Human Origins 101 (Science 101)

Human Origins 101 does exactly that. This accessible volume provides readers - whether students new to the field or just interested members of the lay public - with the essential ideas of the origins of humans, using a minimum of jargon and mathematics.

Concepts are introduced in a progressive order so that more complicated ideas build on simpler ones, and each is discussed in small, bite-sized segments so that they can be more easily understood.

Human Origins 101 enables students and the general public to understand the basic concepts underlying our knowledge of our evolution as a species. This small volume covers:

* A brief history of paleoanthropology, and the discovery of human's place in nature

* Evolution and the Origin of Life

* Clues to human origins from genetics

* The fossil and archaeological records

* The distinctive traits that makes us human

* The diversity of modern humans

With a bibliography, glossary, and discussion of hoaxes, fringe theories, and hot-button issues, Human Origins 101 provides the perfect starting point for anyone wishing to understand how scientists know how humans evolved.

Contents

1 A Brief Overview of the Search for Human Origins

2 From Fish to Fishermen

3 Prehistoric Evidence

4 Modern Evidence

5 Interpreting the Evidence

6 Beyond Human Origins

Appendix A Human and Chimpanzee Skeletal Anatomy

Appendix B Geologic Time Scale

Appendix C Recommended Resources

Glossary

Selected Bibliography

Index