In anthropology, adaptation refers to the ways humans—biologically and culturally—adjust to their environments to survive and thrive. It encompasses genetic, physiological, developmental, and cultural strategies that allow populations to cope with environmental stressors and changing conditions. 🌍 Types of Adaptation in Anthropology Genetic Adaptation Long-term evolutionary changes passed through DNA. Example: The sickle-cell trait provides…

Adapidae is an extinct family of early primates from the Eocene epoch (about 55–34 million years ago), often considered ancestral to modern strepsirrhines such as lemurs and lorises. In anthropology, they are crucial for understanding primate evolution, adaptation, and the origins of human lineage. 🐒 Origins and Classification Temporal Range: Early to Late Eocene (55–34…

In anthropology, an “activity area” refers to a spatially defined zone within an archaeological site where specific tasks were carried out, leaving behind material traces that reveal patterns of human behavior. It is a key concept in archaeological anthropology, helping researchers reconstruct daily life, social organization, and cultural practices. 🌍 What Is an Activity Area?…

In anthropology, “achieved status” refers to a social position that an individual attains through personal effort, choices, skills, or accomplishments, rather than being born into it. It contrasts with ascribed status, which is assigned at birth (such as age, sex, or kinship). 🌍 What Is Achieved Status? Definition: A status earned or chosen, reflecting personal…

In anthropology, the Acheulean refers to a major Lower Paleolithic stone tool tradition, best known for its distinctive bifacial hand axes. It represents one of the longest-lasting technological complexes in human history, spanning nearly 1.5 million years and associated with early hominins such as Homo erectus and Homo heidelbergensis. 🪨 Origins and Chronology Timeframe: Roughly…

In anthropology, an acephalous society is a community without a centralized political authority or formal leadership hierarchy. The term literally means “headless,” from the Greek a- (“without”) and kephalē (“head”). These societies are organized through kinship, consensus, and decentralized decision-making rather than chiefs, kings, or state structures. 🌍 Defining Features of Acephalous Societies No Central…

In anthropology, acculturation refers to the process of cultural change and adaptation that occurs when groups of people from different cultures come into continuous, direct contact. It is one of the central concepts for understanding how cultures interact, transform, and sometimes merge. 🌍 What Is Acculturation? Definition: The exchange and modification of cultural traits between…

Absolute dating in anthropology refers to scientific methods used to determine the actual age of artifacts, fossils, or archaeological sites in years, rather than just placing them in relative order. It provides a chronological framework for human evolution and cultural development. 🕰 What Is Absolute Dating? Definition: A set of techniques that assign a calendar…

In anthropology, an abrading stone (or abrader) is a ground stone tool used for grinding, smoothing, or sharpening other materials, often linked to prehistoric technologies and daily life. These artifacts reveal how human societies manipulated natural resources to create tools, ornaments, and functional objects. 🪨 What Is an Abrading Stone? Definition: A stone tool with…

The Aborigines’ Protection Society (APS), founded in 1837 in Britain, was an early humanitarian organization that sought to defend the rights and welfare of Indigenous peoples under colonial rule. In anthropology, it is significant because it reflects how European intellectuals and reformers framed Indigenous cultures within colonial contexts—often mixing advocacy with paternalistic “civilizing” agendas. 🌍…