History of Physical Anthropology

The first encyclopedic history of physical anthropology

Physical anthropology is the comparative study of humans as biological organisms, their evolution, and their physiological and anatomical functions. The discipline also encompasses the study of the origins, evolution, behavior, and ecology of primates. Now a first-of-its-kind reference work surveys this complex discipline and summarizes and organizes its basic knowledge, fundamental principles, and development in one easily accessible two-volume set.

Unsurpassed, detailed, in-depth coverage of all topics

Most general articles are complemented by more specific primary entries. For example, in paleoanthropology there are entries on australopithecines, "Homo habilis, Homo erectus, " Neandertals, and the origin of modern humans, as well as coverage that summarizes the history of inquiries into the prehistory of Asia, Africa, the Americas, Australasia, and Oceania. Similarly, from the broad overview of "Primate field studies," the reader can turn to other entries on nonhuman primates listed according to their geographic location and zoological status: African and Asian prosimian field studies, African monkeys, African apes, Asian apes, Asian monkeys, Japanese primate studies, Malagasy primates, Russian primate studies, and New World monkeys.

Focuses on nations and individuals

An important part of the "Encyclopedia " deals with countries throughout the world, from Albania to New Zealand, providing a broad overview of the discipline's history from a global perspective. There are also capsule biographies of individuals mentioned in the "Encyclopedia." Entries are accompanied by bibliographies that cite primary and secondary sources and offer information on the location of primary archives.

Surveys key subdisciplines:

anthropometry * body composition studies * demography * dental anthropology * dermatoglyphics * forensic anthropology * genetics * growth studies * molecular anthropology * neuroanatomy * paleoanthropology * paleoprimatology * primate field studies * and others

Examines such theoretical issues as:

evolutionary theory * the development of paleoanthropological theory * neo-Lamarckism * great chain of being * race concept

Special features:

The first encyclopedia to offer a descriptive and analytical history of the entire discipline * Covers all key subdisciplines in major entries * Surveys the field from a global perspective * Bibliographies cite primary and secondary sources