Making Faces

The Evolutionary Origins of the Human Face

Adam S. Wilkins, Sarah Kennedy

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Hardback

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English

Harvard University Press
02 January 2017

Anthropology; Anatomy; Physiology; Evolution

"Humans possess the most expressive faces in the animal kingdom. Adam Wilkins presents evidence ranging from the fossil record to recent findings of genetics, molecular biology, and developmental biology to reconstruct the fascinating story of how the human face evolved. Beginning with the first vertebrate faces half a billion years ago and continuing to dramatic changes among our recent human ancestors, Making Faces illuminates how the unusual characteristics of the human face came about-both the physical shape of facial features and the critical role facial expression plays in human society.

Offering more than an account of morphological changes over time and space, which rely on findings from paleontology and anthropology, Wilkins also draws on comparative studies of living nonhuman species. He examines the genetic foundations of the remarkable diversity in human faces, and also shows how the evolution of the face was intimately connected to the evolution of the brain. Brain structures capable of recognizing different individuals as well as ""reading"" and reacting to their facial expressions led to complex social exchanges. Furthermore, the neural and muscular mechanisms that created facial expressions also allowed the development of speech, which is unique to humans.

In demonstrating how the physical evolution of the human face has been inextricably intertwined with our species' growing social complexity, Wilkins argues that it was both the product and enabler of human sociality."

By: Adam S. Wilkins
Illustrated by: Sarah Kennedy
Imprint: Harvard University Press
Country of Publication: United States
Edition: 1
Dimensions: Height: 235mm, Width: 156mm, Spine: 36mm
Weight: 896g
ISBN: 9780674725522
ISBN 10: 0674725522
Pages: 472
Publication Date: 02 January 2017
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Adam S. Wilkins is the author of The Evolution of Developmental Pathways and editor of the “Perspectives” section of Genetics.

Reviews for Making Faces: The Evolutionary Origins of the Human Face

<i>Making Faces</i> is a highly readable account of how and why the human face is the way it is. Wilkins lucidly weaves together over a century of research on the development, anatomy, and evolution with new provocative ideas.--Daniel E. Lieberman, author of <i>The Evolution of the Human Head</i>