The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Human Evolution

Description

The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Human Evolution is a wide-ranging introduction to the human species that places modern humans in evolutionary perspective. Over seventy scholars world-wide have worked on the encyclopedia, covering a range of subjects from genetics, primatology and fossil origins to human biology and ecology, brain function and behaviour, demography and disease. Emphasis is placed throughout on the biological diversity of modern people and the increasing convergence of the fossil and genetic evidence for human evolution that has emerged in recent years. Because of the need to look at humankind in the context of our closest relatives, the encyclopedia also pays particular attention to the evolution and ecology of other living primates - lemurs, lorises, tarsiers, monkeys and apes. It deals with the evolution and ecology of human society, as reconstructed from archaeological remains, and from studies of tribal peoples and living primates today. It considers the biology of uniquely human abilities such as language and upright walking, and it reviews the biological future of humankind in the face of modern challenges.

'... truly useful to a wide range of readers within anthropology, including graduate and undergraduate students as well as professors ... There is no better source for finding brief, accurate, and current synopses of the issues, problems and methods of analysis within the domain of human evolutionary studies.' American Journal of Physical Anthropology ' ... one of the best reference books of all time.' The Good Book Guide 'What an encyclopedia this is! You can read it confident you are getting the authoritative, well-informed and up-to-date view of qualified experts.' Richard Dawkins ' ... a feast of information for anyone interested in the history of our species ... If (whether student or professional) you're interested in human evolution, you'll want to have this volume handy.' Ian Tattersall, Nature