Prehistoric Life

Prehistoric Life

The history of life on Earth spans 3.8 billion years. As visually alluring as it is informative, Prehistoric Life celebrates this remarkable saga like no other book. Thousands of color photographs and computer-generated images accompany the informative text to recreate a vision of species long vanished. In the first of the book’s three main sections, we cover evolution and the classification of life on Earth as well as the nature of the fossil record. What types of fossils are there, and how do they form? What is the timeline of evolution, and how are organisms classified? The answers are given here. The second section—comprising the bulk of the book—features an extensive catalog of prehistoric life forms, organized chronologically by geological period. Beginning with the Archaean (3.8-2.5 billion years ago), we encounter the microorganisms, plants, invertebrates and vertebrates at home in each era. Spectacular double-page spreads showcase some of the most amazing fossil finds; while computer-generated images bring a magnificent menagerie of creatures to life, from Edmontosaurus to fossil fish. The book’s final section looks at the development of humans and the eventual rise to dominance of Homo sapiens, exploring not only our changing anatomy as revealed by fossils but also the evidence for culture and society as revealed by cave paintings and artifacts. Prehistoric Life is sure to delight anyone interested in the creatures that once called Earth home.

Hardcover: 512 pages

Publisher: Dorling Kindersley, Inc. ( October 01, 2009 )

Item #: 52-8548

ISBN: 9780756655730

Product Dimensions: 9.875 x 11.75 x 0.0 inches

Product Weight: 93.0 ounces