protoanthropology
/ˌproʊtoʊˌænθrəˈpɑlədʒi/
noun
- Early or primitive forms of the study of human cultures and societies, before modern anthropology developed.
- Protoanthropology includes the travel writings of ancient explorers who described foreign peoples.
- Historians of science examine protoanthropology to understand how early thinkers viewed human diversity.
- Some Greek and Roman texts are considered part of protoanthropology.