How Humans Evolved

With its unique blend of evolutionary theory, population genetics and behavioral ecology, How Humans Evolved provides students with the most contemporary and complete introduction to physical anthropology available. Robert Boyd and Joan B. Silk's modern presentation of genetics and observable behaviors in living humans and non-human primates moves beyond merely describing anthropological finds to showing students the "big picture" ideas behind human evolution.For the Fifth Edition, Boyd and Silk have updated the text to include the best of current research in the areas of genetics, behavior and the fossil record that conveys the excitement of anthropological discovery. This new coverage reflects strengthened coverage of molecular genetics and a streamlined presentation of primatology. FeaturesUp-to-date, with forward-looking contentHow Humans Evolved weaves the best of current research withclassic material in a way students find accessible and compelling. Forthe Fifth Edition, Boyd and Silk have streamlined the coverage ofprimatology in Part II: Primate Ecology and Behavior. They have alsostrengthened the coverage of molecular genetics to include new contentreflecting the growing importance of genetics to anthropologicalresearch. A focus on behavioral ecologyHow Humans Evolved focuses on the science behind what weknow about human evolution by examining the connection between geneticsand observable behavior in living humans and primates. Specifically: Part II: Primate Ecology and Behaviorincludes extensive coverage of behavior with full chapters on primatemating systems, cooperation and life histories and the evolution ofintelligence. These chapters come before coverage of the fossil record,providing students with context for how humans lived in the past andhow we evolved into who we are today. Two chaptersin Part IV: Evolution and Modern Humans directly address human behaviorand human mate choice and parenting, topics students find fascinatingand relevant to their own lives. Accessible art and text Boyd and Silk use figures in unique,clever and accessible ways-such as using the children's game 'Cooties'to describe speciation and presenting fossil comparisons with the sameorientation and scale-to convey important chapter concepts. Highlighted Key Idea statements focus students' attention on each chapter's most important concepts. Study questions at the end of every chapter extend and apply chapter readings to related concepts discussed throughout the text.With its unique blend of evolutionary theory, population genetics and behavioral ecology, How Humans Evolved provides students with the most contemporary and complete introduction to physical anthropology available. Robert Boyd and Joan B. Silk's modern presentation of genetics and observable behaviors in living humans and non-human primates moves beyond merely describing anthropological finds to showing students the 'big picture' ideas behind human evolution. For the Fifth Edition, Boyd and Silk have updated the text to include the best of current research in the areas of genetics, behavior and the fossil record that conveys the excitement of anthropological discovery. This new coverage reflects strengthened cover