The journal covers the field of biological anthropology, a discipline which Hrdlička defined in the first issue as "the study of racial anatomy, physiology and pathology.

[3][4] Before launching publication, there were few outlets in the United States to publish scientific work in physical anthropology.

[5] Hrdlička was deeply suspicious of genetics and statistics; not even standard deviations were allowed into his journal during his 24 years as editor-in-chief.

[6] After his death, the journal continued as the organ of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists, which Hrdlička had founded in 1930.

It publishes research in areas such as human paleontology, osteology, anatomy, biology, genetics, primatology, and forensic science.