Archaeology and anthropology are both academic fields that study humanity, but they go about it in different ways. It’s easy to mix up these two disciplines, or to only have a vague idea of what each one entails.
So what’s the difference between archaeology and anthropology? This guide will explore the key differences in what each field studies, how they conduct research, and the career paths they can lead to — along with their shared interests.
What is archaeology? Digging into the past
Archaeology is the study of the human past using physical remains. Archaeologists focus on what’s called “material culture” — things like artifacts, buildings, tools, and other physical objects left behind by people who lived long ago.
By carefully digging up these objects and analyzing them, archaeologists can learn a lot about how people lived, what technologies they used, and even how their societies were structured.
How does archaeology work?
One of the main things archaeologists do is excavation. This means carefully and methodically uncovering sites where people lived or worked in the past. They pay close attention to where each artifact is found, because that context is super important for understanding what the object meant to the people who used it.
Once they’ve excavated the artifacts, they analyze them closely to figure out what they were used for and what they can tell us about the people who made and used them. For example, analyzing pottery shards can tell us about trade routes, while studying tools can reveal information about technology and social status.
Defining Anthropology: A Holistic Study of Humanity
Anthropology is a broad, holistic discipline that studies humanity, past and present. It’s interested in all aspects of human life and culture, including culture itself, biology, language, and even the archaeological record.
Anthropology is usually broken down into four main subfields:
- Cultural anthropology, which focuses on living cultures
- Biological anthropology, which studies human evolution and variation
- Linguistic anthropology, which focuses on language
- Archaeology, which studies past cultures by digging up and studying their material remains
Focus on Culture and Society
Cultural anthropology studies living societies and cultures through fieldwork and participant observation. This often means immersing themselves in a culture to better understand its beliefs, values, and practices.
Linguistic anthropology looks at the role of language in shaping culture and society. This includes studying how languages evolve, how social dialects form, and how language and thought influence each other.
Key Differences: Archaeology vs. Anthropology
Although archaeology is considered a subfield of anthropology, the two disciplines have different scopes, methodologies, and types of evidence they rely on.
Scope and Focus
Archaeology is primarily focused on the past, while anthropology casts a wider net to include both past and present cultures.
Archaeologists use material culture—things people made—to understand societies long gone. Anthropologists also study living cultures to gain insight into what it means to be human.
Anthropology is a much broader field, made up of several subfields. While archaeology has its own methods and areas of focus, it’s often considered a subfield of the larger discipline of anthropology.
Methodologies
Archaeologists spend much of their time excavating sites and analyzing the artifacts they uncover. This involves carefully digging at sites and analyzing the physical properties of the objects they find.
Anthropologists use a broader range of methods, including ethnography, interviews, surveys, and linguistic analysis. Ethnography involves immersing yourself in a culture to understand its beliefs and practices.
Types of Evidence
Archaeologists rely primarily on physical evidence such as artifacts, buildings, and tools. These provide direct evidence of what people did in the past.
Anthropologists consider both physical and cultural evidence, including written language, behaviors, and social structures. Cultural evidence can provide insights into beliefs, values, and social organization.
Where do archaeology and anthropology overlap?
Archaeology and anthropology are distinct, but they share common ground. Both fields study human behavior and the evolution of cultures. They both want to understand how humans live and have lived across the world.
Both fields also use interdisciplinary approaches. They rely on insights from history, geology, biology, and other sciences. When they ask complex questions, collaboration is essential.
Finally, both archaeologists and anthropologists may do fieldwork, research, and analyze historical documents and other evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an anthropologist be an archaeologist?
Yes, absolutely! In fact, archaeology is considered one of the four subfields of anthropology in North America. So, an archaeologist is an anthropologist, but one who specializes in studying the human past through the excavation and analysis of material remains.
What are the four branches of anthropology?
The four main branches of anthropology are: cultural (or sociocultural) anthropology, which studies living cultures; biological (or physical) anthropology, which examines human evolution and biological variation; linguistic anthropology, which explores the role of language in society; and archaeology, which studies the human past through material remains.
What is the main difference between archaeology and anthropology?
While both fields are interconnected, the main difference lies in their scope and methods. Anthropology is a broader discipline encompassing the study of all aspects of humanity, past and present. Archaeology, on the other hand, focuses specifically on reconstructing past human societies through the analysis of material culture – things people made, used, and left behind.
Closing Thoughts
Archaeology and anthropology are like two sides of the same coin: They offer different but complementary perspectives on the human experience. Although their methods and areas of focus differ, they both share the same goal: to understand humanity.
Knowing the differences and similarities between these fields can help you appreciate the breadth and depth of human knowledge. Both contribute to a better understanding of our past, present, and future.