Clive Finlayson

This is a stunningly illustrated journey through the spectacular wildlife of Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar. A Guide to Wild Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar is a unique book that brings together the history of exploration of the Iberian Peninsula in the 19th Century with the current state of its wild places and wildlife. The authors re-trace the footsteps taken by British naturalists based in Gibraltar and Jerez over a hundred years ago. They explore the length and breadth of the peninsula, from the Strait of Gibraltar in the south to the Pyrenees in the north. This exquisitely illustrated book is intended for all those with an interest in the natural history of Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar. It tells the reader where to go to find particular species and to witness natural phenomena like the migration of birds of prey. But it also tells how this has changed, often for the worse, but happily sometimes also for the better. In essence, this book is a 21st Century snapshot of one of Europe's ecologically richest lands.

Los neandertales han atraído la atención popular desde hace mucho tiempo. Se parecían tanto a nosotros, los Homo sapiens, y sin embargo desaparecieron. ¿Por que? La respuesta tradicional es que “noso

Los neandertales han atraído la atención popular desde hace mucho tiempo. Se parecían tanto a nosotros, los Homo sapiens, y sin embargo desaparecieron. ¿Por qué? La respuesta tradicional es que «noso

Clive FinlaysonPart of the southern Iberian peninsula, the al-Andalus region is an area of natural beauty and rare wildlife. This book takes readers on a journey through the region, from the coast and green valleys to the mountains, showing how the land has changed - sometimes for better and sometimes for worse.

"Desde finales de la década de 1980, la teoría dominante de los orígenes humanos ha sido que una «revolución cognitiva» (hace 50.000 años) condujo al advenimiento de nuestra especie, el Homo sapiens.

Los neandertales han atraído la atención popular desde hace mucho tiempo. Se parecían tanto a nosotros, los Homo sapiens, y sin embargo desaparecieron. ¿Por qué? La respuesta tradicional es que «noso

Clive Finalyson The books examines 150 bird species of special interest and the main areas where they can be found. The desciptions give an indication of the status of each species within Iberia and of their more global context. Other bird species which have been recorded in Iberia are also listed and their status summarized. This is a major reference work for those planning to watch birds on the Iberian Peninsula. The book is an appreciation of the extraordinarily rich and varied birdlife of Iberia and a plea for conservation of both species and landscape.

Los neandertales han atraído la atención popular desde hace mucho tiempo. Se parecían tanto a nosotros, los Homo sapiens, y sin embargo desaparecieron. ¿Por que? La respuesta tradicional es que "nosotros eramos mejores", mas capaces, y que terminamos desplazandolos a asentamientos de mala calidad, o acaso eliminandolos violentamente. Sin embargo, no esta claro que sucedio, entre otras razones porque resulta que no solo eran fuertes sino que su cerebro era grande, incluso mayor que el nuestro; de hecho, probablemente podian hablar y eran muy adaptable, caracteristicas estas que habitualmente se han adjudicado en exclusiva a los sapiens. En El sueño del neandertal, Clive Finlayson, en cuyo curriculum se encuentra el haber realizado excavaciones en la Cueva de Gorham (Gibraltar), el ultimo asentamiento conocido de los neandertales, explica por que nosotros sobrevivimos y ellos no, de una forma tan novedosa y rigurosa como fascinante: recurriendo a elementos hasta ahora no utilizados en este dominio, como son los drasticos cambios climaticos que azotaron partes del mundo en que vivian los neandertales hace 70.000 años y que diezmaron y fragmentaron su mundo. En realidad, argumenta Finlayson, si nosotros sobrevivimos fue por una combinacion de capacidad y suerte:

Taking an ecological approach to our evolution Clive Finlayson considers the origins of modern humans within the context of a drying climate and changing landscapes Finlayson argues that environmental change particularly availability of water played a critical role in shaping the direction of human evolution contributing to our spread and success He argues that our ancestors carved a niche for themselves by leaving the forest and forcing their way into a long established community of carnivores in a tropical savannah as climate changes opened up the landscape They took their chance at high noon when most other predators were asleep Adapting to this new lifestyle by shedding their hair and developing an active sweating system to keep cool being close to fresh water was vital As the climate dried our ancestors already bipedal became taller and slimmer more adept at travelling farther in search of water The challenges of seeking water in a drying landscape moulded the minds and bodies of early humans and directed their migrations and eventual settlements In this fresh and provocative view of a seven million year evolutionary journey Finlayson demonstrates the radical implications for the interpretation of fossils and technologies and shows that understa