God-Apes and Fossil Men: Paleoanthropology of South Asia

By Kenneth A.R. Kennedy

Until recently the scientific study of the prehistoric peoples of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the South Asian borderlands has been neglected, beyond some cursory comments in the popular literature about archaeological discoveries. Here is a book that offers much more: a broad survey of all prehistoric cultures of the Indian subcontinent from Paleolithic to Iron Age times. Written in a style accessible to the general reader, the book pioneers a new approach involving the integration of data from archaeological, paleontological, ecological, and anthropological investigations to offer a comprehensive picture of the origins, diversity, and lifeways of southern Asian populations. Complex scientific ideas are clearly and carefully explained in early chapters as the author considers the theories of human origins in Asia and the significance of the fossils of anthropoid apes recovered from the Siwalik hills (the "God-Apes"). Kennedy's careful detailing of the story of human life and his unique theoretical approach combine to offer a broad survey of the prehistoric cultures of the Indian subcontinent from Paleolithic to Iron Age times that should serve as a model for future studies of ancient peoples and places.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0472110136
• ISBN13: 9780472110131
• Release Date: September 2000
• Publisher: University of Michigan Press
• Length: 504 Pages
• Weight: 2.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 7.4" x 10.3"

Customer Reviews

South Asian Paleoanthropology: New insight

Dear Sir,I searched your web site under books by Dr. Kenneth K. A. Kennedy. The book entitled "God-Apes and Fossil men: Paleoanthropology of South Asia" was of interest to me I read the book from a friend. I was told that the person who writes the first review of a book gets a reward of $ 25 from your company. I wrote the review of this book and submitted to you. You published the review. It now appears on your site after the book is mentioned under the name of the author & book search. I now request you to send me the following book by speed post mail at my address. Dr. K. L. Mehra c/o Dr. Rimjhim Mehra, 8421 High Meadow Drive, PLANO, Tx-75025.Name of book: Daniel Martin Varisco: Medieval Agriculture and Islamic Science. The almanac of a Yemeni Sultan. Used book priced at dollars 15.89. Thanking you.Yours faithfully,K. L Mehra

South Asian Paleoanthropology ; new insight

Five Stars: Scholarly, Comprehensive, Insightful and Superbly Good Read. August 23, 2001. Reviewer: K. L. Mehra, Former Director & Expert F.A.O., Rome, Italy.This book is a must read for students and professionals alike, and others with interest in hominid / human skeleton remains and the information these remains hold for understanding the biological history and diversity of South Asia?s people. Kenneth A.R. Kennedy sets forth to test the validity of some hypothesis that emerged from the interpretation of such findings. After presenting precise accounts of different viewpoints, Kennedy provides an unbiased fresh insight based on his interdisciplinary approach, integrating archaeological, geological, linguistic, fossil, and historical evidences. It contains a balanced and scholarly treatment of the latest methods used in skeleton biological analysis. The book should become a model reference work for understanding paleoanthropology of a single region. The major merit of author?s approach has been a critical presentation of European concepts of human origins, biological diversity, and pre-historic life ways, and to appraise the reader about how those concepts were superimposed upon more native traditions, which addressed many of the same questions but from within an entirely distinctive cultural context and perceptions. Kennedy provides sufficient supportive evidences, which suggest that there was no abrupt transition or mass migration of food- producing new races into the hunting territories of longer settled people in South Asia. Faunal and floral evidences from certain sites in Rajasthan and the Ganges valley suggest incipient practices of plant and animal domestication among Mesolithic groups. Emergence of food production strategies was a gradual transition that took place in different localities at different times. Kennedy discusses paleodemographic and anatomical data, which points out that the participants in the mature phase of Harappan civilization were not a mysterious people of unknown biological origins, or migrants from other centers of high culture in western Asia, but were descendants of populations identified with the pre-Harappan cultures of northwestern sector of the sub-continent. Kennedy argues that Indian three-race concept paradigm about caste (including the status of Aryan lineage) and a western argument, favoring demic migrations, is not tenable. Professionals of different disciplines, students, and even lay people alike will all find something thought- provoking in this book. Very highly recommended.