The carefully selected works in this collection help readers understand the methods, practices, and experiences of some of the top physical anthropologists working in the field today. Each article reflects the contributors' experiences, insights, and opinions in a lively, semi-autobiographical manner. Conveys not only what contributors found, but how they found it and what the experience was like. Brings the experiences and insights of active scholars to practical research matters. Introduces basic concepts of biological evolution and evolutionary theory. Explores our australopithecine and early human ancestors, and considers how and why humans evolved. Considers both the nature and causes of physical variation among contemporary peoples. For anyone interested in learning more about physical anthropology, its methods, and discoveries.