Few topics are more compelling to scientists and non-scientists alike than the question of when and how humans came into being and what makes us truly unique. On April 17 and 18, the S.B. Museum of Natural History will host a series of events to examine this at the S.B. Symposium on Human Origins. The following are some upcoming highlights of the celebration:
• Fri., Apr. 17, 2-4:30pm: Scholars Philip Lieberman, Daniel Everett, and Michael Gazzaniga will address the topic How Far Back in Human Evolution did Hominids Acquire Language? at the museum’s Fleishmann Auditorium (2559 Puesta del Sol).
• Sat., Apr. 18, 9am-noon: Scholars Donald Johanson, Bernard Wood, and Thomas W. Plummer will speak on the earliest hominids, recognizing the genus homo, and the evolution of hominid cultural behavior at the Marjorie Luke Theatre (721 E. Cota St.).
• Sat., Apr. 18, 2-4:30pm: Scholars Ian Tattersall, Curtis Marean, and Leslie C. Aiello will speak on Neanderthals, the origins of modern human behavior, and evolutionary theory at the Marjorie Luke Theatre (721 E. Cota St.).
All events are $15 each or $25 for a whole day; pre-registration is recommended. Call 569-3170 for more info.