The Geological Evidence of the Antiquity of Man

by Charles Lyell

This 1863 work by an eminent geologist remains among the best accounts of an important branch of knowledge. The majority of the text offers an empirical statement of the evidence available in the mid-19th century regarding human existence during prehistoric times. The rest of the book considers the connection between Darwinian theory. 58 figures.

Genres: Geology, Nonfiction, History, Science

432 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1863

About the author

Sir Charles Lyell, 1st Baronet, FRS was a Scottish geologist who popularised the revolutionary work of James Hutton. He is best known as the author of Principles of Geology, which presented uniformitarianism–the idea that the Earth was shaped by the same scientific processes still in operation today–to the broad general public. He was an influence on the young Charles Darwin.

His scientific contributions included an explanation of earthquakes, the theory of gradual "backed up-building" of volcanoes, and in stratigraphy the division of the Tertiary period into the Pliocene, Miocene, and Eocene. He also coined the currently-used names for geological eras, Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic.

Reviews

[Dylan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 19th century English were such shitty writers. But they science kinda nutty tho

[Matthew Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Principles of Geology, some parts of this book are undeniably tedious. Lyell was a geologist and a surveyor to the core, the man could measure sediments and slopes for days without the slightest hint of boredom. That being said, we’re incredibly fortunate to have had such intelligent individuals devote their lives to this kind of primary research.

I’d recommend this to anyone who fancies themselves capable of tackling the “big questions” over a quick pint. Reading works like this makes you appreciate how little is left to speculation and how meticulous the study truly was, and it’s only gotten more so since.

The book really comes into its own in the last hundred pages: important work, brilliantly concluded. Stick with it, the payoff is worth the patience.