Matt Cartmill

Fred H. Smith

"This textbook, aimed at advanced undergraduates and postgraduates in paleoanthropology courses, tackles a rather difficult task—that of presenting the substantial body of paleontological, genetic, geological and archaeological evidence regarding human evolution, and the associated scientific history, in a logical and readable way without sacrificing either clarity or detail... the sheer quality of the writing and explanatory synthesis in this book will undoubtedly make it a valuable resource for students for many years." —PaleoAnthropology, 2010 This book focuses on the last ten million years of human history, from the hominoid radiations to the emergence and diversification of modern humanity. It draws upon the fossil record to shed light on the key scientific issues, principles, methods, and history in paleoanthropology. The book proceeds through the fossil record of human evolution by historical stages representing the acquisition of major human features that explain the success and distinctive properties of modern Homo sapiens. Key features: Provides thorough coverage of the fossil record and sites, with data on key variables such as cranial capacity and body size estimates Offers a balanced, critical assessment of the interpretative models explaining pattern in the fossil record Each chapter incorporates a "Blind Alley" box focusing on once prevalent ideas now rejected such as the arboreal theory, seed-eating, single-species hypothesis, and Piltdown man Promotes critical thinking by students while allowing instructors flexibility in structuring their teaching Densely illustrated with informative, well-labelled anatomical drawings and photographs Includes an annotated bibliography for advanced inquiry Written by established leaders in the field, providing depth of expertise on evolutionary theory and anatomy through to functional morphology, this textbook is essential reading for all advanced undergraduate students and beginning graduate students in biological anthropology.

The Human Lineage

The newly revised and thoroughly updated standard source for mastering the human fossil record. This new edition of The Human Lineage is the best and most current guide to the morphological, geological, paleontological, and archeological evidence for the story of human evolution. This comprehensive textbook presents the history, methods, and issues of paleoanthropology through detailed analyses of the major fossils of interest to practicing scientists in the field. It will help both advanced students and practicing professionals to become involved with the lively scholarly debates that mark the field of human-origins research. Its clear and engaging chapters contain concise explanatory text and hundreds of high-quality illustrations. This thoroughly revised second edition reflects the most recent fossil discoveries and scientific analyses, offering new sections on the locomotor adaptations of Miocene hominoids, the taxonomic distinctiveness of Homo heidelbergensis, the Burtele foot, Ardipithecus, and Neandertal genomics. Updated and expanded chapters offer fresh insights on topics such as the origins of bipedality and the anatomy and evolution of early mammals and primates. Written and illustrated by established leaders in the field, The Human Lineage: Provides the background needed to study human evolution, including dating techniques, mechanics of evolution, and primate adaptations Covers the major stages in human evolution with emphasis on important fossils and their implications Offers a balanced critical assessment of conflicting ideas about key events in human evolution Includes an extensive bibliography and appendices on biological nomenclature and craniometrics Covering the entire story of human evolution from its Precambrian beginnings to the emergence of modern humanity, The Human Lineage is indispensable reading for all advanced students of biological anthropology.

Frank Spencer

Chapter on Australasia separately annotated; see Wolpoff, M.H. and others.

A World Survey of the Fossil Evidence

The Origins of Modern Humans

Guenter Brauer

Controversies in Homo Sapiens Evolution

Continuity or Replacement

James C. Ahern

This update to the award-winning The Origins of ModernHumans: A World Survey of the Fossil Evidence covers the mostaccepted common theories concerning the emergence of modern Homosapiens—adding fresh insight from top young scholars onthe key new discoveries of the past 25 years. The Origins of Modern Humans: Biology Reconsidered allowsfield leaders to discuss and assess the assemblage of hominidfossil material in each region of the world during the Pleistoceneepoch. It features new fossil and molecular evidence, such as theevolutionary inferences drawn from assessments of modern humans andlarge segments of the Neandertal genome. It also addresses theimpact of digital imagery and the more sophisticated morphometricsthat have entered the analytical fray since 1984. Beginning with a thoughtful introduction by the authors onmodern human origins, the book offers such insightful chaptercontributions as: Africa: The Cradle of Modern People Crossroads of the Old World: Late Hominin Evolution in WesternAsia A River Runs through It: Modern Human Origins in East Asia Perspectives on the Origins of Modern Australians Modern Human Origins in Central Europe The Makers of the Early Upper Paleolithic in WesternEurasia Neandertal Craniofacial Growth and Development and ItsRelevance for Modern Human Origins Energetics and the Origin of Modern Humans Understanding Human Cranial Variation in Light of Modern HumanOrigins The Relevance of Archaic Genomes to Modern Human Origins The Process of Modern Human Origins: The Evolutionary andDemographic Changes Giving Rise to Modern Humans The Paleobiology of Modern Human Emergence Elegant and thought provoking, The Origins of Modern Humans:Biology Reconsidered is an ideal read for students, gradstudents, and professionals in human evolution andpaleoanthropology.

Biology Reconsidered

This volume is based on the symposium on controversies in 'Homo sapiens evolution' in Zagreb. It examines the competing models for modern human origins within the framework of present-day knowledge in the areas of human paleontology, paleolithic archaeology, and molecular genetics.

Fred H. Smith

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