Catastrophism is a concept in geology and anthropology that explains past changes in the Earth and human societies as the result of sudden, violent events rather than gradual processes. 🌍 Definition Catastrophism (Geology): The theory that Earth’s geological features were shaped primarily by sudden, short-lived, catastrophic events (e.g., floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions). Contrast: Opposed to…

In anthropology, demography, and archaeology, a catastrophic age profile is a population structure pattern observed in skeletal assemblages that reflects a sudden, mass-death event rather than normal mortality. 🌍 Definition Catastrophic Age Profile: An age distribution of skeletal remains that mirrors the living population at the time of death, showing individuals of all ages (infants,…

Catastrophe theory is a mathematical framework for analyzing sudden, discontinuous changes in complex systems, and in anthropology it is often applied metaphorically to understand how societies experience and interpret disasters. 🌍 Definition Catastrophe Theory (Mathematics): Developed by René Thom in the 1960s–70s, it uses geometry to model how small changes in conditions can lead to…

Catarrhini is one of the two major infraorders of primates, studied in anthropology, primatology, and evolutionary biology. It includes all Old World monkeys, apes, and humans, distinguished by key anatomical and evolutionary traits. 🌍 Definition Catarrhini: Infraorder of primates native to Africa and Asia. Name Origin: From Greek kata- (“down”) + rhinos (“nose”), referring to…

In anthropology and primatology, the term catarrhine nose refers to the distinctive nasal structure of Catarrhini, one of the two major infraorders of primates (the other being Platyrrhini). 🌍 Definition Catarrhines: Old World monkeys, apes, and humans. Catarrhine Nose: Characterized by downward-facing nostrils that are close together. Contrasts with platyrrhine noses (New World monkeys), which…

In anthropology, archaeology, and museum studies, a catalogue number is a unique identifier assigned to an artifact, specimen, or record within a collection. It’s the backbone of cataloguing systems, ensuring that every item can be tracked, referenced, and studied without confusion. 🌍 Definition Catalogue Number: A sequential or coded number given to an object in…

In anthropology and archaeology, a catalogue is both a methodological tool and a cultural artifact. It refers to the systematic listing, classification, and description of objects, practices, or data—whether material culture, ethnographic records, or comparative entries. 🌍 Definition Catalogue: An organized inventory or structured list of items, often with descriptive metadata. Purpose: To make complex…

In anthropology, “caste” refers to a rigid system of social stratification where individuals are born into fixed groups that determine their occupation, social status, and marriage options. It is most famously associated with South Asia, but anthropologists also use the concept comparatively to study hierarchy and inequality in other societies. 🌍 Definition Caste: A hereditary,…

Carrying capacity is a foundational concept in anthropology, ecology, and archaeology, referring to the maximum population size of a species that an environment can sustain over time without degrading its resources. In anthropology, it’s often applied to human societies to understand subsistence strategies, settlement patterns, and cultural adaptations. 🌍 Definition Carrying Capacity: The largest population…

A carnivore is an organism that primarily consumes animal tissue, and in anthropology and evolutionary biology, the concept is explored both in terms of dietary adaptation and cultural symbolism. 🌍 Biological Definition Carnivore (dietary): An animal whose diet consists mainly of meat. Carnivora (taxonomic order): Includes mammals like cats, dogs, bears, and weasels. Not all…

In anthropology and archaeology, a carbon sample usually refers to organic material (charcoal, bone, shell, plant remains) collected for radiocarbon dating. It’s a cornerstone of archaeological science because it allows researchers to establish chronological frameworks for human activity. 🌍 Definition Carbon Sample: Any organic artifact or ecofact containing carbon isotopes (especially (^{14}C)) used for dating…

In anthropology, carbohydrates are studied as a critical driver of human evolution, subsistence, and cultural practices—especially in how starchy plants shaped diet, brain development, and social organization. 🌍 Carbohydrates in Human Evolution Early Hominins: Recent studies show hominins consumed high-carb plants (grasses, tubers, underground storage organs) 700,000 years before their teeth evolved to handle them,…