Fred H. Smith - Böcker

This update to the award-winning The Origins of Modern Humans: A World Survey of the Fossil Evidence covers the most accepted common theories concerning the emergence of modern Homo sapiens—adding fresh insight from top young scholars on the key new discoveries of the past 25 years.The Origins of Modern Humans: Biology Reconsidered allows field leaders to discuss and assess the assemblage of hominid fossil material in each region of the world during the Pleistocene epoch. It features new fossil and molecular evidence, such as the evolutionary inferences drawn from assessments of modern humans and large segments of the Neandertal genome. It also addresses the impact of digital imagery and the more sophisticated morphometrics that have entered the analytical fray since 1984.Beginning with a thoughtful introduction by the authors on modern human origins, the book offers such insightful chapter contributions as: Africa: The Cradle of Modern PeopleCrossroads of the Old World: Late Hominin Evolution in Western AsiaA River Runs through It: Modern Human Origins in East AsiaPerspectives on the Origins of Modern AustraliansModern Human Origins in Central EuropeThe Makers of the Early Upper Paleolithic in Western EurasiaNeandertal Craniofacial Growth and Development and Its Relevance for Modern Human OriginsEnergetics and the Origin of Modern HumansUnderstanding Human Cranial Variation in Light of Modern Human OriginsThe Relevance of Archaic Genomes to Modern Human OriginsThe Process of Modern Human Origins: The Evolutionary and Demographic Changes Giving Rise to Modern HumansThe Paleobiology of Modern Human EmergenceElegant and thought provoking, The Origins of Modern Humans: Biology Reconsidered is an ideal read for students, grad students, and professionals in human evolution and paleoanthropology.

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 adaptationsCovers the major stages in human evolution with emphasis on important fossils and their implicationsOffers a balanced critical assessment of conflicting ideas about key events in human evolutionIncludes an extensive bibliography and appendices on biological nomenclature and craniometricsCovering 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.