What does it mean to you to be an Anthropologist? Whether you have your degree already or not I want to know?

Question

what you think being an anthropologist means. How do you feel when someone thinks you dig up dinosoars or that you're a sociolgist?
Please, state if you're in school for anthropology or if you are an anthropologist, thanks.

kenygurl,
Ok I think you meant archeologist, and archeology is part of anthropology so no mistakes there.

Answer 1

Anthropology is the study of human (and sometimes non-human) culture. It consists of the sub-disciplines of archaeology, cultural anthropology, linguistics, and physical anthropology. Archaeologists (which I am) study past cultures mostly through their material remains. We do not study dinosaurs. Cultural anthropologists study modern societies through direct observation and interaction. Linguists study the evolution and structure of language. Physical anthropologists study primate and human evolution. They sometimes specialize as forensic anthropologists and investigate crime scenes, which is where Jessi got the idea that anthropologists are essentially bone detectives.

Answer 2

blakenyp gave you a pretty good answer - the one thing he missed is that antrhopology is a holistic science. while you can specialize in one of the subfields, a good anthropologist really has at least an understanding of the others, and how they can provide infromation useful to your own work.

For example - as an archaeologist, I study the material remains - stuff left behind - of a culture. However, it is very helpful if I have an understanding of how similar cultures in simiarl settings may have interacted with nature. I can gather such information - providing a range of possible actions - from my cultural anthropology colleagues - likewise they often look to my work when trying to understand how a society may have changed over time. They can gather stories from a people about what life used to be like, but archaeology can provide solid facts that either confirm those stories, or suggest that something different may be the actual case.

I also make use of information developed by my physical anthropology and linguistic colleagues. The physical part might be easy to understand - I find some bones and the Phys Ants can help me learn about that persons diet, muscular stresses, diseases they may suffered, possible cause of death, age, sex, etc. When applied to entire populations these same techniques can give me a lot of clues to help inform my analysis of a site.

For anyone that has not studied anthro - the connection to linguistics might be more difficult to understand - but an understanding of how people refer to and categorize their world is a major component of anthropology - and something that can often be identified through linguistic studies. Such studies can also help identify past connections between living groups, establish migration patters, etc. all of which can be useful to an archaeologist.

I am a professional anthropological archaeologist (yes there are other kinds) and do some college level teaching. I have been confused with geologists, paleontologists and treasure hunters many times over. Usually I just smile and politley try to correct the person and explain the differences - though there are times when it is just easier to nod and move on.

Answer 3

Archaeologists study human cultures through artifacts, in the US- its thought to be a subsect of Anthropology, which studies humans in general. As such, most Archaeology programs are through the Anthropology depts in the USA. Everywhere else, its seen as its own discipline and has its own dept in Universities.

Owing to the diversity of human cultural remains, Archaeologists must know bones (human and animals), pottery, rocks (both stone tools and masonry); history, chemistry (carbon dating), engineering (building and destroying), and proper use of a bull whip. :-)

I have a pair of degrees in Archaeology; BA and an MA; and I interned at the National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian) in Washington DC.

It used to annoy me when I was an undergrad; but I explained what an archaeologist did (or just said think Indiana Jones, not Jurassic Park); but now I don't get annoyed.

I once was mistaken for a GEOlogist though, I thought that funny.

Answer 4

Being an Anthropologist involves the study of the origins of man .it seems to me that it would be an interesting career .
i shouldn't imagine being mistaken for an Archiologist or a sociolgist,would bother anyone
On the other hand if someone thought that because they work on mans roots they are a prostitute i think they would be a bit miffed by it

Answer 5

For me, it means I get to think a lot and try to look at things backwards, forwards, and upside down until I can figure out how the puzzles of cultures and societies fit together. Then, when I think I've figured something really cool out, I get to write about it and talk about it with colleagues and students.

Answer 6

Wikipedia says anthropologists study humanity. That sounds wrong though, considering in the book I just read, the anthropologist's main job was to study the bones of homicide victims for cut marks and such.