Route to roots: understanding human origins
How can we trace our genetic ancestry? How did modern humans come to occupy all parts of the globe? Did humans exchange genes with Neanderthals? Did Neanderthals speak?
The genetic approach to understanding the past is based on examining the DNA in living people and then reconstructing the history of changes (mutations) that have accumulated over time to some point way back in the past. Our DNA thus carries an unbiased record of our past and is a powerful system that can sometimes lead to unexpected revelations.
Professor Himla Soodyall will guide us through the techniques used to uncover the genetic history of modern humans and what these findings tell us about how humans evolved, interacted and expanded out of their African origins into every corner of the planet.
Afterwards, cocktails from the dawn of humankind will be served at the bar while the Peter Sklair quartet, featuring Paul Hanmer and Louis Mhlanga, will help us trace the evolution of jazz from its origins up to the modern age.
Himla Soodyall
Route to roots: understanding human origins
How can we trace our genetic ancestry? How did modern humans come to occupy all parts of the globe? Did humans exchange genes with Neanderthals? Did Neanderthals speak?
Talk by
Himla Soodyall
Himla Soodyall is director of the Human Genomic Diversity and Disease Research Unit at the University of the Witwatersrand. Her research focus is on the evolutionary genetics of sub-Saharan African and Malagasy populations and uncovering genetic relationships between indigenous African populations.
Music by
Peter Sklair Quartet
Peter Sklair is a freelance bassist and composer based in Johannesburg. He has performed and recorded with artists such as Estudio, Manfred Mann, Katherine Jenkins, Gilberto Gil, Hugh Masakela, Andy Narrell, McCoy Mrubata, Vusi Mahlasela and Yonatan Razel, and released two albums with the group Unofficial Language (along with Paul Hanmer and Ian Herman). He also teaches electric bass and jazz at the Tshwane University of Technology. The quartet consists of Paul Hanmer (piano),
Louis Mhlanga (guitar), Sam Ibeh (drums) and Peter Sklair (bass)
