Why are math and science pursuits (be it scholarly or not) considered by some to be more relevant?

Yes, anthropologists use math in their work. Although many anthropologists conduct qualitative research on the cultural traditions of living and dead cultural groups, many of them also work with statistics and other forms of mathematics. Anthropologists often need to be able to use mathematical equations to find out the demographics and biological traits of certain populations.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics: Social Scientists State University: Anthropologist Job Description More Information: Careerplanner.com: Anthropologist Job Description and Jobs Occupational Information Network: Anthropologists Education-portal.com: Cultural Anthropologist.

Yes, in fact Statistics (a branch of Math) is a required core course for the Anthro degree at the college I attended.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.