Anthropology

Anthropology, according to its strict meaning, is the science of man in the widest sense; but the term is usually taken as the equivalent of the German Culturgeschichte or Culturwissenschaft, i.e. the history or science of civilisation, and in that sense it is dealt with here. Leaving the antiquity of man to geology, his physical nature, structure, and functions to zoology, anatomy, and physiology, and the question of races to ethnology, anthropology is concerned with man as a social being, and endeavours to trace his development from savagery to the culture of the present day. With regard to the origin of man, it is sufficient to state that the view of most anthropologists is that of Darwin, while the orthodox view of creation is stoutly maintained by Quatrefages and others. The first subject matter of anthropology dates from quaternary times, wdien indubitable traces appear of man as a hunter and fisherman, associated with the tools he used and the bones of the animals on which he fed. By this time he had learnt how to produce fire from flint-sparks or by the fire-drill, and had made some progress in the arts, as his drawings and carvings testify. Starting from this solid foundation, anthropology endeavours to bridge the gulf which separates quaternary man from his fellows of the nineteenth century, not merely by tracing, but by endeavouring to account for development in every branch of culture. It will thus be seen that anthropology covers a wide field; and its importance cannot be better expressed than in the following words of Dr. Tylor: - "The study of man and of civilisation is not only a matter of scientific interest, but at once passes into the practical business of life. We have in it the means of understanding our own lives and our place in the world, vaguely and imperfectly, it is true, but at any rate more clearly than any former generation."