The Penguin Atlas of Ancient History illustrates in a chronological series of maps, the evolution and flux of races in Europe, the Mediterranean area and the Near East. From 50,000 B.C. to the fourth century A.D., it is one of the most successful of the bestselling historical atlas series.

Colin McEvedy (1930-2005) was a psychiatrist, historian and demographer. His many books included the Penguin atlases of Ancient History, Medieval History and Modern History, African History, North American History, the Pacific, The Atlas of World Population History (written with Richard Jones) and The Atlas of World History (written with Sarah McEvedy).