The Greatest Show on Earth: Human Evolution and Our Species Today

Erin Waxenbaum, Ph.D., will speak on the topic, The Greatest Show on Earth: Human Evolution and Our Species Today.  What is the story with all those crazy skulls we see on the news when the newest, greatest discoveries hit the press?  What do we do with all this evidence of bones that do not resemble anyone living today?  Did humans really evolve from monkeys?  We will discuss the true connection between humans and our closest relatives in the animal kingdom and explore how anthropologists decide who demonstrates evidence of our ancestry vs. other living non-human primates.  We will look at examples from the fossil record to discuss how we know what we know. Are humans special? This is a common question when thinking about our place in the world. We will explore in what ways humans are unique and not and what it means for our future.

Erin B. Waxenbaum is a biological anthropologist and board certified (ABFA) forensic anthropologist whose research focuses on human skeletal variation.  She acquired a B.A. and M.A. at Brandeis University and completed her Ph.D. at University of Florida.  She is currently an Associate Professor of Instruction in the Department of Anthropology at Northwestern University.  Additionally, Waxenbaum serves as a Research Associate for the Field Museum of Natural History and the Forensic Anthropologist for Cook County’s Medical Examiner’s Office and numerous Coroners’ Offices throughout Illinois.

After services, from 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM, we will open Zoom for informal general discussion, as well as an opportunity to join a conversation group with Erin Waxembaum.

Please note: this service will be hosted via Zoom.