Name: The search for humanity's roots
Uploaded: 2007-09-18T07:00:00Z
Duration: 15 min 37 s
Description: Paleoanthropologist Zeresenay Alemseged looks for the roots of humanity in Ethiopia's badlands. Here he talks about finding the oldest skeleton of a humanoid child -- and how Africa holds the clues to our humanity.

Paleoanthropologist Zeresenay Alemseged looks for the roots of humanity in Ethiopia's badlands. Here he talks about finding the oldest skeleton of a humanoid child -- and how Africa holds the clues to our humanity.

The search for humanity's roots

The discovery of a 3.3-million-year-old child’s skeleton in Ethiopia has transformed our understanding of human evolution. This ancient girl, named Selam, walked upright but still climbed trees, and her brain was growing slowly much like modern children. Her remains offer the first glimpse of what infants looked like so far back in time, bridging a crucial gap in the fossil record. These findings highlight Africa’s central role in human origins and challenge us to shape a legacy worthy of our ancestors.

Ancient Child Skeleton Reveals the Deep African Roots of Humanity

Africa

anthropology

exploration

global issues

humanity

paleontology

science

evolution

TED Stage Talk

Zeresenay Alemseged: The search for humanity's roots