DNA: Windown into the Human Past May 16, 2008

Nicholas Wade, science reporter for The New York Times, will discuss what the rapidly advancing field of DNA research is revealing about humanity’s past. The ancestral human population of 50,000 years ago may have been very different for present-day people. But it had established the principal institutions of human societies, such as trade, warfare and religion. Humans also had developed a fully articulate modern language, which enabled them to break out of Africa. As they traveled to other regions of the world and adapted to different conditions on each continent, it is clear now the human evolution continued vigorously.

Arrive early and make a night of it. Explore the galleries, grab a bite to eat in the Blue Planet Café, enjoy beverages for purchase, listen to live music and browse in the Museum Store. Hang around after the lecture for book signings by speakers. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Presentations in Murch Auditorium begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are also available the night of the lecture, if they are not already sold out. Adults $10; Children, seniors or college students with ID $9. For reservations, call the Museum box office at 216-231-1177 or 800-317-9155, ext. 3279.

Official Website: http://www.cmnh.org