The Evolution of Human Populations in Arabia: Paleoenvironments, Prehistory and Genetics

VERTEBRATE PALEOBIOLOGY AND PALEOANTHROPOLOGY SERIES VERTEBRATE PALEOBIOLOGY AND PALEOANTHROPOLOGY SERIES Petraglia • Rose Eds. Eric Delson, Eric J. Sargis Series Editors The Evolution of Human Populations in Arabia Paleoenvironments, Prehistory and Genetics Michael D. Petraglia • Jeffrey I. Rose Editors The contemporary deserts of Arabia form some of the most dramatic arid landscapes in the world; yet, during many times in the past, the region was wellwatered, containing evidence for rivers and lakes. Climatic fluctuations through time must have had a profound effect on human population that lived and passed through the region. In this book, paleoenvironmental specialists, archaeologists and geneticists are brought together to provide a comprehensive account of the evolution of human populations in Arabia. A wide range of topics are explored in this book, including environmental change and its impact on human populations, the movement and dispersal of populations through the region, and the origin and spread of food producing economies. New theories and interpretations are presented which provide new insights into the evolution of human populations in a key region of the world. “Readers of this terrific volume will enjoy a great number of studies aimed at tackling major paleoanthropological subjects such as the influence of climate change on past populations and the spread of humans across the peninsula and beyond.” Abdullah Masry, Former Deputy Minister for Antiquities and Museum Affairs, Ministry of Education, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia “Apart from its fame as the birthplace of Islam, astonishingly little is known about Arabia’s prehistory. This landmark volume draws back the veil on the mysteries of Arabia's past, as scholars review evidence of its climate and environment, the Paleolithic to Classical record of its peoples, and the genetic make-up of its modern inhabitants.” Robin Dennell, Department of Archaeology, The University of Sheffield, UK 1 The Evolution of Human Populations in Arabia The Evolution of Human Populations in Arabia Paleoenvironments, Prehistory and Genetics Michael D. Petraglia Jeffrey I. Rose Editors isbn 978-90-481-2718-4 › springer.com AB 3