Final answer:
Primatology, the study of nonhuman primates, is essential for understanding primate and human evolution, genetics, and behavior. Biological anthropologists contribute by studying early hominins and contemporary human genetics to map out human evolutionary history.
Step-by-step explanation:
Primatology is the study of nonhuman primates, including their anatomy, behavior, and genetics. It is a branch of anthropology that examines the behavioral and physical attributes of both living and fossil primates as well as their relationships with their environments. By studying nonhuman primates, anthropologists can gain a better understanding of what it means to be a primate and what it means to be human.
Primatology provides valuable insights into the evolutionary history of humans by studying the genetic makeup and behavior of our closest living relatives. Observations in the wild, such as those at Gombe National Park in Tanzania and Fongoli in Senegal, show a fascinating range of behaviors and tool use, which helps us infer how early humans might have operated within their own environments.