This is an introductory textbook for the study of human evolution, and covers all major topics of human origins taught under paleoanthropology, anthropology, archaeology, and evolutionary biology courses. This book differs from the existing selection of textbooks in the following ways: . It incorporates the most recent fossil discoveries and interpretations.. It balances the discussion between descriptions of fossils and interpretations of behavior of hominins in different time periods. . It includes current findings of genomics into understanding the more recent stages of human evolution. This important subdiscipline is badly underserved by current texts.. It consistently addresses the relationship of evidence to our current hypotheses and interpretations. The book has an engaging and lucid style suitable for those entering the field. Students will find ample case studies, illustrations and examples helpful in understanding difficult concepts. Tables, timelines, and maps in every chapter include data summaries and key points. The book highlights peripheral points and background concepts in side boxes for easy reference and lists key ideas at the end of each chapter. This up-to-date and easy to read text is suitable for both classroom study and self-learning.

Autorentext

John H. Langdon is Professor Emeritus of Biology and Anthropology at the University of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Professor Langdon has written four books, Getting it Right: The Science of human Evolution (Springer), The Human Strategy: An Evolutionary Perspective on Human Anatomy (Oxford University Press); Human Dissection for the Allied Health Sciences (Little, Brown), and Functional Morphology of the Miocene Hominoid Foot (S. Karger), and co-edited a fourth, The Natural History of Paradigms (University of Indianapolis Press). His research interests are in the field of historical demography; human biology; human evolution; functional and evolutionary morphology; history and development of paleoanthropology; evolution of human behavior; history and process of the natural sciences. Professor Langdon has a BA in anthropology from Harvard University, and MPhil and PhD in anthropology from YaleUniversity.