G. Elliot Smith (1871-1937) was a prominent British anatomist who
produced a most curious view of cultural distribution that Egypt was the
source of all higher culture. He based this on the following
assumptions: (1) man was uninventive, culture seldom arose
independently, and culture only arose in certain circumstances; (2)
these circumstances only existed in ancient Egypt, which was the
location from which all culture, except for its simplest elements, had
spread after the advent of navigation; (3) human history was full of
decadence and the spread of this civilization was naturally diluted as
it radiated outwardly.
British anthropologists Arthur Keith and Grafton Elliot Smith both supported the European origin of humankind as opposed to models of Asian and African origin. In several of his works, Smith argued that Europe was the cradle of humanity, identifying a European Mediterranean race as the occupants of the original home of modern humans. His cradle was large, as he claimed the Mediterranean race had occupied the Levant, Egypt and western Europe, including the British isles. He especially linked the Mediterranean race to the civilization of Egypt. Smith's arguments later became known as his theory of diffusionism. According to Smith and William James Perry Egypt was the source of all cultural innovations and the ultimate source of human civilization.
According to Smith “Man did not become truly erect until his brain had developed in a very particular way to make it possible for him to use his hands”, this line of reasoning reinforced the European origin of human which both Smith and Arthur Keith supported as the mostly large brained specimens such as the Cro-magnon had been found in Europe.
Strength:
Smith and other British Diffusionists developed an assumption that to understand culture and society we should understand the diffusion process.This emerged a new perspective in anthropology. He mention Egypt as a favourable place and environment for emergence of culture. He developed that culture and civilization go head to head.
Weakness:
1.Culture is not the subject that emerges on a specific place and time, therefore ancient Egypt only cannot be taken as cultural cardle.
2. The analysis of British diffusionist is so narrow line.
3. Smith has given name as uncivilized societies to those societies which are out of influence of the civilization and culture of Egypt.
4. There is a lack of scientific interpretation and analysis about cultural diffusion.
British anthropologists Arthur Keith and Grafton Elliot Smith both supported the European origin of humankind as opposed to models of Asian and African origin. In several of his works, Smith argued that Europe was the cradle of humanity, identifying a European Mediterranean race as the occupants of the original home of modern humans. His cradle was large, as he claimed the Mediterranean race had occupied the Levant, Egypt and western Europe, including the British isles. He especially linked the Mediterranean race to the civilization of Egypt. Smith's arguments later became known as his theory of diffusionism. According to Smith and William James Perry Egypt was the source of all cultural innovations and the ultimate source of human civilization.
According to Smith “Man did not become truly erect until his brain had developed in a very particular way to make it possible for him to use his hands”, this line of reasoning reinforced the European origin of human which both Smith and Arthur Keith supported as the mostly large brained specimens such as the Cro-magnon had been found in Europe.
Strength:
Smith and other British Diffusionists developed an assumption that to understand culture and society we should understand the diffusion process.This emerged a new perspective in anthropology. He mention Egypt as a favourable place and environment for emergence of culture. He developed that culture and civilization go head to head.
Weakness:
1.Culture is not the subject that emerges on a specific place and time, therefore ancient Egypt only cannot be taken as cultural cardle.
2. The analysis of British diffusionist is so narrow line.
3. Smith has given name as uncivilized societies to those societies which are out of influence of the civilization and culture of Egypt.
4. There is a lack of scientific interpretation and analysis about cultural diffusion.
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