Human Origins - The Story of Us

What is it really like to live with hunter-gatherers? In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Helga Vierich—cultural and biological anthropologist—joins us to share vivid stories from her time with Indigenous communities in Africa. From hunting tales that rival action movies to deep insights into animism and ecological kinship, Dr. Vierich reveals what these ancient ways of living can teach us about human evolution, resilience, and how disconnected the modern world has become.🎙️ Expect storytelling, laughter, wonder, and a whole new lens on what it means to be human.🔍 Topics Covered: • Animistic worldviews and relational ecology • Lessons from forager societies about kinship, survival, and joy • A real hunting story you won’t forget • What modernity has lost—and what we can reclaim • Anthropology’s role in making the past matter today📌 If you’re into human origins, deep history, or anthropology with heart—this one’s for you.👣 Subscribe to The Story of Us for more conversations that bring humanity’s deep past into the present!#PaleoPost #TheStoryOfUs #WorldOfPaleoanthropology #AnthropologyPodcast #HunterGatherers #HelgaVierich #HumanOrigins #DeepHistory #Animism #CulturalAnthropology #BiologicalAnthropology #HumanEvolution #Foragers #IndigenousKnowledge

n this special episode of “The Story of Us,” we are thrilled to welcome Professor Lee R. Berger from the University of Witwatersrand. Join us as we dive into the fascinating discoveries surrounding Homo naledi and the Rising Star cave system. Dr. Berger will address the many challenges and astonishing findings that have emerged from this groundbreaking site. We will explore critical questions that have sparked academic debate and discuss the broader implications of these discoveries for our understanding of what it means to be human. This episode promises to provide valuable insights into why these discoveries are significant, both scientifically and culturally. Dr. Berger will offer his perspective on the meticulous processes involved in unearthing these ancient secrets and their impact on the field of paleoanthropology. Don’t miss this engaging conversation, and remember to always keep exploring and learning! If you enjoy this episode, please like, share, and subscribe for more in-depth discussions on human origins and related topics. About Dr. Lee R. Berger: Lee Rogers Berger is an esteemed American-born South African paleoanthropologist and a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence. Renowned for his discovery of the Australopithecus sediba type site at Malapa and his leadership in the excavation of Homo naledi at the Rising Star cave, Dr. Berger’s contributions have significantly advanced our understanding of human evolution. With a rich academic background and a commitment to public engagement, he continues to inspire and educate through his research and explorations. Tune in to hear directly from Dr. Berger about his remarkable journey and the profound discoveries that are reshaping our knowledge of ancient hominins.

Join us for a compelling episode as we delve into the work of Annalin Matabane, a cultural heritage researcher and the founder of Reach Archaeology Consulting. Annalin specializes in the management, conservation, and ethical excavation of human remains. As one of the first black South African-born females in Cultural Resource Management, she advocates for inclusiveness and equality in archaeology and heritage. In this episode, we explore Annalin’s extensive background, including her undergraduate degree in Archaeology and Physical Geography, her Postgraduate Honours degree in Archaeology, and her Master’s degree in Archaeology from the University of Pretoria. She is a member of the Association of Southern African Professional Archaeologists (ASAPA) and is well-versed in South African heritage legislation, policy research, rock art interpretation, and the management of cultural heritage. Annalin’s primary research focuses on the ‘re-humanisation’ of human remains, emphasizing the ethical considerations and contemporary challenges in Cultural Resource Management. Listen as she discusses her work in the preservation and conservation of burial grounds and graves, and how she assists communities in managing these culturally sensitive sites. With over 10 years of experience, Annalin brings a wealth of knowledge and a passionate commitment to preserving heritage and promoting equality within the field of archaeology. Don’t miss this insightful conversation on the complexities and significance of her work in post-apartheid South Africa.

In this episode of “The Story of Us,” we are honored to host Dr. Bernard Wood, a pioneering figure in the field of paleoanthropology and anatomy. Dr. Wood, currently a Professor of Human Origins and Human Evolutionary Anatomy at George Washington University, has significantly advanced our understanding of hominin anatomy and evolutionary morphology. Dr. Wood’s remarkable career began in medicine before transitioning to academia in 1972. He held esteemed positions at institutions such as the University of London and the University of Liverpool, and has been a key member of numerous influential research groups, including Richard Leakey’s first expedition to Lake Rudolf. Throughout this episode, Dr. Wood shares his extensive research on human evolutionary history, discussing innovative methods for analyzing the hominin fossil record and applying bioinformatics to improve data analysis. His work emphasizes the importance of a comparative context in studying hominin evolution, and he highlights significant contributions to the field, such as his role in editing the Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopedia of Human Evolution. Join us for an enlightening conversation that delves into the anatomical foundations of our origins, the evolution of our species, and the future directions of paleoanthropological research. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the most respected experts in the field. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, share, and support our mission to provide open access to valuable human origins resources. The more we understand our past, the better prepared we are to shape our future.

