Our Shared Origin Story: From Human Origins to the Neolithic Revolutions

The humanities and social sciences are built upon fundamental questions of what it means to be human, and what the major turning points were that led to our modern species. This Engaging with Experts conversation with Wellesley College Professor of Anthropology Adam Van Arsdale examines the archaeological record in order to explore the long history of human development. From Homo sapiens’ emergence in Africa to our global migrations, this session focuses on the bodies and brains that enabled the invention of tools, harnessing of fire, creation of art and language, and Neolithic Revolutions that changed human beings and the natural world — with all the seismic consequences along the way.