1. ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Laura Emmerson
2/15/2013
Cover Essay
My love for anthropology started when I was exposed to readings such as Jared
Diamond’s Guns Germs and Steel while enrolled in AP World History in high school.
The term “anthropology” probably hadn’t even entered into my list of vocabulary words
at that point. In the end of my high school career I participated in the AP Environmental
Science course, which introduced me to various environmental problems that can mostly
be contributed to anthropogenic causes. We learned how the West views natural
resources, for example, we read “Tragedy of the Commons”. In this class we were
required to participate in some sort of environmental activity and I chose invasive species
removal. It sparked my interest in local community involvement with the environment.
I continued my work in environment and human studies at Humboldt State
University where I started my anthropology major by the end of my first semester. The
degree seemed like the best middle ground between the sciences and humanities. My
second semester at HSU, I took Paradise Lost?, a class that exposed me to ancient
societies’ impacts on the environment through the lens of archaeology. We explored
numerous hypotheses of how humans got to North America, how they might have killed
off entire populations of mega fauna, and how certain societies “collapsed”. The next two
semesters I took Intro to Physical Anthropology, Primatology, Ethnography, and the
Anthropology of Religion and started my Natural Resources Minor. These classes
required students to reach a higher level of thinking. I was able to read classic authors
like Darwin and Turner, and others from a vast array of subfields. Those two semesters
was when I had more of a physical anthropology emphasis and gained an interest in
primatology and conservation (which is where all of the conservation/ ethnoprimatology
papers come from in my annotated list).
The next two semesters were those of travel. In the Summer of 2011, I attended
part of the La Selva Primatology Field School and was able to do surveys and census runs
to gain experience in the field. In the Fall of 2011 I lived in Mysore, Karnataka in South
India. Here I read cultural, health, gender, and environmental works from a whole new
South Eastern lens. The professors and texts (Shrinivas) provided a new way for me to
view the world. During the last of the semester I was given an opportunity to stay with
host family in Coorg and casually study coffee culture and the farmers’ relationship to the
land they were living and working on. The main influences for starting this project was
from all of the exposure to the interconnections of conservation, natural resources, and
cultural identity traced from other classes and my own interests.
The last three semesters I have taken/am taking Environment and Culture, Gender
and Communication,Intro to Biology, Paleoanthropology, Egyptology, History of
Anthropology, Intro to Soils, Inscape and Landscape, and the Senior Capstone course; a
combination of sciences, theory, and gender studies that has rounded my comprehensive
experience as a interdisciplinary anthropologist. I also have had the opportunity to be a
TA for a physical anthropology lab and a cultural anthropology course. Having this
opportunity has shown me the interworking of the anthropology department and has

2. given me a chance to put practical use to my skills and knowledge base that I have grown
over the years. Through all of the work I have done and can be seen in the following
annotated bibliography, I am looking to have a career that can contribute to conservation
and education through local, national, and global involvement.
Annotated section:
Egyptology Section (Most recent work in Anthropology: Cattle Paper)
1. Nabta Playa and Its Role in Northeastern African Prehistory
This article goes into the Early Holocene, talking about the discovery of the Nabta
Playa culture through archaeological sites found. It contributes to my interest in the
origins ofhumans involvement in domestication.
Wendorf, Fred, and RmualdSchild. "Nabta Playa and its role in northeastern African prehistory."
journal of anthropological archaeology 17.2 (1998): 97-123.
2. Rethinking „Cattle Cults‟ in Early Egypt: Towards a Prehistoric Perspective on
the Narmer Palette
This article describes the transition from the Predynastic to Dynastic culture in
Egypt and the importance of pastoral life and it’s incorporation into religion. It compares
Egypt with other Neolitic cultures outside of Egypt. Used to evaluate
human/environmental transitions during times of domestication.
Wengrow, David. "Rethinking'cattle cults' in early Egypt: Towards a prehistoric perspective on the
Narmer Palette." Cambridge Archaeological Journal 11.1 (2001): 91-104.
3. A Natural History of Domesticated Mammal
This book goes through the different domesticated mammals. It traces back the
reasons behind domestication and their origins. Used as a guide when looking at various
cultures’ usage of animals.
