The Greatest Debate Of Anthropology - 771 Words

Australopithecus africanus In the greatest debate of anthropology lies the all consuming desire to know where we as humans come from. Who were our ancestors and what made them so different from us? It is debated if A. africanus or Australopithecus afarensis is the direct ancestor of the genus Homo. Through critical evaluation of the features of the skeleton, dentition, and use of bipedality, it is evident that A. africanus is a direct ancestor to modern humans while possessing features from both humans and hominins. What makes A. africanus more human-like than other australopithecines is its dentition. They had large molars and premolars with shorter canines, the sharp and pointed incisors towards the front of the mouth, that did not project outwards (Strait). Canine reduction is evidence of the depart from primitive behaviors such as fighting or cutting meat; thus, reaching behaviors synonymous with modern man (Dart). Furthermore, canine reduction and large molars imply the ability to adapt to one’s su rroundings as H. sapiens do. An analysis of these molars and premolars revealed that certain patterns of wear suggest that A. africanus adapted to eat hard and fibrous foods such as nuts and seeds (Strait). This is evidence of A. africanus expanding the diet of later hominins, which would be adopted into the modern human diet. The environment of A. africanus influenced its diet. While its limb proportions suggest a forested environment, the evidence of bipedality in itsShow MoreRelatedLeslie Sponsels Approach to Investigation of the Amazon Basin1632 Words   |  6 Pagestakes a remarkably sensible approach to certain academic controversies over anthropological investigation of the Amazon Basin. To some degree, Sponsels article demands to be understood in a larger context within the overall ecosystem of academic anthropology, so to speak. As indicated in the title of her article, Sponsel approaches the subject with a special focus on adaptation, which necessarily implies changing co nditions. As she notes in her introductory remarks: For convenience the review isRead MoreThanks For Accepting Famousdebater And Good Luck My Friend1260 Words   |  6 PagesThanks for accepting Famousdebater and good luck my friend! Framework: Based on the definitions given in round one, we see this debate rests on ethics. That is, whether the individual or society is â€Å"ethically paramount.† Thus, it should be obvious that the framework for this debate could only reasonably be set on how morality is determined. Once determined all that is left is to apply ethics to our question. An Intro To Ethics: Utilitarianism Famousdebater and I Identify as Utilitarian’s, andRead MoreThe Approaches Of Cultural Ecology And Ecological Anthropology2822 Words   |  12 PagesDescribe the approaches of cultural ecology and ecological anthropology: What are their core concepts and how are they similar and also different? Choose a contemporary environmental issue, and discuss how you could apply a cultural ecology and an ecological anthropology approach to that issue. Anthropology’s roots come from the early 1900s during the industrial revolution. Julian steward was a famous pioneer anthropologist who brought a balance between theory and empiricism, he said, â€Å"There areRead MoreCultural Anthropology : An Understanding Of Humanity s Greatest Medicine1795 Words   |  8 Pageshumanity’s greatest medicine. Its origin is as ancient as human gestures, and has transformed how one looks at the world. For example, ancient writers used this device to criticize societal norms. During Medieval Times, jokers made a profession out of this human characteristic. Humor survived up until modern times and is present in academia. A field that explores the manners in which humor makes an interesting presence is Anthropology. The focus of this paper will be based on cultural anthropology; specificallyRead MoreTake Home Essay1490 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿O’Neal 1 Dajon O’Neal David Zeanah Anthropology 15 Section 03 Take Home Essay Origins to Our Existence on Earth There are two theories about the origin of modern humans: 1) they began in one place, Africa—and 2) pre-modern humans migrated from Africa to become modern humans in other parts of the world. According to the lectures, most evidence trace to the first theory because of a few satisfying valid reasons. In the lectures it was told that â€Å"fossils of modern humans are particularly foundRead MoreThe Origin of Modern Humans1960 Words   |  8 Pagesour own modern origins. Scientifically, theories are still debated as to when, where, and how modern Homo sapiens came to be what they are today. There are two major theories that now dominate the discussions of experts in the field of biological anthropology: the â€Å"Out-of-Africa† model and the â€Å"Multiregional† model of evolution. Stringer and Andrews argue that genetic and paleontological evidence supports a more recent Out-of-Africa model as opposed to a more drawn out Multiregional method that alsoRead MoreH owever, It Was Quite The Opposite. That Wasn’T The Only1501 Words   |  7 Pagesastronomy and agriculture that were superior to that used by Europeans (as cited in Douglas, 2009). Similar truths can be said of Africa.† Immense dichotomy between prosperity and devastation Africa has seen its good days in the past. Others would debate that but through science and historical facts time and again it has been proven that African peoples have contributed in every way to the advancement of the human race. Even within its own continent Africans were able to rule themselves despite theRead MoreHuman Resource Performance : The Role Of Cultural Differences1462 Words   |  6 Pagesutmost of the writings of the societal knowledges, from anthropology, thinking to structural knowledge about the practicality of salaried intensively within one nation to attempt to comprehend the matters virtuously appropriate to that philosophy as opposed to those that accept as true employed transversely principles can disclose worldwide overviews. Unit VIII Essay 3 Nevertheless, such a debate ultimately does is cloud the differences toward the meansRead MoreThe Pastoral Clinic Book By Angela Garcia Takes Place On1511 Words   |  7 Pagesopening pages when Garcia describes her first night on the graveyard shift, as the power goes out while she deals with a clientele that she describes as addict and offender, patient, and prisoner. Her initial encounters with the patients touched on the greatest challenge that the clinic faces: â€Å"la Vida afuera,† which translates to â€Å"life outside† (191). On the outs, patients must deal with their dysfunctional familial bonds involving â€Å"the complex politics of kin, love, and mourning† (149). Garcia portraysRead MoreThe Truth Project: The Search of Truth1273 Words   |  6 PagesWithout being given a reason to be alive, without hope that we are more than just ‘star stuff,’ how can our society possibly reflect a solid set of morals (what is culturally acceptable) an d ethics (what should be culturally accepted)? With this in debate, there is a constant battle between the particulars and the universals. Without a grasp on the ethical treatment of mankind, the concept of particulars is swallowed by the massiveness of the universals. In a world where empty philosophies have taken