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Understanding Human Evolution 4/e
Frank E. Poirier Emeritus
Jeffrey K. McKee
Published December 1998 by Prentice Hall
Copyright 1999, 386 pp., Paper
ISBN: 0-13-096152-3
List Price:
$64.40
Inventory Status:
In-Stock
   
Summary

This book provides a complete, unbiased, relatively non-technical overview and state-of-the-art discussion of the rapidly changing field of paleoanthropology. It features an abundance of illustrations and photographs from the authors' visits to fossil sites, and views skeletal remains in light of what they can reveal about the populations they represent -- not only their anatomy but also their behavior and social organization. KEY TOPICS: Features rather extensive discussions on the use of genetic data -- particularly that of mtDNA. Covers: Fossils, Fossilization, and Dating Methods; Determining Evolutionary Relationships; Our Place in the Animal Kingdom; Reconstructing Human Behavioral Patterns and Social Organizations: Use of the Comparative Approach; Early Primate Evolution; The Transition to Apes; Trends in Human Evolution; The Earliest Hominids; The Hominid Divergence; Homo Erectus; Early Homo Sapiens; Neandertals and Their Immediate Predecessors; and The Appearance of Homo sapiens sapiens. MARKET: For anyone interested in a state-of-the-art discussion of paleoanthropology.

Features

NEW TO THIS EDITION
  • NEW - Features the expertise of co-author Dr. Jeffrey K. McKee who has worked at a number of South African fossil hominid sites and taught for nearly a decade at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

    • McKee brings his intimate knowledge of the South African hominids, as well as research perspectives in paleoecology, to this new edition.

  • NEW - Updates all coverage in light of the most recent fossil finds and new innovations in paleoanthropological research — particularly in the chapters on ape evolution and the evolution of the hominids. (Chapters 6, 8, 9)
  • NEW - Features two separate chapters covering the earliest hominids, australopithecines, and early Homo — with McKee's expertise augmenting Poirier's familiar and lucid insights from past editions. (Chapters 8, 9)
  • NEW - Adds new notions and insights from paleoecology.
  • NEW - Includes more information on basic concepts of evolutionary theory and taxonomy.
  • NEW - Features rather extensive discussions on the use of genetic data — particularly that of mtDNA.
  • NEW - Provides many new tables, charts, and illustrations — with more attention to displaying human anatomy.
  • Offers a balanced, unbiased perspective throughout.

    • The co-authors do not espouse their particular points of view.

    • Many sides of an argument are provided to allow students to reach their own opinions and pursue the subject further.

  • Views skeletal remains in light of what they can reveal about the populations they represent — not only their anatomy but also their behavior and social organization.
  • Features an abundance of illustrations and photographs from the authors' visits to fossil sites.
  • Highlights important terms and concepts in boldfaced type, defines them when first used, and again in a Glossary.
  • Contains chapter introductions and summaries.
  • Provides a unique and extensive bibliography.


Table of Contents



 1. Fossils, Fossilization, and Dating Methods.


 2. Determining Evolutionary Relationships.


 3. Our Place in the Animal Kingdom.


 4. Reconstructing Ancient Human Behavior and Social Organizations: Use of the Comparative Approach.


 5. Early Primate Evolution.


 6. The Transition to Apes.


 7. Trends in Human Evolution.


 8. The Earliest Hominids.


 9. The Hominid Divergence.


10. Homo erectus.


11. Early Homo sapiens.


12. Neandertals and Their Immediate Predecessors.


13. The Appearance of Homo sapiens sapiens.


14. Conclusion.


Glossary.


Index.


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