Tato kniha se zabývá zajímavými současnými tématy v oboru antropologie. Autory jsou uznávaní odborníci ze Španělska, České republiky a Belgie a kniha tak nabízí čtenářům dobrý přehled v oblasti moderní antropologie. V širokém obsahu najdeme témata od růstu a vývoje člověka po genetiku, od evoluce člověka po populační genetiku a nebo aplikovanou antropologii. Kapitoly jsou rozčleněny do 4 sekcí: 1. Jak definovat antropologii, 2. Evoluce, 3. Od růstu ke stárnutí, 4. Antropologie a společnost a 5. Aplikovaná antropologie.Publikace je doplněna mnoha tabulkami, grafy a obrázky.
LIST OF AUTHORS
PREFACE
1. HOW TO DEFINE ANTHROPOLOGY (Susanne)
2. EVOLUTION
2.1. The Evolution of Mankind (Šmahel)
2.2. Fundamental Principles of Human Heredity with Focus to Basic Methods Investigating Transmission of Genetic Traits (Marvan)
2. 3. Genetics of Human Population (Susanne)
2.4. Biodemography (Peňa)
2.5. On the Concept of Race the Human Diversity (Rtebato)
3. FROM GROWTH TO SENESCENCE
3.1. Child Growth and Development (Sedlak & Bláha)
3. 2. Onthogenetic Development of the Man (Sedlak & Bláha)
3.3. The Endocrine Regulation of Growth and Development (Sedlak & Bláha)
3.4. Biological Age (Sedlak)
3. 5. Anthropology and Nutrition (Marrodán)
3.6. The Secular Trend in Physical Anthropology (Rebato)
3.7. Senescence, Ageing Populations and old Age (Bernis)
4. ANTHROPOLOGY AND SOCIETY
4.1. Heritability of the Anthropometric Traits (Rebato & Salces)
4. 2. Variability of the Human Genome and its Applications in Judicial Medicine (Mazura)
4. 3. Anthropology and Heahth (Vígnerová & Bláha)
5. APPLIED ANTHROPOLOGY
5.1. Functional and Ergonomie Anthropology (Bláha)
5.2. Criminalistic Anthropology (Eliášová)
5.3. Clinical Anthropology (Šmahel)
5. 4. Applied Anthropology in Obesitology (Bláha)
5.5. BMI and Matiegka's Equations (Bláha)
The volume deals with important current anthropological topics. Indeed, it treats Anthropology as the Natural History of Man, in a purely naturalistic vision of the relationship of Man with the Environment. Particularly interesting from this perspective is the consideration of Ergonomics, as the study of the constructed environment.
The text moves from the past to the present, considering both biological and cultural aspects and dealing with the main topics ofevolution, human variability and Man's biotransformations. An analysis of the single chapters reveals an uncommon ability to synthesize scientific knowledge and innovative anthropological topics in a clear and pleasing manner.
The topics range from evolution to the biological structure and genetics of current populations. The rhythms of growth and ageing are also considered, and the clinical references to health, physical activity and nutrition are very interesting.
The text is an excellent reference source for Anthropology students, who will find much food for thought and many ideas for applied studies. It is a useful tool for the study of Anthropology as a synthetic discipline that interfaces with other biological disciplines to provide a global vision of the history of Man.
The book is of great educational value because it is thought provoking and provides detailed knowledge about the position ofMan in Nature and their interactions.
Z recenzního posudku: Emma Rabino Massa, Full Professor of Anthropology University of Turin
The book is written by distinguished and well known scholars mainly from Spain and the Czech Republic, with the exception of one from Belgium. The text is written in English which makes it accessible to interested readers from many countries. It is highly recommended.
The chapters are subdivided into four sections: 1) How to define anthropology (c 6 pages), 2) Evolution (c 120 pages), 3) From Growth to Senescence (c 130 pages), 4) Anthropology and Society (c 40 pages), and 5) Applied Anthropology (c 25 pages).
The chapters cover a wide area of biological/physical anthropology with a particular focus on human biology related to living populations. This is only natural as most contributors specialize in genetics and related topics. As an anthropologist whose main area of research is palaeoanthropology related to human remains it is pleasant to find a very informative chapter on the "Evolution of Mankind" in this book. In addition to this, I also find many interesting and readable chapters of which many cover a genetical approach.
The book is dedicated to students who would certainly benefit from an index of subjects in the back, as well as suggestions for contemporary literature related to the various chapters. However, it is my guess that many professionals will be deeply interested in the book as well.
Z recenzního posudku: Pia Bennike, Assoc. Professor M.Sc., Ph.D.
