Description
Book SynopsisThis book shows what fossil hominin teeth can tell us about human evolution, integrating the latest research insights with current debates and issues in palaeoanthropology. Written in an accessible style, it will appeal to students and researchers in the fields of biological anthropology, evolutionary biology, palaeontology, dental science and oral biology.
Trade Review'This is an extensively researched and well-written - not to mention much-needed - book on the unsung heroes of human paleontology: teeth. … The author obviously has done her homework and the references in the book are as up to date as they can be in a constantly changing field. I even found some references that I had not yet read and so I learned something, too. This is an informative read for anyone interested in teeth and/or human evolution. The fact that it is clearly written will make it accessible to general readers. But it also provides enough detail, not to mention an extensive literature review, to make it useful for students entering the field of paleoanthropology.' Shara E. Bailey, The Quarterly Review of Biology
'The book is designed for undergraduates and non-professionals, but I think that it provides sufficient detail across the breadth of hominin dental studies that it would also offer a good reference piece for professionals and academics that focus on related research topics. …This book would work well in undergraduate courses on human evolution and as a supplementary companion to graduate seminars in related topics.' James T. Watson, Dental Anthropology
'… This highly accessible book has drawn from a wide range of recent findings and publications and presents it in a manner which would definitely appeal to a mixed audience. Reading through, there is a strong sense of narrative, which takes the reader on a seemingly informal tour through hominin dentary science. With this open style and coverage of current literature, this book has appeal to readers from a broad range of specialisms …' Ben Garrod
Table of ContentsIntroduction; Part I. Teeth and Australopiths: 1. March of the bipeds: the early years; 2. Dentally derived dietary inferences: the australopiths; 3. Curious canines; 4. Incisive insights into childhood; Part II. Teeth and the Genus Homo: 5. March of the bipeds: the later years; 6. Dentally derived dietary inferences: the genus Homo and its diminishing dentition; 7. Long in the tooth: life history changes in Homo; 8. Knowing Neanderthals through their teeth; 9. Insights into the origins of modern humans and their dental diseases; 10. Every tooth a diamond.
