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directly linked to survival and ecological adaptation. The historical patterns and
processes associated with culture as a medium for growth and change, and the
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diversification and convergence of cultures through history, are thus major foci of
anthropological research.

Q2. list various defining characters of the anthropology?
Ans. There are three defining character of anthropology are as following: -
1. Holistic/integrated discipline: the interesting result to perceive human past
and present can be generated by the integrated biological, archaeological and
cultural dimensions. E.g. the research on the the Indus Valley Civilization shown
something about the fascinating culture and society during that period. Its past
had been reconstructed on the basis of archaeological findings in the form of
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artifacts, seals, statues, objects of daily use, objects of luxury etc. as its script has
not been deciphered. The past is reconstructed based entirely upon contextual
findings and scientific analysis.
Some male and female skeletal remains have been found from Harappa. On
genetic analysis of these remains found that most of the male skeletal remains
were genetically not related. On the other hand, most of the females were
genetically related to each other. Since most of the females were related
genetically, therefore, the residence pattern after marriage could be ‘matrilocal’
in nature. This suggests that after marriage a male might have go to his wife’s
house to reside, which is opposite of what we observe generally in India. This may
also have important bearing in the context of position of women in the society. It
has been observed that in matrilocal societies, position of women is better than
their patrilocal counterparts. Anthropology therefore takes a holistic view of
human existence. It starts from placing the Homosapiens in the evolutionary
scheme to analyzing the variations within the human species.
2. Comparative Science: The basic operation in the comparative method is an
arrangement of social or cultural conditions observed among existing peoples
into a series that is then taken to represent a process of evolution. This procedure
has been used to depict the whole sweep of human history, a limited period of
development, or the growth of a particular social or cultural element or group of
elements. The method has been applied most commonly, perhaps, in a search for
origins of specific cultural items.
3. Fieldwork Method: Fieldwork is the most important method by which
cultural anthropologists gather data to answer their research questions. While
interacting on a daily basis with a group of people, cultural anthropologists
document their observations and perceptions and adjust the focus of their
research as needed. Mostly anthropologists choose their field among the tribal
communities that inhabit certain far-flung hilly, forest or coastal areas. They
typically spend a few months to a few years living among the people they are

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