Anthropology Resources

Cultures around the world practice different traditions and methods of thought, yet all humans share commonalities regardless of racial composition. This paradigm provides the basis for anthropological study. Anthropology aims to explain our differences and similarities as nonexclusive pieces of the human equation. At its root, anthropology asks what it means to be human, both for specific cultures as individual units and across the spectrum of humanity. In addressing such a broad question, anthropologists tend to specialize in one area of study. Archaeologists find evidence of past civilizations while applied anthropologists conduct research amidst unfamiliar or unknown populations and scientists trained in anthropological linguistics study languages for clues to the development of human communication; the field of anthropology encompasses the breadth of human capacity and development. Anthropologists typically specialize in one of four disciplines: physical anthropology, cultural anthropology, archaeology or anthropological linguistics. Each of these utilizes a different approach to understand human progress and evolution, allowing anthropology to form broad hypotheses from findings in specific subtopics. Anthropology addresses questions about human evolution, social tendencies, organizational methods and racial/cultural difference to understand what really defines being human. Aside from traditional areas of study, anthropologists continue to venture into new areas of relation such as industrial and medical anthropology. Only the limits of human capability limit the topics under the umbrella of anthropology. This broad study of human progress allows us to see where we have been and how we lived there, and may even tell us where we might go next. Here are links to some of the best anthropological information on the web.

Anthropologists

American Anthropology Obituary Index - List of deceased anthropologists gleaned from Anthropology News and American Anthropologist.

Anthropology & Technology

IT Roadmaps - Database for archiving the anthropologists working on how information technology affects human interactions.

Applied Anthropology

Cultural Survival - Site for the awareness and assistance of indigenous cultures worldwide.
Consortium of Practicing and Applied Anthropology – Promotes the education and practice of applied anthropology.
Expeditions – Network of applied anthropologists with news on findings and an article database.
Idealist – Networking site for people and organizations to share and collaborate on ideas and projects.
New York Academy of Medicine – A study of health in cities around the world and research on how to address new problems.
New York Academy of Sciences – A cultural institution promoting science and technology wherever it improves human life.
Public Anthropology – Addresses broad cultural problems and provides anthropology news from around the world.
Survival – Site for the promotion of tribal communities, safeguarding their continued existence.
Vera Institute of Justice – Promotes justice and social responsibility around the world.

Archaeology

African Diaspora Archaeology Network – Links to archaeological digs in Africa along with historical and cultural information.
African Archaeology – Brings news and updates from fieldwork in Africa, as well as institutions with projects there.
American Academy in Rome – Awards the yearly Rome Prize, allowing scholars and artists a chance to conduct research into Rome’s extensive history.
Archaeology Fieldwork – Job listings and updates for archaeological projects around the world.
About.com: Archaeology – A basic introduction to some of the conceptual and methodological frameworks of archaeology.
The Archaeology Channel – A monthly video update on archaeological news with supplemental videos and articles on important archaeological findings.
ArchNet - A virtual library on archaeology maintained by Arizona State University.
eHRAF: Archaeology – A multicultural database of archaeological information with multiple search filters.
El Paso Archaeological Society - Provides archaeological information and sponsors field trips for those interested in hands-on experience.
Historical Archaeology and Public Engagement – Active archaeological sites in the U.S. provided by the University of Illinois.
Historical Landscapes of New Philadelphia, Illinois – Page dedicated to archaeological findings surrounding New Philadelphia, the first U.S. city planned by an African American.
The International Center for East Asian Archaeology and Cultural History -Provides research collections and essays of East Asian archaeological efforts.
National Center for Preservation Technology & Training – The National Park Service’s educational and research branch focused on archaeological findings and preservation.
Journal of Lithic Technology – A peer-reviewed journal covering stone made tools and developments discovered through archaeology.
Loveland Archaeological Society – A non-profit educational group promoting awareness of Native American archaeological research and findings.
North Carolina Archaeology – A government office for protecting archaeological projects and sites in the state of North Carolina.
Plymouth Colony Archive Project – A comprehensive look at archaeology conducted around the Plymouth colony of the United States.
The Prehistoric Society – A research society focused on archaeological evidence prior to the invention of written languages.
The Society for Historical Archaeology – Focuses on archaeological sites that also have a written history to describe the cultural environment.
Society for Industrial Archaeology – Research institution for studying the remains of industrial sites and equipment.
Southwestern Archaeology – Focuses on Southwestern U.S. archaeology, including Native Americans, early settler developments and the Wild West era.
Yahoo: Anthropology and Archaeology - Yahoo’s searchable directory of archaeology and anthropology.

Biological/Physical Anthropology

ForensicAnthro – Details the study of anthropology as it relates to law including causes of death.

