Name: A dig for humanity's origins
Uploaded: 2008-07-23T08:03:00Z
Duration: 15 min 16 s
Description: Louise Leakey asks, "Who are we?" The question takes her to the Rift Valley in Eastern Africa, where she digs for the evolutionary origins of humankind -- and suggests a stunning new vision of our competing ancestors.

Louise Leakey asks, "Who are we?" The question takes her to the Rift Valley in Eastern Africa, where she digs for the evolutionary origins of humankind -- and suggests a stunning new vision of our competing ancestors.

A dig for humanity's origins

Human beings are just one of many upright-walking apes who have existed over millions of years, with only a tiny fraction of those species surviving today. Fossil discoveries in Africa, including Lake Turkana, show that several human ancestors coexisted, challenging the idea of a simple, linear evolution. Our advanced brains and technology have let our population explode to over six and a half billion, but our evolutionary past reminds us that survival is not guaranteed. Collective intelligence and communication give remarkable power, yet they also raise urgent questions about our future on Earth.

Our Origins Reveal We Are Just One Branch Of Many

A blast to the archaeological past

Africa

ancient world

anthropology

evolution

humanity

paleontology

science

primates

TED Stage Talk

Louise Leakey: A dig for humanity's origins