humankind we must learn more about its place in the natural habitat of living things. Biological (or physical) anthropology looks at Homo sapiens as a genus and species, tracing their biological origins, evolutionary development, and genetic diversity.

Biological anthropologists study the biocultural prehistory of Homo to understand human nature and, ultimately, the evolution of the brain and nervous system itself. These, then, are the four main branches that make anthropology whole: cultural, linguistic, archaeology, and biological anthropology. Anthropology asks a most difficult and most important question: What does it mean to be human? While the question may never be fully answered, the study of anthropology—what the noted anthropologist Loren Eiseley has called the “immense journey”—has attracted some of the world’s greatest thinkers, whose discoveries forever changed our understanding of ourselves. Know then thyself . . . What Does an Anthropologist Do? Guide to careers in criminal justice, social science, sociology and more What Does an Anthropologist Do? Follow Are you curious about what an anthropologist does? Contrary to the popular image of anthropologists who live with and study native tribes, most anthropologists actually work in an office setting. These researchers study human behavior, culture, and development, but because the range of this area of study is so broad, what anthropologists actually do depends heavily on the specific niche they research within the field.

Read on to learn more about the four different subtypes of anthropologists and what their roles are within the field. Archaeologists You might picture archaeologists digging in the dirt to find artifacts and dinosaur bones. But beyond that image, archaeologists study human culture by looking at the tangible objects that cultures leave behind. They collect and analyze remains of cultures ranging all the way back to ancient times as well as those who are closer to the present day. Biological Anthropologists These professionals study the evolution of humans and how people are affected by disease and other biological conditions. They do this work by not only studying living humans, but human cadavers, primates like apes and monkeys, primate cadavers, and human fossils, looking for similarities and differences in these groups that span across species and across time. Cultural Anthropologists Cultural anthropologists are interested in studying the ways that humans behave within a group setting: the language, culture, rituals, and relationships they develop. Often, the best way to do this is to spend time within these cultures as an observer, not as a participant. But while some anthropologists work around the globe in foreign lands, others study smaller subcultures within the United States.

Linguistic Anthropologists By studying letters, documents, recordings, and other forms of communication, linguistic anthropologists research the ways that humans communicate with one another, and how communication methods and structure have changed over time. They are interested in the ways in which language shapes the way we live, the way that power is assigned, and how human cultures adapt and are governed. Becoming an Anthropologist If these roles sound intriguing to you, you might want to consider becoming an anthropologist. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , these professionals earn an average of $57,000 per year, and the profession as a whole is expected to grow by 19 percent over the next decade. Anthropologists typically earn a master’s degree and complete research within the subfield where they want to work. Many anthropologists, particularly those interested in leadership roles, go on to earn a doctoral degree. Learn more at the Bureau of Labor Statistics website. Related Resource: Sociologist There are several good online resources if you want to learn more about the life and work of an anthropologist. A good place to start is the American Anthropological Association , which maintains resources online. You may also consider visiting colleges and universities that have an active anthropology department.

Either of these is a good place to continue your research about what an anthropologist does. What does an Anthropologist do? What does an Anthropologist do? ★ An Anthropologist is a specialized type of Scientist . Also known as: Applied Anthropologist , Professor of Anthropology . Table of Contents Comments An anthropologist is a scientist who researches and studies sociohistorical, archaeological, linguistical and biological aspects of humanity, especially as they apply to the development of modern man. In deciphering and analyzing artifacts, ancient languages and past cultures, anthropologists gain a better understanding of how modern civilizations and behaviours came to be. Theories surrounding anthropological studies are then applied to social policies, public problems and even government and military protocol. How to Become an Anthropologist Think you might be interested in becoming an Anthropologist? Here are your next steps. Take the Sokanu Career Test Would you make a good anthropologist? Sokanu's free assessment reveals how compatible you are with a career across 5 dimensions!

Clatsop Community College | Astoria, OR Offers: Associates Central Washington University | Ellensburg, WA Offers: Certificate, Bachelors City University of Seattle | Seattle, WA Offers: Associates, Bachelors View all jobs → What does an Anthropologist do? Anthropology as a science is divided into four distinct sub-fields: cultural anthropology (social anthropology), archaeology, linguistic anthropology, and biological (physical) anthropology. Depending on the sub-field, anthropologists' responsibilities vary widely. Social anthropologists, for instance, research and study only social and cultural behaviours. They may be employed as social scientists for government or research laboratories, conducting surveys and analyzing data to develop new and more effective social policies. Census studies, for example, are often conducted by social anthropologists. These scientists also work in disease prevention and aid in the development of new crowd control techniques. In many ways, social scientists are sociologists who work to implement their theories in a variety of practical applications. Policy and program analyst positions are also available for social anthropologists. In these positions, scientists study and analyze government or corporate policies and programs. They assess whether existing programs are effective and whether social reform plans can be improved.

