50 Great Myths of Human Evolution

Where do we come from? How are we related to other creatures? What is uniquely human? Are we still evolving?

50 Great Myths of Human Evolution explores common myths and misconceptions surrounding the story of human evolution. It examines intriguing yet widely misunderstood topics—from evolution and human origins to the evolution of modern humans, to recent trends in the field dispelling myths along the way such as: Natural selection always works; Australopithecus was a killer ape; Neandertals walked bent over and were dumb brutes; Civilization has been influenced by extraterrestrials, and, We can predict the future of human evolution.

50 lively and engaging essays provide the perfect introduction for the inquisitive reader and for students studying the field. Each myth succinctly summarizes the topic and reviews the current state of theory and research in the area. Footnotes and references are also provided throughout to allow for further research into topics of particular interest. Together, these short writings uncover what fossils, archeology, and genetics can tell us about human origins and demonstrate the ways in which science adapts and changes over time to incorporate new evidence and better explanations.

A compendium of the most up-to-date and fascinating information in human evolution, this guide also equips readers with the skills to question and critically evaluate the field as it changes in the future.