Donald Johanson and Blake Edgar, From Lucy to Language (1996, reissued 2001), is a large-format, full-colour exploration of the biological and cultural development of humans as a species. Ian Tattersall, Becoming Human: Evolution and Human Uniqueness (1998, reissued 2000), examines common yet specific questions often posed about the nature of our species. Ian Tattersall, The Fossil Trail: How We Know What We Think We Know About Human Evolution (1995), traces the history of paleoanthropology as it proposes a human phylogeny. Clark Spencer Larsen, Robert M. Matter, and Daniel L. Gebo, Human Origins: The Fossil Record, 3rd ed. (1998), describes and illustrates the major fossil finds. Bernard G. Campbell and James D. Loy (eds.), Humankind Emerging, 8th ed. (2000), is a substantial yet introductory college textbook on the subject of human paleontology. Walking with Cavemen (2003), directed by Richard Dale and Pierre de Lespinois, is a four-part documentary that uses advanced motion-picture methods to recreate human ancestors scientifically in the context of their habitats.
Stephen Jones, Robert Martin, and David Pilbeam (eds.), The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Human Evolution (1992, reissued 1994), compiles contributions from 70 experts into 10 sections that delve not only into humankind’s past but into its present and future as well. Ian Tattersall et al. (eds.), Encyclopedia of Human Evolution and Prehistory, 2nd ed. (1999), alphabetically organizes contributions by 54 specialists on discrete topics such as biographies and hominin fossil sites as well as on broader topics including diet, glaciation, and ritual. Richard G. Klein, The Human Career: Human Biological and Cultural Origins, 2nd ed. (1999), outlines the evidence and debates across the entire spectrum of topics within human evolution. Charles Darwin, The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex, 2 vol. (1871), is historically the foundation reference.
Click-on-each-individual-for-a-larger-imageClick on each individual for a larger image.[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
Possible-pathways-in-the-evolution-of-the-human-lineagePossible pathways in the evolution of the human lineage.[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
Skeletal-and-muscular-structures-of-a-humans-leg-and-aSkeletal and muscular structures of a human’s leg (left) and a gorilla’s leg (right).[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
Comparison-of-the-pelvis-and-lower-limbs-of-a-chimpanzeeComparison of the pelvis and lower limbs of a chimpanzee, an australopith, and a modern human.[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
The-skeletal-structure-of-a-human-being-and-of-aThe skeletal structure of a human being (left) and of a gorilla (right)[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
A-trail-of-footprints-probably-left-by-Australopithecus-afarensis-individualsA trail of footprints probably left by Australopithecus afarensis …[Credits : John Reader/Photo Researchers]
A-single-footprint-of-Australopithecus-afarensis-left-some-35-millionA single footprint of Australopithecus afarensis (top), left some 3.5 …[Credits : John Reader/Photo Researchers]A single footprint of Australopithecus afarensis (top), left some 3.5 …[Credits : John Reader/Photo Researchers]
View-of-the-base-of-the-human-skull-showing-theView of the base of the human skull, showing the central location of the foramen magnum.[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
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