The abbreviation “AD” in anthropology usually refers to Anno Domini (“in the year of the Lord”), a dating convention used in historical and archaeological contexts to mark years in the Gregorian calendar. It is paired with BC (Before Christ), though many anthropologists now prefer the secular terms CE (Common Era) and BCE (Before Common Era).

🌍 AD in Anthropological Contexts

• Chronology: Used to date archaeological sites, artifacts, and cultural phases.
  • Example: “The Classic Maya period lasted from AD 250 to 900.”
• Cross-Cultural Studies: Provides a standardized timeline for comparing developments across regions.
• Shift to CE/BCE: Modern anthropology often uses CE/BCE to avoid religious framing, but AD/BC still appears in older literature.

🔑 Why It Matters in Anthropology

• Time Framework: Anthropology relies on precise dating to situate cultural and biological changes.
• Historical Continuity: AD helps align archaeological findings with written history.
• Comparative Analysis: Enables synchronization of events across different civilizations (e.g., Roman Empire, Han Dynasty, Maya).

In short: In anthropology, AD is a dating convention used to mark years in historical and archaeological timelines, often replaced today by CE for neutrality.