Ancestors: In Search of Human Origins

by Donald C. Johanson and Lenora Johanson

Book Overview

Recounts the world-famous paleoanthropologist's attempts to solve the mystery of human evolution, using evidence uncovered during his recent forays into the fossil-rich regions of Eastern Africa. TV... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0679420606
• ISBN13: 9780679420606
• Release Date: February 1994
• Publisher: Villard Books
• Length: 339 Pages
• Weight: 2.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 7.2" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Good intro to paleoanthropology

Although this book is the "companion" to the Nova TV series it stands well on its own, in a conversational style. The book does a good job of introducing human ancestors, starting with Lucy - the female Australophitcus afarensis, that launched Dr. Johanson's career and fame. Perhaps what the book does best, is introduce the study of paleoanthropology and archeology by presenting both sides of topics. For example: did modern humans all came out of Africa or evolve in separate places throughout Europe and China?; when and why did hominids first walk on two legs (scavenger or hunter)?; are Neanderthal's our ancestors? He presents how studying anatomy helps understand the physical changes needed to walk on two feet and to give birth to a large brained baby. He also introduces the recent idea of "experimental archeology" that conducts trials on current landscapes or prey to see how early hominids may have lived. At the time of the book were the beginnings of studies with mitochondrial DNA. His conclusion about the birth of art, may be tentative, but should provoke interesting thoughts. If you can see the TV special, it also includes conveys a better feel of the conditions the archeologists are working under, and also vintage film of some of the finds.