Reflections on ecological and biological theories in anthropology

Abstract

Anthropology is characterized by the theoretical ideas cross-cutting disciplinary boundaries. This paper discusses the two such interdisciplinary theories i.e. ecological and biological theories in an attempt to highlight their increasing relevance in the contemporary socio-cultural research. Since the very beginning of late 19th century, natural environment and biology have been central to the evolutionary paradigmof ethnological underpinnings. However, ecological theories are now becoming more prevalent owing to emanating ecological crisis. Similarly, Covid-19 has reminded us about our bio-cultural existence. This article reflects uponthe various approaches within bothsets of theoretical umbrellas.It could be clearly argued in conclusion that the recent trends in the ecological and biological theories are influential for contemporary researches in anthropology and they keep prompting us about the overlapping concerns within the biological and cultural branches of anthropology.