What is the definition of anthropology?

Anthropology is best defined as the study of humans, their societies, cultures, and development throughout history. This comprehensive field encompasses various aspects of human life, examining how cultures evolve, the social structures that form, and the developmental trajectories of different societies over time.

Anthropology is unique in its holistic approach, integrating insights from the social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences. It includes subfields such as cultural anthropology, which focuses on cultural practices and beliefs; linguistic anthropology, which studies language in its social context; archaeology, which investigates past societies through material remains; and biological anthropology, which examines human biological diversity and evolution.

This broad scope allows anthropologists to understand the complexities of human behavior, societal interactions, and historical developments, making option C the most accurate definition of the field. Other options focus narrowly on certain aspects of the human experience or related disciplines, lacking the comprehensive nature that characterizes anthropology.