In the field of archaeology, anthropologists uncover humanity's hidden history through the discovery of artifacts and structures left behind by previous civilizations. They contribute supporting evidence to historical documents, or even uncover stories from the past that have not yet been told. That which is learned from archaeologists' discoveries can aid in improving many aspects of modern culture, or avoiding difficulties encountered in the past. While archaeologists generally work in the field, excavating artifacts and studying historical structures, some also find employment as university professors or museum curators . Both curators and archivists organize and analyze large collections of evidence brought in from the field. They help interpret information from these collections and bring it to the attention of the public and community. Additionally, they oversee technical aspects of preservation and the display of exhibits within the museum. Linguistic anthropologists research language development and how it applies to modern cultures. For example, they might examine why the dialect of people in the southeastern United States carries a negative stereotype or why the Inuit have 15 different words to describe snow. The results of these studies are used to understand major concerns specific to each culture and develop more effective intercultural relationships.

Those employed in the science of biological anthropology study the development of the human species, especially theories that homo sapiens may have evolved from other primates. Biological anthropologists utilize fossil evidence to develop extensive data on human ancestry and how certain physical structures, such as the mandible or opposable thumb, may have developed. They also use this evidence to study how some behaviours may have evolved and, in the case of new fossil evidence, propose new species. To obtain non-fossil evidence, biological anthropologists study primates in their natural environment in hopes of uncovering data relevant to humanity. Find your perfect career Would you make a good anthropologist? Sokanu's free assessment reveals how compatible you are with a career across 5 dimensions! Take the free career test How to Become an Anthropologist Almost all anthropologists hold a doctoral degree. In more rare cases, those with a bachelor's or master's degree in anthropology are able to secure administrative or research positions. Most individuals, however, must undergo the eight years of study required to obtain a doctorate in anthropology. In addition to degree requirements, candidates should be trained in the specific skill sets relevant to their field of study. Archaeologists, for instance, should take courses in geology and geography .

Biological anthropologists, however, should be as competent in the areas of human anatomy, genetics and general biology . Likewise, linguistic anthropologists should be fluent in several languages and social scientists should have a strong background in psychology and sociology . What is the workplace of an Anthropologist like? Most anthropologists are employed by governments or universities, where they conduct the majority of their research or teach anthropology to college students. Researchers and professors work indoors year round. They traditionally enjoy a regular schedule of work hours, though at times more than 40 hours are required. Much of their time is spent writing reports based on research data and critical thinking related to their field. In addition to teaching and creating course syllabi, professors may also contribute on research teams at major universities. Social scientists and other anthropologists employed by the government and major firms also benefit from a regular work schedule and light physical demands. They spend most of the day in an office, researching relevant information and preparing reports for their employers. Some social scientists also go into the field to collect data for their research on a given assignment. Field work is necessary for some types of anthropologists. Archaeologists may travel around the world to uncover artifacts to aid in their research.

Physical anthropologists will also travel far, studying primates in their natural environments. Scientists in these positions must have strong physical stamina and be accustomed to working in a variety of weather conditions and climates. Videos Why Major in Anthropology? » Anthropology » Boston University Why Major in Anthropology? Why Major in Anthropology? Why Major in Anthropology? There are two great reasons why undergraduate students should consider studying anthropology. First, the material is intellectually exciting: Anthropology students enthusiastically complete their courses of study. Second, anthropology prepares students for excellent jobs and opens doors to various career paths: The course of study provides global information and thinking skills critical to succeeding in the 21st century in business, research, teaching, advocacy, and public service. Learning Outcomes for Anthropology Majors The diversity of human cultures and the principles anthropologists employ for studying them. Fundamental cultural themes in at least one society other than their own, and their relationship to the dynamics of social organization. Human linguistic diversity, and the shared properties of all languages that are associated with the unique capacities of our species. The biological principles and historical contingencies that explain and govern the deep history and present state of humanity.