Clutton-Brock, Juliet.A natural history of domesticated mammals.Cambridge University Press,
1999.
Reference Gems:
4. Guns Germs and Steel
This is a book by Jared Diamond, a professor of geography at UCLA, who writes
of humans’ separate progression on different continents when introduced to agriculture,
advances in technology, the spread of germs along with a new age, and the consequences
of these. This book was one of my first introductions to the subject of Anthropology, first
read in my sophomore year in high school, for AP history.
Diamond, J. M., &Ordunio, D. (1997).Guns, germs, and steel (p. 157). New York: Norton
5. Collapse
This is a book by Jared Diamond, a professor of geography at UCLA, who writes
of how ancient societies collapsed and how that reflects on todays societies and what it

3. means for the future. It was assigned for an archaeology course at HSU, included as one
of the sparks that got me interested in how humans interact and effect their environment
and how it effects them culturally.
Diamond, J. M. (2006).Collapse: How societies choose to fail or succeed. Penguin Group USA.
6. Tragedy of the Commons
This piece is one of the original works of the environmental movement. It holds
that individuals deplete shared resources (humans act on self-interest) even though they
are aware that the shared resource is meant to be used in the long term. Along with Guns
Germs and Steel, this is one of the first readings that exposed me to my interest in
human/environmental interacts and I subconsciously use it frequently.
Hardin, G. (1968). Tragedy of the commons.Science, 162(3859), 1243-1248.
7.Once and Future Giants: What Ice Age Extinctions Tell Us About the Fate of
Earth's Largest Animals
This book explores reasons for mega faunal extinctions during the last ice-age and
how it can be related to today’s world. She brings up controversial topics such as
reintroducing top predators into regions that are in need. After hearing Sharon speak at
HSU, I was introduced to how looking at the past can help manage animals and discover
ideas previously considered incredulous to be possible.
Levy, S. (2011). Once and Future Giants: What Ice Age Extinctions Tell Us About the Fate of
Earth's Largest Animals. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
8. Development of Society in India: An Overview
Seeing that Shrinivas is the “Father of Indian Shrinivassocial anthropology” I use
this as a reference to expose other countries interpretations of anthropology.
Shrinivas, M. N. (1987). Development of sociology in india: An overview. Economic &Poltical
Weekly, 22(4), 135-138.
9. The Ritual Process- Planes of Classification in a Ritual of Life and Death
Originallypublished by Victor Turner in 1969, this chapter gives examples and
outlines the process of ritual and it’s significance in anthropology. I use this work
constantly when looking at ritual-based phenomena.
Turner, V. W. (1995). The ritual process: Structure and anti-structure. Aldine.
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Interests Include: Natural Resources, Local Economy,Environmental
Anthropology, Conservation, Zoos/museums, Evolution,
Archaeology,Gender, Evolution, Primatology, Interdisciplinary
10. The Mammoths‟ Demise
This article goes go into detail about different hypotheses for why mammoth and
other mega faunal species faced their demise during the last ice age. For my studies I use
it as an example for covering multiple sides for archaeological evidence, for it touches
upon the overkill, climate change, and disease hypotheses.

4. The mammoths' demise.(1999, September/October).Discovering Archaeology
11. Bipedal Body: The Downside of Upright
Bipedal Body goes into the problems that bipedal humans must face and some of
the benefits of those sacrifices. I use this information when looking at how humans’
development effects our success as a species.
Ackerman, J. (2006, July). Bipedal body: The downside of upright. National Geographic
12. Sustaining biodiversity conservation in human-modified landscapes in the
Western Ghats: Remnant forests matter
In the Western Ghats there is much conservation to be had and this article views
the agro effects on the land. I use this article in from the biology field to bring add to the
interdisciplinary work that I strive for.
Anand, M. O., Krishnaswamy, J., Kumar, A., & Bali, A. (2010). Sustaining biodiversity
conservation in human-modified landscapes in the Western Ghats: Remnant forests matter. Biological
Conservation, 143(10), 2363-2374.
