Anthropology is the study of humans, their behavior and societies in a holistic and scientific manner. It is one of the oldest disciplines in academia, with roots tracing back to Ancient Greece. Anthropology encompasses an array of specialized fields such as physical or biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, linguistics, archaeology and applied anthropology. Each field focuses on different aspects related to humanity’s past and present.
Physical or biological anthropology studies human evolution from an evolutionary perspective – how our species has adapted over time due to natural selection processes like genetic drift and sexual selection. It also looks at non-human primates in order to gain insight into our own species’ history and development including diet, anatomy and physiology. Cultural anthropology seeks to understand how people live today by exploring their customs, language usage patterns , social organizations , technology use , rituals , beliefs , values and material culture . Archaeology uses evidence gathered through excavation sites around the world that provide clues about ancient civilizations’ subsistence strategies , origins of agriculture ; lifestyle changes; religious practices; conflicts between groups; trade networks ; migration patterns ; technological advancements; etc . Linguistic anthropologists study language development among various cultures throughout time . Applied Anthropology applies anthropological research findings for practical purposes such as community planning projects or international aid initiatives .
The interdisciplinary nature of this science allows us to explore unique perspectives about humans – both current events as well as moments from long ago – which can be used for understanding the dynamics within a given society better than any other discipline could provide alone. Consequently it provides valuable insights into topics ranging from health disparities across populations to racial injustice issues worldwide while providing meaningful solutions whenever possible so everyone can benefit equally from its knowledge base regardless of individual differences