The fundamental laws and processes of heredity and evolution, and their implications for individuals and populations. Students with a concentration in social and cultural anthropology will additionally be able to articulate and act on a more focused understanding of one or more topical areas, which may include the cross-cultural study of law, politics, economic systems, psychology, or medical systems. They will demonstrate an ability to relate theory to empirically grounded research that will help to equip them for an era of globalization in which they will need to understand and interact with societies and cultures beyond their own. Students with a concentration in biological anthropology will additionally be expected to demonstrate a basic theoretical and practical understanding of some aspect of the evolutionary biology, functioning, and pathologies of the human body and of the biological factors that underlie, impact, and constrain nutrition, reproduction, and behavior in humans and other primates. What Is Anthropology? Majoring in anthropology was one of the best decisions I made at BU. In addition to the field’s limitless subject matter, the course material is stimulating and the professors are genuinely enthusiastic about their discipline.

I am currently pursuing a Master of City Planning and my background in anthropology has provided valuable insight into the theoretical and practical knowledge of planning and has allowed me to examine the cultural meaning of the city from both a global and local perspective. Stacy FoxCAS, 2006 Anthropology is the study of human behavior. The exploration of what it means to be human ranges from the study of culture and social relations, to human biology and evolution, to languages, to music, art, and architecture, and to vestiges of human habitation. It considers such fascinating questions as how peoples’ behavior changes over time, how people move about the world, why and how people from distant parts of the world and dissimilar cultures are different and the same, how the human species has evolved over millions of years, and how individuals understand and operate successfully in distinct cultural settings. Anthropology includes four broad fields—cultural anthropology, linguistics, physical anthropology, and archaeology. Each of the four fields teaches distinctive skills, such as applying theories, employing research methodologies, formulating and testing hypotheses, and developing extensive sets of data.

Anthropologists often specialize in one or more geographic areas of the world—for example, West Africa, Latin America, the British Isles, Eastern Europe, North America, and Oceania. In addition, anthropology studies focus on particular populations in a locale or region. Some anthropologists study cultural practices, such as Pyrenees Basques’ use of cooperatives in their economic system, which must be modified to fit the overarching Spanish or French legal structures. Other examples of cultural practices studied by anthropologists include marriage rituals among Scots-Irish Americans in a suburban North Carolina community, Morris dancing on May Day among southwestern English village inhabitants, and aesthetic and linguistic aspects of Trinidadian calypso and “road songs.” Physical anthropologists observe biological behavior, attempting to understand ongoing human evolution and human adaptations to particular environments. They may study, for example, maternal physiological response to pregnancy, and the effects of altitude on maternal and fetal well-being, perhaps performing comparative studies of physiological responses to short-term high altitude residence (e.g., Euro-Americans and African Americans in Colorado) versus longer-term high altitude residence (e.g., indigenous Quechua-speakers in Peru or Sherpas in Nepal).

Historical archaeologists help preserve aspects of the recent past, such as settlement patterns in the western U.S. plains. Archaeological studies generally involve teams of specialists who work with domesticated plant remains, indicators of animal life, and the manmade artifacts produced or imported into a particular area. Anthropologists are careful observers of humans and their behavior, maintaining an intense curiosity: What does it mean to be human? Why do people behave in particular ways? What are the historical and environmental pressures that helped shape the experience and behavior of a specific group of people? What are universal facts of human life? What Does Anthropology Teach That Is Useful Outside the College Setting? Careful record-keeping, attention to details, analytical reading, and clear thinking are taught by anthropological courses. Social ease in strange situations, critical thinking, and strong skills in oral and written expression are cultivated by anthropological training. Using a range of social, behavioral, biological, and other scientific research methods, anthropology majors learn to supplement statistical findings with descriptive data gathered through participant observation, interviewing, and ethnographic study.

An anthropologist is a trained observer who knows the importance of collecting data, of listening and watching what others are doing, of reflecting on what has actually as well as apparently occurred, of researching the context, of applying various explanatory models, and of adopting a broad perspective for framing an understanding. Whatever the topic of research, anthropologists share a particular holistic vision that requires using a repertoire of methods in order to forge a deeper understanding of situations. This holism characterizes the best anthropology and imparts the perspective for which the profession is valued. While the job market for academic anthropologists is relatively steady, demand for anthropologists is increasing in other areas, stimulated by a growing need for analysts and researchers with sharp thinking skills who can manage, evaluate, and interpret the large volume of data on human behavior. The extent of occupational flexibility reflects the emphasis on breadth, diversity, and independence of thought. What we know about the future marketplace indicates a need for the type of global, holistic knowledge that an anthropological perspective brings. Anthropology as a Major: Its Fascinating Subject Matter and Utility for Careers and Subsequent Education What Options Does an Undergraduate Anthropology Major Have after the Bachelor’s Degree? There are many career and educational options for anthropology majors.

