Physical anthropology

Physical anthropology

The branch of anthropology that studies the development of the human race in the context of other primate species.

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Physical anthropology

matrilineal descent

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

Recognizing family ties only between mothers and their children.

Progressively changing zones of degree difference in frequency of a trait with movement from one region to another. The gradual decrease in frequency of the B blood allele going west in Europe is an ...

supraorbital tori

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

Prominent projecting bony bars or brow ridges above the eyes. This trait was characteristic of Homo erectus and some other early humans.

obsidian hydration dating

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

Potentially, a chronometric dating method based on the fact that obsidian, or volcanic glass, progressively develops a thin chemically altered outer layer due to the absorption of water. The ...

permafrost

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

Permanently frozen soil. This is a common condition above the Arctic Circle and in other similarly cold environments.

hypoxia

Anthropology; Physical anthropology

Oxygen deprivation. This condition can occur at high altitude. Symptoms include a reduced ability to do work, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and an inability to effectively perform memory intensive ...