physical anthropology

noun

1. the branch of anthropology dealing with the evolutionary changes in human anatomy and physiology, using mensurational and descriptive techniques.

physical anthropology

noun

1. the branch of anthropology dealing with the genetic aspect of human development and its physical variations

physical anthropology

1. The branch of anthropology that deals with human evolutionary biology, physical variation, and classification.

2. Compare cultural anthropology

Other Word Forms

• physical anthropologist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of physical anthropology¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

He attends to the racism of early leaders, but more enduring problems came with the growing importance of physical anthropology toward the end of the 19th century.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The idea that modern humans, and particularly white humans, were the pinnacle of evolution came from a time of “colonialism and elitism,” said Janet Young, curator of physical anthropology at the Canadian Museum of History.

Read more on Seattle Times

By then, Monge had two roles, one as associate curator in charge, overseeing the museum’s physical anthropology section, and another as an adjunct associate professor in the school’s anthropology department.

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Despite those critiques, Morton’s approach helped lay the foundation for the burgeoning field of physical anthropology.

Read more on Science Magazine

Morton, a successful doctor who was an active member of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, has sometimes been called the founder of American physical anthropology.

Read more on New York Times