Human Origins: Lifeways, Wildlife and Landscapes of Africa

Monday, April 24^th 2-3 pm

Join us for a special, interactive presentation with distinguished scientists from the National Museums of Kenya. See engaging images of wildlife from the landscapes of Africa and learn about the social life, diets and culture of early humans. 

Presentation included in general Science Center admission. All ages welcome!

Dr. Mzalendo Kibunjia is Director General of the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) and coordinates the administration and research of the Divisions of that institution. Dr. Kibunjia holds a doctorate in Anthropology from Rutgers University and has studied Law at University of Nairobi. For twenty-five years, Dr. Kibunjia has been a distinguished researcher in Human Origins, excavating some of the earliest "tools" known. Overseeing one of the richest fossil collection in the world with unparalleled world significance, Dr. Kibunjia has vowed to build new research and collection facilities in Nairobi. Dr. Kibunjia previously was the chairman of Kenya's National Cohesion and Integration Commission. For his services he was awarded the Elder of the Burning Spear (EBS) by Kenya’s then President H.E Mwai Kibaki. Dr. Kibunjia has been elected to the Executive Board of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and as such is an important proponent of world heritage conservation.

Dr. Purity Kiura is a Senior Research Scientist and Director Regional Museums Sites and Monuments of the National Museums of Kenya. She completed her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Anthropology at Rutgers University, New Jersey in 2005. Her research interests include human origins and technology as well as human subsistence and settlement patterns. In addition, she is also interested in the study of modern peoples, landscapes and environments in East Africa. In addition to the research and coordination of training programs in Anthropology, Dr. Kiura is involved with the conservation and awareness efforts of Kenya’s prehistory heritage for economic investments in Kenya.

Dr. Fredrick Kyalo Manthi obtained his PhD from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, in 2006. He is a Senior Research Scientist and Head of the Department of Earth Sciences at the National Museums of Kenya. He is a world authority on the study of Plio-Pleistocene mammalian faunas. Since 2003, Dr. Manthi has directed palaeontological research/field work in the Lake Turkana Basin in northern Kenya. Dr. Manthi is involved in the education of high school and university students about prehistory and human evolution through the Prehistory Club which he founded in the year 2000. Dr. Manthi has received numerous awards including the Elder of the Burning Spear (EBS) bestowed upon him by Kenya’s President H.E Mwai Kibaki.

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