Origins Reconsidered: In Search of What Makes Us Human

by Richard E. Leakey, Roger Lewin (Contributor)

Richard Leakey's personal account of his fossil hunting and landmark discoveries at Lake Turkana, his reassessment of human prehistory based on new evidence and analytic techniques, and his profound pondering of how we became "human" and what being "human" really means.

Genres: Science, Anthropology, Nonfiction, Evolution, History, Biology, Archaeology

430 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1992

About the author

Richard Erskine Frere Leakey was a paleoanthropologist and conservationist. He was the second born of three sons of the archaeologists Louis Leakey and Mary Leakey, and was the younger brother of Colin Leakey.

Reviews

[Nick Sutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

One might wonder why they should bother reading a book almost 30 years old about a field that has changed so much even in the last few years? Well, for starters, I’m the sort of person that is not only fascinated by the developing picture of human evolution & the discoveries that have helped to build that picture, but also enjoys reading the stories behind the discoveries, as recounted by those that made them.

Beyond that, much of this book still holds up pretty well. Yes, additional fossil discoveries and mind-blowing technological advances have considerably altered our understanding of many aspects of our origins (that being said, Leakey and Lewin correctly predicted that future discoveries would add complexity to our origin story!). On the other hand, discussion of some of the book’s central questions - specifically the ‘higher’ questions such as the origins of the ‘human essence’ - appears to have advanced much less in the three decades since. What’s more, much of the discussion of humanity’s future direction in the final chapter could have been written unchanged yesterday.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this stuff and I didn't need a degree in archaeology to understand it!

[Aurélien Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard Leakey is the famous anthropologist who, back in 1984, discovered the no less famous 'Turkana Boy'; a nearly complete skeleton of a young Homo erectus having lived about 1.5 millions years ago. Using this fossil as a starting point, Richard Leakey delivers here a fascinating book of popular science, opening up a window upon palaeontology -its successes, its meanderings, its challenges. Himself coming from a prestigious family of palaeontologists (he is the son of Louis and Mary Leakey), in love with his job (of which he gives us to see, not without a certain sense of humour, both the highs and the lows) by focusing first on 'Turkana Boy' he goes back in fact to the roots of what make us human.

Homo erectus was indeed a turning point in our evolution, 'the messenger carrying our humanity'. As he puts it: ''to understand the origins of mankind, one has to understand Homo erectus, its anatomy, biology, behaviours.' That's precisely, then, what he purports to do in here, using the remains of 'Turkana Boy' to gather hypotheses from its way of life to its cognitive and intellectual abilities. You bet, the open and contradictory interpretations, the controversies coming with such endeavour (genetics vs anthropology...) are obviously tumultuous! Having said that, once consensus have been reached the questions being raised turn out to be crucial so as to better understand who we are. Homo erectus might have been an hominid for sure; however, he wasn't human. Chapters about consciousness, culture and language are here deeply engrossing. They, above all, open new trails that may never cease to astonish us when it comes to find out what, exactly, distinguish us from these other hominids now extinct, or, nowadays, our cousins the other great apes.

Fascinating and informative, Richard Leakey tames here the quarrels between experts knowing full well that, nevertheless, we ought to stay humble enough to admit to our own past mistakes and the extend of our current ignorance. A very good read!

[Marc Lamot · Rating 3 out of 5]

It read this a very long time ago. It offers an overview of the most recent (1993!) findings of paleontology, in which Leakey draws from his own experiences. He's fair enough to sketch the many questions that remain. In the final chapter he draws far-reaching conclusions, including in relation with the ecological disaster that is waiting for us.
In the meanwhile I read lots of other books on paelontology, and they clearly illustrate the commitment of the Leakey family in the search for the origins of mankind. But at the same time they stress the unscientific practices that were used, the monopolistic shielding off of the searches they did, and the stubbornly holding on to falsified interpretations. The merit of the Leakey-family within the field of paleontology is ambivalent, and that clearly is an understatement.

[Deborah Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leakey finds a way to describe the complexities of hominid evolution in a way that is as elegant and smooth as his own speaking voice. I was lucky enough to hear him lecture at UNM (before his accident) and he lived up to my hero-worship. His books were one of the reasons I became enthralled with anthropology and this one does not disappoint.

