Glossary 325racism A doctrine of superiority by which one group justifies the dehu-
manization of others based on their distinctive physical characteristics.
radiocarbon dating In archaeology and paleoanthropology, a technique
of chronometric dating based on measuring the amount of radioactive
carbon (^14 C ) left in organic materials found in archaeological sites.
recent African origins or “Eve” hypothesis The hypothesis that all
modern people are derived from one single population of archaic Homo
sapiens from Africa who migrated out of Africa after 100,000 years
ago, replacing all other archaic forms due to their superior cultural
capabilities; also called the out of Africa hypothesis.
recessive An allele for a trait whose expression is masked by the presence
of a dominant allele.
relative dating In archaeology and paleoanthropology, designating an
event, object, or fossil as being older or younger than another.
reproductive success The relative production of fertile offspring by a
genotype. In practical terms, the number of offspring produced by
individual members of a population is tallied and compared to that of
others.
ribosomes Structures in the cell where translation occurs.
RNA Ribonucleic acid; similar to DNA but with uracil substituted for
the base thymine. Transcribes and carries instructions from DNA from
the nucleus to the ribosomes where it directs protein synthesis. Some
simple life forms contain RNA only.
robust australopithecines Several species within the genus Australopithecus,
who lived from 2.5 to 1.1 million years ago in eastern and southern Africa;
known for the rugged nature of their chewing apparatus (large back teeth,
large chewing muscles, and a bony ridge on their skull tops for the inser-
tion of these large muscles).
r-selected Reproduction involving the production of large numbers of off-
spring with relatively low parental investment in each.
sagittal crest A crest running from front to back on the top of the skull
along the midline to provide a surface of bone for the attachment of the
large temporal muscles for chewing.
Sahul The greater Australian landmass including Australia, New Guinea,
and Tasmania. At times of maximum glaciation and low sea levels, these
areas were continuous.
savannah Semi-arid plains environment as in eastern Africa.
scapula The shoulder blade.
secondary innovation The deliberate application or modification of an
existing idea, method, or device.
secular trend A physical difference among related people from distinct
generations that allows anthropologists to make inferences about
environmental effects on growth and development.
seriation In archaeology and paleoanthropology, a technique for relative
dating based on putting groups of objects into a sequence in relation to
one another.
sexual dimorphism Within a single species, differences in the shape or size
of a feature for males and females in body features not directly related to
reproduction such as body size or canine tooth shape and size.
sickle-cell anemia An inherited form of anemia caused by a mutation in
the hemoglobin protein that causes the red blood cells to assume a sickle
shape.
soil mark A stain that shows up on the surface of recently plowed fields
that reveals an archaeological site.
speciation The process of forming new species.
species The smallest working unit in the system of classification. Among
living organisms, species are populations or groups of populations
capable of interbreeding and producing fertile viable offspring.
stabilizing selection Natural selection acting to promote stability rather
than change in a population’s gene pool.
stereoscopic vision Complete three-dimensional vision (or depth
perception) from binocular vision and nerve connections that run from
each eye to both sides of the brain, allowing nerve cells to integrate the
images derived from each eye.
stratified Layered; term used to describe archaeological sites where the
remains lie in layers, one upon another.
stratigraphy In archaeology and paleoanthropology, the most reliable
method of relative dating by means of strata.
Strepsirhini In the alternate primate taxonomy, the suborder that includes
the lemurs and lorises without the tarsiers.
structural violence Physical and/or psychological harm (including
repression, environmental destruction, poverty, hunger, illness, and
premature death) caused by exploitative and unjust social, political, and
economic systems.nocturnal Active at night and at rest during the day.
notochord A rodlike structure of cartilage that, in vertebrates, is replaced
by the vertebral column.
Oldowan tool tradition The first stone tool industry, beginning between
2.5 and 2.6 million years ago.
opposable Able to bring the thumb or big toe in contact with the tips of
the other digits on the same hand or foot in order to grasp objects.
paleoanthropology The study of the origins and predecessors of the
present human species; the study of human evolution.
Paleoindians The earliest inhabitants of North America.
palynology In archaeology and paleoanthropology, a technique of relative
dating based on changes in fossil pollen over time.
participant observation In ethnography, the technique of learning a
people’s culture through social participation and personal observation
within the community being studied, as well as interviews and discussion
with individual members of the group over an extended period of time.
pastoralism Breeding and managing large herds of domesticated grazing
and browsing animals, such as goats, sheep, cattle, horses, llamas, or
camels.
percussion method A technique of stone tool manufacture performed by
striking the raw material with a hammerstone or by striking raw material
against a stone anvil to remove flakes.
phenotype The observable characteristic of an organism that may or may
not reflect a particular genotype due to the variable expression of domi-
nant and recessive alleles.
physical anthropology The systematic study of humans as biological
organisms; also known as biological anthropology.
physiological adaptation A short-term physiological change in response
to a specific environmental stimulus. An immediate short-term response
is not very efficient and is gradually replaced by a longer term response
(see acclimatization).
Platyrrhini An anthropoid infraorder that includes New World monkeys.
polygenetic inheritance When two or more genes contribute to the
phenotypic expression of a single characteristic.
polymerase chain reaction (PCR) A technique for amplifying or creat-
ing multiple copies of fragments of DNA so that it can be studied in the
laboratory.
polymorphic Describing species with alternative forms (alleles) of
particular genes.
polytypic Describing the expression of genetic variants in different
frequencies in different populations of a species.
population In biology, a group of similar individuals that can and do
interbreed.
potassium-argon dating In archaeology and paleoanthropology, a tech-
nique of chronometric dating that measures the ratio of radioactive
potassium to argon in volcanic debris associated with human remains.
preadapted Possessing characteristics that, by chance, are advantageous in
future environmental conditions.
prehensile Having the ability to grasp.
prehistory A conventional term used to refer to the period of time before
the appearance of written records; does not deny the existence of history,
merely of written history.
pressure flaking A technique of stone tool manufacture in which a bone,
antler, or wooden tool is used to press, rather than strike off, small flakes
from a piece of flint or similar stone.
primary innovation The creation, invention, or discovery by chance of a
completely new idea, method, or device.
primate The group of mammals that includes lemurs, lorises, tarsiers,
monkeys, apes, and humans.
primatology The study of living and fossil primates.
prion An infectious protein lacking any genetic material but capable of
causing the reorganization and destruction of other proteins.
Prosimii A suborder of the primates that includes lemurs, lorises, and
tarsiers.
punctuated equilibria A model of macroevolutionary change that suggests
evolution occurs via long periods of stability or stasis punctuated by
periods of rapid change.
race In biology, a subspecies or a population of a species differing
geographically, morphologically, or genetically from other populations of
the same species; not applicable to people because the division of humans
into discrete types does not represent the true nature of human biological
variation. In some societies, race is an important social category.12196_14_GLO_p322-326.indd 32512196_14_GLO_p322-326.indd 325 2/2/10 8:12:58 PM2/2/10 8:12:58 PM