The first volume of the History of Humanity covers the period from the origins of humanity to the invention of writing and the beginnings of food production, some five thousand years ago. It is divided into two main sections, structured chronologically: 1. From anthropogenesis to the beginnings of food production Anthropogenesis and the period of Homo habilis and Homo erectus The period of Homo sapiens neanderthalensis and contemporaries The period of Homo sapiens sapiens to the beginnings of food production 2. From the beginnings of food production to the first states Written by over 40 acknowledged experts from around the world this book has a comprehensive bibliography, a detailed index for ease of reference and is lavishly illustrated with 140 black and white plates, 171 figures and 74 maps.