Of all the social sciences, anthropology is perhaps the most poorly represented in the number of reference materials available. Therefore, the researcher, owing to the nature of the discipline, must rely on reference sources in allied subjects, e.g., sociology, demography, psychology, and statistics.

Materials listed are available in the Hale Library reference area on the second floor, unless otherwise noted.

Table of Contents

• Dictionaries and Encyclopedias
• Guides and Handbooks
• Human Relations Area Files
• Abstracts and Indexes
• Biographical Sources
• Atlases
• Research Aids

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Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

Dictionary of Concepts in Physical Anthropology. Joan C. Stevenson. 1991. GN50.3.S74 "Most of the concepts in this book were selected from introductory (biological anthropology) textbooks. Each of the concepts is traced from its origins, which were often outside the discipline, to the contemporary, usually multidisciplinary contexts in which physical anthropologists participate." Most entries cover several pages and include extensive references. Indexed.

Dictionary of Concepts in Cultural Anthropology. Robert H. Winthrop. 1991. GN307.W56 "This work is an effort to describe the major concepts that have shaped the discipline, treated historically and theoretically." Alike in format to the preceding volume.

A Dictionary of Terms and Techniques in Archaeology. Sara Champion. 1980. CC70.C48 A lay persons pocket guide to archaeological terms. Useful for answers to common questions.

Encyclopedia of Anthropology. Hunter and Whitten, eds. 1976. GN11.E52 (Stacks) Approximately 1,400 short articles cover the basics in anthropology and give this volume more the feel of a dictionary than an encyclopedia. Few articles include bibliographies.

The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Archaeology. Andrew Sherratt, ed. 1980 CC165.C3 1980b (Stacks) Topics were fairly current as of 1980. Articles are signed and the work includes illustrations, references, and an index. Arrangement is topical rather than alphabetic.

Encyclopedia of World Cultures. 1991-1995 GN550.E53 (DowMRC) A ten-volume set arranged by regions of the world; as of 6/96 the volume for Africa and the volume for Middle America/Caribbean had not been purchased. This set was prepared under the auspices and with the support of the Human Relations Area Files at Yale University. Descriptive summaries of cultures are arranged alphabetically within each volume. Summaries include maps, glossaries and indexes of alternate names for the cultural groups, and range from a few lines to several pages. Summaries include references and the longer ones are signed. Each volume begins with the same explanatory preface.

Encyclopedia of Human Evolution and Prehistory. Tattersall, Delson, and Van Couvering, eds. 2000. GN281.E53 A comprehensive guide to the subject that includes a subject list, a short introduction, and charts on the classification of primates and geologic periods. Articles are signed and contain further readings. Also includes biographies of major figures.

Ethnic Relations: A Cross-Cultural Encyclopedia. David Levinson, ed. 1994 GN496.L48 (DowMRC) Arrangement is alphabetical by subjects; includes references for each entry and cross-references. Contains a directory of international organizations concerned with ethnic relations, an extensive bibliography and an index.

The Oxford Companion to Archaeology. Brian M. Fagan, ed. 1996. CC70. O96 An encyclopedic survey of the field written by established experts. Covers the latest advances and discoveries that are absent from the Cambridge Encyclopedia (1980). A standard reference source.

 

Guides and Handbooks

Anthropology Journals and Serials: An Analytical Guide. John T. Williams. 1986. Z5112.W54 A dated source that is still of value because of its immense range and annotations. It is divided into the four areas of archaeology, cultural anthropology, linguistics and physical anthropology. There is a section on indexes and abstracts, and discrete indexes for title, subject, and geographic area. Price information for some entries adds a touch of nostalgia.

Guide to Fossil Man. Michael H. Day. 1977 GN282.D39 (Stacks) Begins with an introduction to the anatomy of fossil humans and problems of paleoanthropology. Discusses major sites and individual fossils by geographic area. Includes site and fossil descriptions, taxonomy, and references. The last section covers current (1977) controversies in paleoanthropology. Appended are a geological time scale and a glossary. A request has been submitted for the 4th (1986) edition.