Further anthropological study leads to both traditional anthropological careers of teaching and research as well as careers in applied anthropology. Academic anthropologists find careers in anthropology departments, social science departments, and a variety of other departments or programs, such as medicine; epidemiology; public health; ethnic, community, or area studies; linguistics; cognitive psychology; and neural science. Applying anthropology offers many opportunities to use anthropological perspectives and skills. Jobs filled by anthropology majors include researchers, evaluators, and administrators. Cultural anthropologists may pursue the same range of careers as other social scientists; biological and medical anthropologists have other skills that are useful in the growing sector of health-related occupations. Many archaeologists are employed in American cultural resource management projects, which are required by federal and state laws before major building ventures. Further study in graduate or professional school is a common path for undergraduate anthropology majors. Anthropology provides a strong basis for subsequent graduate-level education and training in international law, public health, and other areas, as well as the social sciences. What Job Opportunities Will Anthropology Afford the New Graduate? Job opportunities are generally forged by the individual, not by the program one follows in college.

The best college program encourages the development of performance skills which anthropology excels in molding in its students. The prudent undergraduate will take a well-rounded course of study, with a few practical career-skill courses interwoven in her or his overall program. Anthropology provides a good counterpoint to business courses, foreign language study, technical training, fine arts, and so forth. In addition to imparting invaluable core knowledge about the human animal and its cultural and biological history, anthropology lends itself flexibly as a tool to refine the other interests a student brings to the higher-education process. Anthropological study provides training particularly well suited to the 21st century. The economy will be increasingly international; workforces and markets, increasingly diverse; participatory management and decision making, increasingly important; communication skills, increasingly in demand. Anthropology is the only contemporary discipline that approaches human questions from historical, biological, linguistic, and cultural perspectives. The wide range of exciting, relevant information presented in anthropology courses assures that students are engaged and challenged. Moreover, it complements other scientific and liberal arts courses by helping students understand the interconnectivity of knowledge about people and their cultures.

Increasingly, undergraduate and master’s students are coming to understand that the issues affecting their futures and the information they will need to prosper cannot be found in narrow programs of study. Undergraduate anthropology majors will be exposed to archaeology, biological anthropology, linguistics, and cultural anthropology. They learn how to study people and how communities and organizations work. Master’s degree candidates receive additional training in how to combine these perspectives and skills to solve problems. Many undergraduates have difficulty selecting their major, changing their minds several times as they search for a course of study that interests them and can lead to postcollege employment. That search sometimes results in costly extra years of study. Undergraduates who choose to major in anthropology can be sure that their choice is both exciting and practical. Career Paths: Academic, Corporate, Nonprofit, or Government Most of America’s professional anthropologists have traditionally worked in institutions of higher education, teaching and researching, but today there are many other career options for trained anthropologists. Many anthropologists with master’s degrees or bachelor’s degrees work for contract archaeology firms at archaeological sites, in physical anthropology laboratories, and in museums in a wide range of areas.

Similarly, many opportunities in social science research and in other areas are available to anthropologists at every level of training. A doctorate is required for most academic jobs. The nonacademic employment of cultural anthropologists is greatly expanding as the demand for research on humans and their behavior increases. Since 1985, over half of all new PhDs in anthropology have taken nonacademic positions in research institutes, nonprofit associations, government agencies, world organizations, and private corporations. While the job market for academic anthropologists is relatively steady, demand for anthropologists is increasing in other areas, stimulated by a growing need for analysts and researchers with sharp thinking skills who can manage, evaluate, and interpret the large volume of data on human behavior. Academic. On campuses, in departments of anthropology, and in research laboratories, anthropologists teach and conduct research. They spend a great deal of time preparing for classes, writing lectures, grading papers, working with individual students, composing scholarly articles, and writing longer monographs and books. A number of academic anthropologists find careers in other departments or university programs, such as schools of medicine, epidemiology, public health, ethnic studies, cultural studies, community or area studies, linguistics, education, ecology, cognitive psychology, and neural science.

