United States
£ GBP
This book, and its companion volume present the results of new investigations into the geology, paleontology and paleoecology of the early hominin site of Laetoli in northern Tanzania. The site is one of the most important paleontological and paleoanthropological sites in Africa, world renowned for the discovery of fossils of the early hominin Australopithecus afarensis, as well as remarkable trails of its footprints.
The first volume provides new evidence on the geology, geochronology, ecology, ecomorphology and taphonomy of the site.
1 Laetoli revisited: Renewed paleontological and geological investigations at localities on the Eyasi Plateau in northern Tanzania.
2 Paleontological localities on the Eyasi Plateau, including Laetoli
3 Sedimentology, lithostratigraphy and depositional history of the Laetoli area
4 40Ar/39Ar dating of Laetoli, Tanzania
5 Petrology, geochemistry and age of Satiman, Lemagurut and Oldeani: sources of the volcanic deposits of the Laetoli area
6 Geochemistry and mineralogy of Laetoli area tuffs: Lower Laetolil through Naibadad Beds
7 Geochemical and mineralogic characterization of Middle Stone Age tools of Laetoli, Tanzania, and comparisons with possible source materials
8 The ecology and biogeography of the Endulen-Laetoli area in northern Tanzania
9 Phytoliths and pollen, the microscopic plant remains in Pliocene volcanic sediments around Laetoli, Tanzania
10 Fossil woods
11 Fossil leaves, fruits and seeds
12 Serengeti micromammal communities and the paleoecology of Laetoli, Tanzania
13 The taphonomy and paleoenvironmental implications of the Laetoli micromammals
14 Coprolites: Taphonomic and paleoecological implications
15 Stable isotopic analyses of Laetoli fossil herbivores
16 Feeding ecology and niche partitioning of the Laetoli ungulate faunas
17 Paleoenvironments of Laetoli, Tanzania as determined by antelope habitat preferences
18 Environmental change within the Laetoli fossiliferous sequence: vegetation catenas and bovid ecomorphology
19 Large mammal evidence for the paleoenvironment of the Upper Laetolil and Upper Ndolanya Beds of Laetoli, Tanzania
From the reviews: "Volume 1 begins with a review of the most recent paleontological and geological investigations in the Laetoli area, including a reassessment of the best-known fossil localities; it then sorts through the geology of the region. ! should be in any library with natural history collections. ! provide a critical resource for human evolution studies, and will appeal to geologists, paleontologists, and anthropologists alike. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Academic and professional audiences, all levels." (M. A. Wilson, Choice, Vol. 48 (11), July, 2011)
