Encyclopedia of Anthropology

Editor/Author: Birx, James H.
Publication Year: 2005
Publisher: Sage Publications

ISBN: 978-0-7619-3029-7
Category: social sciences
Image Count: 503
Book Status: Available

Encyclopedia of Anthropology is a unique collection that focuses on topics in physical/biological anthropology, archaeology, cultural/social anthropology, linguistics, and applied anthropology. Also included are relevant articles on geology, paleontology, biology, evolution, sociology, psychology, philosophy, and theology. Special attention is given to hominid evolution, primate behavior, genetics, ancient civilizations, cross-cultural studies, social theories, and the value of human language for symbolic communication.

This book is found in the following Credo Collections:

• SAGE Sociology Collection
• SAGE Reference Collection

See what others are saying:

• This colorfully illustrated encyclopedia of humankind includes over 1,000 entries by more than 250 authors from around the world. All subfields of anthropology are included: physical/biological and cultural/social anthropology, archaeology, linguistics, and even applied anthropology, as well as some related material. Contributors discuss key themes such as evolution, research/theoretical frameworks, broad topics like globalization, notable sites like Altamira Cave and the Taj Mahal, over 200 individuals (ranging from Thomas Aquinas to Robert Yerkes), and many different cultural groups and time periods. Methods and techniques ranging from stratigraphy to DNA testing are outlined. Entries range in length from a few paragraphs to several pages, each with further readings and references. To facilitate access, an alphabetical list of entries, followed by a guide for readers, begins each volume; an index concludes it. Other reference works of this sort have tended to focus on subfields of anthropology (e.g., Encyclopedia of Archaeology, ed. by Tim Murray, CH, Jan'02, 39-2547; and Encyclopedia of Cultural Anthropology, ed. by David Levinson and Melvin Ember, CH, Sep'96, 34-0016) rather than the entire discipline. Teachers, students, scholars, and the broad public can all benefit from this wide-ranging and beautifully illustrated publication.

  M. R. Dittemore
  Smithsonian Institution Libraries

• This new five-volume encyclopedia from Sage purports to be the "first comprehensive international encyclopedia of anthropology" and, indeed, there is some truth in this statement. Anthropology, as the study of humankind, is arguably the broadest discipline in the social sciences and thus difficult to successfully capture. Until this new multivolume set there were only works that covered one facet (such as culture or archaeology) of the subject. Here there are over 1,000 signed entries by scholars of varying length that touch upon the entire gamut of anthropology, including culture, archaeology, evolution, linguistics, paleontology, biology, and theoretical anthropology. In addition, cross-disciplinary entries related to philosophy, psychology, religion, and sociology are included. One-fifth of the entries are biographical and another one-fifth are cultural or social. Entries are alphabetically arranged and have a brief list of further readings at the end as well as see also cross-references where appropriate. Entries are very readable, appropriate for undergraduates and above, and many are supplemented with color photographs. There is a chronology in the front of each volume with important events in the history of anthropology and a list of corresponding encyclopedia entries. Furthermore, the front of each volume contains an alphabetic list of entries and a list by subdiscipline (i.e., archaeology). Also included are a master bibliography and a comprehensive subject index; the latter only lists the page number and not the volume number, however.Obviously, an attempt at a broad encyclopedia in anthropology sacrifices more esoteric topics that can be found in specialized subdisciplinary resources. For example, the Encyclopedia of Cultural Anthropology (see entry 97, entry 316) includes an entry on teaching anthropology, and the Encyclopedia of Human Evolution and Prehistory (see ARBA 2001, entry 268) includes an entry on the Laetoli Tanzania site-neither of which can be found in the Encyclopedia of Anthropology. Nonetheless, this resource is highly recommended for all academic libraries and any other library with patrons interested in anthropology. It is now available electronically through the Gale Virtual Reference Library.

  Susan J. Gardner
  Asst. Reference & Instructional Services Coordinator, USC Libraries Anthropology Liaison, Univ. of Southern California, Los Angeles