eBook available with sample pages: HB:0415106559

Bringing together a collection of 14 studies on the history of European anthropology, this study looks at a wide variety of impulses within Europe from the 17th century to the early 20th century are examined, providing an outline for the periodization of anthropology. The differences between anthropology, ethnography and ethnology are fully explored and clarified. Perspectives are given on the problems of modernism and postmodernism within the subject. To illustrate these issues, four chapters concentrate in the influence of four historic figures: Lord Monboddo on the Orang Outang; H.J. Nieboer on slavery; Malinowski and Witkiewicz on science versus art in the conceptualization of culture; and Malinowski's ethnographic method in the field. Finally six chapters deal with anthropological traditions in Europe, as well as the influence of Spanish anthropologists in Mexico to illustrate the construction and restructuring of the profession.