Smithsonian's Human Origins Program

To what degree do the spreading of people and ideas coincide in our past? According to a recent study by Nicholas Antonio da Sivla at Kiel University and colleagues, they may not go hand-in-hand. Looking at two Neolithic groups from six European sites, the team was interested in the degree of genetic relatedness in two archaeologically and culturally distinct peoples. They found that despite being separated by over 200 kilometers, the two groups were genetically homogenous, even closer knit than other groups of similar cultures.

'Patchwork families' existed more than 5,000 years ago, Neolithic DNA reveals Children from previous relationships growing up as siblings in a new family, couples adopting or fostering children: So-called patchwork families are a widespread way of life today. It is considered modern, but is in fact ancient, according to a recent analysis of human genetic material from the Neo...

Chimpanzees, like humans, have an unusually long adolescent period in their growth and development. Racha Reddy at The University of Utah studies the chimpanzees at Ngogo in Uganda to learn more about their behavior, and what it means for our own evolutionary history. In chimps, this period is vital in learning how to behave, and contribute, among adults in their natal group and beyond.

Chimpanzees' unusually protracted and vulnerable adolescences For all the diversity of the human condition, one experience is almost universally painful: adolescence. It's also unusual. Most other species pass from puberty to adulthood quickly, but humans linger for years in a transitional state, not quite children but not quite adults, either.

Are you in South Carolina this weekend? Members of the Smithsonian team will be at the Spartanburg County Public Libraries's Planetarium Learning Center (at the Headquarters Library) for public programs on June 5 and 6 for the Smithsonian's Human Origins Program traveling exhibit. See below for details, and come check it out!

Spartanburg County Public Libraries The 1,200-square-foot traveling exhibition includes more than 40 educational panels, interactive kiosks, hands-on displays, videos, 3-D skull casts and presentations representing groundbreaking research in the scientific study of human origins. “Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to Be Hum...