What is Anthropology?

Many people think that Anthropology is digging up dinosaurs, or finding long lost treasures like in the “Indiana Jones” movies. But these things are NOT Anthropology!

So, then what IS Anthropology?

Anthropology is the study of humans. That’s it. Easy, right?

Let’s look at the word, “Anthropology.” The first part of the word, “Anthrop” comes from the Greek word for “man,” which is “anthropos.” The second part of the word, “Anthropology” is “ology.” The “ology” part means “the study of.” So, if you put the two parts together, you get “the study of man.” (And, the “man” part here means all humanity, both men and women.)

So, Anthropology is the study of humanity. Anthropology involves the study of humans in the past, and the present, and all over the world. So, an easy definition of Anthropology is: the study of humanity, in all times and all places.

Be sure to check out the next post where you’ll learn about the 4 fields of Anthropology! Thanks for reading!