Review by Choice Review
Kennedy achieves two goals: he fully elucidates the biological evolution of homo sapiens and offers a cultural and archaeological setting for human diversity in South Asia (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan). In achieving these goals this excellent book is without peer! The author presents an engaging intellectual history of biological anthropology/archaeology in South Asia and a superb synthesis of the origins of agriculture, the emergence of an urban complex society (Harappan Civilization), the search for the Aryans, the discovery of the Iron Age "Megalithic Builders," and early historic populations. In an excellent conclusion Kennedy lucidly discusses the demise of the "race" concept and considers genetic histories and modern techniques of DNA in the study of human diversity. Written in an accessible style, well illustrated, and with a full bibliography, this book will long endure as the standard text for all academic collections. C. C. Lamberg-Karlovsky Harvard University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
