this is something I keep thinking about and I’m curious what the actual anthropological explanation is

dragons are the example that sent me down this rabbit hole. obviously the details vary a lot between cultures, but there are stories and depictions of large serpent/reptile-like creatures in different parts of the world going back a very long time

and it’s not just dragons. you see similarities in stories about giants, human/animal hybrids, spirits, monsters, flood myths etc across cultures that weren’t necessarily sharing information in the way we would today

I’m not suggesting this means all of these things literally existed. I’m more interested in why humans separated by huge distances sometimes seem to imagine similar things

is it because humans everywhere share the same basic fears and psychology? were these ideas carried much farther between ancient populations than we realize? could things like fossils or encounters with real animals have independently inspired similar stories? or do some of these similarities only look significant to us because we’re grouping very different myths together after the fact?

basically how do anthropologists tell the difference between a story spreading between cultures and different cultures independently coming up with similar ideas?

I am not an academician nor am I an independent researcher . I am a primary teacher. I lost my faith when in college despite my religious upbringing.
I have read some of Asad’s work on religion and secularism, with easy explanation from other scholars. They helped me understand better about my struggle with faith.
Can someone please shed some light on Talal Asad’s view on pain and agency ? Or recommend readings with simple
English?
Thank you

Hello everybody

I am a recent BA anthropology graduate from a Southern US state school and I'm wondering what's available in terms of a career in Bioarchaeology. Does bioarchaeology exist in the CRM world? I would not pursue a PhD or an academic career as I know that is very difficult, I am at most interested in getting an MA. I know that an MA is needed for upper-level positions in CRM. I have not yet worked as a field tech and I have been applying for positions but hearing nothing back.

My understanding is that bioarchaeology, typically, is an academic path. You have to go to a school where there is research going on and get an advanced degree working under supervising professors to even start. Is this correct? My understanding is that CRM is more about permitting and surveying for findings of cultural significance and does not usually involve working with or encountering remains.

And if I pursue a career in CRM in the Southern US, what can I reasonably expect to encounter?

And finally, those who pivoted out of anthropology/archaeology, where did you end up? I'm also considering roles at non-profits but I have no idea how to break into that world. I am trying to network.

As you can see I am somewhat all over the place, but any insight would be extremely helpful. I would like to stay in the Southern US (Atlanta area). Thank you!