Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology [Paperback]

Barry Lewis (Author), Robert Jurmain (Author), Lynn Kilgore (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 28, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0534623964 | ISBN-13: 978-0534623968 | Edition: 9

This streamlined, full-color text is a thorough and well balanced introduction to the fields of physical anthropology and archaeology. Now with a new co-author, Barry Lewis brings his expertise in research methods and his experience with North American and South Indian archaeology to this edition. The author teams' conversational writing style and high interest features such as "Digging Deeper", and also new features such as "At a Glance", "Focus Questions" and "Cutting Edge Research" helps students grasp the material and enjoy learning in the process. At the beginning of each chapter the authors also point students and instructors to the media appropriate for that chapter. In addition to the text and Basic Companion Website, Wadsworth offers a Premium Companion Site and several technology based products such as an Online Virtual Laboratories or CD-ROM, the Hominid Fossils CD-ROM and Basic Genetics CD-ROM. See the supplement section for details.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Barry Lewis received his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he is currently a Professor Emeritus of Anthropology. During his 27-year tenure as a professor at the University of Illinois, he taught courses on introductory archaeology, quantitative methods in archaeology, geographic information systems, and social science research methods. He has published extensively on his research concerning late prehistoric Native American towns and villages in the southeastern United States. His recent research centers on the archaeology and history of early modern kingdoms and chiefdoms in South India.

Robert Jurmain received an A.B. in Anthropology from UCLA and a Ph.D. in Biological Anthropology from Harvard. He taught at San Jose State University from 1975 to 2004 and is now Professor Emeritus. During his teaching career, he taught courses in all major branches of physical anthropology, including osteology and human evolution, with the greatest concentration in general education teaching for introductory students. His research interests are skeletal biology of humans and non-human primates, paleopathology, and paleoanthropology. In addition to his three textbooks, which together have appeared in 27 editions, he is the author of STORIES FROM THE SKELETON: BEHAVIORAL RECONSTRUCTION IN HUMAN OSTEOLOGY (1999, Gordon & Breach Publishers), as well as numerous articles in research journals.

Lynn Kilgore earned her Ph.D. from the University of Colorado, Boulder, where she now holds an affiliate faculty position. Her primary research interests are osteology and paleopathology. She has taught numerous undergraduate and graduate courses in human osteology, primate behavior, human heredity and evolution, and general physical anthropology. Her research focuses on developmental defects, disease, and trauma in human and great ape skeletons.

Product Details

• Paperback: 504 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing; 9 edition (June 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0534623964
• ISBN-13: 978-0534623968
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #634,021 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Poorly organized., January 10, 2011

By 

E. J. Shultz - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology (Paperback)

I purchased this book to save money over the current edition for my Anthropology course, but I don't recommend that you do the same.

This text is poorly organized- the authors couldn't seem to decide whether the information was best arranged geographically, chronologically, or by some other method, with the result being chaos. For example, if you are reviewing the book for information on A. afarensis, there is no single page or section where the information is presented in totality. Instead, it is sprinkled over several sections and chapters. If you are a student in an introductory Anthropology course, this book will most likely frustrate you.

5.0 out of 5 stars greatness, March 11, 2009

By 

M. Blanco - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology (Paperback)

This book was in great condition! There was alittle wear-and-tear, but that is to be expected with a used book. I did not expect it to be in such great condition. Thanks.