African Paleoecology and Human Evolution

Humans evolved in the dynamic landscapes of Africa under conditions of pronounced climatic,
geological, and environmental change during the past 7 million years. This book brings together
detailed records of the paleontological and archeological sites in Africa that provide the basic
evidence for understanding the environments in which we evolved. Chapters cover specific sites,
with comprehensive accounts of their geology, paleontology, paleobotany, and their ecological
significance for our evolution. Other chapters provide important regional syntheses of past eco-
logical conditions. This book is unique in merging a broad geographic scope (all of Africa) and
deep time framework (the past 7 million years) in discussing the geological context and paleonto-
logical records of our evolution and that of organisms that evolved alongside our ancestors. It
will offer important insights to anyone interested in human evolution, including researchers and
graduate students in paleontology, archeology, anthropology, and geology.