The Origins of Native Americans: Evidence from Anthropological Genetics [Hardcover]

Michael H. Crawford (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521592801 | ISBN-13: 978-0521592802 | Publication Date: January 13, 1998

Who are the Native Americans? When and how did they colonize the New World? What proportion of the biological variation in contemporary Amerindian populations was "made in America" and what was brought from Siberia? This book is a unique synthesis of the genetic, archaeological, and demographic evidence concerning the Native peoples of the Americas, using case studies from contemporary Amerindian and Siberian indigenous groups to unravel the mysteries. It culminates in an examination of the devastating collision between European and Native American cultures following Contact, and the legacy of increased incidence of chronic diseases that still accompanies the acculturation of Native peoples today.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It really serves as a comprehensive review of the human biology of native Americans in the broadest sense, with topics ranging from origins to contemporary population structure to demography and epidemiology...Crawford's book is not just of value to researchers interested in native Americans as a geographic region or population genetics as a topical area; rather, it has something for everyone and is destined to be a classic work in human biology." Human Biology

"Professor Crawford's book is thoroughly recommended, not only for its factual content and argument, but also for the considered opinions of the author on much of the material he has consulted in writing it. All who are working on biological questions on or about Amerindian peoples will find it essential to read." Human Genetics

"...this excellent book...serves as a comprehensive review of the human biology of native Americans in the broadest sense, with topics ranging from origins to contemporary population structure to demography and epidemiology. Crawford's book is not just of value to researchers interested in native Americans as a geographic region or population genetics as a topical area; rather, it has something for everyone and is destined to be a classic work in human biology." John H. Relethford, Human Biology

"The book shows what a wide variety of factors it is necessary to consider in attempting to understand the genetic evolution of a population...Professor Crawford's book is thoroughly recommended, not only for its factual content and argument, but also for the considered opinions of the author on much of the material he has consulted in writing it. All who are working on biological questions on or about Amerindian peoples will find it essential to read." Human Genetics

"...The origins of Native Americans is an engaging and thoughtful account of the population history of aboriginal groups from Siberia and the Americas based on anthropological genetic data." Theodore G. Schurr, Great Plains Research

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Spanish

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 326 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (January 13, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521592801
• ISBN-13: 978-0521592802
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #868,432 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Genetics, December 2, 2008

By 

KB (Kansas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Origins of Native Americans: Evidence from Anthropological Genetics (Paperback)

I think the book is absolutely fantastic. Dr. Michael Crawford is a genius. Revelational thinking, not only from a genetic perspective but cultural and archaeological as well, in reference to the human diaspora from africa, and the possibility of several pre-Clovis migrations.

1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Old and outdated data, May 2, 2011

By 

Wolf - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Origins of Native Americans: Evidence from Anthropological Genetics (Paperback)

Save your money ! This is the same old outdated theory with no real proof. Who is to say they did not migrate in the other direction ?! Truth is they dont known and a few genetic markers are not proof . There is proof of Native Americans being here much longer than this book would have you believe. Every few years some guy comes around with a new place of origin for the people . They quack the same tale without any real proof. By the same logic on could say that they migrated in the other direction and would have the same markers in the DNA . What we do know is that Native Americans were here in the USA much much longer than this old threoy would have you believe . The people who believe this still believe life first started in Africa with "Lucy" and her people . They now know she was not a true ancestor of the human race. A older skeleton was found that looks more human and is many thousands of years older. If you want to read about outdated ideas and how much people will buy into without real proof you may want this book . Otherwise save your cash if you want facts. Have a nice day .