People of the Earth

For one semester/quarter courses in introduction to world prehistory offered in the anthropology department. This internationally renowned text provides the only truly global account of human prehistory from the earliest times through the earliest civilizations. Written in an accessible way for beginning students, People of the Earth shows how today's diverse humanity developed biologically and culturally over millions of years against a background of constant climatic change.Do your students struggle with the detail and breadth of this course? Superior pedagogical aides-Includes chapter-opening vignettes and chronological tables, time-line columns, chapter summaries, key terms, and further readings at the end of each chapter. Easy-to-read, jargon-free narrative - Provides students with an accessible writing style on a complex subject that inspires a deeper interest in and understanding of world prehistory. Global, even-handed coverage - Presents students with an international perspective and a balanced view on the past. Emphasizes major controversies such as the origins of modern humans and the first settlement of the Americas - Presents students with relevant theories about first settlement and origination so they can more easily comprehend the development of early civilization. Surveys alternative perspectives on the past and outlines some of the important theoretical frameworks that influence our thinking about prehistory - Furnishes students with material that reflects issues surrounding world prehistory in today's world. Site Boxes in each chapter that discuss key locations and discoveries - Highlights exceptional and easily accessible examples that span a host of geographic locations and time periods.