America's Ancient Treasures: A Guide to Archaeological Sites and Museums in the U.S. and Canada. Franklin Folsom. 1993. E56.F64 Material is arranged geographically, divided by state. Somewhat confused arrangement makes this more like a travel guide with basic descriptive information. Includes glossary, references and an index.

The AAA Guide; A Guide to Departments, A Directory of Members. American Anthropology Association. Annual. GN2.A2195 This work, formerly known as the Guide to Departments of Anthropology, contains information on academic, museum, research, and government departments of anthropology in the U.S. and Canada. It provides statistics on enrollments, employment, and degrees granted; includes a list of dissertations by author. Has a directory of all AAA members.

 

Human Relations Area Files

The files include primary source materials (books, articles, unpublished material, and data tapes) by culture, geographic area, and cultural traits, and they are numbered according to the Outline of World Cultures. To gain access to these materials inquire at the Microforms/Periodicals service desk.

Outline of Cultural Materials. George P. Murdock. 1982. GN345.3.O95 (Micro) Functions as a subject index to HRAF.

Outline of World Cultures. George P. Murdock. 1983 GN345.3.M87 (Micro) A classification of world cultures, arranged geographically.

 

Abstracts and Indexes

Abstracts in Anthropology (1963-1980; 1986 - ) GN1.A2 Second Floor An excellent starting point for a literature search. Covers books, articles, and papers from conferences; includes author and title indexes but there is no cumulative index. Divided into four sections: archaeology, cultural anthropology, linguistics and physical anthropology. Abstracts range from 50 to 100 words in length.

Anthropological Literature (1979-1983; 1989--) Z5112.A57 Second Floor A file of over 87,000 citations compiled by Harvard's Tozzer Library that is updated quarterly. Citations refer to articles from over 800 scholarly journals and 200 monographic series on anthropology and related fields from the Tozzer Library collection. The work is arranged by the four areas of anthropology in addition to a division on general works, theory, and method. Indexed by author, subject and sources. Was published in microfiche between 1984 and 1989.

America: History and Life (1964 - ) E171.A4156 For those working specifically in North America, this index provides access to literature on archaeology, anthropology, Indians, paleontology, and ethnology.

Art and Archaeology Technical Abstracts. (1967 - ) AM1.A7 Research source for information on the technical aspects of archaeology, including dating techniques, chemical analysis, conservation, and preservation.

Biological Abstracts/RRM (1926 - ) QH301.B374 (Older issues in stacks, current issues in Science Libraries Reference, 1st floor) Indispensable source for researchers in archaeozoology, human evolution, primatology, and anthropometry. Provides exclusive access to many source journals.

Index Medicus (1960 - ) Z6660.I422 (Older issues in stacks, current issues in Veterinary Medical Library Reference) Physical anthropology has long been associated with medicine; some researchers rely heavily on medical literature. This index covers topics like anthropometry, physical anthropology, genetics, and ethnopsychology. Available online as part of the Medline database.

Linguistics and Language Behavior Abstracts (1985 - ) P1.L5 A necessary source for any researcher performing a complete literature search.

 

Biographical Sources

Women Anthropologists: A Biographical Dictionary Gacs, Ute, Weinberg, et. al., eds. 1988 GN20.W63 (Stacks) Women of the twentieth century, both living and dead, representing broad coverage of the fields of anthropology. General references are listed and the work is indexed.

International Directory of Anthropologists. Univ. of Chicago. 1975 GN20.I5 A dated directory that has value for retrospective work. Indexes by geographical area, chronology, and subject/methodology.

Biographical Directory of Anthropologists Born before 1920. Thomas L. Mann, ed. 1988 Z5111.B56 Short entries include birth and death dates, place of birth, profession, contributions to anthropology, and citations to biographies. Some significant anthropologists have been omitted. Indexed.

 

Atlases

The Atlas of Archaeology. St. Martin's. 1982 CC165.A83 (stacks) Arranged by geographical region, subdivided by major archaeological sites. Descriptions of cultures precede the site descriptions. Includes a gazetteer, index and a glossary.

