The World Before Us

“Fascinating and deeply researched. Higham conveys the thrill of archaeological discovery eruditely and accessibly.”—Alexander Larman, The Observer

“A fascinating insight into groups belonging to the same Homo genus as us that lived alongside us for much of their existence. . . . Higham devotes whole chapters, sometimes multiple chapters, to each extinct hominin group. He packs in startling discoveries, impressive insights and the occasional debunking of a foolish idea.”—Michael Marshall, New Scientist

“A clear and lucid account of how to study archaic DNA. [Higham] tells an engaging story.”—Felipe Fernández-Armesto, Literary Review

“A brilliant exposition of the way in which archaeology and science are completely changing our understanding of early humans. This is essential reading for all interested in our early ancestors and the sheer excitement of their discovery.”—Barry Cunliffe, author of The Scythians and Europe Between the Oceans: 9000 BC–AD 1000

“The World Before Us ventures far beyond fossils and archaeology into the realm of today’s multidisciplinary science. This is a magnificent tour de force making cutting-edge science easily understandable and profoundly entertaining at the same time.”—Brian Fagan, author of A Little History of Archaeology and World Prehistory

“From lab bench to trench, The World Before Us offers a personal tour of the newest science in palaeoanthropology. Higham’s work on some of the most important and remarkable fossils ever found imbues his account with fascinating detail.”—Rebecca Wragg Sykes, author of Kindred: Neanderthal Life, Love, Death, and Art

“A brilliant distillation of the ideas and discoveries revolutionizing our understanding of human evolution. Tom Higham introduces us to a complex world of many human species, whose genes and deeds live on in us today.”—Chris Gosden, author of Prehistory: A Very Short Introduction

“A bang-up-to-date insider’s review of a critical period in the emergence of modern humans. It also provides fascinating, intelligible and authoritative glimpses into a wide variety of new technologies.”—Ian Tattersall, coauthor of The Accidental Homo sapiens: Genetics, Behavior, and Free Will