[Czarny Pies · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Origins Reconsidered" is now over thirty years old. Readers looking for an introduction to the current state of knowledge would be better to read "The Complete World of Human Evolution" by Chris Springer and Peter Andrews.
The drawings and photographs are much superior to those in other works that I have read by Leakey. His reflections are of varying quality.

[Josh Friers · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been 20 years since my last anthropology class. This a good way to dust of the cobwebs in my noggin.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The personal fallout between Leakey and his fellow paleo-anthropologist Johanson is evident in both their books and is rather amusing. Johanson's books are more riveting -- more like detective stories -- but Leakey is more philosophical and contemplative. The book quotes Geertz: " One of the most significant facts about us may finally be that we all begin with the natural equipment to live a thousand lives but end in the end having lived but one." And Pascal: " When I consider the short duration of my life, swallowed up in the eternity before and after, the little space which I fill, and even can see, engulfed in the infinite immensity of spaces of which I am ignorant, and which know me not, I am frightened and am astonished at being here rather than there; for there is no reason why here rather than there, why now rather than then... The eternal silence of these infinite spaces frightens me." Leakey's book discusses the evolution of the body, consciousness, language, and culture, and concludes in the end that we're an accident of nature that will pass away as other species have passed.

[Hayden · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect book to both show how similar we are to apes, but also our uniqueness from them and the rest of the animal kingdom, with the complete journey from apes to modern humans. Plenty of very interesting aspects of our evolutionary history.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

The chapter about Lascaux Cave and Altamira intrigued me the most. A compelling read!

[Melissa Kidd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided a few weeks ago that I wanted to read up on anthropology to get ready to go back to school in the department. I picked Richard Leakey's book up by chance but it was probably the best book I could have picked up. Leakey has connected many dots for me. The material is fairly dense if you've never taken an anthropology class before, but if you have it's a fairly simple read, and engaging as well. It didn't feel like I was reading textbook material. It felt like Leakey was trying to inform the entire world about human history, not just those who already know the technical terms. But it wasn't overly simple, either. You have to have a base in the knowledge. I'm going to buy this book soon. I've got dozens of quotes and passages that I know I'll want to look at again soon as I'm studying the topic. Whether you're in the field or just curious this book is a great read.

[Mark Jordan]

This is a wonderful book for those interested in paleoanthropology. Richard Leakey comes from an extraordinary lineage and has experienced some of the most important fossil discoveries in paleopanthropological history. Though the book was written 30 years ago, many of his thoughts are more accurate than a lot of contemporary theorists. His breadth of understanding over millions of years of human and pre-human history is extraordinary.
There are many books written on the pre-history and evolution of humanity. Many are simply a survey of past events. This is the best survey and a very thoughtful look at that survey, putting the discoveries into prospective and speculating intelligently about the course of past evolution.
I consider this a 'must read' for those interested in the subject.

[Brian Engleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty decent read, fit for the layman and the well-read alike. I appreciate the value of Leakey's field experience, his lifetime of learning from parents who basically invented the science of paleoanthropology. He doesn't have a degree, and sometimes you can see the chip on his shoulder from that. He is also prone to flights of fancy from time to time, and he definitely thinks very highly of himself. I could have done without the chapter on how Richard Leakey thinks he disproved the existence of God by digging up some bones. But if you can try to look past his ridiculous ego, Leakey gives us a pretty decent book here.

[Jacques St-Malo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun to read and a great intro to anthropology. The first 9 chapters present a convincing thesis that establishes Homo habilis and Homo erectus as the key transitional species between ape-like and human-like primates. These early Homo species were the first to make stone-flake tools. Earlier hominids such as the australopithecines were, say the authors, little more than bipedal apes. Of course, much research has been carried out since then, so this is quickly becoming outdated as a reference.

