From the Publisher:
A focus on major themes of the human evolutionary story with archaeological findings integrated into the discussion of these themes.
A consistent format in the chapters dealing with the human story:
The Prelude ' amusing anecdotes or personal perspectives that relate directly to the chapter topic.
The Chronicle - the hard data and consensus interpretations of the chapter's focus in a succinct format.
The Issues and Debates - exploration of the uncertainties of our interpretations.
Case Study Close-Ups - in-depth looks at sites representative of each chapter's major theme(s).
Visiting the Past - descriptions of sites and museum exhibits related to chapter discussions.Presentation of a modern view of the past in the context of a historical continuum of intellectual growth and debate.
An appropriate level of detail for undergraduates with no previous exposure to archaeology.
Student learning aids including maps pinpointing locations of sites discussed, timelines, chapter summaries, key terms, suggested reading lists, a glossary, and 16 pages of full color photos grouped thematically.
Increased emphasis on post-Pleistocene societies and the rise of civilization.
An increased discussion of the evolution of complex societies in both the Old World and the New World. See Chapters 12-15.
Overview of the Miocene period and the essential context and background for all later hominid evolution condensed and placed at the beginning of the chapter on African Roots (Chapter 4).
Significant updating of material on the Neandertal has been added to Chapters 6-7.
Peopling of the New World is reexamined, including discussions of Monte Verde and Kennewick Man (Chapter 9).
About the Author:
Feder obtained his B.A. in anthropology in 1973 from the State University of New York at Stonybrook. He obtained his M.A. in anthropology in 1975 from the University of Connecticut and his Ph.D. from the same institution in 1982. He has taught in the Department of Anthropology at Central Connecticut State University since 1977 where he is now a full professor. His primary research interests include the archaeology of the native peoples of New England and the analysis of public perceptions about the human past. He is the founder and director of the Farmington River Archaeological Project, a long-term investigation of the prehistory of the Farmington River Valley. He is the author and co-author of several books including: Human Antiquity: An Introduction to Physical Anthropology and Archaeology (with Michael Park; now in its fifth edition; McGraw-Hill); Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries: Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology (about to appear in its seventh edition; McGraw-Hill); The Past In Perspective: An Introduction to Human Prehistory (about to appear in its fifth edition; Oxford University Press); and Linking to the Past: A Brief Introduction to Archaeology (now in its second edition; Oxford University Press). Finally, he is the author of A Village of Outcasts: Historical Archaeology and Documentary Research at the Lighthouse Site (Mayfield Publishing). When he's not digging in the dirt or writing books, he likes to hang out with his one wife, two kids, and four very bad cats.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.