Corporations, Nonprofit Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, and Federal, State, and Local Government. Anthropology offers many lucrative applications of anthropological knowledge in a variety of occupational settings, in both the public and private sectors. Non-governmental organizations, such as international health organizations and development banks, employ anthropologists to help design and implement a wide variety of programs, worldwide and nationwide. State and local governmental organizations use anthropologists in planning, research, and managerial capacities. Many corporations look explicitly for anthropologists, recognizing the utility of their perspective on a corporate team. Contract archaeology has been a growth occupation because of state and federal legislative mandates to assess cultural resources affected by government-funded projects. Forensic anthropologists, in careers glamorized by Hollywood and popular novels, not only work with police departments to help identify mysterious or unknown remains but work in university and museum settings. A corporate anthropologist working in market research might conduct targeted focus groups to examine consumer preference patterns not readily apparent through statistical or survey methods. Anthropologists fill the range of career niches occupied by other social scientists in corporations, government, nonprofit corporations, and various trade and business settings.

Most positions filled by anthropologists don’t mention the word anthropologist in the job announcement; such positions are broadly defined to attract researchers, evaluators, and project managers. Anthropologists’ unique training and perspective enable them to compete successfully for these jobs. Whatever anthropologists’ titles, their research and analysis skills lead to a wide variety of career options, ranging from the oddly fascinating to the routinely bureaucratic. Educational Program Anthropology is not a large discipline. There are about 15,000 anthropologists actively engaged in the profession. About 6,000 bachelor’s degrees were awarded in anthropology in 1995, and many of those degree holders used their anthropological training in their postcollegiate experiences, both in further education and in the world of work. Approximately 1,000 master’s degrees and 400 doctorates were awarded through American universities that year. The average postbaccalaureate time needed to obtain the master’s degree is two years and the PhD about eight years.

The lengthy timeframe for completing an anthropology master’s and doctorate is due in part to the custom of conducting a field project for the thesis or dissertation and mastering several bodies of knowledge about the area, including comprehensive language training, before departing for the field site. The field research is generally several months for the master’s student and 12 to 30 months for the doctoral student. High school students interested in a career in anthropology should develop a firm background in social studies and history, math, science, biology, and languages, both English and foreign. The computer has become an important research tool and computer skills are useful. Anthropology’s Career Advantages Diversity. Anthropology is a career that embraces people of all kinds. It is a discipline that thrives with heterogeneity—in people, ideas, and research methods. Anthropologists know the wisdom of listening to multiple voices and linking the work coming from researchers who bring different backgrounds and apply various approaches to their endeavors. The American Anthropological Association is committed to increasing the diversity of the profession. This article appears courtesy of the American Anthropological Association. Visit their career center , which includes career profiles of people who majored in Anthropology.

Boston University Arts & Sciences Anthropology 232 Bay State Road, Boston MA 02215 Phone: 617-353-2195 Physical/Biological Anthropology Home / Undergraduate / Subfields of Anthropology / Physical/Biological Anthropology Physical/Biological Anthropology Physical or biological anthropology deals with the evolution of humans, their variability, and adaptations to environmental stresses. Using an evolutionary perspective, we examine not only the physical form of humans - the bones, muscles, and organs - but also how it functions to allow survival and reproduction. Within the field of physical anthropology there are many different areas of focus. Paleoanthropology studies the evolution of primates and hominids from the fossil record and from what can be determined through comparative anatomy and studies of social structure and behavior from our closest living relatives. Primatologists study prosimians, monkeys and apes, using this work to understand the features that make each group distinct and those that link groups together. Skeletal biology concentrates on the study of anatomically modern humans, primarily from archaeological sites, and aims to understand the diseases and conditions these past people experienced prior to dying.

Forensic anthropologists use the study of skeletal biology to assist in the identification and analysis of more recently deceased individuals. Such cases often involve complex legal considerations. Human biologists concentrate on contemporary humans, examining not only their anatomy and physiology but also their reproduction and the effects of social status and other factors on their growth and development. Because these studies take place within an understanding of the context of human behavior and culture, physical anthropology stands as a unique link between the social and biological sciences. At UCSC we focus on skeletal material but within the framework of a functioning organism, each with its own life story written in the bones. Primary research interests include paleoanthropology, primate anatomy and evolutionary theory ( Adrienne Zihlman ), human skeletal biology and forensic anthropology ( Alison Galloway ), and primate sensory systems, color vision, primate evolution, tropical ecology, food properties, and nutrition. Our well-equipped anthropology laboratories support the program. What is Anthropology: Fields of Anthropology Fields of Anthropology There are now four major fields of anthropology: biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and archaeology. Each focuses on a different set of research interests and generally uses different research techniques.

