Anthropological Origin Research Articles

More-than-food tourism

Food tourism researchers are increasingly seeking to question why tourists eat animals, and the ethical dimensions of such encounters. The tourist experience has largely been taken as the starting point in this research, influenced by the anthropological origins of this research field. In effect, human-animal relations, for the most part, remain absent from such interrogations. In this paper we seek to engage with critical tourist scholars who are increasingly turning to post-humanist and more-than-human framings, to move beyond a fixation with human agency in understanding how and why we eat animals in tourism settings. Multi author participant observation is utilised to examine a touristic encounter with smalahove, a traditional Norwegian dish of smoked and boiled sheep’s head. Through this case study we argue that future food tourism research ought to shift focus beyond the tourist experience, so as to fully understand the processes through which animals become eaten. In exploring the ways that human-smalahove entanglements provoke consideration for how humans and animals might be-together-otherwise, we call on food tourism researchers to consider what sorts of other food tourism encounters might prompt reflection and how such ethical reflections might be leveraged in food tourism ventures.

Is civilizational primordialism any better than nationalist primordialism?

The ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war seems to have prompted a return to anthropology's origins: the armchair. Claiming authority based on status and knowledge accumulated elsewhere and extrapolated to Ukraine, public scholars have proffered takes, op-eds, and geopolitical phantasies. Slow research in the full ethnographic mode, studying actors and subjectivities in fast shifting contexts, would have been preferable. In a context of war, complex and dynamic political phenomena easily become tokens in political debates that do not go much beyond statements of political identity.

Origins of Forensic Anthropology in the United States

Traditional histories of forensic anthropology focus on key figures, events, and/or publications within a larger narrative of disciplinary formation and expansion. These histories typically highlight individuals such as Thomas Dwight or institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. This project represents an interdisciplinary collaboration with the goal of shedding new light onto the origins of forensic anthropology in the United States. By pulling from a number of published scholarly sources, as well as some unpublished correspondence, this project expands upon the more established historical events concerning the history of forensic anthropology. Here we argue that the origins of contemporary forensic anthropology not only trace back to the work of Wilton Krogman but that Krogman’s forensic anthropology must be understood through the life and work of his mentor, T. Wingate Todd, as well as the Hamann-Todd Collection, early efforts toward personal identification of human skeletal remains, and a complex amalgamation of US and UK influences that Krogman was exposed to through Todd’s mentorship efforts.

The influence of silver nanoparticles on the process of epithelial transition in the context of cancer metastases.

Exposure to nanoparticles (NPs) can occur in a variety of occupational situations. Ultrafine particles of natural and anthropological origin toxicity has been described in epidemiological studies. Meanwhile, the risks associated with NPs exposure are not comprehensively assessed. A wide spectrum of NPs toxicity has been demonstrated, mainly through the induction of oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators. Among the newly described mechanisms of NPs toxicity is the induction of fibrosis via the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is also a key mechanism of cancer metastasis. The effect of NPs on EMT in the context of metastasis has not been sufficiently described so far, and the results of studies do not allow for the formulation of unambiguous conclusions. Therefore, the aim of the work was to determine the biological activity of silver NPs against MDA-MB-436 triple-negative breast cancer cells. Exposure to nanoparticles (NPs) can occur in a variety of occupational situations. Ultrafine particles of natural and anthropological origin toxicity has been described in epidemiological studies. Meanwhile, the risks associated with NPs exposure are not comprehensively assessed. A wide spectrum of NPs toxicity has been demonstrated, mainly through the induction of oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators. Among the newly described mechanisms of NPs toxicity is the induction of fibrosis via the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is also a key mechanism of cancer metastasis. The effect of NPs on EMT in the context of metastasis has not been sufficiently described so far, and the results of studies do not allow for the formulation of unambiguous conclusions. Therefore, the aim of the work was to determine the biological activity of silver NPs against MDA-MB-436 triple-negative breast cancer cells. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) cause a statistically significant increase in relative expression of all tested mesenchymal EMT markers - cadherin 2, vimentin, matrix metalloproteinase 2 and matrix metalloproteinase 9. At the same time, reduction of epithelial cadherin 1 expression was observed. The level of MDA-MB-436 migration and TGF-beta 1 secretion was slighty increased in AgNPs-treated cells, with no influence on invasion potential. Potentially prometastatic effect of AgNPs encourages further work on the safety of nanomaterials. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2023;74(6):541-8.

