Extinct Humans

Rating:
Summary: Spare that tree!
Review: Tracing the course of human evolution is fraught with pitfalls. Each newly discovered fossil is scrupulously assessed for its place on the human family tree. Locating it properly is fundamental in understanding how evolution achieved Homo sapiens. Tattersall and Schwarz conduct us on a tour of the history of evolutionary thinking and detail the analysis procedures. The expedition is thoughtfully conceived, offering superb vistas and rewarding discoveries.

Over half a century ago, E. Mayr and T. Dobzhansky developed a "grand synthesis" of human evolution. According to the authors, the earlier workers postulated a "linear" path of hominid evolution. This analysis forged much of evolutionary thinking for decades. Dissenters, however, were always present. Nearly every book on human evolution spends some time describing the conflict between the "lumpers" and the "splitters". Viewing the many of the hominid fossils as but individual variations of general types, the lumpers find abhorrent the complexity resulting from too many species. To them, the family tree is a linear trunk with but a few branches. In contrast, the splitters see fossil variations reflecting a host of unearthed new hominid species. They feel that turning the human family tree into a frizzy bush gives the emergence of Homo sapiens an even more unique place in Nature than it already enjoys.

Tattersall and Schwarz produce a remarkable case for additional splitting. Morphology, the classifying of characteristics of anatomical features, is their operating system. In this book we are offered one of the most complete morphological analyses of human fossils in print. Dismissing the idea of the human family tree portraying a linear sequence of events, they examine in minute detail the bones unearthed to date. Eyebrow ridges, chin sutures and cheek form are critically reassessed in building their case. Homo erectus, once considered a world girdling precursor to modern humanity, demands reconsideration, according to the authors.

The text of this book might prove a bit daunting to newcomers to anthropology or anatomy. Rest assured, however, that this book will reward any reader with but minimal perseverance. You may need to engage in a bit of page flipping in understanding some points. The lavish illustrations on those pages will reward the curious; photographs and drawings clarifying what might seem obscure or unfamiliar. Indeed, this is one of the first popular books illustrating areas often remanded to text in other general books on this topic. The authors deserve the fullest accolades for their efforts in providing intelligible text and graphics. Their concluding presentation of a new family tree for human ancestors is an excellent summation of their assertions.

The authors spend an unexpected amount of ink dwelling on the idea that Neanderthal is not a member of Homo sapiens. It's difficult to understand why they feel the need to flog this so severely, since this concept has been out of mainstream paleoanthropology for some time. Since they fail to identify the target of their sniping, when so many others holding contrary views are disposed of elsewhere, we're at a loss to comprehend their vehemence. The assumption follows that since this is an area of Tattersall's expertise, he's simply taken this opportunity to caper a little. Since the explanation is so clear and accompanied by such magnificent illustrative material, we may forgive them a bit of prancing and enjoy the performance.

While the authors build a convincing case, it abides on a shaky foundation. In seeking support for new hominid species, the omit a definition of speciation. Species are organisms that reproduce successfully. Yet within any complex species, wide variations exist to trap the morphologist. A glance at any kennel with display a wide variation in bones, hair covering and colour, but the inmates remain dogs. While they argue that geographic distribution contributes to speciation [which it does], there's simply no evidence that the human diaspora generated new species. Quite the reverse in modern humans. From this, it seems their
assault on Mayr and Dobzhansky's thesis seems misplaced. No matter how many variations on the theme occur in the fossil record, the lineage of humanity does follow a path into the distant past. As Darwin grieved, the fossil record remains too sparse to trace that path in detail at this time.

Their omission of defining speciation detracts but little from the value of this book. The detailed information and the quality illustrative material makes it a rich addition to the library of anyone delving into the mysteries of human evolution. It's a costly addition, but well worth the investment to those concerned with learning their place in Nature. Their case may be flawed, but their evidence and how they present it is worthwhile.

Rating:
Summary: Spare that tree!
Review: Tracing the course of human evolution is fraught with pitfalls. Each newly discovered fossil is scrupulously assessed for its place on the human family tree. Locating it properly is fundamental in understanding how evolution achieved Homo sapiens. Tattersall and Schwarz conduct us on a tour of the history of evolutionary thinking and detail the analysis procedures. The expedition is thoughtfully conceived, offering superb vistas and rewarding discoveries.

Over half a century ago, E. Mayr and T. Dobzhansky developed a "grand synthesis" of human evolution. According to the authors, the earlier workers postulated a "linear" path of hominid evolution. This analysis forged much of evolutionary thinking for decades. Dissenters, however, were always present. Nearly every book on human evolution spends some time describing the conflict between the "lumpers" and the "splitters". Viewing the many of the hominid fossils as but individual variations of general types, the lumpers find abhorrent the complexity resulting from too many species. To them, the family tree is a linear trunk with but a few branches. In contrast, the splitters see fossil variations reflecting a host of unearthed new hominid species. They feel that turning the human family tree into a frizzy bush gives the emergence of Homo sapiens an even more unique place in Nature than it already enjoys.

Tattersall and Schwarz produce a remarkable case for additional splitting. Morphology, the classifying of characteristics of anatomical features, is their operating system. In this book we are offered one of the most complete morphological analyses of human fossils in print. Dismissing the idea of the human family tree portraying a linear sequence of events, they examine in minute detail the bones unearthed to date. Eyebrow ridges, chin sutures and cheek form are critically reassessed in building their case. Homo erectus, once considered a world girdling precursor to modern humanity, demands reconsideration, according to the authors.

The text of this book might prove a bit daunting to newcomers to anthropology or anatomy. Rest assured, however, that this book will reward any reader with but minimal perseverance. You may need to engage in a bit of page flipping in understanding some points. The lavish illustrations on those pages will reward the curious; photographs and drawings clarifying what might seem obscure or unfamiliar. Indeed, this is one of the first popular books illustrating areas often remanded to text in other general books on this topic. The authors deserve the fullest accolades for their efforts in providing intelligible text and graphics. Their concluding presentation of a new family tree for human ancestors is an excellent summation of their assertions.

The authors spend an unexpected amount of ink dwelling on the idea that Neanderthal is not a member of Homo sapiens. It's difficult to understand why they feel the need to flog this so severely, since this concept has been out of mainstream paleoanthropology for some time. Since they fail to identify the target of their sniping, when so many others holding contrary views are disposed of elsewhere, we're at a loss to comprehend their vehemence. The assumption follows that since this is an area of Tattersall's expertise, he's simply taken this opportunity to caper a little. Since the explanation is so clear and accompanied by such magnificent illustrative material, we may forgive them a bit of prancing and enjoy the performance.

While the authors build a convincing case, it abides on a shaky foundation. In seeking support for new hominid species, the omit a definition of speciation. Species are organisms that reproduce successfully. Yet within any complex species, wide variations exist to trap the morphologist. A glance at any kennel with display a wide variation in bones, hair covering and colour, but the inmates remain dogs. While they argue that geographic distribution contributes to speciation [which it does], there's simply no evidence that the human diaspora generated new species. Quite the reverse in modern humans. From this, it seems their
assault on Mayr and Dobzhansky's thesis seems misplaced. No matter how many variations on the theme occur in the fossil record, the lineage of humanity does follow a path into the distant past. As Darwin grieved, the fossil record remains too sparse to trace that path in detail at this time.

Their omission of defining speciation detracts but little from the value of this book. The detailed information and the quality illustrative material makes it a rich addition to the library of anyone delving into the mysteries of human evolution. It's a costly addition, but well worth the investment to those concerned with learning their place in Nature. Their case may be flawed, but their evidence and how they present it is worthwhile.