Introduction to Physical Anthropology

Designed for college students and higher education instructors, Introduction to Physical Anthropology, 15th Edition provides a clear framework for analyzing human evolution and the biological place of the human species. The text introduces students to core scientific methods, foundational theories, and major research fields within biological anthropology.

The text organizes essential biological evidence into distinct academic topics for study. Core thematic coverage spans primate behavior and morphological structures, skeletal analysis in osteology, and the complex patterns of biological human variation observed across global populations.

Authors Robert Jurmain, Lynn Kilgore, Wenda Trevathan, Russell L. Ciochon, and Eric J. Bartelink present updated scientific findings detailing developments in genetic technology, recent fossil hominin discoveries, and ancient DNA research on Neanderthals, Denisovans, and modern humans. Designed for undergraduate study, this volume offers structured support for students entering biological anthropology and related higher education courses.