Overview

This book provides a synthetic overview of all evidence concerning the evolution of the morphology of the human pelvis, including comparative anatomy, clinical and experimental studies, and quantitative evolutionary models. By integrating these lines of research, this is the first book to bring all sources of evidence together to develop a coherent statement about the current state of the art in understanding pelvic evolution. Second, and related to this, the volume is the first detailed assessment of existing paradigms about the evolution of the pelvis, especially the obstetric dilemma. The authors argue that there are many 'dilemmas', but these must be approached using a testable methodology, rather than on the proviso of a single paradigm. The volume clearly contributes to greater scientific knowledge about human variation and evolution, and has implications for clinicians working within reproductive health. A thought-provoking read for students, researchers and professionals in the fields of biological anthropology, human evolutionary anthropology, paleoanthropology, bioarchaeology, biology, developmental biology and obstetrics.

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9781107199576

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Reviews

'The human pelvis is a lens through which so many questions about our evolutionary history can be asked and answered - from the way we enter this world, to the way we walk through it. Three of the world's leading experts on the evolution of the pelvis have joined forces to write the definitive book on the anatomy, variation, development and evolution of a bone that has been central to the human story. Through concise writing, current research and clear illustrations, the authors write a coherent tale about a complicated bone, challenging many long-held beliefs along the way. I devoured this book and, like any great book, it left me with more questions than answers. It is sure to be the starting point for any scholar interested in the evolution of our pelvis and the launching point for all future research on this fascinating and still poorly understood bone.' Jeremy DeSilva, Dartmouth College, New Hampshire 'Understanding of human pelvic evolution has increased dramatically as the fossil record has grown substantially. In this scholarly tour de force, Wall-Scheffler, Kurki and Auerbach pull together knowledge of the pelvis in an excellent synthesis examining data and conclusions from biomechanics, kinematics, fossil evidence, developmental biology, evolutionary theory and beyond. They identify multiple sources of selection on the pelvis, including locomotion, obstetrics, thermoregulation and body size, explicating how developmental, genetic, epi-genetic and evolutionary forces interact to determine pelvic morphology(ies) in living people. They recognise that essentialising childbirth has limited understanding of how anatomy influences obstetrical experiences. Thus, they are appreciative of past and present human variation in pelvic morphology, birth mechanism, body shape and locomotor pattern, realising that ignoring variation masks important patterns critical for understanding. This synthetic book is essential reading for anyone studying human skeletal anatomy, and sets an agenda for future studies of human pelvic evolution.' Karen Rosenberg, University of Delaware

'The human pelvis is a lens through which so many questions about our evolutionary history can be asked and answered - from the way we enter this world, to the way we walk through it. Three of the world's leading experts on the evolution of the pelvis have joined forces to write the definitive book on the anatomy, variation, development and evolution of a bone that has been central to the human story. Through concise writing, current research and clear illustrations, the authors write a coherent tale about a complicated bone, challenging many long-held beliefs along the way. I devoured this book and, like any great book, it left me with more questions than answers. It is sure to be the starting point for any scholar interested in the evolution of our pelvis and the launching point for all future research on this fascinating and still poorly understood bone.' Jeremy DeSilva, Dartmouth College, New Hampshire 'Understanding of human pelvic evolution has increased dramatically as the fossil record has grown substantially. In this scholarly tour de force, Wall-Scheffler, Kurki and Auerbach pull together knowledge of the pelvis in an excellent synthesis examining data and conclusions from biomechanics, kinematics, fossil evidence, developmental biology, evolutionary theory and beyond. They identify multiple sources of selection on the pelvis, including locomotion, obstetrics, thermoregulation and body size, explicating how developmental, genetic, epi-genetic and evolutionary forces interact to determine pelvic morphology(ies) in living people. They recognise that essentialising childbirth has limited understanding of how anatomy influences obstetrical experiences. Thus, they are appreciative of past and present human variation in pelvic morphology, birth mechanism, body shape and locomotor pattern, realising that ignoring variation masks important patterns critical for understanding. This synthetic book is essential reading for anyone studying human skeletal anatomy, and sets an agenda for future studies of human pelvic evolution.' Karen Rosenberg, University of Delaware 'The human pelvis is a lens through which so many questions about our evolutionary history can be asked and answered - from the way we enter this world, to the way we walk through it. Three of the world's leading experts on the evolution of the pelvis have joined forces to write the definitive book on the anatomy, variation, development and evolution of a bone that has been central to the human story. Through concise writing, current research and clear illustrations, the authors write a coherent tale about a complicated bone, challenging many long-held beliefs along the way. I devoured this book and, like any great book, it left me with more questions than answers. It is sure to be the starting point for any scholar interested in the evolution of our pelvis and the launching point for all future research on this fascinating and still poorly understood bone.' Jeremy DeSilva, Dartmouth College, New Hampshire 'Understanding of human pelvic evolution has increased dramatically as the fossil record has grown substantially. In this scholarly tour de force, Wall-Scheffler, Kurki and Auerbach pull together knowledge of the pelvis in an excellent synthesis examining data and conclusions from biomechanics, kinematics, fossil evidence, developmental biology, evolutionary theory and beyond. They identify multiple sources of selection on the pelvis, including locomotion, obstetrics, thermoregulation and body size, explicating how developmental, genetic, epi-genetic and evolutionary forces interact to determine pelvic morphology(ies) in living people. They recognise that essentialising childbirth has limited understanding of how anatomy influences obstetrical experiences. Thus, they are appreciative of past and present human variation in pelvic morphology, birth mechanism, body shape and locomotor pattern, realising that ignoring variation masks important patterns critical for understanding. This synthetic book is essential reading for anyone studying human skeletal anatomy, and sets an agenda for future studies of human pelvic evolution.' Karen Rosenberg, University of Delaware

Author Information

Cara M. Wall-Scheffler is Professor and Chair, Department of Biology, Seattle Pacific University. Her research interests focus around evolutionary tradeoffs throughout the human lineage with a particular interest in mobility strategies. She received the Frameshifter Award for her contributions to science and has published numerous peer-reviewed articles on the evolution of human locomotion. Helen K. Kurki is Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Her research investigates the factors that underlie morphological variation in the human skeleton, with a particular focus on the pelvis. She is currently exploring the use of 3D imaging to analyze the shape of skeletal elements throughout the growth period. Benjamin M. Auerbach is Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, and Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His research has focused on understanding how global human morphological variation has evolved in relation to genetic trait covariances and in correspondence with environmental factors. He currently studies primate evolution through the use of quantitative genetics and biomechanics.

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