Human Evolution: An Introduction to Physical Anthropology

The second edition of Human Evolution: An Introduction to Physical Anthropology is a revised and enlarged edition of the book that first appeared in the year 1987 as an introductory text for general students of anthropology.  The goal of the authors has been to gradually lead the students into the interesting field of human evolution and to stir the imagination and interest among them about the origin, migration and spread of our species. 

Evolution is the corner stone of modern biology. The great diversity of organisms in the world around us has always fascinated man and many attempts have been made to understand the meaning of this diversity and the causes that bring it about. There is not enough evidence to show conclusively where, when and how did the transition from  Homo erectus  to Homo sapiens took place. Our earlier ideas have changed now based on the DNA studies. The new genetic analysis shows that in the present day —everyone has Neanderthal DNA in their genome. 

India occupies a central stage in human evolution, a base camp in the path of migration of humankind that started out of Africa some 100,000 years ago. In due course of time around 40,000 years before present, the Upper Palaeolithic culture flourished in different parts of India. The men of that time left behind them their artistic expressions and aesthetic sense in the numerous rock shelter walls at Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh.  The Central Narmada Valley gave evidence of the existence of fossil man, popularly known as ‘Narmada Man’, and the palaeolithic culture complex associated with it. 

In the twelve chapters of this book the story of the evolution of man has been lucidly presented for the students of anthropology and for the general readers.