Re: From the Annual Review of Anthropology.

All,

For your information, these two ‘reviews in advance’, from the Annual Review of Anthropology:

Quote

Jablonski, Nina G. 2004. The Evolution of Human Skin and Skin Color. Annual Review of Anthropology (see below for publication date).

Abstract:
Humans skin is the most visible aspect of the human phenotype. It is distinguished mainly by its naked appearance, greatly enhanced abilities to dissipate body heat through sweating, and the great range of genetically determined skin colors present within a single species. Many aspects of the evolution of human skin and skin color can be reconstructed using comparative anatomy, physiology, and genomics. Enhancement of thermal sweating was a key innovation in human evolution that allowed maintenance of homeostasis (including constant brain temperature) during sustained physical activity in hot environments. Dark skin evolved pari passu with the loss of body hair and was the original state for the genus Homo. Melanin pigmentation is adaptive and has been maintained by natural selection. Because of its evolutionary lability, skin color phenotype is useless as a unique marker of genetic identity. In recent prehistory, humans became adept at protecting themselves from the environment through clothing and shelter, thus reducing the scope for the action of natural selection on human skin.

Antón, Susan C. and Carl C. Swisher, III. 2004. Early Dispersals of Homo from Africa. Annual Review of Anthropology.

Abstract:
The worldwide distribution of our species, Homo sapiens, has its roots in the early Pleistocene Epoch. However, only in the past decade has the evidence been sufficient to overcome the conventional wisdom that hominins had been restricted to Africa until about 800,000 years ago. Indeed, the idea that hominin dispersal was technologically mediated and thus, must correlate with changes in stone tool technology seen at the Olduwan/Acheulean transition, has proven a persuasive hypothesis despite persistent claims for an early Pleistocene hominin presence outside Africa. We review multiple recent lines of evidence that suggest hominin dispersals from Africa in the earliest Pleistocene, if not latest Pliocene, correlated with the appearance of hominins typically referred to as Homo erectus (sensu lato) who carried with them an Oldowan tool technology. Changes in body plan and foraging strategy are likely to ultimately underly these dispersals.

Expected online publication date for the Annual Review of Anthropology Volume 33 is September 16, 2004. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/catalog/pub_dates.asp for revised estimates.

Click HERE for access to the articles.

Jacques Cinq-Mars