Archaeology and anthropology are both fascinating fields that explore the story of humanity, both past and present. Both disciplines are deeply invested in understanding human societies and cultures.
But what’s the difference between an anthropologist vs archaeologist? It’s a common question, and while the two fields are related, they have distinct focuses, methodologies, and career paths.
This article clarifies the key differences and similarities between these two fields, covering their areas of study, job duties, work environments, and where their paths converge.
Defining the Disciplines: Scope and Focus
While they often work together, archaeology and anthropology have distinct focuses.
Archaeology: The Study of Past Societies Through Material Remains
Archaeology is the study of human societies of the past through the analysis of what they left behind. Archaeologists look at artifacts, architecture, and human remains to understand how people lived. The context in which these items are found is key to interpreting them.
Archaeologists study a vast time period, from the earliest human ancestors to more recent history.
Anthropology: A Holistic Approach to Humanity
Anthropology takes a wider view, focusing on the holistic study of humanity. Anthropologists study past and present cultures, biology, language, and society. The field is traditionally divided into four subfields: archaeology, biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, and linguistic anthropology.
Anthropology is all about understanding the diversity of human experience and how different parts of human life are connected.
Key Differences: Methodology and Analysis
While both anthropologists and archaeologists seek to understand humanity, they approach their work with different tools and techniques.
Archaeological Methods: Excavation and Artifact Analysis
At its heart, archaeology is about digging. Archaeologists carefully excavate sites, documenting every find and preserving artifacts and features they uncover. They also use surveys and remote sensing to locate promising sites.
Once artifacts are unearthed, they’re analyzed using various methods, including dating techniques, materials analysis, and functional studies. Understanding the layers of soil (stratigraphy) and the context in which an artifact is found is crucial for interpreting the data.
Anthropological Methods: Ethnography and Cultural Analysis
Cultural anthropologists immerse themselves in a culture through ethnographic fieldwork. They participate in daily life, conduct interviews, and build relationships with the people they study. Sometimes they conduct surveys to collect data, too.
The data they gather is then analyzed through thematic analysis, discourse analysis, and comparative studies.
Contrasting Data: Physical vs. Cultural Evidence
Archaeology relies heavily on physical evidence – the artifacts and sites left behind. Anthropology, while it may consider material culture, often deals with less tangible things like language, customs, and behavior.
Archaeologists reconstruct past lifeways from the objects people left behind. Anthropologists study both past and present cultures through observation and interaction, getting to know the people themselves.
Professional Pathways: Job Duties and Work Environments
Both archaeologists and anthropologists can be found working in a variety of settings.
Archaeologist Roles: Digs, Labs, and Cultural Resource Management
Archaeologists spend their time excavating dig sites, analyzing artifacts they find there, writing reports on their findings, and presenting those findings to the public. One of the main jobs of archaeologists is cultural resource management (CRM). That means protecting archaeological sites from being damaged or destroyed as areas are developed.
As an archaeologist, you might work at a dig site, in a lab, at a museum, or for a government agency.
Anthropologist Roles: Research, Teaching, and Applied Anthropology
Anthropologists conduct research, teach at universities, and work in what’s known as applied settings, where they can use their findings to address modern social issues like poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation.
As an anthropologist, you could work at a university, for a research institution, for a government agency, or for a non-profit organization.
Common Ground: Shared Interests and Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Although anthropology and archaeology differ in their methods, they share a deep interest in understanding human history, culture, and behavior. Both fields aim to paint a more complete picture of the human experience.
Both anthropologists and archaeologists routinely work with people in other disciplines, such as historians, geologists, biologists, and linguists. This interdisciplinary approach is essential to both fields.
For example, both anthropologists and archaeologists might study the origins of agriculture, looking at the cultural practices surrounding food production as well as the physical evidence of early farming communities. Or they might collaborate on projects that examine how climate change affected past societies, combining archaeological findings with anthropological insights into human adaptation and resilience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you become an archaeologist with an anthropology degree?
Absolutely! Archaeology is considered a subfield of anthropology, specifically cultural anthropology. So, an anthropology degree, especially one with a focus on archaeology, provides a solid foundation. You might need to supplement it with specialized courses or field experience in archaeological methods, but it’s a very common path.
What is the difference between an anthropologist and a paleontologist?
Anthropologists study humans, both past and present, focusing on culture, society, and behavior. Paleontologists, on the other hand, study prehistoric life, including dinosaurs, plants, and early mammals. While they both deal with the past, anthropologists focus on human history and culture, whereas paleontologists focus on the history of life on Earth.
What is the main difference between an archaeologist and an anthropologist?
The main difference lies in their primary focus and methods. Archaeologists specifically study past human societies by excavating and analyzing material remains (artifacts, buildings, etc.). Anthropologists have a broader scope, studying all aspects of human culture and biology, both past and present. Archaeologists are essentially anthropologists who specialize in the material culture of past societies.
The Bottom Line
Archaeology and anthropology are distinct but related fields. Archaeology is primarily focused on digging up and analyzing physical remains, while anthropology is more interested in cultures and practices, both past and present.
While they have different focuses, these two fields are often complementary. By working together, archaeologists and anthropologists can give us a much fuller picture of what it means to be human.
Ultimately, both archaeology and anthropology are critical for preserving our past, understanding our present, and shaping our future.