Photograph by Chris Johns
Photograph by Chris Johns
One of the most accomplished scholars of human origins, Donald Johanson has produced some of the field’s most groundbreaking discoveries, including the most widely known and thoroughly studied fossil of the 20th century, the 3.2-million-year-old “Lucy” skeleton, which is currently touring the U.S. for the first time in history.
Although the 20th century has been peppered with important early-human fossil finds, it was Johanson’s 1974 discovery in Ethiopia that added a crucial link, prompting major revisions in our understanding of human evolution. “Lucy” possesses an intriguing mixture of ape-like features such as a projecting face and small brain, but also characteristics we consider human, such as upright walking, marking an important step on the path to Homo sapiens.
Committed to sharing and explaining scientific discoveries to the general public, Johanson’s efforts in this regard have reached across multiple media—including television, books, and the award-winning science website Becoming Human, in addition to lecturing at universities, corporations, and public forums. Johanson is the founding director of the Institute of Human Origins, a human-evolution think tank, at Arizona State University. Johanson published his latest book about the Lucy discovery, Lucy’s Legacy: The Quest for Human Origins (Harmony Books, 2009). Driven by a notion that we cannot fully grasp who we are and where we are headed as a species until we have a more complete knowledge of our evolutionary roots, Johanson is a passionate and provocative speaker.
Popular Presentations
The Origins of Humankind: The View From Africa
Numerous new African finds are prompting revisions in the number of species in our past and substantiating Darwin’s hunch that Africa was the cradle of humankind.
Lucy’s Legacy
Johanson shares Lucy’s discovery in 1974 and explores the lessons learned from looking at humanity through the lens of time.
Olduvai Gorge: Myth and Reality
Work at Olduvai Gorge spawned a variety of ideas about how our early ancestors lived nearly two million years ago. Johanson reviews recent research and challenges a number of those ideas.
Learn More About Donald:
Thank you for your interest in the Speakers Bureau! Your request has been sent.
Oops! Something Went Wrong
To Submit a booking directly, please contact:
National Geographic Speakers Bureau
(202 775-7800)
speakers@ngs.org
| Speaker name |
|---|
No Result
Experience the wonder of deep-sea exploration through Ballard and his Institute for Exploration, which uses robotics, mapping, and submersibles to explore the last great frontier.
Learn More
In her presentation “Connect With Anybody, Anywhere” Belt shares her experiences as a journalist bridging cultural, racial, and religious divides. A passionate conservationist, Belt’s recent project with author Barbara Kingsolver aims to help save the last wild spaces in the United States.
Learn More
Thirty years after the discovery of the fossil specimen Lucy, Johanson remains a towering figure in the study of human origins.
Learn MoreHire a National Geographic speaker for your event.
Meet Our SpeakersBook a distinctive setting for your event.
Learn About Our VenueBring an exhibition to your institution.
View Available ExhibitionsBook a film program or photography exhibit.
Learn MoreTouring floor maps bring memorable education to students.
See Our Maps