The methods range from those commonly used by the social sciences and humanities to those of biology and geology. Biological anthropology and archaeology are generally the closest to the biological and physical sciences in methods and approach to learning about the human experience. ( closed caption version ) Biological Anthropology Biological (or physical) anthropologists carry out systematic studies of the non-cultural aspects of humans and near-humans. Non-cultural refers to all of those biological characteristics that are genetically inherited in contrast to learned. Near-human is a category that includes monkeys, apes, and the other primates as well as our fossil ancestors. The primary interest of most biological anthropologists today is human evolution --they want to learn how our ancestors changed through time to become what we are today. Biological anthropologists also are interested in understanding the mechanisms of evolution and genetic inheritance as well as human variation and adaptations to different environmental stresses, such as those found at high altitudes and in environments that have temperature extremes. Biological anthropologists are usually involved in one of three different areas of research: human biology, primatology, or paleoanthropology.

Human biology is concerned with learning about human diversity, genetic inheritance patterns, non-cultural adaptations to environmental stresses, and other biological characteristics of our species, Homo sapiens . Primatologists carry out non-human primate studies. This is usually done in a natural setting among wild apes, monkeys, and related animals. They are principally interested in learning about the capabilities and behavior patterns of primates--our closest living relatives. It is likely that the great apes in particular can give us important clues to understanding the lives of our earliest human ancestors over 2 million years ago. Paleoanthropologists recover the fossil record of early humans and their primate ancestors in order to understand the path of our evolution. In doing this, they often work with geologists, paleozoologists, and scientists with other specialties who help them reconstruct ancient environments. Paleoanthropologists searching for fossils and artifacts of our distant human ancestors in a French cave program. (length = 3 mins, 45 secs) ( closed caption version ) Cultural (or socio-cultural) anthropologists are interested in learning about the cultural aspects of human societies all over the world.

They usually focus their research on such things as the social and political organizations, marriage patterns and kinship systems, subsistence and economic patterns, and religious beliefs of different societies. Most cultural anthropologists study contemporary societies rather than ancient ones. Through the 19th and most of the 20th centuries, the peoples who primarily interested cultural anthropologists were those who lived in small-scale, isolated societies with cultures that were very different from those of Europeans and European Americans. African, American Indian, and Pacific Island societies were often the subject of their research. Today, they are equally likely to study subcultures of modern, large-scale societies such as Southeast Asian Hmong families now living in St. Paul, Minnesota, Mexican neighborhoods in Southern California, or conservative Old Order Amish communities in rural Pennsylvania. Doing cultural anthropology --ethnographic fieldwork in 21st century America. To return here, you must click the "back" button on your browser program. (length = 8 mins, 14 secs) We are living in a period of unprecedented social and cultural change around the globe, and the rate of change is accelerating as a result of our rapid population growth and technological invention, especially in transportation and communication.

All of the completely isolated societies of the past have long since been drawn into the global economy and heavily influenced by the dominant cultures of the large nations. As a consequence, it is likely that 3/4 of the languages in the world today will become extinct as spoken languages by the end of the 21st century. Many other cultural traditions will be lost as well. Cultural and linguistic anthropologists have worked diligently to study and understand this diversity that is being lost. Linguistic Anthropology An example of nonverbal communication in modern American culture. What do you think the chief petty officer (in khaki) is communicating non-verbally to the sailor in this scene? Linguistic anthropologists study the human communication process. They focus their research on understanding such phenomena as the physiology of speech, the structure and function of languages, social and cultural influences on speech and writing, nonverbal communication , how languages developed over time, and how they differ from each other. This is very different from what goes on in an English or a foreign language class. Linguists are not language teachers or professional translators. Most anthropological linguistic research has been focused on unwritten, non-European languages.

