Prehistoric life is the archive of evolution preserved in the
fossil record. This book focuses on the meaning and
significance of that archive and is designed for introductory
college science students, including non-science majors, enrolled in
survey courses emphasizing paleontology, geology and biology.
From the origins of animals to the evolution of rap music, from
ancient mass extinctions to the current biodiversity crisis, and
from the Snowball Earth to present day climate change this book
covers it, with an eye towards showing how past life on Earth puts
the modern world into its proper context. The history of life and
the patterns and processes of evolution are especially emphasized,
as are the interconnections between our planet, its climate system,
and its varied life forms. The book does not just describe the
history of life, but uses actual examples from life’s history
to illustrate important concepts and theories.
Over de auteur
Bruce S. Lieberman is a Professor in the Department of
Geology and a Senior Curator of Invertebrate Paleontology in the
Natural History Museum/Biodiversity Research Center (NHM/BRC) at
the University of Kansas (KU), U.S.A. His research focuses on the
study of evolution in the fossil record, including the origin of
animals, macroevolutionary theory, and biogeography.
Roger L. Kaesler passed away in 2007. He was Director of
the Paleontological Institute as well as a Professor in the
Department of Geology and a Senior Curator of Invertebrate
Paleontology in the NHM/BRC at KU. His research focused on
paleoecology and fossil arthropods.