Bonobos (Pan paniscus) are one of humanity’s two closest living relatives, alongside chimpanzees, sharing about 98–99% of our DNA. They are endangered great apes native to the Congo Basin in the Democratic Republic of Congo and are renowned in anthropology for their unique social behavior, matriarchal structures, and peaceful conflict resolution strategies. 🌍 Biological &…

Bone industry in anthropology and archaeology refers to the systematic production and use of tools, ornaments, and other artifacts made from animal bone, antler, or ivory. It represents one of the major technological traditions alongside stone (lithic) and shell industries. 🌍 Definition Bone Industry: A category of material culture where bone and related organic materials…

Bone hammer in anthropology and archaeology refers to a tool made from animal bone, used as a hammer or percussor in prehistoric contexts. It is part of the broader category of bone tools, which were crafted for specific functions when stone or wood alternatives were less suitable. 🌍 Definition Bone Hammer: A hammering implement fashioned…

Bone breccia is a geological and archaeological term referring to a type of rock deposit composed of broken bone fragments cemented together with sediment or mineral matrix. It is significant in anthropology and paleontology because it often preserves fossilized remains in cave and karst environments. 🌍 Definition Bone Breccia: A consolidated deposit of angular bone…

Bone age in anthropology refers to the estimation of an individual’s developmental stage or chronological age based on the growth and maturation of bones. It is a concept borrowed from biological and forensic sciences but applied in anthropological contexts to study human growth, development, and population health in both past and present societies. 🌍 Definition…

In anthropology and archaeology, a body sherd refers to a fragment of the body portion of a ceramic vessel. It is distinguished from rim sherds (fragments of the vessel’s rim) and base sherds (fragments of the bottom). 🌍 Definition Body Sherd: A piece of broken pottery that comes from the main wall (body) of a…

Boatstone is a prehistoric Native American artifact type, typically interpreted as an atlatl (spear-thrower) weight, dating to the Archaic period in North America. It is named for its characteristic boat-like shape. 🌍 Definition & Morphology Boatstone: A carved and polished stone, often symmetrical, resembling the shape of a canoe or boat. Materials: Commonly made from…

Franz Boas (1858–1942) is widely regarded as the “Father of American Anthropology,” best known for founding cultural relativism and reshaping the discipline away from racial determinism and unilinear evolutionary theories. 🌍 Biography & Background Born: July 9, 1858, in Minden, Prussia (Germany). Died: December 21, 1942, in New York City. Education: Studied physics and geography…

In anthropology, the term blunt most often appears in lithic analysis and material culture studies, describing tools or artifacts with a rounded, non-sharp working edge. It refers to both intentional design and use-wear that produces a dull edge. 🌍 Definition Blunt (Lithic Technology): A stone tool edge that is rounded or dulled, either deliberately shaped…

In anthropology, a blowout usually refers to a wind-eroded depression in sandy landscapes that can expose or disturb archaeological deposits. It is a geomorphological process studied in archaeology because it directly affects how sites are preserved, revealed, or destroyed. 🌍 Definition Blowout (Geomorphology/Archaeology): A hollow or depression formed by wind deflation in dune fields or…

In anthropology, a blank usually refers to a roughly shaped piece of stone (or other raw material) that has been intentionally prepared to serve as the starting point for making a tool. It is not yet a finished artifact but represents an intermediate stage in lithic technology. 🌍 Definition Blank (Lithic Technology): A preform or…

In anthropology, a blade refers to a specialized type of stone tool: a long, narrow flake struck from a prepared core, at least twice as long as it is wide, with parallel or subparallel edges. Blades are central to lithic technology studies because they represent a major innovation in prehistoric toolmaking. 🌍 Definition Blade (Archaeology/Anthropology):…