1. Evolution; 2. Technology: dating, diets, and development; 3. Discovery and interpretation of the human fossil record: the early days; 4. Discovery and interpretation of the human fossil record: more recent developments; 5. Early bipeds; 6. The muddle in the middle; 7. Homo heidelbergensis and the Neanderthals; 8. The emergence and spread of Homo sapiens.
An authoritative account of human evolution, explaining the nature of the evidence and providing a new interpretation.
Ian Tattersall is Curator Emeritus in the Division of Anthropology of the American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. With around 400 papers and 30 books published in primatology and evolutionary biology, he has received prizes from organisations ranging from the American Association of Physical Anthropologists to the Accademia Lincei of Rome and the Monuments Conservancy. He has conducted fieldwork in countries as diverse as Madagascar, Yemen, Vietnam and Mauritius.
'For years, Ian Tattersall has been the go-to source for the latest
facts and interpretations of human evolution. Here, in his clear,
pithy style, he brings us up to date on the latest discoveries,
weaving them skillfully into a coherent outline of hominid history
extending back millions of years. It's all here-from the latest on
DNA and radiometric dating of fossils, to the nature and origin of
the still-mysterious self-consciousness that is unique to modern
humans. A terrific resource and wonderful read!' Niles Eldredge,
Curator Emeritus in the Division of Paleontology, American Museum
of Natural History, USA
'Ian Tattersall provides in this short and engaging book the story
of how humans evolved, and, as importantly, how we have come to
learn about our evolutionary history and the nature of being human
through great discoveries and great scientific debates.' Robert
Foley, Leverhulme Professor of Human Evolution, University of
Cambridge, UK
'Understanding Human Evolution provides a sweeping overview of the
field of human evolution, giving equal attention to the history of
the discipline as well as current thoughts and ideas about our
attainment of the milestones of human evolution-upright posture and
bipedal locomotion, the evolution of tool use, the expansion of the
brain and human cognition, the development of language, and the
spread of humans out of Africa around the globe. All of this
is presented in a concise and accessible package by one of the most
well-known popularizers of the field today. This is an excellent
resource for anyone looking for an introduction to the fossil
evidence for human evolution, as well as those who want to catch up
on the current state of knowledge in this fast-moving discipline.'
Leslie C. Aiello, FBA, Professor Emerita, University College
London, UK
'An enjoyable, highly informative, and scholarly read. Tattersall
is at his best here. Engaging the reader with his inimitable style,
he interprets and explains the convoluted evidence for how we
became human. Written largely for the non-specialist, there is much
here that will inform and even stimulate professional
paleoanthropologists.' Donald Johanson, Founding Director of the
Institute of Human Origins at Arizona State University, USA
'… a useful exposition of the empirical validity and richness of
the evolutionary evidence for the emergence of humans in Africa and
their dispersion around the globe. Nonspecialists will find this
treatment especially valuable due to the careful attention to
detail and avoidance of technical terms. I recommend it to both
specialists and nonspecialists.' Jo Ann Fitzgerald, Quarterly
Review of Biology
'This is an excellent overview of human evolution. Ian Tattersall
has been at the forefront of paleoanthropological work on human
evolution for 40 years and this book provides a lucid, compelling,
and brisk tour of the fruits of this work.' R. Paul Thompson,
Quarterly Review of Biology
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