Which anthropologist documented American Indian cultures in the 1880s?

Study for the Dantes General Anthropology Exam. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question comes with hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your assessment!

Franz Boas is recognized for his pioneering work in documenting and studying American Indian cultures during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is often referred to as the "father of American anthropology" and is known for his emphasis on cultural relativism and a scientific approach to anthropology that considered cultural context. In the 1880s, Boas conducted extensive fieldwork among Indigenous peoples, particularly among the Inuit and various Native American tribes, and he collected data that would help counteract the prevailing stereotypes of the time.

His contributions were significant in establishing ethnography as a critical method in anthropology. Boas advocated for the detailed study of cultures through direct observation and analysis, and he made an effort to document languages, customs, and social structures, promoting a greater understanding of the complexity and diversity of American Indigenous cultures.

The other anthropologists listed also made important contributions to the field, but they did not focus specifically on American Indian cultures in the 1880s in the same way that Boas did.

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