ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a broad introduction to the sequence of human evolution and the main causes of changes. There is particular focus upon the debates around the point at which our ancestors started to behave in a way we would consider ‘human’ and around the circumstances in which our own species, Homo sapiens (wise man), developed, and in particular, our relationship to other species such as the Neanderthals. The Dolni Vestonice key study introduces themes which are explored further over the next five chapters.
