What is the difference between anthropology and archeology?

Answer 1

You have seen several great answers about what anthropology is -
Archaeology (as practiced in Americas) is a subfield of Anthropology - it examines all aspects of humanity through the material record - objects, strucutres, etc. that are left behind.
One major misconception is that archaeology only studies the past - we (yes I am an archaeologist) are also able to study present societies by what they leave/discard. Bill Rathje conducted a proram at the University of Arizona for over 30 years that examined modern landfills to look at our own society.

One way to understand archaeology is to look at what is called ethnoarchaeology. A researcher will live with a modern group (Binford did this with an Eskimo group) and follow them around recording what they do, what each activity means to them, etc. (same as an anthropologist would do). BUT the archaeologist also records what each activity leaves in the ground, how the space is utilized, and what actions might not leave anything behind. From this information he can develop what an "archaeological signature" of a particular activity would be - or what will be left in the ground when the people are gone. This model or signature can then be compared against archaeological sites, to help give clues on what activities might have happened there long ago.
Ethnoarchaeology is only one part of the whole field, but hopefully it will help you understand a little better.

Answer 2

Anthropology Vs Archaeology

Answer 3

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In addition to the other good answers ... in the English-speaking world, there is a different emphasis in Anthropology, as defined in the USA and in the Commonwealth countries. The American interpretation of Anthropology tends to be more eclectic; and includes prehistory, archaeology, and biological and ecological factors in explaining human society. In the British and Commonwealth traditions, these factors are not discounted by any means but are given somewhat less emphasis. The primary focus of Anthropology is human society and social relations - with commensurate attention to economics, politics and history as determining factors and objects of study. Neither approach is right or wrong. They developed that way for complex and interesting reasons in the history of the discipline. But the upshot - in the US, there is more cross-over between anthropology, prehistory and archaeology. In some Commonwealth departments, Anthropology is almost indistinguishable from Sociology. Sociology, Anthropology and Archaeology are all fascinating fields, which can give you insights into teh very essence of human existence. Whichever one you choose, a rewarding career is possible.

Answer 4

Archeology is a sub field of Anthropology.
The goals of archaeology are to document and explain the origins and development of human culture, understand culture history, chronicle cultural evolution, and study human behavior and ecology, for both prehistoric and historic societies. It is considered, in North America, to be one of the four sub-fields of anthropology.

Anthropology has origins in the natural sciences, the humanities, and the social sciences. Ethnography is both one its primary methods, and the text that is written as a result of the practice of anthropology.

Answer 5

Archaeology is a subdivision or sub field of Anthropology. (Basically, all archaeologists are anthropologists, but not all anthropologists are archaeologists). Anthropology means, literally, "the study of man." Cultural Anthropology studies living cultures, and archaeology studies past cultures that are no longer in existance. Antrhopologists live with people from other cultures, talk to them and observe them. Archaeologists can't observe or talk to people from the past, so they rely on physical artifacts that were left behind

Answer 6

What Is Archeology

Answer 7

Anthropology comes from the Greek words anthropos, "human being"; and logos, "knowledge - so it's basically the study of humans

It consists of the study :

Natural sciences (Physics, Chemistry and Biology)
Humanities or Arts
Social Sciences (like psychology and history)

Archaeology is a part of anthropology and it's the study of human culture.

To properly study this culture they often need to excavate historical grounds to find remains of past cultures and rituals and what they symbolize. Many a time uncovering the past can help us understand our lives today!

Answer 8

the difference is anthr and arche hahaha just joking

Anthropology is the science in which we study human origins, development, distribution, social habits, culture and language.

There are four main branches to anthropology:

1.archaeology, which focuses on past human cultures;
2.cultural anthropology, which examines living groups;
3.physical anthropology which explores humans origins, genetics and biological development; and
4.linguistics, the study of human languages.


Archeology is the scientific study of past human culture and behaviour, from the origins of humans to the present. Archaeology studies past human behavior through the examination of material remains of previous human societies. These remains include the fossils (preserved bones) of humans, food remains, the ruins of buildings, and human artifacts—items such as tools, pottery, and jewelry. From their studies, archaeologists attempt to reconstruct past ways of life. Archaeology is an important field of anthropology, which is the broad study of human culture and biology. Archaeologists concentrate their studies on past societies and changes in those societies over extremely long periods of time.


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Answer 9

Anthropology is the study of humans, ancient and present. that's why anthropos---human!

archeology is the study of old artifacts used by civilizations----humans!

Answer 10

There's some overlap between the two fields.

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