What does it mean to be human? Smithsonian East African Research Projects; Evolution; Professor Steve Jones

Following an excellent and entertaining lecture by Professor Steve Jones, FRS, geneticist and science communicator on biology and evolution ("Is Man just another animal? Evolution and us"), I have started exploring further. Some topics which look interesting:

The Human Origins Programme has been conducting research in East Africa for over 25 years. Read about some of the current field projects here, and explore one of the field sites in the Adventures in the Rift Valley interactive.


Human Evolution Research


Genes for Red Hair and More...Neanderthal Genes for Red Hair ...Red-Headed Neanderthals


Neanderthals 'were flame-haired', BBC


Human evolution is over, Professor Steve Jones, UCL

Professor Jones; new Ladybird book, Evolution:

"Part of the new Ladybird Expert series, Evolution is a clear, simple and entertaining introduction to Charles Darwin's pioneering and revolutionary theory of how all life changes through natural selection. Written by broadcaster, prize-winning author and geneticist Professor Steve Jones, it explores the extraordinary diversity of life on our planet through the complex interactions of one very simple theory. You'll discover the common origins of dogs and Brussels sprouts, how it is we're all mutants, where wings, ears and tails came from, why sex is good for you, how some dinosaurs evolved and survived, and why human evolution may finally have stopped".