AIR 74 · CSE 2025 · ANT1 · 88 pages

Harsh Nehara: ANT1 answer copy

27 answers by Harsh Nehara, as written in the test.

The questions

  1. Q1(a)Write notes on the following in about 150 words each: Scope and relevance of Linguistic Anthropology Determinants of kinship terminology10 marks
  2. Q1(b)माइटोकॉन्ड्रियल वंशागति Mitochondrial inheritance10 marks
  3. Q1(c)Eugenics and Scientific Racism10 marks
  4. Q1(d)1. (d) मानवोत्तर नृविज्ञान Post human anthropology10 marks
  5. Q1(e)थर्मोल्यूमिनेसेंस डेटिंग Thermoluminescense dating10 marks
  6. Q2(a)How does Claude Lévi-Strauss conceptualize 'bricolage'? Discuss its significance in his anthropological framework of Structuralism.20 marks
  7. Q2(b)What is 'total institution'? Explaining its characteristics, comment on how individuals attempt to preserve their sense of self within such environments.15 marks
  8. Q2(c)Discuss the unique features of Neolithic culture of South India, with suitable examples of various sites.15 marks
  9. Q3(a)Critically discuss the formalist and substantivist approaches in the context of economic anthropology.20 marks
  10. Q3(b)"Culture as extra corporal behaviour of man is dependent on the biological preconditioning." Discuss.15 marks
  11. Q3(c)Discuss the difference in approach of Victor Turner and Clifford Geertz to the study of performative aspects in rituals.15 marks
  12. Q4(a)Examine Harold Conklin's ethnoecological approach, and discuss the significance of 'fine description' as an ethnographic practice.20 marks
  13. Q4(b)Critically examine Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance in humans.15 marks
  14. Q4(c)Discuss major morphotypes discovered in the central Narmada valley which reflect the process of humanization and comment on possible evolutionary scenario for South Asia.15 marks
  15. Q5(b)Epidemiological transition in India10 marks
  16. Q5(c)होमो हीडेल बर्जेन्सिस Homo heidelbergensis10 marks
  17. Q5(d)Trends in age at menarche among Indian girls10 marks
  18. Q5(e)Sedentary Neolithic and Nutritional Stress10 marks
  19. Q6(a)Discuss the antiquity of iron age in India in context of new evidences. How does it differ from other parts of the world?20 marks
  20. Q6(b)"A single definition of marriage cannot be applied to all cultures." Discuss with examples.15 marks
  21. Q6(c)Discuss, with ethnographic examples, how the principles governing production, distribution and exchange in simple societies differ based on subsistence activity.15 marks
  22. Q7(a)Elucidate the techno-typological features characterizing the Mesolithic cultures of Europe. How does they compare and contrast with Mesolithic culture in the Indian subcontinent?20 marks
  23. Q7(b)Discuss the somatotype components and the dimensions used in the Heath-Carter method and comment on its limitations.15 marks
  24. Q7(c)Discuss the concept of second demographic transition (SDT) in the light of biological and socio-cultural demographic theories.15 marks
  25. Q8(a)Discuss various applications of molecular anthropology with suitable examples.20 marks
  26. Q8(b)"The achievement of erect posture and efficient bipedal locomotion is a critically important stage of human evolution." Discuss.15 marks
  27. Q8(c)Discuss the genetic and non genetic factors in bio-cultural adaptation of human beings to cold environment.15 marks

The answers

Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 328 words written

Write notes on the following in about 150 words each: Scope and relevance of Linguistic Anthropology Determinants of kinship terminology

Opening · a definition

None written.

Body · points

Linguistic anthropology aims to study language as a part of human culture. It is one of the four-fields of anthropology

Scope of linguistic anthropology

(1) Historical linguistics : Aims to study the historical development of language from past languages. → Glottochronology → Sanskrit study by Max Muller. (2) Ethno linguistic : Study language as part of a cultural context & how does it function in social setting → Chic language study by B.Levy (3) Socio linguistics : Study how language expression differ among different

social groups based on certain characteristic like gender, caste, clan → Japanese female → O'hiya (water) → Males → Mizu (water)

Relevance of linguistic anthropology

  1. Understanding development & evolution of language
  2. Understand why only humans has capacity of language expression
  3. Preserve & document endangered languages eg. Dimasa language of Assam
  4. Understand migration patterns based on linguistic expression → eg. Similarity between language of Gypsy's of Romania & Indian languages

Thus, linguistic anthropology enables an holistic study of human culture

Kinship terminology refer to the terms used to denote an individuals position within a kin group. These were first studied by L.H. Morgan.

Determinants of Kinship terminology

Different societies put different emphasis on different determinants.

Kin term involve → One who is referred by term → One who uses the term.

Determinants (1) Sex of the one signified: Eg: uncle → male in European society Aunt → female in European society

② Age of the one signified : determines terminology especially in age grade based societies eg Masai of Masai Mara

③ Generational difference determines Kin term eg "Grand" used to denote a greater generational difference.

④ Status in social hierarchy : has role to play

⑤ Affinal or consanguineous kin status

Relevance

① Understand kinship patterns of interaction in a society.

② Enable holistic study of society

③ Crucial to understand for participant observation

Close · a summary

Thus, it is important for an anthropologist to understand patterns of kinship in a society.