13. Womb as Oasis The Symbolic Context of Pharaonic Circumcisionin Rural
Northern Sudan
In this essay, Janice Boddy conducted an ethnography on circumcision in women
and the cultural aspects that lead up to the event and the events following. I use this
article in an overall collection of gender works. It helped me remain relativist when
reading something that clashes against my morals.
Boddy, J. (1982). Womb as oasis: The symbolic context of pharaonic circumcision in rural
Northern Sudan. American Ethnologist, 9(4), 682-698.
14. Language, Culture and Environment: My Early Years
In this narrative article, Harold C. Conklingoes into his work as an ethnologist
and goes into the value of bringing other disciplines into the field. I have found that
looking at a anthropologist talking about his work has been beneficial, for I also believe
strongly in incorporating other fields for the most comprehensive work.
Conklin, H. C. (1998). Language, culture, and environment: My early years. Annual review of
anthropology, 27(1).
15.Climate and Culture: Anthropology in the Era of Contemporary Climate Change
This review aims to collectively represent the local to global contexts of climate
change with a focus on culture. I use it as a lens to link climate and culture in a world that
is inevitably shifting to globalization.
Crate, S. A. (2011). Climate and culture: anthropology in the era of contemporary climate change.
Annual Review of Anthropology, 40, 175-194.
16. Are We in Anthropodenial?
This discovery magazine article looks at how we might be underestimating
animals’ mental and emotional capacities. I use it when looking at human/animal
connections and how humans are more related to other animals than we typically think.
de Waal, F. (1997, July 01). Are we in anthropodenial?.Discover, Retrieved from
http://discovermagazine.com/1997/jul/areweinanthropod1180
17. Ethnoprimatology and the Anthropology of the Human-Primate Interface∗
This review examines the interconnection between non-human primates and

5. humans since they are now often in close quarters. Looking at how the two interrelate can
be beneficial for both conservation and for the relationship among all primates.
Fuentes, A. (2012). Ethnoprimatology and the Anthropology of the Human-Primate Interface*.
Annual Review of Anthropology, 41, 101-117.
18. Human-Environment Interactions: New Directions in Human Ecology
This work goes into the new topics under human ecology such as cultural ecology,
human adaptability studies, and human behavioral ecology. Papers like this that delve
into how humans interact with their environment will be useful for conservation efforts
Galvin, K. A. (n.d.). Human-environment interactions: New directions in human ecology.
Informally published manuscript, Colorado State Unviersity.
19. Can Natural History Museums Capture the Future?
The Natural History museum system has been a resource to engage/educate the
public in natural history. This article questions their role and their transition into the 21st
century and what must in order to be the most effective. I use this article when evaluating
natural history museums because I would like to work in a field in order to inform and
involve the public in the natural world.
Krishtalka, L., & Humphrey, P. S. (2000). Can natural history museums capture the
future?.BioScience, 50(7), 611-617.
20.Evaluating the Conservation Mission of Zoos, Aquariums, Botanical Gardens,
and Natural History Museums
Collection-based institutions have been used for conservation and this article tries
to remind academia of how to effectively use these resources and how to get funding for
different purposes. It will be useful in providing a different lens in which to approach
conservation.
Miller, B., Conway, W., Reading, R. P., Wemmer, C., Wildt, D., Kleiman, D., ... & Hutchins, M.
(2004). Evaluating the conservation mission of zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, and natural
history museums. Conservation Biology, 18(1), 86-93.
21: Exploring Cultural Drivers for Wildlife Trade via an Ethnoprimatological
Approach: A Case Study of Slender and Slow Lorises (Loris and Nycticebus) in
South and Southeast Asia
This article documents findings of the non-human trade in Asia by talking with
people with direct and indirect relation to the market and how it can relate to
conservation. This article has been one of my prime conservation articles.
Nekaris, K.A.I.; Shepherd, C.R.; Starr, C.R; andNijman, V. 2010.
Exploring Cultural Drivers for Wildlife Trade via an EthnoprimatologicalApproach : A Case
Study of Slender and Slow Lorises (Loris and Nycticebus) in South and Southeast Asia. American
Journal of Primatology.