Ethnography

eHRAF: World Cultures - Study the cultures of the world in this collection of research and archaeological evidence.
Etnografia – Italian site investigating the similarities and differences of world cultures.
American Folklife Center – Provides resources related to folklore and ethnography from around the world.
Ethnography on the Internet - Details computer programs and digital techniques used in the study of ethnography, as well as how technology powers ethnographic changes.
IRIS – French research engine with many ethnography resources.
The Open School of Ethnography and Anthropology - Site with many resources on ethnography to promote education and understanding.
Uysal-Walker Archive of Turkish Oral Narrative – An invaluable resource of oral tradition for anyone studying Turkish ethnography.

Funding Opportunities

Anthropologist’s Fund for Urgent Anthropological Research - A group of anthropologists focused on protecting and excavating archaeological sites threatened by development.
Fund My Future – A financial assistance program funded by the government of Arkansas.
Royal Anthropological Institute – Gives awards and scholarships for graduate and doctoral work in anthropology.

General Resources

Aesthetic Realism – Brings aesthetic reasoning to anthropological findings, fusing art and science.
Alternate Routes – An annually published journal promoting open debate and interdisciplinary collaboration in social sciences.
Anthropology Resources on the Internet – The original source for anthropology resources on the web.
AusAnthrop – Great resources in all areas of anthropology with special focus on indigenous Australian tribes.
Being Indigenous – Site promoting indigenous peoples and addressing the problems facing them.
Cultural Resource Network - A general site on culturally significant objects focused around anthropological and archaeological research.
Evolution Website – Evolution and the evidence behind it described on this PBS site.
La Tragedia Argentina – Professorial research into the effects of Argentinean colonization and the rise to independence. Spanish
Integrated Approaches to Participatory Development - Focused on community collaboration and involvement in policies especially in third-world countries.
International Center for Scientific Research – A general site for scientific research organized by directories.
Lost Trails – Images of archaeological sites and other historically significant documents.
Margaret Mead’s Legacy: Continuing Conversations – Focused around the life and works of Margaret Mead, an inspiring female anthropologist.
Papua Web – Research information relevant to Papua and New Guinea.
PopPlanet – Documents and analyzes trends in world population changes.
Preservation Directory - Interesting site promoting the preservation of historically significant building and documents.
Radical Anthropology Group – Basic outline of the fundamentals of radical anthropology and its difference from traditional methods.
Studio Antropologico – Italian site dedicated to the study of anthropology.
Symbolic Anthropology – The study of artistic and cultural symbols and how they explain our humanity.
World Calendar – World business and social events searchable by date, type or region.

Lists/Discussion Groups

Committee for Human Rights – The American Anthropology Association’s subscription service for human rights issues.
Ant-Bra – An academic mailing list focusing on anthropology issues in Brazil.
Anthro-l – An open mailing list dedicated to anthropology information.
Shovel Bums – Archaeology mailing list listed in Yahoo’s directory.

Literature and Libraries

Anthropological Index of the Royal Anthropology Institute – Catalogs the contents of anthropological journals and other trusted sources for research.
Anthropological Literature – An index of athropological literature received by Harvard University’s Tozzer Library.
Anthropological Review Database – A free searchable tool with anthropological information from many sources.
CARRIE Electronic Library - Large collection of donated ebooks relating to anthropology.
Southeastern Asian Archaeology Scholarly Website - Tons of anthropological resources from Southeast Asia organized into five neat categories.

Museums

American Museum of Natural History – The anthropology section of the famous Natural History Museum.
Houston Museum of Natural Science – Anthropological artifacts from all over the world.
Museum Volkekunde – Dutch anthropological museum with an extensive collection.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County – Many exhibits featuring anthropological artifacts.
Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology – A look into the history of humanity through this museum located in Berkeley, California.
Penn Museum – The University of Pennsylvania’s museum of archaeology and anthropology.

News and Media

Anthropology in the News – The sidebar on the right shows updated anthropology news.
New York Times: Archaeology & Anthropology - Topics in anthropology and archaeology from the most trusted news source in the U.S.

