How did people first come to the American continents? As researchers have worked to construct and test new models for the initial peopling of the Americas, they have increasingly incorporated ancient DNA evidence, which reveals a complex story.
Presented in partnership with the Leakey Foundation, join Jennifer Raff in examining the strengths and weaknesses of these different models, paying special attention to findings that have emerged within the last two years. We will root our discussion in the context of the history of the discipline: its colonial origins and current challenges, and discuss ways to confront the legacy of harm it has caused Indigenous peoples.
Jennifer Raff is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Kansas with a dual Ph.D. in Anthropology and Genetics and over fourteen years of experience in researching ancient and modern human DNA from the Americas.
Distinguished Lectures are supported by Apache Corporation.
Eligible for CPE credit