"Furthermore, the study of the present surroundings is insufficient: the history of the people, the influence of the regions through which it has passed on its migrations, and the people with whom it came into contact, must be considered"

Franz Boas emphasizes the complexity of understanding a society or group by encouraging a broader, contextual approach. Rather than relying solely on what can be observed in the present, the customs, environment, and behavior visible at a given moment, he advocates delving deeper into the historical processes that have shaped a people. The current circumstances or observable features of a community are merely the latest layer in a much older story. Boas suggests that meaningful interpretation requires attention to the journey of a group through time, including their migrations, as the places they have inhabited often contribute significantly to their cultural development.

The migration of people brings them into new environments, exposes them to diverse climates, available resources, and challenges, each of which leaves its mark. The adaptability required by these movements shapes a group’s traditions, technologies, and social structures. Encounters with other peoples, whether through trade, conflict, cooperation, or cohabitation, are also critical. Each interaction can introduce new ideas, customs, and technologies, or trigger transformations in belief systems, languages, and social organization. The cultural identity that emerges is thus the result of dynamic exchanges and adaptations over time, not an isolated phenomenon.

Boas calls for an interdisciplinary outlook, incorporating anthropology, history, and geography, to gain a comprehensive understanding. He cautions against static or reductionist analyses that treat societies as ahistorical and self-contained. By looking at both the temporal and spatial dimensions of cultural development, scholars can better appreciate the complexity and variability among human societies. Boas's perspective counters ethnocentric interpretations or simplistic comparisons, instead respecting the unique trajectories forged by each group through their interactions with environments and other peoples. It highlights that the richness of human culture lies in these long processes of negotiation, adaptation, and transformation that cannot be grasped by looking only at the present-day surface.