Reconstructing Human Origins

Glenn C. Conroy (Ph.D. Yale University) has served as Course Master of Human Anatomy and Development in the Medical School at Washington University, where he is professor of anatomy and anthropology. His research analyzes paleontological evidence for primate evolution, particularly over the past 15 million years of Earth history. Of particular interest is the time period between 15-5 mya, the temporal framework within which humans and African apes diverged. His research team in Namibia has discovered the first Miocene hominoid ever found in sub-equatorial Africa and has also collected one of the most extensive middle Miocene faunas from Africa. He is author of Primate Evolution (1990) as well as numerous research articles. Herman Pontzer (Hunter College) focuses on linking functional morphology to ecology in hominoids. His current research focuses primarily on the relationships between limb design, locomotor performance (especially locomotor energetics), and ranging ecology. He is also involved in the ongoing excavations in the Lower Paleolithic site of Dmanisi in the Republic of Georgia.