Humans evolved in the dynamic landscapes of Africa under conditions of pronounced climatic, geological and environmental change during the past 7 million years. This book brings together detailed records of the paleontological and archaeological sites in Africa that provide the basic evidence for understanding the environments in which we evolved. Chapters cover specific sites, with comprehensive accounts of their geology, paleontology, paleobotany, and their ecological significance for our evolution. Other chapters provide important regional syntheses of past ecological conditions. This book is unique in merging a broad geographic scope (all of Africa) and deep time framework (the past 7 million years) in discussing the geological context and paleontological records of our evolution and that of organisms that evolved alongside our ancestors. It will offer important insights to anyone interested in human evolution, including researchers and graduate students in paleontology, archaeology, anthropology and geology.

‘The libraries of paleontologists, geologists, and archeologists who work in Africa always have a few dog-eared volumes that reveal their repeated use, … African Paleoecology and Human Evolution will be one of those books, a constant companion to those seriously interested in studying hominin paleoecological contexts and understanding the drivers of human evolution.’

William J. Sanders Source: The Quarterly Review of Biology

‘Anyone interested in human evolution or climatic and environmental changes across Africa, at both spatial and temporal scales, should consider getting a copy of this book as an all-in-one compilation for both palaeo-studies and hominin emergence and diversification.'

Robert Patalano Source: African Archaeological Review