The Palaeolithic Origins of Human Burial

The Palaeolithic Origins of Human Burial is a groundbreaking book that sheds light on the earliest forms of human mortuary practices, offering a comprehensive survey of burial customs from the Paleolithic era to the end of the Pleistocene.

With a novel approach that combines palaeontological and archaeological records, this book provides an engaging contribution to the debate on modern human origins. Throughout the book, you will discover: ✦ The earliest forms of burial practices in the Ice Age, including observations from chimpanzees to understand 'core' areas of behavior towards the dead. ✦ A comprehensive survey of mortuary activities of early hominins, archaic members of the genus Homo, early Homo sapiens, Neanderthals, and more. ✦ The evolution of symbolic aspects of mortuary ritual and when the dead themselves became symbols. ✦ Up-to-date examples from the Lower to Late Upper Palaeolithic, including information hitherto unpublished. Written by Senior Lecturer in Palaeolithic Studies Paul Petal, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the origins of human burial practices and their significance in shaping modern human culture.

With its comprehensive approach and engaging writing style, The Palaeolithic Origins of Human Burial is sure to captivate readers and provide new insights into this fascinating topic.