Simulating Human Origins and Evolution

First published in 2005, this text explores human origins and evolution using computer simulation.

K. P. Wessen (Author)

9780521397995, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 24 November 2011

258 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.5 cm, 0.38 kg

Review of the hardback: ' … the results presented by Ken Wessen really force us to be sceptical about our human lineage … this book is a good read for everybody with an overly optimistic view of our knowledge of human history …' www.PalArch.nl

The development of populations over time, and, on longer timescales, the evolution of species, are both influenced by a complex of interacting, underlying processes. Computer simulation provides a means of experimenting within an idealised framework to allow aspects of these processes and their interactions to be isolated, controlled, and understood. In this book, computer simulation is used to model migration, extinction, fossilisation, interbreeding, selection and non-hereditary effects in the context of human populations and the observed distribution of fossil and current hominoid species. The simulations described enable the visualisation and study of lineages, genetic diversity in populations, character diversity across species and the accuracy of reconstructions, allowing insights into human evolution and the origins of humankind for graduate students and researchers in the fields of physical anthropology, human evolution, and human genetics.

1. Introduction
Part I. Simulating Species: 2. Overview
3. Simulation design
4. Running the simulation
5. Simulating diversity
6. Simulating migration
7. Discussion
Part II. Simulating Genealogies: 8. Overview
9. Simulation design
10. Simulating a single population
11. Simulating multiple populations
12. Adding genetics to the genealogy
13. Discussion
Part III. Bibliography and Index.

Subject Areas: Human biology [PSX]