The artificial ape how technology changed the course of human evolution
"While Darwin's theory explains our common descent, scientists have grappled with the reasons why human evolution defies the principles of natural selection and why, although we dominate the planet, we have become the weakest ape. In this fascinating narrative, leading archaeologist Timoth...
| Main Author: | Taylor, Timothy, 1960 July 10- |
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| Format: | Books Print Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
New York :
Palgrave Macmillan,
2010.
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| Subjects: |
| Summary: |
"While Darwin's theory explains our common descent, scientists have grappled with the reasons why human evolution defies the principles of natural selection and why, although we dominate the planet, we have become the weakest ape. In this fascinating narrative, leading archaeologist Timothy Taylor proposes that it was our early adoption of tools, objects, and, now, technology that changed us, demonstrating how: - baby slings made out of animal fur freed up our arms up to use tools; - clothes kept us warm, reducing our need for body hair; - shelter protected us from the elements and led our bodies to become slighter and physically weaker. Drawing on the latest fossil evidence, Taylor shows how humans made choices that assumed greater control over their own evolution"--Provided by publisher. |
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| Physical Description: |
244 p. : ill. ; 25 cm. |
| Bibliography: |
Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| ISBN: |
9780230617636 (hardback) 0230617638 (hardback) |
| Author Notes: |
Timothy Taylor, PhD is the author of The Buried Soul and The Prehistory of Sex . He has appeared on the History Channel, the Discovery Channel, and National Geographic specials. He contributes to such publications as Nature , Scientific American , and World Archaeology, and is editor-in-chief of the Journal of World Prehistory . He teaches archaeology at the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom. |