Indiana Jones: Myth, Reality And 21st Century Archaeology

Perhaps no sub-field in Anthropology has witnessed more dramatic advances that the study of human origins. From the astounding discoveries in the area of mitochondrial DNA to the accelerated pace of hominid finds, the interpretive potential of the hominid fossil record is expanding exponentially. Researchers continue to revise the chronology and complexity of the human origins puzzle. We can track our ancestry to such early forms as the 2 million year old Australopithecus sediba, which is not quite human, yet shares some significant characteristics. This key fossil has drawn the attention of physical anthropologists since its discovery in South Africa in 2008. What can we learn from this enigmatic fossil? How does it and other recent discoveries contribute to what we know about bipedalism? Join us with this week’s featured guest, paleoanthropologist Dr. Jeremy DeSilva, as we discuss recent advances in reconstructing the locomotion of early apes and the pathway to bi-pedalism.