'Wonderful ... A remarkably comprehensive biography of the single most important thing we all share - language' - Robin Dunbar
The relationship between language, thought and culture is of concern to anyone with an interest in what it means to be human. In his new book, The Language Puzzle, Prof. Steven Mithen explains how the invention of words, 1.6 million years ago, began the evolution of human language from the ape-like calls of our earliest ancestors to our capabilities of today, with over 6000 languages in the world and each of us knowing over 50,000 words.
Drawing on the latest discoveries in archaeology, linguistics, psychology, and genetics, Steven reconstructs the steps by which language evolved; he explains how it transformed the nature of thought and culture, and how we talked our way out of the Stone Age into the world of farming and swiftly into today's Digital Age.
Steven’s radical new work is not shy to reject outdated ideas about language, but also builds bridges between disciplines to forge a new synthesis for the evolution of language.
PROF. Steven Mithen
Steven is Professor of Early Prehistory at the University of Reading. An award-winning archaeologist, he specialises in prehistoric hunter-gatherers and the earliest Neolithic farmers, with long-term field projects in southern Jordan and western Scotland.
He is a frequent contributor to the London Review of Books, New York Review of Books, New Scientist and the Guardian and has authored over 200 academic articles and books, including The Singing Neanderthals and After the Ice. He was elected as a Fellow of the British Academy in 2004.
'An epic achievement' - Dean Falk , 'A tour de force' - Alice Roberts
Steven Mithen will also be signing copies of his latest book, which will be available to purchase on the night.
This event will take place upstairs in the Nightingale Room at The Grand Central, Brighton. Unfortunately, there is no wheelchair access to the venue.
DOORS OPEN: 7:00pm (£5 on the door)
TALK STARTS: 7:30pm
AUDIENCE Q&A: 8:30pm
BOOK SIGNING: 9:00pm
(Books available to purchase on the night)