Dragon Bones: The Story of Peking Man - Tapa dura

Men killed, stole and died for them. "Dragon bones", coveted throughout China for their medicinal powers, are in reality animal fossils, ground down and sold through back-street apothecaries. This book reveals how they led to the unearthing of Peking Man, one of the most famous hominid fossils of all time. The author presents an historical account of the discovery of Peking Man, bringing to life the excitement of the times and placing the find in context of others such as Java Man. The excavation and subsequent classification of these fossils in the 19th and 20th centuries divided the scientific community and caused enormous controversy in anthropological circles. The account goes on to cover the mysterious disappearance of Peking Man during World War II.

Penny van Oosterzee is an ecologist and science writer, and the only person to win the Eureka Science Book Prize twice. Penny has also won two Whitley Awards. Her previous books include 'The Centre' and 'Where Worlds Collide: The Wallace Line'. She now lives in Darwin, Australia.