The Evolving Human Female: Leakey Foundation Symposium-SOLD OUT

A human female is born, lives her life, and dies within the span of a few decades, but the shape of her life has been strongly influenced by 50 million years of primate evolution. After an introduction by primatologist Kelly Stewart, pioneering anthropologist Adrienne Zilhman will give the keynote presentation, titled "The Real Females of Human Evolution". Zihlman's research has had major impacts on the fields of physical anthropology and human evolution. In the 1970s, her critique of the "Man the Hunter" model opened the way for researchers to incorporate the role of females in hominid biological evolution and in human cultural development, an approach that has since become mainstream. Chaired by Leslea Hlusko, the Paleoanthropology session will feature an overiew lecture by Daniel Lieberman, titled "Millions of Years of Moms," and a case study lecture by Dean Falk on "The Role of Prehistoric Mothers in the Evolution of Language". The Behavioral session, chaired by Jill Pruetz, consists of an overview lecture by Joan Silk on "The Natural History of Social Bonds". Dorothy Cheney will discuss "Primate Social Cognition" for the case study lecture. For the afternoon keynote, Robert Martin will discuss "The Evolution of Mothering: How Long Should A Mother Suckle Her Baby?". Chaired by Brooke Scelza, the Hunter-forager session will have an overview lecture by Kristen Hawkes on "From Men's Hunting to the Importance of Grandmothers: Lessons About Human Evolution from the Behavioral Ecology of Foragers", and a case study by Rebecca Bliege Bird titled "Beyond Woman the Gatherer: Women's Cooperative Hunting, Sharing and Social Networks in Aboriginal Australia". Speakers will discuss the female experience in the context of research areas funded by The Leakey Foundation.This special symposium is generously sponsored by Jean and Ray Auel, Gordon Getty, and with support from Wells Fargo Bank. 

Live Streaming: Watch Live + get 30 days unlimited, on-demand access to this symposium when you sign up online for $14.95. We are pleased to be able to offer this option to supplement our limited seating capacity.