The World Before Us Audiobook By Tom Higham cover art

The World Before Us

The New Science Behind Our Human Origins

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The World Before Us

By: Tom Higham
Narrated by: John Sackville
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A fascinating investigation of the origin of humans based on incredible new discoveries and advanced scientific technology.

Fifty thousand years ago, Homo sapiens was not the only species of humans in the world. There were also Neanderthals in what is now Europe, the Near East, and parts of Eurasia, hobbits (H. floresiensis) on the island of Flores in Indonesia, Denisovans in Siberia and Eastern Eurasia, and H. luzonensis in the Philippines. Tom Higham investigates what we know about these other human species and explores what can be learned from the genetic links between them and us. He also looks at whether H. erectus may have survived into the period when our ancestors first moved into Southeast Asia.

Filled with thrilling tales of recent scientific discoveries, this book offers an engaging synopsis of our current understanding of human origins and raises new and interesting possibilities - particularly concerning what contact, if any, these other species might have had with us prior to their extinction.

Download the accompanying reference guide.©2021 Tom Higham (P)2021 Yale Press Audio Archaeology Biological Sciences Evolution Evolution & Genetics Natural History Nature & Ecology Science Thought-Provoking Paleontology
Fascinating Revelations • Absorbing History • Engaging Narration • Exciting Stories • Intriguing Ideas
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A bit more technical detail than i needed in places. It was still very good

Very good

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Excellent and excitedly informative
Great exploration of the 21st century science that may well revolutionize medicine of the future and proved understanding of how we are, how we were and how we will be.

Discoveries that put us in new light

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Recent archeology and lab techniques bring us up to date on several strains of early humans from around the world.

the Latest on Human Descent

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Very comprehensive in covering our genus, Homo, but also comprehensive in its coverage of new tools and techniques in anthropology and archaeology especially genomics.

Comprehensive and fascinating.

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Many new discoveries that shine a light on who we are and our journey. Technical in the best ways. What an amazing family tree.

Neurophysiologist review

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Fascinating and profound. Expertly written and read. I would highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in human origins.

Excellent and informative

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Outstanding work that gives us SCIENTIFIC origins of Denisovans. Stunning revelations about our human history and migrations based upon eight bones recovered by dedicated scientists. I am waiting with great anticipation for the sequel when more Denisovan remains are recovered and perhaps even the “ghost population” further expanded our understanding. Thank you

FINALLY! Denisovan details Revealed

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I have enjoyed your book thoroughly. You have given me much to ponder and think about. Please keep writing and narrating your books!

Please write more!

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Though the book occasionally does the infuriating celebrity scientist thing of slipping into sappy autobiography, it is mostly full of data and insights that are provided by someone who is both expert and articulate in his field. The reader’s breathy melodramatic reading was at first off-putting, then amusing and finally felt like a genuine passion for the material. I was all set to dismiss the book as more celebrity scientist hubris and discovered I was all wrong. The book is excellent - the product of experts who are deeply devoted to the discovery and understanding of the discipline.

Full of penetrating insight and intriguing ideas

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Loved the information and the pdf to follow along, the stories of some of the people and places in the book keep it conversational at parts to break up the science.
Well read and written!

Awesome information of genetics in recent archeology

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