Man, Past and Present

A scientific publication written in the late 19th century. This comprehensive work delves into the evolutionary history of humanity, exploring the physical and cultural development of various human groups from prehistoric times to the present. The primary focus of the book is on the classification of human types and the factors influencing their development, particularly the role of environment and migration. The opening of the book presents foundational concepts regarding human evolution, specifically the idea that all modern human varieties descend from a common ancestral form originating during the Pleistocene era. Keane discusses early migrations, anatomical findings related to pivotal fossils, and the ongoing debates about monogenism and polygenism among anthropologists. He emphasizes how the existing human varieties are the outcomes of adaptations to different environments over extensive periods, setting the stage for a meticulous examination of mankind's past and the complexities of its classification in the chapters to follow.