Description
Book SynopsisThis book narrates the story of human biological and cultural evolution, from the earliest beginnings of our zoological family Hominidae, through the emergence of Homo sapiens, to the Agricultural Revolution. It concludes with a brief overview of the subsequent diversification of cultural and technological traditions in all the areas our species inhabits. A particular focus is on the pattern of events/innovations in human biological and cultural evolution, which have tended not to proceed in lockstep. Prior to the emergence of Homo sapiens innovations of this kind were generally sporadic, and rare; since that event their frequency has been steadily increasing. Tattersall draws on his own research to demonstrate that the history of humankind has not been one of a singleminded struggle from primitiveness to perfection, but has rather been one of trial and error, of evolutionary experimentation that as often ended in failure as in success. In the process he thoroughly examines both the f
Trade ReviewThe book is clearly written and does provide a handy, and accessible introduction to what can be a rather complicated story. * The Glasgow Naturalist *
Ultimately how good is this book? Pleasingly, the answer is that it is very good. It takes a complex subject and produces a gripping read while covering the major themes of human evolution with a refreshing confidence. * Simon Underdown, Times Higher Education Supplement *
Table of Contents1. Evolutionary Processes ; 2. Ancient Bones and Ancient Stones ; 3. On Their Own Two Feet ; 4. Emergence of the Genus Homo ; 5. Getting Brainier ; 6. Modern Human Origins ; 7. Settled Life ; Index
