Any and everything anthropological.

• Frances L. Stearns

  What aspect of human physiology is most vulnerable to evolutionary change?

  My Q assumes nothing is immutable and time is not a factor. Respondents may differ.

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    Alejandro Melo replied

    I like the issue, so I choose to express one deeming; as John Wiedenhoeft said and before to open the comments section, I was thinking the most vulnerable aspecto of human physiology when facingI like the issue, so I choose to express one deeming; as John Wiedenhoeft said and before to open the comments section, I was thinking the most vulnerable aspecto of human physiology when facing changes will be the immune system; but if the case is of actually fast and quick changes, this system would be neurotransmission in the adaptative zones of cortex.

    18 days ago
• Sara Robertson

  When does a human become posthuman?

  I am working on a paper about transhumanism, and specifically the point at which we would say a person is "no longer human" and has become "posthuman". I'm interested in hearing people's thoughts onI am working on a paper about transhumanism, and specifically the point at which we would say a person is "no longer human" and has become "posthuman". I'm interested in hearing people's thoughts on exactly how much change would qualify someone as posthuman, and any references to literature already existing on the subject would be much appreciated. I have seen one writer suggest that a posthuman state is achieved when the genetics of the individual no longer match human genetics, but I don't think that accounts for posthumanization from cybernetics, and other technological enhancements. I saw someone else suggest that posthumanism occurs when reproductive abilities become impossible, specifically breeding with normal humans, but I think there are already plenty of people with reproduction problems and while this is one of the better suggestions it is still fairly weak. Let me know what you think! What is that line in between pacemakers and robot bodies where we have changed ourselves enough to be considered posthuman?

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    Mark Alan Shields replied

    Http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2012/05/robot_sex_and_marriage_will_society_accept_it_.html

    20 days ago
• Barrie Chapman

  Following a lot of research and study "which is far from complete" I certainly appears that the Australian Aboriginal of today may not have been the first. There has been proven that two types and aFollowing a lot of research and study "which is far from complete" I certainly appears that the Australian Aboriginal of today may not have been the first. There has been proven that two types and a possible third group arrived in Australia at different times by two differing routes. One may be by see from the west side of Nwe Guine and the other from the eastern side from Asia. There are those bone structures that are Gracile and those that are Robust. Mungo mans DNA has been finally studied and it differs from present day Aboriginal ther is no trace of his DNA in existance which means his kind died out. He has been now dated at 60,000 Ybp. The art differs from one side of the country to the other they dont resemvle each other. Example being the Bradshaw Gallery. When Eauropean Settlement began Tasmainian Aboriginals were of different appearence to those of the main land. It makes me wonder who selse may have been here and for how long as well as who are present day Aboriginals truely descended from.
• Ponto Urbe

  Call for papers

  Dear colleagues, I would like to invite you to send articles to Ponto Urbe, our brazilian anthropology journal. Ponto Urbe’s editorial board is receiving contributions for it’s 10th edition.Dear colleagues, I would like to invite you to send articles to Ponto Urbe, our brazilian anthropology journal. Ponto Urbe’s editorial board is receiving contributions for it’s 10th edition. Researchers are invited to send articles and critical reviews on classical and contemporary Anthropology works. Submissions should be sent for evaluation to pontourbe@n-a-u.org , until 04/30/2012. Contributions from anthropology professors, researchers, undergraduate and graduate students are welcome. Thanks for your attention. Check out our website: www.pontourbe.net/

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    Vadde Ashok vardhan replied

    thank you for the information and I will be sending the paper on Indian topic related to anthropology.

    Mar 30, 2012
• Sachchidanand Swami

  Can anybody explain the secret behind the magical phenomenon of synchronization of thoughts between marital partners?

  After considerable years spend together, both partners start matching their interests unconsciously. Surprisingly, one partner speaks a wish, intention, idea or thought exactly at same time itAfter considerable years spend together, both partners start matching their interests unconsciously. Surprisingly, one partner speaks a wish, intention, idea or thought exactly at same time it initiates in the mind of other partner. Definitely, it should be far apart from mirror neurons that help in synchronizing movements and facial expressions between two persons or more.

