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Physical Anthropology

  • Page ID
    7517
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    Physical anthropology (or commonly known as biological anthropology) is concerned with the biological and behavioral aspects of human beings, their related non-human primates and their extinct hominin ancestors. It is a subfield of anthropology that provides a biological perspective to the systematic study of human beings. Physical anthropology textbooks explores evolutionary theory, including the core concepts of basic genetics and the modern synthesis of evolution. Physical anthropology students examine, critically evaluate and explain scientific claims about the origins of humankind and modern human variation as well as biocultural evolution.

    Thumbnail: The original complete skull (without upper teeth and mandible) of a 2,1 million years old Australopithecus africanus specimen so-called "Mrs. Ples" (catalogue number STS 5, Sterkfontein cave, hominid fossil number 5), discovered in South Africa. Collection of the Transvaal Museum, Northern Flagship Institute, Pretoria, South Africa.(CC BY-SA 3.0; José Braga; Didier Descouens via Wikipedia)


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