Review by Choice Review
With the mid-19th-century discovery of fossilized Neanderthal remains came the first evidence for the prior existence of a unique member of the human family, other than Homo sapiens. However, in a time when religious doctrine held sway, the very idea that another human species of a bygone era might have lived and died before the creation of modern man was an almost incomprehensible concept to grasp. With no rational context to provide a framework for supporting such a radical view, interpreting these newly discovered fossils was initially a difficult, contentious process. The authors present a largely well-written account of these fascinating people. Primarily for general readers, the text provides a good introduction to Neanderthal natural history and culture. Consideration of other aspects of human evolution--including other hominid species, features of humanity's great migration out of Africa, and the period of coexistence of Neanderthals and modern humans--helps to place the Neanderthals in evolutionary context. Approximately 50 pen-and-ink drawings of varying quality complement the text. Despite its brevity, the book presents a great deal of important information about Neanderthals, most of it easily understood by interested lay readers. Summing Up: Recommended. All levels/libraries. D. A. Brass independent scholar
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
