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Annual Review of Genomics and Human... Aug 2023Genetic data contain a record of our evolutionary history. The availability of large-scale datasets of human populations from various geographic areas and timescales,... (Review)
Review
Genetic data contain a record of our evolutionary history. The availability of large-scale datasets of human populations from various geographic areas and timescales, coupled with advances in the computational methods to analyze these data, has transformed our ability to use genetic data to learn about our evolutionary past. Here, we review some of the widely used statistical methods to explore and characterize population relationships and history using genomic data. We describe the intuition behind commonly used approaches, their interpretation, and important limitations. For illustration, we apply some of these techniques to genome-wide autosomal data from 929 individuals representing 53 worldwide populations that are part of the Human Genome Diversity Project. Finally, we discuss the new frontiers in genomic methods to learn about population history. In sum, this review highlights the power (and limitations) of DNA to infer features of human evolutionary history, complementing the knowledge gleaned from other disciplines, such as archaeology, anthropology, and linguistics.
Topics: Humans; Genomics; Archaeology; Human Genome Project; Anthropology; Biological Evolution
PubMed: 37220313
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genom-111422-025117 -
The British Journal of Radiology Apr 2014Virtual anthropology is made possible by modern cross-sectional imaging. Multislice CT (MSCT) can be used for comparative bone and dental identification, reconstructive... (Review)
Review
Virtual anthropology is made possible by modern cross-sectional imaging. Multislice CT (MSCT) can be used for comparative bone and dental identification, reconstructive identification and lesion identification. Comparative identification, the comparison of ante- and post-mortem imaging data, can be performed on both teeth and bones. Reconstructive identification, a considerable challenge for the radiologist, identifies the deceased by determining sex, geographical origin, stature and age at death. Lesion identification combines virtual autopsy and virtual anthropology. MSCT can be useful in palaeopathology, seeking arthropathy, infection, oral pathology, trauma, tumours, haematological disorders, stress indicators or occupational stress in bones and teeth. We examine some of the possibilities offered by this new radiological subspeciality that adds a new dimension to the work of the forensic radiologist. A multidisciplinary approach is crucial and involves communication and data exchange between radiologists, forensic pathologists, anthropologists and radiographers.
Topics: Autopsy; Bone and Bones; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Forensic Anthropology; Humans; Male; Multidetector Computed Tomography; Paleopathology; Tooth
PubMed: 24234584
DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20130468 -
Neuron Mar 2010How do we define ourselves as humans and interact with our various environments? Recently, neuroscience has extended into other disciplines in the humanities and social... (Review)
Review
How do we define ourselves as humans and interact with our various environments? Recently, neuroscience has extended into other disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, questioning the existence of distinct disciplines like anthropology, which describes the relationship between humans and their various environments. However, rather than being incorporated into neuroscience, anthropology may be considered complementary, and a marriage of the two disciplines can provide deep insight into these fundamental questions.
Topics: Anthropology; Brain; Cooperative Behavior; Humans; Marriage; Neurosciences; Social Environment
PubMed: 20346752
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2010.02.024 -
Social Cognitive and Affective... Jun 2010Anthropologists have become increasingly interested in embodiment-that is, the ways that socio-cultural factors influence the form, behavior and subjective experience of... (Review)
Review
Anthropologists have become increasingly interested in embodiment-that is, the ways that socio-cultural factors influence the form, behavior and subjective experience of human bodies. At the same time, social cognitive neuroscience has begun to reveal the mechanisms of embodiment by investigating the neural underpinnings and consequences of social experience. Despite this overlap, the two fields have barely engaged one another. We suggest three interconnected domains of inquiry in which the intersection of neuroscience and anthropology can productively inform our understanding of the relationship between human brains and their socio-cultural contexts. These are: the social construction of emotion, cultural psychiatry, and the embodiment of ritual. We build on both current research findings in cultural neuroscience and ethnographic data on cultural differences in thought and behavior, to generate novel, ecologically informed hypotheses for future study. In addition, we lay out a specific suggestion for operationalizing insights from anthropology in the context of cultural neuroscience research. Specifically, we advocate the development of field studies that use portable measurement technologies to connect individual patterns of biological response with socio-cultural processes. We illustrate the potential of such an approach with data from a study of psychophysiology and religious devotion in Northeastern Brazil.
Topics: Anthropology, Cultural; Ceremonial Behavior; Culture; Emotions; Humans; Neurosciences; Psychiatry; Research
PubMed: 19965815
DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsp032 -
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal... Aug 2023Inequality is increasingly recognized as a major problem in contemporary society. The causes and consequences of inequality in wealth and power have long been central...
Inequality is increasingly recognized as a major problem in contemporary society. The causes and consequences of inequality in wealth and power have long been central concerns in the social sciences, whereas comparable research in biology has focused on dominance and reproductive skew. This theme issue builds on these existing research traditions, exploring ways they might enrich each other, with evolutionary ecology as a possibly unifying framework. Contributors investigate ways in which inequality is resisted or avoided and developed or imposed in societies of past and contemporary humans, as well as a variety of social mammals. Particular attention is paid to systematic, socially driven inequality in wealth (defined broadly) and the effects this has on differential power, health, survival and reproduction. Analyses include field studies, simulations, archaeological and ethnographic case studies, and analytical models. The results reveal similarities and divergences between human and non-human patterns in wealth, power and social dynamics. We draw on these insights to present a unifying conceptual framework for analysing the evolutionary ecology of (in)equality, with the hope of both understanding the past and improving our collective future. This article is part of the theme issue 'Evolutionary ecology of inequality'.
