In Search of Human Origins: A Paleontologist’s Perspective

Molecular evidence indicates that the human evolutionary lineage diverged from that of humans' closest living relatives, the chimpanzees, between 6 and 8 million years ago. Working in parallel, paleontologists have intensified their exploration across the globe to recover spectacular fossil finds that have revolutionized understanding of human evolution. The fossil record documenting the evolutionary history of humans, dating back more than 6 million years, is now one of the best known and most complete of any species. In this talk, Paleoanthropologist Terry Harrison chronicles several important chapters of the human evolutionary story from the perspective of his own fossil-hunting adventures in Africa and Asia.

Speakers

• Terry Harrison, Silver Professor, Department of Anthropology and Director, Center for the Study of Human Origins, NYU

Hosted by

• NYU Abu Dhabi Institute