Evolution And History

xxxii Preface

CHAPTER 10: THE NEOLITHIC REVOLUTION: THE

DOMESTICATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS

Chapter 10 concentrates on the drastic cultural changes that

occurred at the Neolithic transition with the domestication

of plants and animals along with the development of per-

manent settlements in villages. The unexpected deleterious

health consequences of this “Neolithic revolution” are ex-

plored throughout the chapter along with the complex rela-

tionship between food production and population growth.

The new Challenge Issue featuring a contemporary

Hmong embroidery depicting the mythical origins of ag-

riculture opens the chapter. The art illustrates that global

food flows have a long history. We include a new section

on primary and secondary innovation, as well as the re-

cent discovery of the earliest pottery from Yuchanyan

Cave, located in China’s Hunan Province, and current re-

search providing new dates for earliest dairying. Several

revised figures, such as ones on the Fertile Crescent and

the domestication of corn from teosinte, improve clarity

and provide richer content.

Several sections of the chapter have been expanded.

These include the contemporary application of terra preta,

the rich black earth produced by Amazonian farmers and

described in the chapter’s Anthropology Applied box; the

impact of colonialism on American Indian cultures; and

the ongoing health consequences of the Neolithic transi-

tion. Table 10.1 has been updated to show the incidence of

selected zoonotic diseases globally along with prevention

strategies. A new Globalscape on swine flu and industrial

farming practices illustrates the consequences of these

large-scale operations.

CHAPTER 11: THE EMERGENCE OF CITIES

AND STATES

This chapter draws parallels between ancient and modern

cities and states while exploring the origins of this very

human way of life. It contains a variety of new figures and

examples that drive home the points about the beginnings

of cities and states and the many facets, both positive and

negative, of these social organizations that have endured

to the present. Continuity is shown through factors rang-

ing from social stratification, to the social distribution of

sickness and health, to artisanal techniques.

Carneiro’s theory on the development of states is de-

scribed in more detail in this revised chapter. In terms of

ancient sites, the figure of Teotihuacan is revised for clar-

ity, and a new figure of Tikal shows the major monuments

and causeways. The chapter’s Original Study on El Pilar is

revised and updated. We discuss the Cahokia mounds as

an example of the both the presence of cities and the con-

scious choice by North American Indians not to engage in

conquest relationships.

New figures on cuneiform writing and bronze lost-wax

casting illustrate the details of these innovations. Sections on

and discuss the relationship between biological change and

cultural change in human evolutionary history. The place of

the Neandertals in this history closes the chapter. The chap-

ter contains sufficient detail for an introductory course on

human origins while streamlining the presentation from

previous editions and avoiding redundancy.

Many new figures allow for material to be communicated

clearly and efficiently. For example, the new figure comparing

KNM ER 1470 and KNM ER 1813 illustrates the taxonomic

issue of lumping or splitting in early Homo. The new dis-

coveries from Gona, including the well-preserved pelvis, are

included as is the newly discovered Homo erectus footprint

trail from Kenya. Middle Paleolithic Homo from through-

out the world is surveyed in this chapter while the question

of modern human origins is saved for Chapter 9. A nuanced

discussion of sex and gender in the fossil record is supported

by a Biocultural Connection on the contributions of female

paleoanthropologists to the discipline, along with the recent

revisioning of the “man the hunter” hypothesis as “man the

hunted” in the chapter’s Original Study. The Anthropology

Applied box demonstrates the unique strengths of stone tools

through their use by modern-day surgeons.

CHAPTER 9: THE GLOBAL EXPANSION OF HOMO

SAPIENS AND THEIR TECHNOLOGY

This chapter explores the fossil, genetic, and cultural evi-

dence used in theories to account for modern human ori-

gins. It also explores the cultural explosion characteristic of

the Upper Paleolithic and the spread of humans through-

out the globe. To make space for an in-depth discussion of

the multiregional continuity versus out of Africa models

of modern human origins, we have streamlined and reor-

ganized material to avoid redundancy. Rich with new and

revised figures, the chapter also includes the latest discov-

eries such as the Venus figurine from Hohle Fels Cave as

well as the flute from the same site. New research on cook-

ing and brain metabolism is included as is recent research

on the peopling of the Americas. A new section on gen-

der and archaeology features Margaret Conkey’s work as

a feminist practicing archaeology and the contemporary

projections of gender norms onto Venus figurines.

The chapter’s boxed features chronicle paleoanthro-

pology from throughout the globe. The Anthropologists

of Note features Ethiopian paleoanthropologist Berhane

Asfaw and Chinese paleoanthropologist Xinzhi Wu. The

Biocultural Connection looks to contemporary hunter-

gatherers, whose lifeways have not departed as glaringly

from our Paleolithic template, in order to promote hu-

man health. The Original Study details the methods used

by prehistoric artists to paint cave walls in southwestern

France. A new Globalscape on World Heritage sites fo-

cuses on Willandra Lakes in Australia and the importance

of this place to the Aboriginal people of the region, as well

as to paleoanthropologists and the global community.

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