[Ruby Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellently written book that had me engrossed for days. I'm giving it 4 stars only because some of the information is now outdated (for example, contrary to the book it has now been proven that homo sapiens and neanderthals interbred), however this is not a failing of the author, as it was published in 1992. Overall it was a really interesting look into the experiences and perspectives of an accomplished paleoanthropologist, and was very educational at the same time.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much more an autobiography of Leakey than an anthropological treatise.

[Rabab Boulaich · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most enjoyable work one can read in science...!

[Madelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading a book about human evolution over 30 years after it was written gives a lot of great insight into how much anthropology has evolved as a discipline since then. I just love it so much!

[Peter Coomber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking (I think).

[Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal book about the biomechanics of our earliest ancestors

[Maleah Grover · Rating 4 out of 5]

A view of fossils and his life.

[George Feliciano · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating tale of the mystery of human origins. Deeply insightful and a thrilling adventure

[Ken Hasner · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has a great interest in evolution and how are ancestors lives and environments shaped the lives we lead today, this was a must read. This was a follow up book that builds upon the groundbreaking work of his first book,"Origins". In it he challenges some of his earlier assertions, armed with the tools of age and experience (wisdom) and further hard research findings. Anthropology is one of those fields that can be terribly dull if not approached correctly but Leakey is one of those rare authors who can make your mind paint a picture from his words. There is a section (which is central to the book) about the fossilized remains of an ancient hominid boy found along the shore of Lake Turkana in Kenya. When you read his description of how the boy may have lived which he derives from fossil evidence and knowledge of local geography and geology, you are take back to that place in the early Pleistocene era and see the water and the reeds and feel the warm breezes that this boy might have felt. This is what a great writer does and it kept me reading and wanting more.

To summarize, if you have an interest in anthropology, evolution, adventure or just want to read something well written and learn a little about our history as mammals, this is a great choice.

[Christina Startt · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

I started this book a year ago, and picked it up whenever fiction began to be too much.

Scientific, philosophical, and entertaining, this book kept me jotting notes and questions down nearly every page. Leakey takes information from his own studies and those of other scholars to explore where we've been, where we are, and where we're going. One of the best things about this book is that he looks at many view points, not just those of paleoanthropologists and archaeologists. Religion and science of all kinds appear in Leakey's quest to explore humanity.

Of course, he ends his narrative without a concrete answer as to the future of Homo sapiens. And it irks, terrifies, and awes me to try and project my mind a billion years into the future. But apparently, all of this is what makes me human.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It's very broad, Leakey covers a lot of ground, not merely the physical remains, but he draws on other scientists' research to talk about language, consciousness, religion, art and culture. The very first chapters seem to jump around a lot; they move back and forth from discoveries to theory, needlesslessly, it seemed to me. But things settled down further in the book, and it was very well written and very interesting. He does often give an opinion on things he's not really qualified to, but it's his book, so I guess that's okay. I had read The First Word, by Christine Kenneally, which talks about some similiar ideas about language and evolution. Her book is more focused and in depth, and equally well written.

[Zjay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leakey recounts his team's discovery of an almost complete Homo erectus fossilized skeleton near Lake Turkana. He takes issue with those who argue that Homo sapiens violently replaced the premodern peoples. There is no evidence of that. Recent DNA analysis confirms his suspicions and suggests some interbreeding may have taken place. Perhaps a less violent type of replacement. This book introduces many of the issues paleontologists and others have been grappling with over the last half century.

[SeaOfSound · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging read about the historical unknown moment when man transformed himself from primitive homo-erectus to free-thinking homo-sapien.

Leaky goes into great detail about the East African fossil, Turkana Boy that he discovered in the 70's and it's relation to brain growth, language and emotional development and the other holy-grail fossils from that era.

If you enjoyed "Guns, Germs & Steel" you'd probably find this just as fascinating.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I realize I read this before not long after it came out in 1992. Much of the information about hominins is outdated now... still, it's based on Richard Leakey's experiences, so it's valuable in that way.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this in 1992 having recently read Lucy's Child by fellow (and sometimes rival) paleoanthropologist Don Johanson. My reading was that Johanson makes a better argument, but I enjoyed reading both sides.

[Noelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great, easy to read, and full of excellent evolutionary anthropology.