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    Mark Alan Shields replied

    My father used to explain his "synchronization" with my mother this way: "Whenever your mother and I had an argument, I always made sure I got the last word. So when she reached the point of tellingMy father used to explain his "synchronization" with my mother this way: "Whenever your mother and I had an argument, I always made sure I got the last word. So when she reached the point of telling me 'Shut up, Bob!', I'd say 'OK'."

    Mar 22, 2012
• Roderick Salisbury

  Neanderthals collected raptor talons? A new study suggests that diurnal raptors (i.e., eagles, hawks, falcons, etc.) were used by Neanderthals for symbolic purposes.

  http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0032856
• Andrew Hagstrom

  To what extent are elements of Christian theology drawn from primitive religions, e.g. death and resurrection, redemption, the virgin birth?

  This question regards the anthropology of religion.

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    Ramdas Lamb replied

    Should this discussion not be focused more on the anthropological issues here, not on theology? The material on the web site Ray links above is just some of the special concepts and special birthsShould this discussion not be focused more on the anthropological issues here, not on theology? The material on the web site Ray links above is just some of the special concepts and special births that can be found in religious traditions around the world. The only thing that makes Jesus's supposed special birth special is that it is the one that has been the most proselytized throughout history. Actually, if one does a linguistic study of the origin of the belief, one finds that the word "almah" in the Hebrew Bible Book of Isaiah (7:14) that is mistranslated, first into Greek as "parthenos" and then into Enlgish as "virgin" does not actually mean that. The term can refer to a young girl, a newly married girl, or in some instances, a virgin. "Almah" actually appears in many books of the Hebrew Bible, and most Christian versions in English translate the term in the others instances as "maiden," "girl," or "young girl," not as "virgin." A more specific Hebrew term for "virgin" is "bethulah," which is not used in Isaiah. Thus, from an historical perspective, it appears that the decision to translate the term as "virgin" likely started as a mistranslation into Greek, but has then continued in an attempt to support the Christian claim that Jesus is somehow "more" special than other religious leaders or teachers. As an anthropologist, I think the most interesting, and troubling, aspect of the situation is how this claim has been one of the justifications used by Christian missionaries for centuries to demonize and destroy other religious cultures and supplant them with Christianity.

    Mar 16, 2012
• Suja Sujatha

  Other than in research area and super specialisation can we tie sociology and anthropology in the same cart to give basic ideas, knowledge and explanations.

  When all we can relate sociology and anthropology

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    Carol Markim replied

    Dear Yew , Oh yes, I do agree. But maybe the only way to do this respectfully is to break both anthro and soc into ever narrowing fields of specialization, give them names in fact, all so we can Dear Yew , Oh yes, I do agree. But maybe the only way to do this respectfully is to break both anthro and soc into ever narrowing fields of specialization, give them names in fact, all so we can communicate exactly what we're talking about when we try to communicate with our colleagues. This, as we know, is done in the "hard sciences." . Maybe we've been too airy-floaty all these years?

    Mar 15, 2012
• Alison Stenger

  Early man in China

  Have you seen the wonderful book by Zhou , of the Beijing NaturL History Museum? Perhaps you could contact him. He is a scholar of the best type, and an excellent archaeologist.

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    Roger M. Pearlman CTA replied

    .

    Mar 10, 2012
• Joan Schonbeck

  I'm in need of information about how cultures other than Western ones have dealt with infertility for a paper I am working on.

  I would appreciate anyone's input.

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    Joan Schonbeck replied

    Thank you, David

    Mar 5, 2012
• Shaun Lehmann

  Marfan's Syndrome and the family of Akhenaten...

