Evolutionary theorists have linked humans' long periods of childhood dependency and post-reproductive life to brain development, learning, and distinctively human social structures. However, the patterns in life history variation and paleoanthropological evidence challenge these arguments. How can scholars identify and explain the peculiar features of human life history, such as the rate and timing of processes affecting survival and reproduction? When and why did uniquely human patterns evolve? This volume brings together specialists in the behavioral ecology and demography of hunter-gatherers; human growth, development, and nutrition; paleodemography; human paleontology; primatology; and the genomics of aging to address these questions. In attempting to specify the life history features that distinguish humans from our closest primate relatives, they review alternative explanations and consider multiple lines of evidence for testing them. This volume sets the agenda for future research on this topic.

Plasticity refers to the ability of many organisms to change their biology or behavior to respond to changes in the environment. Humans are probably the most plastic of all species, and hence the most variable. This is the first book to examine the history of research in this area and it provides information on state-of-the-art research methods and discoveries. It also maps out some areas of future research in human plasticity and variability. Topics discussed include child growth, starvation, diseases of both young and old, and the effects of migration, modernization and other life-style changes. The book will be especially useful to biological anthropologists, human biologists and medical scientists interested in knowing more about how and why humans vary.

Plasticity refers to the ability of many organisms to change their biology or behavior to respond to changes in the environment. Humans are probably the most plastic of all species, and hence the most variable. This is the first book to examine the history of research in this area and it provides information on state-of-the-art research methods and discoveries. It also maps out some areas of future research in human plasticity and variability. Topics discussed include child growth, starvation, diseases of both young and old, and the effects of migration, modernization and other life-style changes. The book will be especially useful to biological anthropologists, human biologists and medical scientists interested in knowing more about how and why humans vary.