As in earlier editions of this popular textbook, the author takes a view of human evolutionary history in the context of behavioural ecology. Includes coverage of the most recent fossil discoveries, including the three new species of early humans.
This fifth edition has been thoroughly updated to include coverage of the latest discoveries and perspectives.
Contents
Preface
Part I: Human Evolution in Perspective
Part II: Background to Human Evolution
Part III: Humans as Animals
Part IV: Hominin Beginnings
Part V: The Hominin Adaptation
Part VI: Homo erectus: Biology and Behavior
Part VII: Origin of Modern Humans
Part VIII: The Human Milieu
Part IX: New Worlds
Glossary
Index
Preface Part I: Human Evolution in Perspective: 1. Our Place in Nature 2. Human Evolution as Narrative 3. Historical Views 4. Modern Evolutionary Theory 5. The Physical Context of Evolution 6. Extinction and Patterns of Evolution Part II: Background to Human Evolution: 7. Dating Methods 8. Systematics: Morphological and Molecular 9. Science of Burial 10. Primate Heritage Part III: Humans as Animals: 11. Bodies, Size, and Shape 12. Bodies, Brains, and Energy 13. Bodies, Behavior, and Social Structure 14. Nonhuman Models of Early Hominins Part IV: Hominin Beginnings: 15. Ape and Human Relations 16. Origin of the Hominoidea 17. Origin of Bipedalism 18. Jaws and Teeth 19. The Earliest Known Hominins Part V: The Hominin Adaptation: 20. The Australopithecines 21. Early Homo 22. Hominin Relations 23. Early Tool Technologies Part VI: Homo erectus: Biology and Behavior: 24. The Changing Position of Homo erectus 25. New TechnologiesUnit 26: Hunter or Scavenger Part VII: Origin of Modern Humans: 27. The Neanderthals 28. Anatomical Evidence 29. Genetic Evidence 30. Archeological Evidence Part VIII: The Human Milieu: 31. Evolution of Brain, Intelligence, and Consciousness 32. The Evolution of Language 33. Art in Prehistory Part IX: New Worlds: 34. The Americas and Australia 35. Origin of Agriculture and The First Villagers Glossary Index
Roger Lewin is an Associate of the Peabody Museum at Harvard University. He is the author of several books on human-origin research, three of which he co-authored with world-famous anthropologist Richard Leakey, as well as the author of the prize-winning Bones of Contention.
This book should neither be on your coffee table nor in your waste-paper box. It should not even be on one of your book-shelves. It shoud be on your desk, within reach, and always immediately at hand whenever wanted. A good buy! PalArch, January 2006 "This is an excellent book for reference and, for the intelligent student who wants to go into real depth, this is an effective, user-friendly and up-to-date resource." Institute of Biology, July 2006