The World Before Us

“The who, what, where, when and how of human evolution, from one of the world’s experts on the dating of prehistoric fossils.” —Steve Brusatte, New York Times–bestselling author

A fascinating investigation of the origin of humans based on incredible new discoveries and advanced scientific technology.

Fifty thousand years ago, Homo sapiens was not the only species of humans in the world. There were also Neanderthals in what is now Europe, the Near East, and parts of Eurasia; Hobbits (H. floresiensis) on the island of Flores in Indonesia; Denisovans in Siberia and eastern Eurasia; and H. luzonensis in the Philippines. Tom Higham investigates what we know about these other human species and explores what can be learned from the genetic links between them and us. He also looks at whether H. erectus may have survived into the period when our ancestors first moved into Southeast Asia.

Filled with thrilling tales of recent scientific discoveries, this book offers an engaging synopsis of our current understanding of human origins and raises new and interesting possibilities—particularly concerning what contact, if any, these other species might have had with us prior to their extinction.

“Conveys the thrill of archaeological discovery.” —Alexander Larman, The Guardian

“From lab bench to trench, The World Before Us offers a personal tour of the newest science in palaeoanthropology. Higham’s work on some of the most important and remarkable fossils ever found imbues his account with fascinating detail.” —Rebecca Wragg Sykes, author of Kindred: Neanderthal Life, Love, Death and Art

“Packs in startling discoveries, impressive insights and the occasional debunking of a foolish idea.” —Michael Marshall, New Scientist