Connecting with Our Ancestors

This book combines documentation and analysis of the contents of exhibits in twelve museums (Part 1) with interviews with experts involved in the creation of exhibits (Part 2) to explore variation in human evolution exhibits.

To be successful, museum exhibits must make a personal connection with visitors, inspiring them to learn more. Human evolution exhibits thus need contemporary relevance. It is crucial to find ways to bind our deep past to our lives today. Presenting our story, and our collective history, some human evolution exhibits reach an audience of millions each year. An understanding of evolution is fundamental to modern biology, and a lack of knowledge of basic principles has practical consequences, including impairing reception of health messages. The goal of the volume is to stimulate discussion of how the presentation of evolution, and in particular human evolution, can be improved, contributing to scientific literacy and engagement with evolutionary science. To enhance relevance to a broader public, the author argues that incorporation of evolutionary medicine and clearer explanations of ancestry and human biological variation are needed.

The surveyed museums include four in Texas, the author's home state, seven additional renowned U.S. museums, and the Natural History Museum in London. Some of the 35 interviewees are prominent academic researchers; other contribute their expertise in design, art, and education. Topics discussed include exhibit content and changing exhibits, the ideal vs. reality in exhibit creation, self-assessments of exhibits, education and "edutainment", and exhibit content intersections with religion, politics, and the history of representations of race / human biological variation. A bibliographic essay, appendices, and text boxes provide additional information for readers desiring more in-depth study.

This volume is of interest to a wide range of readers in anthropology, museum studies, and science communication.

Part I: Museum Exhibits
Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. The Texas Museums
Chapter 3. The National Museum of Natural History
Chapter 4. The American Museum of Natural History
Chapter 5. The Great Lakes Region: Chicago and Cleveland
Chapter 6. The West Coast: California
Chapter 7. In the Center: The Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Chapter 8. The "Outgroup": London's Natural History Museum

Part II: Interviews
Chapter 9. Content and Change
Chapter 10. Fantasy and Reality
Chapter 11. Self-Assessment
Chapter 12. Education and "Edutainment"
Chapter 13. Religion
Chapter 14. Politics
Chapter 15. Race and History
Chapter 16. Conclusion