Hobbies And Interests
Ethnographic Field Research
One of the most important tools in modern cultural anthropology involves ethnographic field research. In the past, research generally took place at a distance --- the researcher tried to maintain an objective, detached view. Today, researchers see this clinical detachment as an obstacle, rather than a boon, and direct involvement is more highly prized. Anthropologists now try to gain an inside perspective on their subjects by living with them, participating in their rituals, eating their food and generally immersing themselves in the culture.
Interviews and Surveys
In some cases, living with a group of people over an extended period of time is too difficult, dangerous, expensive, time-consuming or unnecessary. In these cases, anthropologists rely on interviews; for example, if they're trying to collect folk tales or stories that are part of a culture's oral tradition. Anthropologists may also conduct surveys, collecting quantitative data that they can use to provide numerical insight into a society. They look for traits such as purchasing behaviors, daily routines, social structures, politics and general health -- all of which they can track statistically.
Finding Archaeological Sites
Sometimes, anthropologists want to study cultures that no longer exist. In this case, the first step involves finding a site that might contain information. To accomplish this, modern anthropologists rely heavily on technology. For example, satellite imagery can reveal long-buried cities or ancient ruins that might go unnoticed from the ground. Magnetometers and ground penetrating radar equipment bring sites that might have remained invisible out into the open. Technology also helps anthropologists discover sites that were once located on land but have since been immersed in water, such as ancient ports or coastal villages.
Archaeological Field Work
When a site is located, archaeologists have to decide the best way to obtain information from it. In the past, this involved a great deal of excavation --- as much of the site as was possible given budgetary and time constraints. Today, archaeologists realize that excavation is inherently destructive. Once they have dug up a site, any further information that they might have gleaned from position or layout of the artifacts is lost forever. As a result, they try to do as little excavation as possible, making very careful selections and recording their work in meticulous detail.