New Hominins on the Block: The Rising Star Cave
The Rising Star Cave exploded in the news in September of 2015 after a compliment of mostly female researchers recovered the most extensive collection of hominid remains found from any African site to date. To discuss Rising Star with Dr. Schuldenrein is research team member and New York University professor Dr. Scott Williams.
October 14, 2015 • 56 mins
“Doing the Locomotion”: Human Evolution and the Transition to Bipedalism (Walking)
Perhaps no sub-field in Anthropology has witnessed more dramatic advances in recent years than the study of human origins. Newly discovered hominid Australopithecus sediba has drawn the attention of physical anthropologists for its research potential. Join Dr. Schuldenrein and featured guest, paleoanthropologist Dr. Jeremy DeSilva, as they discuss new perspectives in the locomotion of early apes and pathways to bi-pedalism.
July 24, 2013 • 57 mins
"Unbound": Human Technology and Adaptation
Dr. Richard Currier, author of "Unbound", joins Dr. Schuldenrein to discuss his new book and the adaptations and technologies that allowed humankind to transcend its animal origins.
October 7, 2015 • 58 mins
The Scientific Background to Human Origins Research
In this episode, Dr. Schuldenrein tracks the latest research and developments in the field of Human Origins with our very special guest, Dr. Geoff Clark, Regents' Professor at the School of Human Evolution and Social Change at Arizona State University.
July 25, 2012 • 58 mins
How We Got Here: the Prime Movers in Cultural Evolution
Twenty thousand years ago everyone was living in small, mobile bands – today, everyone is living within a large, bureaucratic, market-oriented state. How did that happen? Join our guest Dr. Peter Neal Peregrine as he discusses cultural evolution and its relationship to population and technology.
January 29, 2014 • 59 mins
Holiday Special: the Archaeology of Christmas
People have been celebrating the winter solstice for a very long time. Our guest, Washington and Lee Assistant Professor Dr. Michael Laughy, explains how and why our ancient ancestors partied during the winter months. Join in and discover how these rites and rituals evolved over thousands of years into our modern Christmastime traditions.
December 25, 2013 • 55 mins
“Whither the Stone Age?”: Stone Tools and the Origins of Us
A listener-requested episode, Dr. Schuldenrein discusses the connection between stone tools and human evolution.
April 25, 2012 • 58 mins
Thanksgiving Special: The Archaeology of Ancient Diets and Environments
Archaeology is especially poised to provide insights into former diets and environments because the remains of foods and plants are often preserved at ancient sites. Our guest, Dr. Linda Scott-Cummings, talks with Dr. Schuldenrein about her work reconstructing natural vegetation histories and researching ancient human dietary patterns.
November 23, 2011 • 55 mins
Our Ailing Ancestors: Uncovering Misconceptions in Paleopathology
Dr. Kate Pechenkina studies how changes in human behavior alter disease distribution and severity in different populations. Join Dr. Pechenkina and host Dr. Joe Schuldenrein as they discuss the study of paleopathology and what it has to contribute to our knowledge of modern maladies.
July 9, 2014 • 56 mins