Sztuka Tajemnicy. „Metafantastyka” albo teoria literatury fantastycznej Stefana Grabińskiego

The subject of the article is a pioneering in Poland critical conception of the fantastic developed by highly esteemed prewar author of the fantastic literature, Stefan Grabiński. The crucial, remarkable comments referring to fantastic literature were comprised by Grabiński in his extensive essay entitled On fantastic literature. The dissertation in question was never published in whole, however, to find its issue while his life in merely two short parts of it in press edition. In the first part of the article the archival documents were used (mainly the letters) which enabled the reconstruction of puzzling history of the manuscript of said essay now probably lost forever. In the second part, basing on the published parts of the essay, as well as other critical statements of the Polish writer, the main aspects of Grabiński’s theory were discussed. Upon the profound analyses made therefrom it appeares that Grabiński perceived and gave the fantastic genre a unique meaning and value, notably owing to its specific privileged language exposing metaphysical expression of the Mystery. The writer managed to depict in accurate, innovative and convincing way the character of fantastic literature, both in terms of historical and anthropological origin of this kind of literary creativity, and its aesthetics, social and philosophical attributes what makes these researchers innovative and even anticipativewith reference to the corresponding studies of postwar literature theoreticians of fantastic genre (e.g. L. Vax, R. Caillois, T. Todorov). Discursive statements on the issue of fantastic literature of Grabiński are further related to much wider phenomenon which was focused on developing critical analysis of fantastic literature in Poland in the first decades of the twentieth century.

Риски взаимодействия светской и религиозной культур в цифровую эпоху

Introduction. It is determined that the description of the vectors of transformation of the boundaries of the secular and religious in the modern digital environment requires the need to track the anthropological origins of the issue. It is indicated that in the process of transition from secular to post-secular culture, not just the values and needs of people were transformed, but a new format of anthropological reality appeared. Theoretical analysis. It is found that in the conditions of the digital world, two new generations were born and grew up, whose lives were closely connected with information technologies. It is revealed that both generations find the source of value orientations in the Internet space, so their identification directly depends on virtual socialization. It is proved that in the conditions of a digital society, it is difficult for traditional religions to build relationships with young people, since religious systems themselves require considerable time to adapt to changes and legitimize new forms of work. The digital space provides a unique opportunity for continuous and free communication for members of religious communities, but at the same time it is dangerous because it becomes an open platform for conflicts. Conclusion. It is noted that the risks of communication of the secular and post-secular themselves are of an international, universal nature. The essence of cyberreligion and the degree of responsibility of traditional religions to society are determined.

The Laboratory of Scientific Racism: India and the Origins of Anthropology

Anthropology, especially biological anthropology, owes its origins to the scientific study of human racial differences. That dark history is well-acknowledged and, when it is taught, usually begins with the racism of early figures, such as Johann Friedrich Blumenbach or, more recently, Earnest Hooton, and exonerates itself through a turn toward antiracist scholars such as Frank Livingstone and Franz Boas. Rarely, if ever, is this origin story critically appraised. This article aims to complicate the origin story of biological anthropology by examining how colonial subjects were involved in the development, testing, and refinement of racial theory, and thus of biological anthropology itself. Taking India as an example, I trace how Indians and the caste system were first the subjects and eventually the interlocutors of racial scientific theory and testing. This reorientation, I argue, is important for developing a more expansive and accurate version of the discipline's history and also for shining a light on its relevance to contemporary global racial conflict.

W. Montague Cobb: Near the African Diasporic Origins of Activist and Biocultural Anthropology

William Montague Cobb, A.B., M.D., Ph.D. was the first African American Ph.D. in anatomy and physical anthropology. He produced 1,100 publications while a professor at Howard University. Cobb had a profound influence on the civil rights struggle from the 1930s‐1970s, making a special contribution to our understanding of health inequalities due to racial and class inequity. He was the principal biographer of Blacks in Medicine. This paper describes his participation in the legacy of activist and interdisciplinary scholarship of African diasporic intellectuals. He posed this epistemic against the reductionist biodeterminism of his time. Cobb promoted a political economy of health and its appropriate amelioration through public policy.

REGRESSION ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELECTED VARIABLES OF ECONOMIC GROWTH AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Environmental threats of anthropological origin, such as global warming, rising water levels, air pollution, excessive waste generation, or the seas and oceans quality decline, are threats that directly affect us. Thus, the main goal of this paper is to evaluate the impact of current economic development in the intentions of planetary limits through regression analysis using cross-sectional and panel data evaluating the dependence of ecological footprint per person, gross domestic product per person and Sustainable Development Index. The analysis shows that economic development in line with the current market rules contributes to expand the ecological footprint. We argue that both green measures into international and national policies as an effective monitoring of the achievement of sustainable goals of all market actors are necessary.

