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Title:
50 great myths of human evolution : understanding misconceptions about our origins / John H. Relethford.
Author:
Relethford, John, author.
Publication Information:
Chichester, West Sussex, UK : John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2017.

©2017
Call Number:
GN281 .R412314 2017
Abstract:
50 Great Myths of Human Evolution uses common misconceptions to explore basic theory and research in human evolution and strengthen critical thinking skills for lay readers and students. Examines intriguing yet widely misunderstood topics, from general ideas about evolution and human origins to the evolution of modern humans and recent trends in the field. Describes what fossils, archaeology, and genetics can tell us about human origins. Demonstrates the ways in which science adapts and changes over time to incorporate new evidence and better explanations. Includes myths such as Humans lived at the same time as dinosaurs; Lucy was so small because she was a child; Our ancestors have always made fire; and There is a strong relationship between brain size and intelligence. Comprised of stand-alone essays that are perfect for casual reading, as well as footnotes and references that allow readers to delve more deeply into topics. -- Provided by publisher.
ISBN:
9780470673911

9780470673928
Physical Description:
xi, 289 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm
Subject Term:
Contents:
Introduction : myths and misconceptions -- 1. Ideas about evolution -- Evolution is a theory not a fact -- Evolution is completely random -- All evolutionary changes are adaptive -- In evolution, bigger is always better -- Natural selection always works -- Some species are more evolve than are others -- Humans lived at the same time as the dinosaurs -- 2. Human origins -- If apes evolved into humans, then apes should not exist today -- "Ramapithecus" was a human ancestor -- Humans and African apes split from each other over 15 million years ago -- Gigantopithecus was the ancestor of "Bigfoot" (assuming Bigfoot exists) -- Human traits all evolved at the same time -- Large brains evolved very early in human evolution -- The common ancestor of African apes and humans walked like a chimpanzee -- Bipedalism first evolved on the African grasslands -- Lucy was so small because she was a child -- Australopithecus was a killer ape -- Human evolution can be described as a "ladder" -- All hominin species have probably been discovered -- There are no transitional fossils in human evolution -- 3. Evolution from the Genus Homo -- Only one species of Homo lived 2 million years ago -- Early Homo had modern human brain size -- Only humans are toolmakers and have culture -- We can identify species by the stone tools they made -- Homo habilis definitely made shelter -- Our ancestors have always made fire -- Early humans got all of their meat from hunting -- Species with larger brow ridges are more ape-like -- Neandertals walked bent over and were dumb brutes -- Modern humans appeared first in Eurasia -- "Mitochondrial Eve" is our only common female ancestor -- Neandertals did not interbreed with modern humans -- We do not need fossils any more to learn about human evolution -- All recent human species had large brains -- 4. Recent and future human evolution -- Each of us has billions of distinct ancestors -- The first Americans came from Europe or the Middle East -- The first Polynesians came from South America -- The origin of agriculture led to an improvement in health -- Civilization has been influenced by extraterrestrials -- The recent increase in life expectancy was due initially to antibiotics -- There are three distinct shades of human skin color -- Biological race is useful for understanding human variation -- All African Americans have the same genetic history -- Genetic ancestry is the same thing as cultural identity -- Sickle cell anemia is a "black disease" -- There is a strong genetic relationship between brain size and intelligence test scores -- Humans are no longer evolving -- Blond hair will eventually disappear -- We can predict future human evolution.
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