This book is a summary of the landmark conference held in Cambridge in 2005, where specialists in simulations and molecular genetics as well as archaeologists came together to present and evaluate the state of the art, and to discuss future possibilities.

Examines the history and development of primitive societies from their inception to their degradation into class-based structures and potential collapse using the prehistoric cultural centres of the Mesopotamia, the Mediterranean; South Asia; China and Central America as examples.  Also hypo

A detailed survey of palaeoanthropology in China with all major fossil hominid sites described and illustrated starting with Peking Man. by colour photographs of the excavation site, the fossil remains of early man and associated fauna, and the primitive tools recovered.