The Work

Anthropologists, in general, investigate the evolution of the human race by studying the development of physical characteristics and religious and cultural practices at different points of time. 

They identify cultural periods by studying the remains of cultural records on stones,
pottery, bones, and other such remnants of the period; undertake excavations or explorations of prehistoric sites; and preserve, reconstruct and classify museum objects related to the cultural, physical, technological and aesthetic life of human beings, arranging for their proper display and
exhibition.

Major Tasks Performed

Anthropology deals with the study of the various dimensions of human existence and behavior, and therefore, it is divided into various branches. Of these, the elementary branches are: socio-cultural anthropology, physical anthropology, archeological anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and applied anthropology.

SOCIO-CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY 

Studies people, their behavior and their ways of life. It deals with the study of associations, bands, tribes, communities, or the manner in which people collect themselves and form groups; their folk dances, drama and music. 

Thus, social anthropologists plan, organize and conduct investigations into the physical, social and mental characteristics of both past and present groups of human beings. They study the differences and similarities in the characteristics of different cultural groups and trace the cultural evolution and patterns of change over a period of time.

BIOLOGICAI-PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 

Concerned with the study of human beings as physical organisms and their place in the scheme of biological evolution, through observation and measurements of bodily variations and physical attributes of existing and prehistoric human types. 

It deals with the classification of early forms of man, the physical differences between races, human genetics, modes of physiological adaptation, and reactions to different physical environments.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 

Deals with the investigation and analysis of the various relics of early human activity. The main task performed by prehistoric archeologists is that of digging up, identifying and classifying relics, including bones and even material from other areas, in order to determine the chronological sequence of events. Archaeological anthropologists are thus involved in historical construction based on non-literary evidences.

LINGUISTIC ANTHROPOLOGY 

That branch of anthropology, which deals with the study of the origin and evolution of language.
While linguistics is mainly concerned with the study of how language, particularly written language, is constructed and structured, linguistic anthropology deals with the study of unwritten as well as written languages.

APPLIED ANTHROPOLOGY 

Can help government agencies in the areas of birth control, malnutrition, growth, medicine,
juvenile delinquency, agricultural methods and practices, tribal welfare and rehabilitation. The findings of such research are also used for solving industrial problems of labor unrest.