Anthropology- Unit 1

There are similiarities and differences between humans and primates:
Similarities-

• Both have opposbale thumbs
• Sexual dimorphism
• Diet & internal organs
• Competitiveness, hierachy & aggression
• Gender inequlaity
• Conflict
• Socialisation of the young
• Communication
• Social relation: differ from species to species-

1.  Bonobos: Female centred, resolve tension through sex, similar gestures when communicating without using language
2. Chimpanzees: Male centred, care for the young mainly with mother, use expressive faces, postures & sounds to communicate, male agression important in establishing hierachy, male competition for females

Differences-

• Bipedalism
• Very big brains
• Small jaw
• Narrow hips
• Longer lips
• Hairless skin

However-

• Cultural evolution- humans specific evolutionary pathway has enabled the development of a complex culture:

1.  Cooking- larger brains due to increase in nutrition
2. symbols- provided new ways to communicate , pass on info and help to survive
3. Expressing identity
4. Sharing resources

The body is seen to convey a range of stauses, ranks & relationships between the body & society.

The body has continued to act as a symbol in various ways, showing that we give value to our bodys in various ways

We control the body by:

• Genital mutilation/modification
• Sexual selection (1 child policy, china- baby girls being aborted)
• Foot binding in China for pleasure 

Universally humans have attempted to make & remake the body- varies according to age, status, geographical location

• Lip plates
  - Worn among people of N. Africa and S & NW America
  - Mainly among the woman of certain African cultures who wear them
  - Purpose and meaning different in different cultures: protect against evil spirits (Lobi- Ivory Coast & Ghana), status symbol
• Scarification
  - Permanatly marking the skin through cutting
  - Carried out as part of a ritual 
  - Africa & Australian Aborigines
  - Main point is to beautify
  - Often indicates group identity or stages in a persons life
  - S.Sudan Nuba girls recieve marks at the beginning of puberty, first menstruation in certain places
  - Determined by social status & maturity. Seen as a mark of beauty.
  
  
•  Western body modifcation
  - Cosmetics
  - Spend the majorit of their time on their appereance & health
  - Ideal body is thin
  - Plastic surgery (breast enlargement popular)
  
  
• Purity, pollution & taboo
  - Mary Douglas 'Purity and Danger'
  - Body is a synbol- rules & catogeries regarding what we do with our body and environment
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