Linguists usually begin their study of such a language by learning first hand from native speakers what its rules are for making sounds and meaning from those sounds, including the rules for sentence construction. Linguists also learn about different regional and social dialects as well as the social conventions of speaking the language in different situations. A hotly debated question in linguistic anthropology since the early 20th century centers on whether or not our languages predispose us to see the environment in specific ways. In other words, are languages filters for reality? For instance, if a language does not have a word for the color orange, can its speakers distinguish orange from red and yellow? The answer to this question is not as simple as it initially seems. Archaeology Archaeologists are interested in recovering the prehistory and early history of societies and their cultures. They systematically uncover the evidence by excavating, dating, and analyzing the material remains left by people in the past. Archaeologists are essentially detectives who search through many thousands of pieces of fragmentary pots and other artifacts as well as environmental data in order to reconstruct ancient life ways. In a sense, this makes archaeology the cultural anthropology of the past.

Archaeology is also related to biological anthropology in its use of the same methods in excavating and analyzing human skeletal remains found in archaeological sites. Archaeologists are in a unique position to understand the development of human societies and cultures from those of our distant hunter gatherer ancestors through the ancient civilizations on up to the present. There have been humans for at least 2.5 million years. Only the last 5,500 of these years have been even partly recorded by scribes and historians. As a consequence, well over 99% of the human story lies in the prehistoric past and has been out of reach of historians. Only archaeology can recover it. (length = 1 min, 42 secs) ( closed caption version ) No archaeologist is an expert on the antiquity of all regions of the world and all time periods. Classical archaeologists concentrate on the ancient civilizations of the Middle East and the Mediterranean world (Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, and related peoples). Historical archaeologists work on recovering the unrecorded aspects of life in historically more modern societies such as colonial America.

Prehistoric archaeologists focus their attention on the more ancient pre-literate societies around the world including those of most early North American Indians. Underwater archaeologists discover and excavate ancient shipwrecks and submerged cities. Zooarchaeologists analyze and interpret the animal remains found in archaeological sites. The training required for each of these and other archeological specialties varies significantly, but they all share an interest in elucidating the lost past. Underwater archaeologist diving on a shipwreck NOTE: In British universities, archaeology is usually considered to be a separate academic discipline, distinct from anthropology. This is particularly true of classical and historical archaeology. The Application of Anthropological Knowledge and Methods Most anthropologists carry out research and teach about what they have learned. They are employed by universities, colleges, and museums. However, a third of all anthropologists use this knowledge and methodology of problem solving for practical purposes in corporations, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, medical institutions, and other non-academic settings. They are applied anthropologists. It is likely that there will be continued growth in the number of these non-academic jobs. Some applied cultural anthropologists work as researchers, administrators, implementers, or mediators in major corporations.

They help the companies understand and deal more efficiently with employees and customers from diverse cultures and subcultures. There have even been anthropologists working in the White House and U.S. Congress studying the overall operations and personal interactions. In recent years, some cultural anthropologists have worked for the U.S. military and NATO in Afghanistan to help them better understand the cultural realities of the peoples of that region. A few cultural anthropologists have been hired by Native American tribes and other indigenous groups to help them with community development and to advise them in their interactions with the outside world. Many archaeologists in the United States and some other countries apply their skills in cultural resource management specialist jobs. They are employed by the National Park and Forest Services, the U.S. military, and other government agencies as well as private companies to prevent or mitigate the destruction of archaeological sites and other important cultural resources. They record the locations of unknown archaeological sites and carry out sample excavations to determine their cultural significance and to recommend measures for preservation or further study before they are destroyed by construction projects. Forensic anthropologists are employed around the world principally by police, courts, and international organizations to identify murder and disaster victims. They do this mostly from skeletal remains and DNA.

Forensic anthropologists also work for the U.S. military to recover and identify the remains of soldiers. Many drugs used in modern Western medicine were derived from plants used by folk curers. Ethnobotanists help discover new ones. Medical anthropologists learn about cultural differences in explaining what causes illness and what people from different cultures believe is acceptable as treatment. The germ theory and the idea that illness is not due to supernatural causes are widely accepted by educated people in the Western World and areas that have adopted our medical system. However, much of the rest of the world has very different explanations. Medical anthropologists can help doctors and nurses understand how to better communicate with and treat patients who hold these other explanations. Medical anthropologists also are interested in the epidemiology of illnesses--that is their causes and how they can be cured or controlled. Some cultural anthropologists work with indigenous peoples in out of the way parts of the globe, such as the Amazon Basin, in order to discover unknown plants and their uses. These researchers are ethnobotanists . Some of them concentrate on finding new potential medicines from among the plants used by these peoples.

Question: What does an anthropologist study?
Answer: Human beings