This film illustrates the field techniques used by a multidisciplinary team of researchers from the University of Michigan in collaboration with their Venezuelan colleagues. The expedition shown here included specialists in human genetics, serology, epidemiology, demography, dentistry, physical and cultural anthropology, and linguistics. The film describes the team's objectives - to understand the Yanomamo population structure in genetic and social terms - and the methods used in obtaining data. It touches upon medical problems already apparent in 1968, such as the high death rate from recently introduced measles, to which the Yanomamo had no previous immunity. Insight is provided into the peculiarities of the relationship between the scientists and their subjects: the scientists collect blood specimens, photograph anomalous teeth, and stir human stool samples around in little jars, much to the bewilderment and amusement of the Yanomamo. The film also includes a brief sketch of Yanomamo culture and society.

• Producer(s): Timothy Asch, Napoleon Chagnon
• Writer(s): Timothy Asch, Napoleon Chagnon

Documentary  

Anthropology, Continents, Geographical Areas, Science and Mathematics, South America

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Visual Anthropology

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