Homo Sapiens Rediscovered: The Scientific Revolution Rewriting Our Origins

Drawing upon recent scientific discoveries and advances in the field, British archaeologist Pettitt (Durham Univ.; coauthor of The British Palaeolithic) offers a fresh lens through which to view human evolution. Narrator Julian Elfer’s pleasant British accent combines well with Pettitt’s approachable explorations into paleoarchaeology, creating a listening experience akin to attending a museum lecture for the general public. Though directed toward interested amateurs, those experienced in the field may also benefit from this informative survey, which covers a wide array of human behavior, including art, language, culture, violence, and more. Pettitt has an engaging way of writing about the evidence, making sure that anyone can understand the technologies and philosophies that researchers use to examine human prehistory. While Pettitt speaks of these topics broadly, the book’s strength comes from a focused examination of specific sites, including locations in Africa, Eurasia, Australasia, and the Americas. This detailed investigation into humanity’s evolutionary past is invaluable for listeners who wish to understand humanity’s origins.