22.Subsistence and Market: When the Turtle Collapses
Nietschmann published this article in the seventies about the Misikito Indians in
Central America whose turtle populations were being diminished by industrial fishing
practices and had to shift from simply relying on the reptiles for subsistence, were forced
to use turtles for profit. This article is important because it shows how the current usage
of natural resources has shifted human roles in the global economy.
Nietschmann, B. (1987). Subsistence and Market: When the Turtle Collapses'. Conformity and
Conflict: Readings in Cultural Anthropology. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 265-274.

6. *23. Anthropology and the Conservation of Biodiversity
This article states the purpose of anthropologists in supporting populations of
farmers and indigenous people. Through looking at the local usage of the land, the local
community can be linking it to national and international agencies/organizations goals.
This work is extremely helpful in my goal of conservation,which starts in serving local
population goals and being knowledgeable of them.
Orlove, B. S., & Brush, S. B. (1996). Anthropology and the conservation of biodiversity.Annual
Review of Anthropology, 329-352.
24. “The First Americans”
This article presents numerous possibilities of how humans migrated to North
America and pushes back the previous dates that were placed for when it started. Like the
Mammoth article, I look to this work and similar ones to show how different approaches
to theories and evidence is beneficial to the field.
Pringle, H. (2011, November). The first Americans: Mounting evidence prompts researchers to
reconsider the peopling of the new world Scientific American,
25.Strategies for Self-organization: Learning from a Village-level Community-based
Conservation Initiative in India
This article investigates the interworking and value of self-organization at the
community level. The authors contribute the findings to be useful for natural resource
management and conservation, which would benefit the people and the environment.
Along with being in India and seeing some of the community organization take place,
this article has been relevant to my emphasis in natural resource usage and
Shukla, S. R., & Sinclair, A. J. (2010). Strategies for self-organization: learning from a village-
level community-based conservation initiative in India. Human Ecology, 38(2), 205-215.
26. Applied Historical Ecology: Using the Past to Manage For the Future
A team of historical ecologist wrote about their endeavors into looking into the
past and how it can influence the interpretation of data today. Looking at the timeline
pattern of fires in forests and the collection of biota in packrat middens, the authors were
able to show the importance of baselines in work. I chose this work because they explain
how “historical perspectives increase our understanding of the dynamic nature of
landscapes and provide a frame of reference for assessing modern patterns and processes,”
an interest and focus of mine in anthropology.
Swetnam, T. W., Allen, C. D., & Betancourt, J. L. (1999). Applied historical ecology: using the
past to manage for the future. Ecological applications, 9(4),1189-1206.
27. Applying Behavioral Ecology and Behavioral Economics to Conservation and
Development Planning: An Example from the Mikea Forest, Madagascar
This article goes into how to conserve land while still upholding the economy that
the locals are used to. They express the importance in “understanding how rural people
themselves judge the value of their activities,” which often goes without research. I use
this work to gain an insight into how governments need to be able to understand where
the locals culture and how it affects their usage of natural resources.
Tucker, B. (2007). Applying behavioral ecology and behavioral economics to conservation and
development planning: An example from the Mikea forest, Madagascar. Human Nature, 18(3),
190-208.

7. 28. Neanderthals ... They're Just Like Us?
The Neanderthals were thought to be outcompeted by humans, but recent studies
show that they might have mingled with Homo sapiens. I use this article when
researching the potential of crossbreeding and what it means for the primate order. It
might change the way we look at the way humans interact with their environment.
Zielinski, Sarah. "Neanderthals ... The'yre Just Like Us?." National Geographic .N.p., 12 Oct
2012. Web. 15 Feb 2013.
29. American Anthropological Association (AAA) Blog
“The American Anthropological Association (AAA) created this blog as a service
to members and the general public. A forum to discuss topics of debate in anthropology
and a space for public commentary on association policies, publications and advocacy
issues.” It’s useful as it keeps me up to date with anthropological happenings.
http://blog.aaanet.org/
30. Savage Minds
“Savage Minds is a collective web log devoted to both bringing anthropology to a
wider audience as well as providing an online forum for discussing the latest
developments in the field. Savage Minds was founded in 2005 and has been going strong
ever since.”
I use it to keep up with more inclusive space for anthropology.
http://savageminds.org/
(If I could change this I would add Darwin and Wallace! I completely forgot about them)