Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Otago

Anthropology is the study of humanity — the social, cultural and physical characteristics that define us as human beings.

Anthropology collects evidence from past and present human societies through its own specialised methods, including archaeology and ethnography, and integrates these with observations from a wide array of other disciplines to develop a holistic understanding of what it means to be human.

Among its central concerns are understanding the origins, development and diversity of human culture, social organisation, beliefs and economic activities.