Year of Evolution: “The Origin of Humanness” at the Wagner, 2/26

Posted on | February 22, 2009 | Comments Off

“THE ORIGIN OF HUMANNESS”

An illustrated presentation by Princeton University anthropologist, Dr. Alan Mann

Weeknights at the Wagner, Thursday, February 26th, 4-7 PM, Lecture at 5:30 PM

Celebrating the Year of Evolution

Charles Darwin, observing the babbling of babies, realized that humans have “an instinctive tendency to speak.” From birth we are programmed to learn language. Humans can combine letters and words to create unlimited new meanings, something no other animal can do. Most scholars believe that human language is the single most important feature that sets us apart from other living creatures. It differentiates us from our closest living relatives – chimpanzees and gorillas.

Since spoken language leaves no trace, it is a challenge to pinpoint when and how this feature appeared in human evolution. Scholars like linguists, biologists, anthropologists, and psychologists often wonder when and under what circumstances this unique characteristic evolved. Dr. Alan Mann, physical anthropologist, Professor of Anthropology at Princeton University, and co-curator of the University of Pennsylvania Museum’s exhibit Surviving: The Body of Evidence has met the challenge by finding a source in the prehistoric record that provides tantalizing evidence of the presence of language: art. By examining our ancestors’ earliest works, many of which date back as far at 35,000 years, we can gain insight into and appreciation of our origins.

Join us at the Wagner Institute on the evening of February 26th for an illustrated lecture by Dr. Mann. He will discuss one of his particular interests in the field, the origin of language and its importance in the emergence of the quality of ‘humanness’. Images of artwork found at archaeological sites, especially those in France where Dr. Mann is co-director of the excavation of Middle Paleolithic Neanderthal site, will highlight his discussion.

Dr. Alan Mann’s talk is part of the Institute’s evening lecture series, Weeknights at the Wagner. This program is also presented as a part of the Year of Evolution, a citywide celebration of the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth. Dr. Mann will speak in the historic lecture hall on Thursday, February 26th, at 5:30 PM. There will be a question and answer session immediately following the talk.

Come early to explore the Wagner’s historic building and its unparalleled collections!

The museum will stay open late (4 – 7PM) for this event. The Lecture begins at 5:30 PM.

Reservations appreciated – RSVP to 215-763-6529 x27

Dr. Alan Mann is Professor of Anthropology at Princeton University. He is also Emeritus Professor of Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania and Emeritus Curator of physical anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania Museum. He holds a research appointment in the Anthropology Laboratory of the University of Bordeaux. His primary research interest is in the fossil evidence for human evolution and he has done fieldwork in countries throughout Africa, Europe and the Middle East. He is the author of numerous articles and books for both adults and children.

Museum admission is free. A donation of $8 is suggested for ages 12 and up.

Founded in 1855, the Wagner Free Institute of Science is a museum and educational institution that is nearly unchanged from the nineteenth century. The museum building, a National Historic Landmark completed in 1865, houses a natural history collection begun by William Wagner in the early nineteenth century and expanded by the pre-eminent scientist Joseph Leidy in the 1880’s. The collection includes skeletons, fossils, shells, minerals and mounted animals. The Museum is open to the public Tuesday-Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM.

The Institute’s free public education courses in science are in their 153rd year, making them the oldest program devoted to free adult education in the United States. The Institute also has a strong commitment to children’s education. It offers a range of programs for visiting school groups, and cultivates special partnerships with neighboring inner-city schools.

For more information… www.wagnerfreeinstitute.org

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