2nd Edition

Biological Anthropology and Prehistory Exploring Our Human Ancestry

By Patricia C. Rice, Norah Moloney Copyright 2008
    592 Pages
    by Routledge

    592 Pages
    by Routledge

    Written specifically for courses that cover biological anthropology and archaeology, this superbly illustrated new text offers the most balanced and up-to-date introduction to our human past.

    • Devoting equal time to biological anthropology and prehistory, this text exposes students to the many sides of major controversial issues, involving students in the scientific thought process by allowing them to draw their own conclusions.
    • Amidst discussions of bones and artifacts, the text maintains a focus on people, demonstrating to students how biological anthropology and archaeology apply to their lives today. 
    • Featuring the latest research and findings pulled from the original sources, this new text is far and away the most up-to-date text available.  In addition, the superior art program features hundreds of photographs and figures, and the multimedia presentation options include documentary film clips and lecture launcher videos.

    Pat Rice, a recipient of AAA’s Outstanding Teacher Award and past-president of the General Anthropology Division of AAA, and Norah Moloney, an experienced professor and active archaeologist, present the material in a clear, refreshing, and straightforward writing style.

    PART I: INTRODUCTION TO ANTHROPOLOGY
    Chapter 1: Introduction to the Discipline of Anthropology
    PART II: BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION TO HUMANS
    Chapter 2: Theories and Methods in Studying Biological Anthropology
    Chapter 3: Principles of Biological Evolution
    Chapter 4: Macroevolution to Primates
    Chapter 5: Primates: Introduction, In Evolution, Potential Hominids
    Chapter 6: African Hominids: Australopithecines and Homo habilis
    Chapter 7: Later Hominids: Homo erectus and Homo sapiens
    PART III: PREHISTORY: OLD WORLD AND NEW WORLD
    Chapter 8: Theories and Methods in Studying Prehistoric Cultures
    Chapter 9: Early Cultures in the Old World
    Chapter 10: Later Hunter-Gatherers in the Old World
    Chapter 11: Old World Nation States
    Chapter 12: Hunter-Gatherers and Farmers in the New World
    Chapter 13: New World Nation States
    PART IV: CONTEMPORARY PRIMATES AND HUMANS
    Chapter 14: Contemporary Primates
    Chapter 15: Contemporary Humans
    PART V: CONCLUSIONS
    Chapter 16: Conclusions

    Biography

    Patricia C. Rice, West Virginia University
    Norah Moloney, Institute of Archaeology, University College London

    “I consider Rice and Moloney to be an excellent basic handbook for undergraduate anthropology students focusing on either biological/physical anthropology and/or archaeology … I know of no other text that contains this basic ‘canon’ of knowledge within the covers of one book.”
    Teryl E. Schessler, California State University- Fullerton
    “The general approach is highly descriptive and even-handed with respect to controversial issues.  As such it is easily readable, would be comfortable to teach, and is well- illustrated.”
    Joan Brenner Coltrain, University of Utah
    “Every chapter in this book is extremely well done and it is very much up to date.”
    Joanna Casey, University of South Carolina
    “A solid introduction to human biological and cultural evolution.”
    James A. Delle, Kutztown University