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'''Paleoanthropology''' is the branch of [[physical anthropology]] (often called biological anthropology) that focuses on the study of [[Human evolution#History of paleoanthropology|human evolution]], tracing the [[anatomic]], [[behavioral]] and [[genetics|genetic]] linkages of our ancient, usually bipedal, ancestors.
'''Paleoanthropology''' is the branch of [[physical anthropology]] (often called biological anthropology) that focuses on the study of [[Human evolution#History of paleoanthropology|human evolution]], tracing the [[anatomic]], [[behavioral]] and [[genetics|genetic]] linkages of our direct, bipedal ancestors from millions of years ago up to modern times.


Paleoanthropologists study early [[Hominini|hominin]]s through [[fossil]] remains, traces, or impressions of ancient life; evidence such as preserved bones, tools, or footprints. Typically, a team is composed of scientists, students, and local workers, representing diverse backgrounds and academic fields.
Paleoanthropologists study early [[Hominini|hominin]]s through [[fossil]] remains, traces, or impressions of ancient life; evidence such as preserved bones, tools, or footprints. Typically, a team is composed of scientists, students, and local workers, representing diverse backgrounds and academic fields.
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The science arguably began in the late [[1800s]] when important discoveries occurred which led to the study of human evolution. The discovery of the [[Neanderthal]] in [[Germany]], [[Thomas Huxley]]'s ''[[Evidence as to Man's Place in Nature]]'', and [[Charles Darwin]]'s ''[[The Descent of Man]]'' were all important to early paleoanthropological research.
The science arguably began in the late [[1800s]] when important discoveries occurred which led to the study of human evolution. The discovery of the [[Neanderthal]] in [[Germany]], [[Thomas Huxley]]'s ''[[Evidence as to Man's Place in Nature]]'', and [[Charles Darwin]]'s ''[[The Descent of Man]]'' were all important to early paleoanthropological research.


[[Robert Ardrey]]'s four books, ''[[African Genesis: A Personal Investigation into the Animal Origins and Nature of Man]]'' ([[1961]]), ''[[The Territorial Imperative: A Personal Inquiry into the Animal Origins of Property and Nations]]'' ([[1966]]), ''[[The Social Contract: A Personal Inquiry into the Evolutionary Sources of Order and Disorder]]'' ([[1970]]), and ''[[The Hunting Hypothesis: A Personal Conclusion Concerning the Evolutionary Nature of Man]]'' ([[1976]]), explore in depth the significant mid-20th century transition in paleoanthropological studies and methodology.
Many workers have been criticized for not allowing other paleoanthropologists to examine their fossil finds. As Ian Tattersall notes (writing in 2006 Nature volume 441:155), paleoanthropology is distinguished as the "branch of science [that] keeps its primary data secret."


Many workers have been criticized for not allowing other paleoanthropologists to examine their fossil finds. As Ian Tattersall notes (writing in 2006 Nature volume 441:155), paleoanthropology is distinguished as the "branch of science [that] keeps its primary data secret."
==Further Reading==
[[Robert Ardrey]]'s four books, ''[[African Genesis: A Personal Investigation into the Animal Origins and Nature of Man]]'' (1961), ''[[The Territorial Imperative: A Personal Inquiry into the Animal Origins of Property and Nations]]'' (1966), ''[[The Social Contract: A Personal Inquiry into the Evolutionary Sources of Order and Disorder]]'' (1970), and ''[[The Hunting Hypothesis: A Personal Conclusion Concerning the Evolutionary Nature of Man]]'' (1976), explore in depth the significant mid-20th century transition in paleoanthropological studies and methodology.  


==Renowned paleoanthropologists==
==Renowned paleoanthropologists==
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Note: Some paleoanthropologists are also [[paleontologists]] leading different records of scientific descoveries.
Note: Some paleoanthropologists are also [[paleontologists]] leading to different interpretations of scientific discoveries.


==External links==
==External links==
{{Wikibooks|Introduction to Paleoanthropology}}
*[http://www.jqjacobs.net/anthro/paleo/index.html Paleoanthropology in the 1990s]  
*[http://www.jqjacobs.net/anthro/paleo/index.html Paleoanthropology in the 1990s]  
*[http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/homs/index.html Fossil Hominids]
*[http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/homs/index.html Fossil Hominids]
*[http://cogweb.ucla.edu/ep/Paleoanthropology.html#Introduction Many aspects of paleoanthropology]
*[http://cogweb.ucla.edu/ep/Paleoanthropology.html#Introduction Many aspects of paleoanthropology]
*[http://www.becominghuman.org/ Becoming Human: Paleoanthropology, Evolution and Human Origins]
*[http://www.becominghuman.org/ Becoming Human: Paleoanthropology, Evolution and Human Origins]
{{primate-stub}}
[[Category:Physical anthropology]]
[[Category:Paleoanthropologists| ]]
[[es:Paleoantropología]]
[[fr:Paléoanthropologie]]
[[he:פליאואנתרופולוגיה]]
[[ja:古人類学]]
[[nl:Paleoantropologie]]
[[pl:Paleoantropologia]]

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Paleoanthropology is the branch of physical anthropology (often called biological anthropology) that focuses on the study of human evolution, tracing the anatomic, behavioral and genetic linkages of our ancient, usually bipedal, ancestors.

Paleoanthropologists study early hominins through fossil remains, traces, or impressions of ancient life; evidence such as preserved bones, tools, or footprints. Typically, a team is composed of scientists, students, and local workers, representing diverse backgrounds and academic fields.

The science arguably began in the late 1800s when important discoveries occurred which led to the study of human evolution. The discovery of the Neanderthal in Germany, Thomas Huxley's Evidence as to Man's Place in Nature, and Charles Darwin's The Descent of Man were all important to early paleoanthropological research.

Many workers have been criticized for not allowing other paleoanthropologists to examine their fossil finds. As Ian Tattersall notes (writing in 2006 Nature volume 441:155), paleoanthropology is distinguished as the "branch of science [that] keeps its primary data secret."

Further Reading

Robert Ardrey's four books, African Genesis: A Personal Investigation into the Animal Origins and Nature of Man (1961), The Territorial Imperative: A Personal Inquiry into the Animal Origins of Property and Nations (1966), The Social Contract: A Personal Inquiry into the Evolutionary Sources of Order and Disorder (1970), and The Hunting Hypothesis: A Personal Conclusion Concerning the Evolutionary Nature of Man (1976), explore in depth the significant mid-20th century transition in paleoanthropological studies and methodology.

Renowned paleoanthropologists



Note: Some paleoanthropologists are also paleontologists leading to different interpretations of scientific discoveries.

External links

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