Our Origins: Discovering Physical Anthropology

by Clark Spencer Larsen

The best introduction to what’s fascinating and relevant about anthropology today
Our Origins does more than any other text to educate students about the value of anthropological study and the ways they can apply it in their everyday lives. Norton, more than any other publisher, promotes student engagement with anthropology. Norton continues to innovate with our unique “Anthropology at Work” and “Anthropology Matters” text features that ensure students connect with the course material and understand the underlying science and why it matters. This pedagogy complements Larsen’s emphasis on introducing students to the most exciting and important discoveries and research happening in the field today. This purchase offers access to the digital ebook only.

Genres: Anthropology, Nonfiction, Science, Textbooks, School, Archaeology, Reference

542 pages, Paperback

Published December 15, 2010

Reviews

[Robin Redden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this textbook along with Introduction to Physical Anthropology by Jurmain, et al. This appealed to the intellectual/writer geek in me and was an interesting exercise to compare the two textbooks. Larsen's was published in 2011 and the other in 2017 (written by a group of 5 authors). The last 10 years has uncovered additional information and new homo species that are not mentioned here and so both texts are slightly out of date at this time (I'm writing a review in 2021). However, 90% of the information is still valid.

This is your basic Anthropology 101 college level textbook with clear, easy to understand language and many great images that bring the topic to life. Fascinating, enlightening, informative. A great refresh and update to my prior anthropology knowledge gained 40 years ago.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as a textbook for a Human Origins class I took this summer and it was one of the more well-written and enjoyable textbooks that I've read. Despite containing a great deal of human history in it's contents, the author's writing style was clear and alive rather than dry and boring. Every now and then they slip in an anecdote about their field work which, I felt, added a little more reality and credibility. It reminded me that the work is still ongoing for information about the origins of humanity.

[Emily Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful textbook! Wonderful, updated information and gorgeous graphics. This book truly helped me understand the world of Anthropology as we know it today. I gained a deeper interest in the course and a passion for the material provided. I highly recommend this for any Anthro teachers, students, or those that are just plain curious.

[Heather Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly interesting and well written. Kept me fascinated and not bored.

[Rylee]

Forgot to log this for December 2021

[annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

read this for my biological anthropology class

[Dejanira Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this textbook and this class. I think I may just want to buy the new edition that's coming out next year xD. Its a binder book(3 holes) so I cant trade it back in but honestly, I wasn't planning on it!

[Leela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This textbook is fantastic and will give you a solid basic understanding of physical anthropology. Usually I trade my books in, but I might just keep this one. :)

[Dalia · Rating 3 out of 5]

great book for anthro enthusiasts with lots of interesting info.

[Rena Holcomb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad~ for a textbook :)