Organizations and Institutes

Archaeological Institute of America – Information, news and resources on archaeological findings.
American Association for the Advancement of Science – Promotes scientific discovery and inquiry in many subfields.
American Association of Physical Anthropologists – Professional association promoting research into physical anthropology.
American Association of University Professors – Dedicated to protecting faculty rights and fostering academic progress.
American Council of Learned Societies – Fosters discovery in the social sciences through fellowships and conferences.
American Folklore Society – Documents and researches American folklore and mythology.
merican Society for Ethnohistory - Fosters research into Native American cultures.
American Sociological Association – Publishes ten peer-reviewed journals in sociology.
Becoming Human – Explanation of human evolution provided by the Institute of Human Origins.
Center for Anthropology Science and Communications – Promotes communication and collaboration between anthropologists.
Consortium of Practicing and Applied Anthropology Programs - Organization of university programs offered in applied anthropology.
Center for Spatial Integrated Social Sciences - Promotes spatial reasoning tools to help social scientists address to problems of locale.
European Society of Ethnopharmacology – Organizes research and disseminates information from European ethnopharmacology research.
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies - Focused around research in the area currently known as Central America.
Human Rights Resources – The American Anthropology Associations list of human rights organizations.
International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers – Provides information and enacts programs to ensure travelers have access to medical care.
Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology – Conducts studies in broad fields on topics concerned with social development and politics.
Murray Research Center Now Harvard-MIT Data Center – Experimental research into organizing and integrating data from the social sciences.
National Anthropological Archives – Extensive collection of archaeological and anthropological findings from around the world.
National Science Foundation – Lots of information on science, especially their Cultural Anthropology and Archaeology programs.
New York Folklore Society – Preserves and promotes folkloric traditions of New York’s diverse cultural base.
Orang Asli Archive – Unpublished resources on the Orang Asli people of Malaysia.
The Prehistoric Society – Concerned with human life before the development of writing systems.
The Royal Anthropological Institute – The UK’s official anthropological research body.
School for Advanced Research – Focused on Southwestern Native American anthropology with additional research from around the globe.
Social Science Research Council – Provides fellowships, conferences and publications on topics in the social sciences.
Society for American Archaeology – Concerned with researching, documenting and preserving cultural artifacts across the Americas.
Society for Applied Anthropology – Group promoting the efforts of anthropologists in the field the world over.
Society for Economic Anthropology – Collection of scholars focused on studying the impacts of economic systems on human development.
Society for the Anthropology of Lowland South America - Institution for anthropologists and communities researching in the South American lowlands.
Society for Historical Archaeology - Promotes study of cultures with some sort of written history.
The Society for Industrial Archaeology – Publishes a quarterly newsletter and semi-annual journal on archaeological findings related to industry.
Summer Institute in Linguistics – Researches and promotes the international development of language.
Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research – Provides reports on current research as well as research grants.
World Council of Anthropological Associations – Promotes international knowledge sharing in the field of anthropology.

Other AAA Sites

AAA Sections and Interest Groups – List of AAA chapters across the country and anthropological interest groups.
Alcohol, Drug and Tobacco Study Group – Examines the social contexts of alcohol, drug and tobacco use.
Clinically Applied Medical Anthropology - Examines the clinical applications of research in medical anthropology.
Committee for the Anthropology of Science, Technology and Computing – A CASTAC listserv examining the anthropological implications of developing technologies.
Committee on Refugees and Immigrants – Examines the difficulties inherent to refugee populations and immigrant migrations.
Council on Anthropology and Reproduction – Examines the history of childbirth and reproduction as it applies to human cultures.
Council on Nursing and Anthropology – Investigates the relationship between nursing and anthropology and promotes culturally-aware nurses.
Critical Anthropology for Global Health – Focuses on anthropological topics involving health and medical care.
Cultural Anthropology - Anthropological journal published by the Society for Cultural Anthropology.
Disability Research Interest Group - Inquiry into the effects of disability on social and cultural development.
Ethos - A Society for Psychological Anthropology journal dedicated to researching the dynamic between the individual and society.
Federation of Small Anthropology Programs - Various research projects into specific facets of anthropology.
PoLaR – Journal published by the Association for Political and Legal Anthropology focused on the effects of law on culture.
Soyuz – An institute for the study of post-socialist cultures.

Resources for Teachers/Professors

Anthropology on the Internet for K-12 -A basic overview of the many facets of anthropology appropriate for primary education.
edHelper.com – A general teaching resource site with curricula in many areas.
Experience Rich Anthropology – Examples of especially productive or landmark findings in anthropology.
History: Anthropology of the Americas Syllabus – An example syllabus for a college course on American anthropology.
XanEdu – Academic curricula and course packets for all levels of education.

Visual Anthropology

Bullfrog Films -Wide selection of educational films to choose from.
California Newsreel – Documentary films focused on African American struggles of the 20^th century.
DocuSeek – Search engine for documentary and educational videos.
EthnoScop – Documentary films mainly pertaining to culture.
Images of Anthropology - Picture galleries of anthropological studies and significant cultural moments.
Margaret Mead Film & Video Festival - Annual celebration with documentary films honoring this revolutionary anthropologist.
New Day Films – Award winning educational film producer.
Peoples of the World Foundation - Features profiles and pictures of people from different cultures of the world.
Tribal Photography – Online gallery featuring images of tribal peoples all over the world.
Ur List: Web Resources for Visual Anthropology - A link list of visual anthropology indexed by category.
Visual Anthropology - Tons of images and videos promoting the understanding of anthropology.