Introduction to Physical Anthropology [Ch. 01 of Jurmain & Kilgore]

1. Given that you’ve only just been introduced to the field of physical anthropology, why do you think subjects such as anatomy, genetics, nonhuman primate behavior, and human evolution are integrated into a discussion of what it means to be human?
 

       These are some of the physical elements to the study of man. The mentioned subjects are illustrative of the relationship between the physical and the psychological levels of humans.
        An anthropologist is interested in humans and their behavior, and the foundations of these would require an understanding of how the human body is composed and how it works.
         The role of anatomy assists in the accurate assessment of the structure and function of organs and systems, and anthropologists to an extent, use this same knowledge to make comparisons with other types of physical fauna life forms --- mostly in the work of paleoanthropologists, and medical/biological anthropologists.
       Genetics is a crucial field for physical anthropologists as a molecular understanding of the differences in and between populations, peoples, and species requires a study of DNA sequences. Learning Genetics assists in the understanding of the differences between human and nonhuman remains.
        Nonhuman primate behavior provides a contrast point in the study to determine what it is to be and to not be human.

2. Is it important to you, personally, to know about human evolution? Why or why not? 

          Its fun to learn new stuff (just as long as it isn’t mathematics-related). What interests me about human evolution is finding out if some of our habits and practices today had origins in the very distant past and how they have been modified. It is also fascinating to know how different humans are today from the past, and how this knowledge will enable us to ruminate about possibilities in the future. Perhaps we will one day be dug up and studied…

3. Do you see a connection between hominid footprints that are almost 4 million years old and human footprints left on the moon in 1969? If so, do you think this relationship is important? What does the fact that there are human footprints on the moon say about human adaptation?
(You may wish to refer to both biological and cultural adaptation.)
 

       Yes, in that it is an illustration of the amount of cultural and intellectual-physical progress made. Man has throughout the years learned the value of cognition and learning. Paired with the developed skills in tool creation and production to the aeronautic level, this moonwalk event is one landmark representation of humankind’s presumed mastery over the natural forces which
he has governed presence on earth. This walk was on the surface of a celestial body that had never been host to biological life --- at least that which humans are familiar with. Knowledge of the conditions on this other planet led to the creation of a tangible culture of space suits which would enable astronauts to adapt to the environment through artificial means.