The Story of Us WrldofPaleoAnth

On this episode #TheStoryofUs, we are joined by well-known Paleoanthropologist Professor John Shea, a prominent lithic and survival expert. We talk about his new book, The Unstoppable Human Species. It details our evolution and survival through the lens of function over what was required to survive in the harsh environments that our forebears found themselves in. We learn about stone tool industries, what they are, and what they are not. We travel through time and see what it would have been like to be in some of the situations that our ancestors were in, and to see how we would deal with it today – to realize it is not all that different! We had a great chat; I loved having Dr. Shea on, and his book was a joy to read, and I can’t wait for you guys to watch this chat and learn something new! I know I sure did! Remember, there is always more to learn!

When I heard about this book, I did not truly understand what it would be and how profoundly it would affect my view and understanding of topics from religious beliefs to how and why Anthropology is for me. Humans: Perspectives on our Evolution from World Experts by Sergio Almécija is an amalgamation of sage advice from over one hundred anthropologists worldwide. I may be a little biased when I say this, but I do not think there is a better group of people to learn life lessons from. But who am I to say? This is not a storybook; there is no happy ending or climax. It is a book of advice on how Anthropologists have discovered and viewed our evolution—the lessons our ancestors have imparted upon them and the constant search for our origins.

In Humans, the author has interviewed 103 Biological Anthropologists to obtain their thoughts on various subjects. He asked the anthropologists a series of questions to prompt them to discuss a topic, such as their beginnings, views on religion, driving factors, inspirations, and so much more. We get insider views on these people that many views as untouchable in the ivory tower. I think that this book does many great things. Still, the most critical thing that it accomplishes is that it brings the scientists and researchers down to a level that other humans can understand and feel that they can, hopefully, on some level relate. Humans get humanity back into the science that, for so long, has been askew. This science is about people; Anthropology is the study of human beings and our ancestors. It would be unfortunate if those who contributed to science were too hard to relate to modern humans. This book gives us the insight that they are not as separate from the rest of us as we once thought. Knowing this, the average Jane and Joe can participate in science in a whole new way, not feeling that they do not belong and that there is a place for them and their ways of thinking.

Anthropology is a science of welcoming differences, competitive spirits, and more questions than answers. It is good to hear some of our questions cause these great minds to pause and think, and their solutions, while sometimes abrasive, give us different ways to think about these issues than we may have prior. For many, they will be able to find solace in knowing they are not the only ones to believe in such ways. Big questions like, ‘can one be an anthropologist and still believe in god?” This is a question tackled by many of the participants. You will expect some of the answers, but you will be pretty surprised by others.

The wide range and diverse group of anthropologists that the author brought in for these interviews provide a healthy look at the anthropological community. If you want to know who anthropologists are and how they think, this will be a fun and excellent read for you!

Join me on this short video as I discuss a very important piece of news that came out just this week, and understand the implications and consequences of mishandling of Human remains.

Learn more: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02fVUXze6sYgTaG9GfBCCW1rGXbNviJLex1mbGbmL4sdhvLnxYPRV3phLL8E6RUBYRl&id=100027996365495&mibextid=ncKXMA

Want to learn more about Paleoanthropology? Visit www.worldofpaleoanthropology.org

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Dr. Alberg is a vertebrate paleontologist at the University of Uppsala, where he has found a passion for paleoanthropology.

For this interview, I bring him on the show to talk about something that many anthropologists fill find controversial, but I wouldn’t say I like playing where it’s safe. I like to explore and learn new things, so in this episode, we will do just that and talk about something that most anthropologists will shun, and for a good reason.

Today we will be talking about the 5.7 million-year-old footprints on the island of Crete in Greece that some believe belong to the first, if not an early, biped on its way into or out of Africa.

If true, we will have a whole new understanding of bipedalism.

Be sure to catch our other episode, where we talk to Dr. McNutt and her work on the Laetoli fossils, which we discussed quite a bit in a previous episode, and her mentor Dr. Jeremy DeSilva in an earlier episode, where we talk about the origins of upright walking.

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Thanks!

Contact Dr. Alberg for the fossil information here: Per.Ahlberg@ebc.uu.se

This episode will not be the most fun out of my videos, but it is one of the more important, as it lays the groundwork for one of the most essential rules in Archaeology and Anthropology.

Without these sets of ethics, and ways of viewing new and past discoveries, as well as what has been made absent from the record due to looting, must be repatriated and come back together if we are to do justice to the cultures and communities to which these items their ancestors created, or even in some cases, are the actual remains of the populations now living in the same area.

There is a lot to learn about this, I do not cover it all here, but I encourage every one of you to never take an item from an archaeological site, a fossil site, or any location designated as a site for all humans to come to visit, and learn.

Every piece that is taken is taken from all of us.

Well, the first of the flow of new H.naledi news has begun! We now know that, beyond a doubt, this species of hominin was using fire to light their way, cook their food, and perhaps even perform some version of ceremony.

While there are probably more questions to be answered than we had, we know much more about this species.

They had a culture, how advanced we have no idea yet, but a culture nonetheless. They were organized, knew what they were doing, and even cared for their dead.

What we have learned about this species has ignited and now reignited the love of paleoanthropology for so many people. We have such a great team of experts to thank for that.

Watch on to learn more about this amazing discovery!