  Hello everyone, I was looking for thoughts on possible pathologies that could account for the unusual depictions of the Pharaoh Akhenaten of Armana and his family. I was a strong believer in theHello everyone, I was looking for thoughts on possible pathologies that could account for the unusual depictions of the Pharaoh Akhenaten of Armana and his family. I was a strong believer in the possibility of Marfan's syndrome being the culprit but with genetic evidence seeming to rule this out last year I'm curious to see what others think. Personally, I haven't given up on Marfan's as it seemed a good fit, both in terms of heredity and the morphology it produces. The genetic evidence ruling it out is of questionable quality given the rather large possibility of genetic contamination. Let us not forget that only a single rogue strand of DNA from a handler or embalmer could produce very misleading results after PCR. Thoughts?

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    Natalia Vargas Márquez replied

    I was not familiarized with Marfan's sindrome (i'm an Art History Mayor) but the shape of the body of Akhenaten and his offspring always caught my attention, when studing Egiptian Art. In that note,I was not familiarized with Marfan's sindrome (i'm an Art History Mayor) but the shape of the body of Akhenaten and his offspring always caught my attention, when studing Egiptian Art. In that note, the aproach I know regarding the morphological characteristics of Akhenaten are regarding the interpretation of the androgynous characteristic related to what has been already commented by Cliff, in style, but also maybe as a genetic malformation (hence the voluptuos hips, the slightly more developed breasts and slimer arms and legs). But as much as an estilistic and symbolic aproach is very interesting, speccially for my discipline, I can not stop wondering about a genetic malformation... I found a webpage that suggest another theory for the malformations: http://www.medicalalumni.org/bulletin/summer_2008/clinicopathological.html Regardless, the phisical aspect of this pharaoh as a symbol is a very interesting topic, especially when in other depictions of early and later pharaohs this phisical characteristics are not shown, as a disguise of the genetics or not.

    Feb 24, 2012
• Davor Silov

  What makes up the core of human identity?

  We work holistically and explore a topic of identity and need your thinking. Please write in order of importance, in your opinion, different components of identity (1 ..., 2 ..., 3 ...We work holistically and explore a topic of identity and need your thinking. Please write in order of importance, in your opinion, different components of identity (1 ..., 2 ..., 3 ... etc): Cultural identity National identity Identity identification with the profession (eg designer, cleaning, scientist, etc.) Gender, sex, sexual identity (female, male, LGBT, etc.) Religious identity Ethnic identity (territory, language, genetics) Identification with the conviction of identity (eg, a pacifist, warrior, etc.) ... something else?

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    Davor Silov replied

    Identity is certainly something that we share with others as opposed to personality (eg, nation, territory, etc.). Most components of identity is shared with others. Most components of theIdentity is certainly something that we share with others as opposed to personality (eg, nation, territory, etc.). Most components of identity is shared with others. Most components of the personality is not shared with others. Posthuman is a very interesting area and I think this is the future. But to the future that may or not come - we still have to live with the fact that the multicultural society rarely feasible. Why? Does the identity (and its components) to blame for it? Or - whether some components of identity to blame for that? Multicultural society is feasible only in large cities and on the Internet for now. To be quite clear: We are interested to find all negative components of the identity which brake multicultural society and how these negative components somebody can reduce, block or turn in a positive direction.

    Feb 24, 2012
• Alison Stenger

  Bird Cults?

  Does anyone have information to share on bird cults? ANY help on geographic areas of occurrence, period, or tradition details would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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    Cliff Green replied

    or the Ainu in Japan, probably hundreds or thousands more examples I am sure are source-able, there are also reports of bird sourced entheogens/psychoactives in the Amazon, or at least, one report,or the Ainu in Japan, probably hundreds or thousands more examples I am sure are source-able, there are also reports of bird sourced entheogens/psychoactives in the Amazon, or at least, one report, it would be interesting from the perspective of bird cult developement in certian local cultures.

    Feb 22, 2012
• Roderick Salisbury

  interesting post on Savage Minds regarding Jared Diamond's contributions to anthropology and our understanding of humanity...

  http://savageminds.org/2012/02/11/taking-anthropology-jared-diamond/