Human Evolution: The First 200 Million Years

The outcomes of the evolutionary process have a profound impact on every aspect of our daily lives. Human Evolution: The First 200 Million Years examines that process and its results through an interactive experience in which the visitor is the subject. Timely and enlightening, Human Evolution: The First 200 Million Years provides situations that enable visitors to move from knowledge of their individual characteristics to the universality of human features that are based in our evolution.

Human Evolution: The First 200 Million Years traces the last 7 million years of human development, and introduces the visitor to some of the scientists who have helped us understand the natural processes of evolution. The exhibit then examines humans as we are now. More than an anatomy lesson, this section features a 3x life size figure surrounded by interactive media and exhibit components that allow visitors to explore the physical composition of their bodies from an evolutionary perspective. The issues discussed include bad backs and knees, the implications of increasing brain size and helpless babies.

Human Evolution: The First 200 Million Years was designed by the world class design firm of Reich + Petch Design International of Toronto, whose work includes the Smithsonian’s Hall of Mammals in the Museum of Natural History. Exhibit interpretation for Surviving is being done by Blue Sky Design.

Visit the Human Evolution: The First 200 Million Years Website. This website can be customized with your institution's logo and links to your website.

This exhibit is made possible by a grant from the National Science Foundation.

August 27, 2011 – Nov 20, 2011
January 2, 2012 – March 26, 2012
May 5, 2012 – July 28, 2012