Stone tools in human evolution : behavioral differences among technological primates /

Shea's purpose is to present the evolution of human culture to students of human evolution using modes of lithic reduction, which he believes more accurately reflect behavioral change than does traditional artifact nomenclature. After distinguishing all hominin stone tool use from that of the panins and introducing his modes, the author proceeds to look at major changes in hominin behavior from the first appearance of hominin stone tools c. three million years ago until stone tools began to be replaced by metal tools, c. six thousand years ago. Each chapter looks at a behavior, makes predictions about how that behavior would affect stone tool manufacture and use, and then examines the archaeological record for that period to determine whether the predictions are verified. The comparison tables in each chapter are difficult to read and would be overwhelming for introductory human evolution students. Because the chapters summarize the tabular information, the tables should be in an appendix. In his concluding chapter, Shea (Stony Brook Univ.) provides two excellent charts that sum up the book: the predictions and their overall success in tracking cultural change, and the characteristics of occasional, habitual, and obligatory tool use. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. --Lucille Lewis Johnson, Vassar College