{"title":"Elsa Panciroli","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to our collection featuring works by the brilliant \u003cem\u003eElsa Panciroli\u003c\/em\u003e, a renowned author and palaeontologist who has a knack for bringing ancient worlds to life. As an expert in the field of Science \u0026amp; Nature, Elsa offers a fascinating glimpse into the deep past of life on Earth, making complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging for readers of all backgrounds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the standout books in this collection is \u003cstrong\u003e\"Beasts Before Us\"\u003c\/strong\u003e. This captivating book delves into the history of the animal kingdom, charting the evolution of vertebrates long before the age of dinosaurs. With her unique storytelling ability, Elsa Panciroli provides a window into the dynamics of prehistoric ecosystems, revealing the stories of the extraordinary creatures that roamed the Earth millions of years ago.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eElsa's works are not just informative; they spark curiosity and wonder about the natural world, making them an essential read for anyone interested in the origins of life and the fascinating journey of evolution. Whether you are a seasoned science enthusiast or a curious newcomer, Elsa Panciroli's collection is sure to enrich your understanding and appreciation of nature's incredible history.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"beasts-before-us-by-elsa-panciroli-9781472983985","title":"Beasts Before Us","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFor most of us, the story of mammal evolution starts after the asteroid impact that killed the dinosaurs, but over the last 20 years, scientists have uncovered new fossils and used new technologies that have upended this story.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eBeasts Before Us\u003c\/i\u003e, palaeontologist Elsa Panciroli charts the emergence of the mammal lineage, Synapsida, beginning at their murky split from the reptiles in the Carboniferous period, over three hundred million years ago. They made the world theirs long before the rise of dinosaurs. Travelling forward into the Permian and then Triassic periods, we learn how our ancient mammal ancestors evolved from large hairy beasts with accelerating metabolisms to exploit miniaturisation, which was key to unlocking the traits that define mammals as we now know them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eElsa criss-crosses the globe to explore the sites where discoveries are being made and meet the people who make them. In Scotland, she traverses the desert dunes of prehistoric Moray, where quarry workers unearthed the footprints of Permian creatures from before the time of dinosaurs. In South Africa, she introduces us to animals, once called ‘mammal-like reptiles’, that gave scientists the first hints that our furry kin evolved from a lineage of egg-laying burrowers. In China, new, complete fossilised skeletons reveal mammals that were gliders, shovel-pawed Jurassic moles, and flat-tailed swimmers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis book radically reframes the narrative of our mammalian ancestors and provides a counterpoint to the stereotypes of mighty dinosaur overlords and cowering little mammals. It turns out the earliest mammals weren’t just precursors, they were pioneers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46854037209324,"sku":"9781472983985","price":34.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/11977373482712.jpg?v=1759232222"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/elsa-panciroli.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}