Topics: Anthropology, Cultural; Archaeology; Biological Evolution; Ecology; Humans
PubMed: 37381851
DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0287 -
Historia, Ciencias, Saude--Manguinhos 2016Since the 1990s, several disciplines have emerged at the interface between neuroscience and the social and human sciences. For the most part, they aim at capturing the... (Review)
Review
Since the 1990s, several disciplines have emerged at the interface between neuroscience and the social and human sciences. For the most part, they aim at capturing the commonalities that underlay the heterogeneity of human behaviors and experiences. Neuroanthropology and cultural neuroscience, or the "neurodisciplines of culture," appear different, since their goal is to understand specificity rather than commonality and to address how cultural differences are inscribed in the brain. After offering an overview of these disciplines, and of their relation to endeavors such as cultural psychology and social neuroscience, this article discusses some of the most representative studies in the area in order to explore in which ways they are relevant for an understanding of culture.
Topics: Anthropology, Cultural; Culture; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans; Neurosciences
PubMed: 27992048
DOI: 10.1590/S0104-59702016000400002 -
Journal of Anthropological Sciences =... Dec 2022The relationship between anthropology and neuroscience has always been friendly but controversial, because they embrace inclusive common topics (human beings and their...
The relationship between anthropology and neuroscience has always been friendly but controversial, because they embrace inclusive common topics (human beings and their brains) although following distinct approaches, often more holistic and speculative in the former field, more reductionist and quantitative in the latter. In recent decades, novel disciplines have been proposed to bridge the gap between anthropology and neuroscience, mostly taking into account their common interest in human evolution. Paleoneurology deals with the study of brain anatomy in extinct species. Neuroarchaeology concerns the study of brain functions associated with behaviours that are of interest according to the archaeological record. Cognitive archaeology investigates the evolution of those behaviours following methods and theories in psychology. These new fields can provide quantitative and experimental support to topics that, to date, have been largely discussed only on a theoretical basis. Nonetheless, working with extinct species necessarily involves many limitations. Consistent theories on the evolution of our cognitive abilities must rely on the integration of different sources of information, on parallel and independent evidence from different fields, and on a proper attitude: openness and caution.
Topics: Humans; Biological Evolution; Anthropology; Brain; Neurosciences; Cognition; Archaeology
PubMed: 36511800
DOI: 10.4436/JASS.10011 -
American Journal of Physical... Apr 2018
Review
Topics: Anthropology, Physical; Bioethics; Humans; Information Literacy
PubMed: 29574844
DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.23367 -
Acta Bio-medica : Atenei Parmensis Oct 2023De Blasio's research focuses on the anthropology of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His investigations extend from criminalistics to ancient mummies, driven by...
De Blasio's research focuses on the anthropology of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His investigations extend from criminalistics to ancient mummies, driven by his passion for archaeology and human history. He delves into the intricate relationship between anatomy and the human psyche, intertwining disciplines like archaeology, anthropology, and history. His examination of ancient human remains, though lacking modern tools, reveals insights into embalming practices and cultural beliefs. De Blasio's interest in craniology leads to the exploration of cranial deformations, considering as cultural factors. By connecting anthropology with psychology, he questions the cognitive effects of cranial deformations and even associates certain traits with skull morphology. This interplay showcases his ability to merge natural and cultural sciences, offering unique perspectives on human development and cultural practices.
Topics: Male; Humans; Anthropology; Archaeology; Skull; Embalming
PubMed: 37850758
DOI: 10.23750/abm.v94i5.15154 -
Annals of Agricultural and... 2015The article presents a paradigm current in contemporary medical anthropology - Critical Medical Anthropology (CMA), which merges political-economic approaches with a... (Review)
Review
The article presents a paradigm current in contemporary medical anthropology - Critical Medical Anthropology (CMA), which merges political-economic approaches with a culturally sensitive analysis of human behaviour grounded in anthropological methods. It is characterized by a strongly applied orientation and a devotion to improving population health and promoting health equity. The beginning of CMA dates back to the 1970s when the interdisciplinary movement called the political economy of health was developed. Today, CMA has grown into one of three major perspectives used in anthropological research devoted to health, illness and wellbeing. The author discusses the origins, key concepts and CMA's usefulness for social research, and its significance for the design of effective policies in the realm of public health. Examplary interventions and ethnographic researches are introduced and wider usage is advocated of such works and methods by bureaucrats and medical staff for understanding the patients' behavior, and the influence of social, economic and political factors on the workings of particular health systems.
Topics: Anthropology, Medical; Delivery of Health Care; Health Equity; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans; Public Health
PubMed: 26094543
DOI: 10.5604/12321966.1152099