Seven skeletons : the evolution of the world's most famous human fossils Cover Image

Book

Seven skeletons : the evolution of the world's most famous human fossils / Lydia Pyne.

Summary:

Over the last century, the search for human ancestors has spanned four continents and resulted in the discovery of hundreds of fossils. While most of these discoveries live quietly in museum collections, there are a few that have become world-renowned celebrity personas-ambassadors of science that speak to public audiences. In Seven Skeletons, historian of science Lydia Pyne explores how seven such famous fossils of our ancestors have the social cachet they enjoy today.

Record details

ISBN: 0525429859
ISBN: 9780525429852
Physical Description: 276 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm
Publisher: [Place of publication not identified] : Penguin Group USA, 2016.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Formatted Contents Note:

Introduction: famous fossils, hidden histories -- The old man of La Chapelle: the patriarch of paleo -- Piltdown: a name without a fossil -- The Taung child: the rise of a folk hero -- Peking Man: a curious case of paleo-noir -- The ascension of an icon:Lucy in the sky -- The precious: Flo's life as a hobbit -- Sediba: TBD (to be determined) -- Afterword: O fortuna!: a bit of luck, a bit of skill.