A Natural History of Human Longevity

The evolution of human longevity remains a curious puzzle. Relying on the anthropological study of subsistence societies as an imperfect lens for gaining insight, UCSB Professor of Anthropology Michael Gurven, Ph.D., will provide some new perspectives on the why and how of longevity over the course of human evolution. In a free public lecture presented by the Santa Barbara County Archaeological Society at Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Dr. Gurven will combine ethnographic, demographic, and biomedical studies to shed light on the timing and significance of the transition from “asset” to “burden” in late adulthood, with implications for navigating the global “Gray Wave” of population aging. Gurven argues that our evolved human lifespan is about seven decades, and that the multifaceted contributions of middle-to-older aged adults is part of the reason why.

Gurven is the author of Seven Decades: How We Evolved to Live Longer, published by Princeton University Press.

No tickets or reservations required, but it is recommended to arrive a little early to ensure a seat. For more information, contact sbcas@sbnature2.org.

Photo courtesy Michael Gurven