Four-field approach facts for kids
Anthropology is the study of humans. In America, it's often split into four main parts. This is called the "four-field approach". These four parts are archaeology, linguistics, physical anthropology, and cultural anthropology. Together, they help us understand people from all over the world and throughout history.
Some people think there's a fifth part called applied anthropology. This uses what we learn from anthropology to solve real-world problems. For example, it can help with health or education issues. But this idea is not as common.
Most students who study anthropology learn about all four main types. Later, they usually choose to focus on just one or two of them.
Contents
Why Study Humans? The Four-Field Approach
This way of studying anthropology was started by Franz Boas. He lived from 1858 to 1942. Boas is often called "the father of anthropology" in the United States. He made the subject very popular there.
Boas wanted to show that human activities, ideas, and choices are different everywhere. He believed we should study people holistically. This means looking at all parts of their life together. He thought all these parts combine to make their culture. This includes studying their history, the objects they make, their bodies, languages, stories, and customs.
Where is This Approach Used?
Since the 20th century, most American universities have used the four-field approach. Other countries, like England, divide anthropology differently. For example, in England, archaeology is often part of history, not anthropology.
The Four Main Fields
Archaeology: Studying the Past
Archaeology is the study of how people lived long ago. Archaeologists are the people who do this study. They learn from things left behind by people from the past.
They look at very old objects. These can be pottery, stone tools, coins, or anything made or used by humans. Often, these objects are buried in the ground. Archaeologists have to dig them out carefully. These objects help them understand where and how people lived a long time ago.
Famous Archaeologists
- Lewis Binford
- Howard Carter
- V Gordon Childe
- Ian Hodder
Cultural Anthropology: Understanding Cultures Today
Cultural anthropology is the study of human culture. Culture is the way groups of people live their lives. It's based on what is normal for their area. Cultures change as people’s ideas change.
Cultural anthropologists compare different cultures. They look at things like people’s ideas, art, and food. Unlike archaeologists, who study people from the past, cultural anthropologists mostly study people alive today. This field is also called "social anthropology".
Famous Cultural Anthropologists
Linguistics: The Study of Language
Linguistics is the study of how people speak. It looks at the words they use. It also studies how their language developed or evolved.
Linguists are the people who study linguistics. They also look at how language changes what people think. They study how people change language. They also examine how words are put together to make sentences.
Famous Linguists
Physical Anthropology: Human Bodies and Evolution
Physical anthropology is the study of human body science. This is also called biology. It includes how people adapt to where they live. It also studies how human bodies changed over time, which is called evolution.
Physical anthropologists do this by comparing bones. They look at bones from very old humans. Then they compare them to the bones of humans today. They also study non-human primates, like monkeys and apes. This field is also called "biological anthropology".
Famous Physical Anthropologists
