What are the four sub-disciplines of Anthropology? What does each of these sub-disciplines study?

The four subdisciplines of anthropology are biological (or physical) anthropology, linguistic anthropology, cultural anthropology, and archaeology.

Biological anthropology deals with the evolution of humans and primates, our closest relatives, their variability and how they have adapted to different environments. They ask questions like what influences a primate’s diet? Why do humans walk bipedally? And did Neanderthals and modern humans interbreed?

Linguistic anthropology deals with the evolution of language, the structure of linguistic systems, and the patterns of language use in human society. They ask questions like why is one language preferred over another? Why do different geographic regions have different language accents? What types of values and ideologies are communicated through language? Does language vary according to gender, beliefs, and other criteria?

Cultural Anthropology deals with learned behavioral characteristics of the past, present and future of human societies. They ask questions like why do people differ in their beliefs and behaviors? Why is there ethnic conflict in the world? What is life like in a simpler society? What are the different kinds of economic systems found around the world? How are families formed in other cultures?

Archaeology is the study of the human past using material remains. These remains can be any objects that people created, modified, or used. They ask questions like who were these people? Where did they live, and in what kind of environment? What did they eat? What tools and equipment did they use? What contact did they have with other people? How did they organize themselves and their society?