Key Concepts

Come Prepared

Teaching in the Exhibition

Back in the Classroom

Evolution and Human Diversity

What Is a Theory?

How to Read an Evolutionary Tree

Map of the Exhibition

Activities for Students & Teachers

Connections to Other Museum Halls

Glossary & Reference Lists

Standards Correlations

Credits

Connections to Other Museum Halls

Visit other halls in the Museum to broaden your exploration of the evolution and characteristics of humans and other organisms.

Hall of Biodiversity (1st floor)
Explore the astonishing variety of life in the Spectrum of Life. Its 28 groups include more than 1,500 organisms, organized by shared characteristics. Deepen your exploration with the interactives in this section.

David S. and Ruth L. Gottesman Hall of Planet Earth (1st floor)
Geologic study is essential to paleontological study. Explore "How the Earth Evolved" section to learn how fossils have been used to understand Earth's past. Then find the section "How Do We Read the Rocks" (left of large video screen) to understand how rocks are analyzed to determine the age of fossils found inside them.

Hall of Asian Peoples (2nd floor)
Enter from the Hall of Asian Mammals and turn left. Fossils and artifacts found across Asia and Europe chronicle a history of early humans, from Peking Man (Homo erectus) to the development of early human settlements. Note the striking ritual grave of a Neanderthal boy.

Hall of African Peoples (2nd floor)
Explore the culturally rich and diverse continent from which all anatomically modern Homo sapiens first arose. Examine complex artifacts, costumes, and tools developed by many cultural groups adapted to a variety of geographical areas. Consider how African cultures today reflect the history of the longest-human-inhabited continent in the world.

Hall of Eastern Woodlands and Plains Indians (3rd floor)
View a chronology of Paleo-Indian spear points and tools to see a cultural evolution of toolmaking (before entrance).

Hall of Primates (3rd floor)
See humans in context with other primates in this hall. Stop at:

• The siamang display case, which shows the strength and flexibility of the primate shoulder (right of entrance)
  
  
• Illustrations of how the primate skull, senses, and reproduction have changed over time (left of siamang)
  
  
• Skeletons of a young and adult human and chimpanzee (Homo sapiens section)
  
  

Lila Acheson Wallace Wing of Mammals and Their Extinct Relatives (4th floor)
This wing shows the diverse lineage that gave rise to humans. The specimens are displayed according to evolutionary relationships, not chronology. Look for:

• A skull of Proconsul, an extinct primate similar to the common ancestor of humans and apes (Insectivorans, Archontans, and Glires section)
  
  
• The nonlinear evolution of the horse (center of hall)
  
  
• Skeletons of mastodons, cave bears, saber-toothed cats, and other mammals that lived concurrently with Ice Age humans