A Mystery in the Archives: The Historiography of Denial, Henrietta Schmerler's Rape and Murder, and Anthropology's Project of Prevention

ABSTRACT In July 1931, a young student of anthropology at Columbia University named Henrietta Schmerler was raped and murdered while researching the White Mountain Apache in Arizona. Although anthropologists have for decades repeated a received narrative that uses idealized fieldwork tropes to blame Schmerler for her own rape and murder, a careful historiographical analysis reveals most scholarly work on Schmerler's case relies on archival sources that have been deliberately censored or else on unfounded assertions about Apache culture. By investigating Schmerler's death and treating historical archives as crime scenes, this article demonstrates how archival restrictions have prevented an honest, evidence‐based reckoning with the legacies of American anthropology's founding figures, untangles the origins of anthropology's belief that rape in the field can be prevented, and argues that the denial Franz Boas, Ruth Benedict, Margaret Mead, and Gladys Reichard display upon hearing that an Indigenous person might have raped and murdered Schmerler still haunts anthropology today. [history of anthropology, sexual violence, archival research, denial, Boasian anthropology]

William Montague Cobb: Near the African diasporic origins of activist and biocultural anthropology.

William Montague Cobb, AB, MD, PhD, was the first African American PhD in anatomy and physical anthropology. He produced 1,100 publications while a professor at Howard University. His influence on the civil rights struggle from the 1930s to 1970s was profound as were his contributions to science and medical history. This article shows how he continued the activist and interdisciplinary traditions of African diasporic intellectuals and that these innovated what is today labeled biocultural anthropology, which focuses on the political, economic, and other societal influences on human biology and health. The human biology of the White "mainstream" has tended toward reductionism, biodeterminism, and eugenics. It drew a causal arrow from biology to society. Had they been able to listen to Black intellectuals, the world might have avoided the tragedy of mid-20th century eugenics and its long continuing biodeterministic shadow.

Spies and Scholars: Chinese Secrets and Imperial Russia’s Quest for World Power

Spies and Scholars: Chinese Secrets and Imperial Russia’s Quest for World Power

ЗАХИСТ БЛОКІВ ІНТЕЛЕКТУАЛЬНОЇ ВЛАСНОСТІ У СПЕЦІАЛІЗОВАНИХ КОМП’ЮТЕРНИХ ЗАСОБАХ НА БАЗІ ПЛІС

The current evolutionary stage of the microchips’ architecture of programmable logic does precondition not only a rationale for but also desirability of its utilisation when developing specialised computer means or the combinatory part of devices of computing machines. The increase in complexity of digital computational devices, especially in the critical usage’ computer systems, dramas and focuses the attention of developers and OEMs of FPGA to the occurrence of events related to the devices’ correct operation’ interruption, that may be caused both by external factors and intrusion. If events that are caused by negative external impacts such as a Single-Event Effect, may be related to the transition to new technological norms of the semiconductor products manufacturing, e.g. FPGA microchips, then any intrusions to the devices’ operation have anthropological origins. Widespread use of FPGA to implement the specialised computer means prompts the use of the intellectual property blocks (intellectual property core, IP-core) since to create certain samples of hardware the broad functional capabilities have to be implemented, which is effectuated by the IP. Such an approach enables materialisation of the substantial feature set in a specialised device, overcome the complexities in the devices’ development and narrow down time-frames. A part of an overview of the efficient IP cores protection, being an important and complex task, is exemplified in the paper. Different approaches and methods are outlined for such protection organisation. Examples are given of the examples of the additional structures’ usage, complementary to ciphering and authentication, that prohibit unauthorised access.

Religious and Anthropological Origins of the Russian Pedagogical School. The Example of G. S. Skovoroda

Religious and Anthropological Origins of the Russian Pedagogical School. The Example of G. S. Skovoroda

O CENÁRIO POLÍTICO BRASILEIRO E A POLARIZAÇÃO DOS ÚLTIMOS TEMPOS.

