Lucy: The Beginnings of Humankind

DONALD C. JOHANSON, Paleoanthropologist

“We cannot fully grasp who we are and where we are headed as a species until we have a more complete knowledge of our evolutionary roots.” - Donald C. Johanson

Donald Johanson is one of the most accomplished scholars of human origins. Johanson has produced some of the field’s most groundbreaking discoveries, including the most widely known and thoroughly studied fossil of the 20th century, the 3.2-million-year-old “Lucy” skeleton.

Although the late 20th century was peppered with important early-human fossil finds, it was Johanson’s 1974 discovery in Ethiopia that added a crucial link, prompting major revisions in our understanding of human evolution. “Lucy” possesses an intriguing mixture of ape-like features such as a projecting face and small brain, but also characteristics we consider human, such as upright walking, marking an important step on the path to Homo sapiens.

Johanson is the founding director of the internationally respected Institute of Human Origins at Arizona State University. A passionate and provocative speaker, Johanson is committed to sharing and explaining his scientific discoveries to the general public. In addition to lecturing at universities, corporations, and public forums, his efforts reach across multiple media, including television, books, and his award-winning science website www.becominghuman.org.

Learn More About Johanson:
* He is an honorary board member of the Explorers Club, and was awarded their highest honor, the Explorers Club Medal in 2010.

* He is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

* He is a distinguished member of the Siena Academy of Sciences in Italy.

* He is the recipient of the American Book Award in Science 1981:
Johanson, D.C. and M. A. Edey. 1981. Lucy: The Beginnings of Humankind. New York: Simon and Schuster

* He received a Webby Award in 2002 for best science web site:
http://www.becominghuman.org

* Johanson also serves as the Virginia M. Ullman Chair in Human Origins at Arizona State University, where he teaches

* Johanson frequently lectures and leads tours for the National Geographic Society.

Co-author of 9 books his most recent books are:

Johanson, D.C. and Kate Wong. March 2009. Lucy’s Legacy: The Quest for Human Origins. New York: Harmony Press.

Johanson, D.C. and B. Edgar. 2006. From Lucy to Language. New York: Simon and Schuster; 2nd Edition.