Anthropology, 16th edition

Published by Pearson (November 1, 2024) © 2025

  • Carol R. Ember Human Relations Area Files
  • Melvin Ember Human Relations Area Files
  • Peter N. Peregrine Lawrence University and the Sante Fe Institute
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Buy nowOpens in a new tab

In this eTextbook — More ways to learn

  • More flexible. Start learning right away, on any device.
  • More supportive. Get AI explanations and practice questions (select titles).
  • More interactive. Bring learning to life with audio, videos, and diagrams.
  • More memorable. Make concepts stick with highlights, search, notes, and flashcards.
  • More understandable. Translate text into 100+ languages with one tap.
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monthly payments or
pay undefined one-time
Instant access

In this eTextbook — More ways to learn

  • More flexible. Start learning right away, on any device.
  • More supportive. Get AI explanations and practice questions (select titles).
  • More interactive. Bring learning to life with audio, videos, and diagrams.
  • More memorable. Make concepts stick with highlights, search, notes, and flashcards.
  • More understandable. Translate text into 100+ languages with one tap.

Title overview

Anthropology takes a holistic approach to the study of anthropology with an emphasis on the biological, social and cultural aspects of human life. Authors Carol Ember, Melvin Ember and Peter Peregrine provide comparative, cross-cultural insights based on an evidence-based approach.

The 16th Edition offers a new focus on environmental impacts on culture. New Culture and Climate Change boxes explore resilience against climate threats, deforestation of the Amazon and other issues. New profiles of featured anthropologists explore innovative research and showcase what real careers in anthropology can look like. Research citations throughout the text have been updated and 400 new references have been added.

Table of contents

  1. What Is Anthropology?
  2. Research Methods in Anthropology
  3. Genetics and Evolution
  4. Human Variation and Adaptation
  5. Primates: Past and Present
  6. The First Hominins
  7. The Origins of Culture and the Emergence of Homo
  8. The Emergence of Homo sapiens
  9. The Upper Paleolithic World
  10. Origins of Food Production and Settled Life
  11. Origins of Cities and States
  12. Culture and Culture Change
  13. Culture and the Individual
  14. Communication and Language
  15. Getting Food
  16. Economic Systems
  17. Social Stratification: Class, Ethnicity and Racism
  18. Sex and Gender
  19. Marriage and the Family
  20. Marital Residence and Kinship
  21. Associations and Interest Groups
  22. Political Life: Social Order and Disorder
  23. Religion and Magic
  24. The Arts
  25. Health and Illness
  26. Practicing and Applying Anthropology

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