The Atlas of Mankind. Rand Mcnally. 1982 GF41.A84 (Folio) Includes major concepts of sociocultural anthropology, like kinship, marriage, and taboo, which are not limited by geographical area. Also covers the distribution of modern languages. Well illustrated and contains a glossary, general index and index of place names.

Atlas of Classical Archaeology. M.I. Finley, ed. 1977 G1046.E15A8 (Maps and Atlases, 3rd floor) Divided by geographical region and includes descriptions of the major cities of antiquity. Appendixes comprise a chronological table, a list of Roman emperors, a glossary, an illustration of Greek vase types, and Greek architectural types. Indexed.

Atlas of Ancient Archaeology. Jacquetta H. Hawkes. 1974 GN739.H38 This atlas functions as a basic guide for locating sites, but it is a bit dated.

Atlas of the North American Indian. Carl Waldman. 2000 E77.W195 (stacks) This atlas is more focused than The Atlas of Mankind. Organized by subject. Articles are accompanied by numerous illustrations and maps. Includes lists of tribes, reservations, place names, museums, and archaeological sites. Contains a bibliography and index.

Archaeological Atlas of the World. David Whitehouse. 1975 G1046.E15W5 (Maps and Atlases, 3rd floor) Maps locate archaeological sites but there is no extensive discussion. Mainly useful for finding the specific location of a large number of sites. Indexed.

The World Atlas of Archaeology. G.K. Hall. 1985 G1046.E15W6 (Maps ant Atlases, 3rd floor) Arranged by regions of the world, subdivided by subjects. Long descriptive articles, general in nature, that include copious illustrations and excellent maps. Covers early humans through historical times. Has an index and bibliographies.

 

Research Aids

Fieldwork in the Library; A guide to research in anthropology and related area studies. R.C. Westerman. 1994 Z5111 .W47 A welcome recent tool for the thorough researcher. This guide is divided into two parts. "Part I, 'Access by Discipline and Subdiscipline, ' focuses on the theoretical advances of anthropology and its major subdisciplines. In part II, 'Access by Area Studies,' five chapters focus on empirical advances of anthropology and its subdisciplines. Each chapter is divided by a set of headings describing search strategies." The volume concludes with a title index and an author and abbreviated title index.

Introduction to Library Research in Anthropology. John M. Weeks. 1998 Z5111.W44 Written primarily for the undergraduate anthropology student about to begin a research project. Includes an introduction to the discipline, the research process and the library. Annotations, when they appear, are brief. Each of the 22 chapters begins with an explanation of what follows. This work concludes with several appendices, including the arrangement of the Outline of World Cultures, and an index by author, ethnic or cultural group, and geographic place.

Cultural Anthropology: A Guide to Reference and Information Sources. Josephine Z. Kibbee. 1991 Z5111.K53 This excellent work represents an attempt " .... to facilitate library research by synthesizing and organizing the extensive body of bibliographic resources available to anthropologists." Thorough and modestly current, this annotated bibliography leads all level of researchers through sources for the four traditional areas of anthropology, but has special value for its emphasis on a large number of emerging subfields, e.g., psychological, political, urban anthropology; anthropology of women. Additionally, it provides a review of area studies, periodicals, organizations and institutes, museums, libraries, and publishers. Contains author/title/subjects indexes and a superior table of contents.

Finding the Source in Sociology and Anthropology: A Thesaurus-Index to the Reference Collection. Samuel R. Brown. 1987. Z7164.S68B75 (Stacks) This subject-arranged bibliographical reference tool leads the thorough researcher to a multitude of sources.

The History of Anthropology: A Research Bibliography. Kemper and Phinney. 1977 Z5111.K44 (Stacks) Beginning researchers in the history of anthropology will find this a good place to start. Newer bibliographies contain more sources, but no other is arranged topically.

Masters' Theses in Anthropology: A Bibliography of Theses from United States Colleges and Universities. David R. McDonald. 1977 Z5111.M26 (stacks) Contains over 3,700 titles, from 1898 through 1975, arranged by the major subdivisions of anthropology. Indexed by subject, culture, geographical area, author, title, and institution.