“Spanning geological deep time and the full sweep of human prehistory and history, this monumental work offers a unique panoramic understanding of Eurasia—not merely as a geographical landmass, but as a dynamic cultural, ecological, and ideological system in perpetual transformation. In the era of climate crises, resurgent nationalism, and contested pasts, this work offers a timely reminder of the deep interconnections between humans and the planetary forces that have shaped them. This is a rare book—scholarly yet readable, expansive yet detailed, provocative yet grounded. It will undoubtedly become a touchstone for future generations of archaeologists, historians, and earth scientists. I recommend it with enthusiasm and admiration.”

—Miljana Radivojević, Associate Professor in Archaeological Science, UCL Institute of Archaeology

“If anything characterises the historical development of the Earth, it is the emergence of humanity, a concept associated with human beings capable of thinking, feeling and acting with foresight. In this book, Evgenij Chernykh, from the privileged vantage point of his many years of archaeological research in Central Eurasia, invites us on a fascinating journey through the history of the formation of the planet, a journey that is essential for understanding and situating the birth of the genus Homo, its evolution and its continental expansion which generated the cultural diversity we know, today. ”

—Salvador Rovira Llorens, retired head of conservation at the National Archeological Museum of Spain

“An impressive panorama of shifts and breakthroughs in the history of Eurasia and an unconventional perspective on how this series of challenges—shaped by both human nature and the nature of the continent—have been overcome.”

—Olga Korochkova, Professor of Archaeology and Ethnology, Ural Federal University