Preface to Volume 1, Second Edition

Abstract

Although in the 7 years since the appearance of the first edition of the Handbook of Paleoanthropology there have been no paradigmatic changes in paleoanthropological thinking, the field has been energized by numerous theoretical developments (e.g., epigenetics, symbolism), methodological innovations (e.g., virtual anthropology, paleogenetics), and highly innovative collaborative approaches to paleoanthropological research (e.g., NESPOS, EVAN). There have additionally been exciting new paleogenetic (e.g., the Neanderthal genome, Denisovans), fossil (e.g., Australopithecus sediba) and artifactual (e.g., Swabian Venus of Hohle Fels) findings that provide more than enough reason for an update. This second edition has also given us the chance to integrate additional contributions too (e.g., on Charles Darwin, paleoanthropology, and the modern synthesis; the relationship of paleoanthropology and genetics; the evolution of speech and language; virtual anthropology and biomechanics; the investigation of human fossils using medical technologies; and facial reconstruction in paleoanthropology).