What's Hot in Human Origins?
Need a fun food-related topic of conversation for Thanksgiving dinner later this week? Listen to this… https://t.co/bcLQKgD0i3
RT @ella_beaudoin: Fun fact: each of these characteristics is something the species is known for! https://t.co/SEcOWJtWcf
Tag yourself. We're Homo sapiens! #MemeMonday
To learn more about our ancestors *real* characteristics, you can ch… https://t.co/3TTXHwu4a2
What Does It Mean To Be Human?
- Sylvia Gisler, Washington, DC
- Mawson, Lichtenstein
- anthony Krajci, horsham Pa
- Matt R, Hudson River Valley, NY
- Danielle, Maryland
- chris, belleville il
- Blaize H, Portland, OR
- Zahra, Shiraz,Iran
- Anne McComas, Bel Air, MD
- Samuel Benjamin Albert, Your Mom's House
- Kevin Horn, Easton, PA
- Shannon Kelley, Fairmont, West Virginia
- Harry, Portland, OR
- Jacob Roden, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Events
Visit the Exhibit
Featured Research
'Hobbits' on Flores, Indonesia
New digs and geological dating in Liang Bua Cave, Indonesia, show that Homo floresiensis, nicknamed the “hobbit” for its small size, became extinct around 50,000 years ago – tens of thousands of years earlier than originally thought.
For Teachers
AP Biology Curriculum Materials
Are you an AP Biology teacher? Click here for freely downloadable curriculum materials aligned to the AP learning objectives that use human case studies to teach core evolutionary principles and a resource to help teachers create a comfortable and supportive classroom environment for teaching evolution.Human Evolution:
Religious Perspectives
The Hall of Human Origins offers a welcoming place to explore one of the most exciting areas of science, the study of human evolution. Despite strong public interest in the science, however, many people find this topic troubling when viewed from a religious perspective. Representatives of diverse religious communities encourage a larger, more respectful understanding of both the scientific evidence and religious belief.
Featured Multimedia
How To Tell a Rock from a Stone Tool
How can you tell if a rock is actually an early stone tool? Watch this video to find out.
Designing the Exhibition
This video takes you behind-the-scenes into the process of designing and building the Smithsonian's Hall of Human Origins.
Fun Facts
Scientists have found a unique human genetic variation on our chromosome 19. It doesn't occur in any other primates, or even in the Neanderthal genome. This gene produces proteins that thwart mental decline in elderly individuals. This seems to be one factor in allowing grandparents help nurture their children’s children.
