Timothy M. Ryan

Bones are fascinating and complex living structures. They are essential structural components of vertebrates. They inspire interest and awe, and at times provoke fear and apprehension, in young and old alike. In fossilized form, they provide amazing and unique evidence for our evolutionary history. Importantly, bones provide an unparalleled record of health and behaviors throughout our lives. This book was a revelation to me early in my study of human and primate skeletal biology, inspiring my early interest in understanding bone form and function within an evolutionary context. I dedicate this book to all those interested in the wonders of the natural world, biological complexity, and the form/function relationship that has the potential to reveal interesting details of our evolutionary history.