Scientists are attacking the question of how we became human from a number of new directions – in addition to analyzing the evidence of ancient fossils.
Primates
September 18th, 2009
In the News: What Does Ape Behavior Say About Us?
September 16th, 2009
Web-Exclusive Video: Chimp Emotions
Check out this video to learn more about Lisa Parr's studies on chimp emotions and what these studies can tell us about the human spark.
September 4th, 2009
Spark Blog: Alan Alda’s “King Kong” Encounter
Alan enters the lab at Yerkes hoping to learn about chimpanzees and facial recognition. But instead, the chimps show Alan and the crew who's boss.
August 26th, 2009
Spark Blog: Chimpanzee Culture?
Psychologist Vicky Horner discusses research into chimpanzee cultural transmission. Do chimps have "culture" like humans?
July 1st, 2009
Spark Blog: Squirrels Bury Nuts, But Are They Planning Ahead?
Dan Gilbert and Alan Alda discuss whether animals have the ability to "prospect," or plan ahead.
May 27th, 2009
In the News: A Fossil Called “Ida”
The media has jumped all over this beautifully preserved 47-million-year-old fossil, with some even calling it a “missing link.” What do you think?
April 13th, 2009
In the News: Evolution and Color Vision
The colors a species can perceive is dictated by the types and number of visual pigments found in the retina. How might our color vision system have evolved?
April 7th, 2009
In the News: Primate Planning
A chimp named Santino at a Swedish zoo seems to be forcing a more nuanced picture of what types of anticipation and planning our closest relatives are capable of.
March 6th, 2009
Spark Blog: The Science Behind Why Chimps Are Not Pets
Researcher Brian Hare is an advocate for eliminating the chimpanzee pet trade. In the wake of the chimp attack, Brian explains the science behind his stance.
February 24th, 2009
In the News: Nobel Conference – Who Were the First Humans?
Gustavus Adolphus College hosted a conference last October focused squarely on the idea of “The Human Spark.” We've met with many of the speakers.







