Difference between Archaeologist and Anthropologist

Key Difference: An archaeologist deals with the field work that might consist of digging and restoring artifacts, or human-made objects, from ancient ruins. Archaeology is considered to be a subfield of anthropology. An anthropologist deals with the field of all mankind, how they developed in mind and body from primitive cultures and early forms.

A true scientist lives up to the etymological meaning of his title ‘one who knows’. Anything scientific is based on observational facts that can be recorded, tested, checked, and verified. Then they started dealing with human knowledge. Who are some of the more important explorers of knowledge; and by what terms are they known?

Anthropologists and archaeologists study the origin, development, and behavior of human beings, past and present. They both use some of the same procedures and techniques, but when analyzing data and artifacts, the goals of archaeologists and anthropologists are slightly different. The interesting fact is that anthropologists and archaeologists have traced human history back some 4.4 million years.

An archaeologist deals with the field work that might consist of digging and restoring artifacts, or human-made objects, from ancient ruins. They analyze skeletal remains and artifacts, such as tools, pottery, cave paintings, and ruins of buildings. It is considered to be a subfield of anthropology. The term is derived from the Greek word archaiologia, where archaiologia means ‘ancient’ and logos means ‘science and ‘study’. The science is archaeology from which they deal with the study of ancient times. It provides an insight of the ancient times by analyzing the remained materials belonging to that time. It aims to preserve the history for present and future learning. Pre-history is known by the artifacts of the pre-historic people which they left behind. The best example is Harappa, which is an archaeological site in Punjab, India.

An anthropologist deals with the field of all mankind, how they developed in mind and body from primitive cultures and early forms. Anthropologist is constructed from roots that everyone is familiar with, i.e., the term is derived from the Greek word anthrōpos, where anthros means ‘mankind’, and logos means ‘science’ and ‘study’. Anthropology is a science that deals with the study of humanity focusing on the culture, behavior and biology, and the effect of changing time on them. They describe and analyse the evolutionary history related to them. Apart from this, it considers various attributes, like how people behave, how they adapt to various environments, how people communicate and socialize with each other, etc. In a nutshell, anthropologist deals with humanity in its total varied forms.

Archaeologist and anthropologists have similar things to do. The duties which they both follow are:

  • They plan research projects to answer and test hypothesis about humans.
  • They record, verify and manage records of observations taken in the field.
  • They collect information from observations, interviews, discussions and documents.
  • They write reports about their case study and give presentations on them.
  • They examine data, laboratory samples, and other sources to uncover model about human life, ethnicity, and origin.

Comparison between Archaeologist and Anthropologist:

 

Archaeologist

Anthropologist

Description

Archeologist deals with the study of ancient times. It provides an insight of the ancient times by analyzing the remained materials belonging to that time.

Anthropologist deals with the study of human beings from all over the world. It describes and analyses the evolutionary history related to them.

Origin of the word

Greek archaiologia – "ancient" and logia "word" or "study."

Greek anthrōpos "man" (understood to mean humankind or humanity), and -logia, "word" or "study."

Pronunciation

ahr-kee-ol-uh-jist

an-thruh-pol-uh-jist

Fields

  • Archaeometry - Artifact analysis, remote sensing, and radiocarbon dating like techniques are used in this field.
  • Underwater Archeology - underwater evidences are associated with it.
  • Classical – study of more civilized societies.
  • Environmental – the principles of the subject are applied to the study of environment.
  • Pseudo – a non-scientiic approach is used.
  • Ethno – focuses on creating connection between the past and the present.
  • Historical – pertaining to the ancient historical sites.
  • Biological – focused on the study of humans and non-human primates in various dimensions.
  • Sociocultural – consists of cultural and social anthropology
  • Archaeological – Study of the ancient times through remained materials.
  • Linguistic – focuses on understanding the process of human communications that can be either verbal or non-verbal.

Degree

Generally, require a Ph.D.

Generally, require a Ph.D.

Job departments

  • Aerial Archaeologist
  • Archaeologist
  • Experimental Archaeologist
  • Ethno Archaeologist
  • Forensic Archaeologist
  • Historical Archaeologist
  • Maritime Archaeologist
  • Zoo Archaeologist
  • Physical Anthropologist
  • Biological Anthropologist
  • Social Anthropologist
  • Prehistoric Anthropologist
  • Applied Anthropologist
  • Linguistic Anthropologist
  • Medical Anthropologist
  • Forensic Anthropologist
  • Visual Anthropologist
  • Environmental Anthropologist
  • Museum Anthropologist

Famous personalities

Leslie Alcock - His major excavations include Dinas Powys hill fort in Wales and Cadbury Castle in Somerset.

Anthony Aveni - known for his contributions to the field of archaeoastronomy.

Famous Anthropologists include John Adair - famous for his work on visual anthropology and Keith Basso - known for his study of the Western Apaches.

Image Courtesy: warmingtonheritage.com, kidspast.com

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