Harvard University Department of Anthropology

Harvard University Department of Anthropology is one of the oldest and most prominent centers for anthropological research and education in the world. Founded in the late 19th century, it has been instrumental in shaping the discipline through pioneering scholarship across its four subfields. The department is housed within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and maintains a global reputation for its rigorous academic programs and influential faculty.

History

The formal establishment of anthropological studies at Harvard University can be traced to 1888 with the appointment of Frederic Ward Putnam as a professor. Putnam, who also served as curator of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, was a pivotal figure in American anthropology, helping to organize early expeditions and fostering the careers of seminal scholars like Franz Boas. Throughout the 20th century, the department evolved significantly, with key figures such as Alfred Tozzer and Clyde Kluckhohn contributing to its growth. A major intellectual shift occurred in the 1960s and 1970s under the influence of scholars like David Maybury-Lewis and the symbolic anthropology of Clifford Geertz, cementing its role at the forefront of theoretical innovation. The department has continually expanded its scope, integrating cutting-edge scientific methods with deep ethnographic and archaeological inquiry.

Academic programs

The department offers comprehensive undergraduate and graduate degrees encompassing the four traditional subfields: sociocultural anthropology, archaeology, biological anthropology, and linguistic anthropology. Undergraduate concentrators engage with a curriculum that includes foundational courses, specialized tutorials, and opportunities for independent research, often utilizing resources at the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. The PhD program is highly selective, emphasizing original fieldwork and theoretical mastery, with students frequently conducting dissertation research across the globe. Interdisciplinary collaboration is encouraged with units like the Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, the Harvard Kennedy School, and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. The department also administers a secondary field in Medical Anthropology and participates in the Mind Brain Behavior initiative.

Notable faculty

The department's faculty includes numerous preeminent scholars who have received honors such as the MacArthur Fellowship and membership in the National Academy of Sciences. Current influential members include medical anthropologist and chair Arthur Kleinman, archaeologist of complex societies Gary Urton, and scholar of capitalism and ethics Yael Navaro-Yashin. Renowned biological anthropologist Daniel Lieberman and archaeologist C. C. Lamberg-Karlovsky have made significant contributions to their fields. The faculty's legacy includes past members who shaped global anthropology, such as Clyde Kluckhohn, Corinne Kratz, Mary Steedly, and Kay Warren, alongside towering figures like Clifford Geertz and David Maybury-Lewis. Their collective work spans critical ethnography, paleoanthropology, Mesoamerican archaeology, and the study of social movements.

Research and facilities

Research is supported by world-class laboratories and institutes, including the dedicated labs for archaeological science, osteology, and zooarchaeology within the Tozzer Anthropology Building. The department maintains a close scholarly partnership with the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, which houses vast collections critical for research. Faculty and students lead projects worldwide, from excavations at Çatalhöyük and in the Maya region to long-term ethnographic studies in Melanesia and South Asia. Key research initiatives often intersect with the Harvard University Center for the Environment, the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, and the Harvard Asia Center, fostering work on topics from human evolution and climate change to post-colonialism and linguistic revitalization.

Notable alumni

Graduates of the department have attained leadership positions in academia, museums, and public policy. Influential anthropologists include Ruth Benedict, a key figure in the culture and personality school, and Megan Biesele, a noted scholar of San communities. Other prominent alumni are psychological anthropologist Robert LeVine, political anthropologist William Mazzarella, and archaeologist Jason Ur. The department has also trained leaders of major cultural institutions, such as former Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lawrence M. Small and Museum of Fine Arts, Boston director Matthew Teitelbaum. Their work extends the department's impact across global universities, non-governmental organizations, and international bodies like the World Bank and United Nations.

Category:Harvard University