A reflexão apresentada neste artigo é fruto de um estudo bibliográfico e tem como objetivo proporcionar ao leitor reflexões em torno da polarização política no Brasil, mas ao mesmo tempo sinalizar que o contexto é mais amplo, de caráter global. Os referenciais ajudam contrastar fatos e realidades tomando como base à sociologia, complementados por outros referenciais. Trata-se de uma análise que, mesmo na superficialidade do contexto histórico, tem importância ímpar a ajudar o leitor que está em busca de um raciocínio crítico sobre a realidade vivida no país, nos últimos tempos. O estudo perpassa por momentos na história, de controle, mas também, de reações sociais. Apesar de não entrar na especificidade do tema, o estudo se vale de referenciais com abordagens em diferentes momentos na história. Além da Origem social e Antropológica do brasileira, ele fala no sistema estrutural e evolutivo da nação, na polarização dos últimos tempos capaz de envolver, de um lado, uma elite que fala em democracia, mas busca a privatização do Estado, o extermínio de ações sociais e a concentração da riqueza para uma minoria, do outro, seguimentos sociais e partidos de esquerda em defesa da democracia e ações sociais, além da preservação e proteção do Estado. Mesmo não entrando no mérito da questão polêmica, o estudo quis servir como provocação à reflexão. Outra evidência no artigo que merece a atenção, é a proposta de reflexões, valorização e o cuidado com a chegada da tecnologia e seus desafios para ambos os polos. As conquistas tecnológicas podem representar benefício, recurso e/ou comprometimento, um sustentáculo à polarização ideológica mencionada, mas pode prover indagações e manipulações em torno da realidade de toda a história do país. Enfim, sugere-se que o leitor busque entender a dimensão histórica e social do país para aprimorar sua compreensão em torno do comportamento social e psicológico do cidadão brasileiro. O momento de incerteza com a pandemia (Covid 19) neste ano de 2020 pode fomentar uma reflexão e um novo paradigma social, aproximar as pessoas e direcioná-las a uma mudança de comportamento mais relevante, em defesa do social, do humano.

Антропологічне походження та мотиви людської гідності

Антропологічне походження та мотиви людської гідності

„Do monkeys compare themselves to others?“

Abstract After briefly reconstructing the history of comparison both as a method of ‘comparing sciences’ in the 18th and 19th centuries and as an every-day phenomenon, the essay sets out to explore the historic and on-going debate on anthropological origins and features of comparing. By referring to different academic cultures – natural sciences, social sciences, humanities – the paper confronts insights and results of scientific experiments that test comparing practices of primates with Franz Kafka’s Report to an Academy. While the anthropological question still remains unresolved, the different cultures of science and literature reveal different aspects by laying bare the foundations of comparing processes.

Should the End of a Phrase be Emphasized? An Essay in Musical Prosody

ABSTRACT For understanding eighteenth-century notions of “singing” on an instrument, modern standards of “classical” performance can be a source of confusion rather than clarification. Rather than simply calling for legato or vibrato, such notions tapped into a pool of ideas concerned with essential commonalities between music and language. Song, as understood in the eighteenth century, is the anthropological origin of music and language, a primitive vocal expression of emotion carried into verbal speech through its musical properties (prosody) and understood as working similarly in musical melody. At the same time, a trove of terms used in music theory—such as “rhythm,” “meter,” “accent,” or “phrase”—is concerned not with language (as is often claimed), but with the same intersection of music and speech, a gray area between these realms. It is in this field that the eighteenth-century theory of text setting operates. It can be said that, from an eighteenth-century perspective, every piece of instrumental music is a “Song without Words,” having all the music-prosodic features—accents, lines, phrases, even rhymes—with which the vocal composer would respond to a specific text. Such a perspective can illuminate and perhaps answer some questions that performers (especially historically informed performers) often struggle with and are forced to answer with theories indebted to more recent traditions, such as those associated with Schenker and Riemann.

Touchstones for Sustainable Development: Indigenous Peoples and the Anthropology of Sustainability in Our Common Future

The Anthropocene is regularly invoked as an occasion for the rethinking of the Anthropos, for instance through a reexamination of human origin stories. This article examines one such anthropological origin story; the construction of an exemplary and sustainable humanity based upon notions of “indigenous cultures” in Our Common Future in the context of D. Chakrabarty’s call for a history of the human that merges the biological and cultural archives of humanity. The UN report, Our Common Future, first formulated “sustainable development” as a global policy. Through a close reading of the report, the article demonstrates that a combined ecological and anthropological exemplarity is associated with “indigenous and tribal peoples”, who are also construed as living examples of sustainable living for the global society, and links to humanity’s past. Furthermore, the article aims to show that particular conceptions of “culture” and “ecological” wholes enables a translation between different scales, between local and “bounded” indigenous cultures and earth as the bounded habitat of humanity. The fusion of the concepts of “development” and “sustainability” in Our Common Future lies behind present UN concerns with sustainable development goals in current international policy. Hence, an inquiry into the anthropological and cultural historical assumptions of the report is vital. Questions of natural and cultural time have come to dominate discussions of the Anthropocene. The article also reconnects the global scale with a very literal struggle over space inside the Brazilian nation state, through reading the comment on the report from Ailton Krenak. Applying what we could call a language of survival, Krenak relates the global eco-political scale of OCF with a very concrete struggle over territory inside the political space of the Brazilian nation state.

启蒙时代的人类学学科渊源初探

启蒙时代的人类学学科渊源初探