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First Floor | Exhibit
David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins
What Does It Mean to Be Human?
Explore the evolutionary journey of humans from over 6 million years ago to today. Meet your closest ancestors and relatives as you investigate the scientific evidence of human origins and adaptations. Learn how we evolved the unique traits that distinguish our species.
Discover fascinating stories of extinction and survival, and learn about some of our unique features that set us apart from other species: from walking upright to using tools, from our big brains to our ability to use symbols and language.
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Examine lifelike reconstructions, created using forensic techniques and fossil analysis, of the heads of eight early human ancestors
See the only original fossil of a Neanderthal skeleton housed in the United States
Compare the features of more than 75 exact replicas of the most complete early human fossil skulls from around the world