In this exciting episode of “The Story of Us,” we are thrilled to welcome the esteemed Professor Pascal Gagneux from UC San Diego. As the Executive Co-Director of CARTA (Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny), Dr. Gagneux brings a wealth of knowledge on the evolutionary mechanisms driving primate molecular diversity. Join us as we delve into the fascinating work being done under Dr. Gagneux’s direction at CARTA. We discuss his extensive research on wild chimpanzees in the Ivory Coast, the population genetics of West African chimpanzees, and the critical differences in sialic acid biology between humans and chimpanzees that shed light on our evolutionary path. Dr. Gagneux also shares insights into the innovative graduate specialization in Anthropogeny he helped establish in 2011, providing a unique interdisciplinary program that bridges social and natural sciences. Tune in to learn more about the groundbreaking work of CARTA and gain valuable advice from Dr. Gagneux on navigating the complex field of anthropogeny. Don’t miss this engaging and informative episode!

Welcome to this episode! Are you ready to hear some awesome news on rock art, and so much more? George is an Associate Professor and currently lectures part-time at the Geosciences Centre, University of Coimbra (IPT), Portugal. He is a member of management and academic committee and lectures architectural and landscape theory, prehistory and art, excavation and European heritage planning legislation and policy. Prior to this, George lectured at Bristol University, between 1998 and 2016. Here, George ran the final two years of a part-time degree, with also input to the fulltime BA and MA in Landscape programmes. At IPT George is responsible for MA/PhD supervision for undertakes research. Away from academia, George is Principal Archaeologist with SLR Consulting and is responsible for SLR’s built heritage capabilities. George has over 30 years’ experience within the commercial heritage sector. George also has an extensive publishing record with over 35 authored, edited and co-edited books and 140 academic papers in print: focusing on the European post-medieval built heritage, prehistoric mortuary architecture, and prehistoric art. He is associated with a number of British and European university institutions and is a full member of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (MCIfA) Be sure to like and subscribe for more!

On this very special episode of The Story of Us we have Dr Leslea Hlusko! Leslea J. Hlusko earned her B.A. from the University of Virginia in 1992. After four years exploring the non-academic life in Washington, D.C., she went to Penn State University, where she earned an M.A. (1998) and Ph.D. (2000). Leslea was an assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign from 2000-2004, and then moved to the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of California Berkeley. She received tenure in 2008 and was promoted to full professor in 2018. In 2021, she moved into a research professor position at CENIEH, Spain.hlusko_cv_august2022www.researchgate.net/profile/Leslea_Hlusko orcid.org/0000-0003-0189-6390Scopus Author ID: 6602557816(follow on twitter @LHlusko; email: hlusko (at) berkeley.edu or leslea.hlusko (at) cenieh.es) We had such a fun talked, learned so much and made plans for the upcoming AABAs in march! ((bioanth.org) and we cant wait to see you there! I have even more exciting plans and events for those going to the meeting, so we will talk soon!

Welcome back to #TheStoryofUs, your favorite fireside chat style, and #Paleo Series! On this episode, we have another amazing guest—no surprise there. This time, we are honored to be joined by science communication master Dr. Cara Ocobock! Winner of the 2023 “AABA and Leakey Foundation Communication & Outreach Award in Honor of Camilla Smith,” we are not dealing with just any science communicator here! Join us as we have an excellent discussion on her work, which surrounds how people survive in the most extreme climates and the adaptations that they create to survive, as well as her incredible work on bringing “Women the Hunter” into the public eye, the idea that human evolution does always surround the work of men! We have an electrifying episode that you will not want to miss! If you learned something new today or just enjoyed the conversation, be sure to leave a like. It helps me out a great deal; it allows me to reach more people as I spread the story of our Human Origins! Don’t want to miss another episode? Be sure to subscribe! See you all next time!