David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins | Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
This resource offers an interactive exploration of human evolution, covering the past 6 million years and the unique traits that distinguish Homo sapiens. Learners can discover stories of extinction and survival, and understand features like tool use, bipedalism, and language development.
Overview

Added
March 17, 2026
Subject & domain
science-daily-life · materials-science
Grade range
Grade 5–Grade 10 (Sophomore)
Page kind
Article
Introduction
David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins
- Core Subject: The evolutionary journey of humans spanning over 6 million years to the present day.
- Key Themes:
- Scientific evidence of human origins and biological adaptations.
- The development of unique human traits, including walking upright, tool use, large brains, and the use of symbols and language.
- The history of survival and extinction among human ancestors and relatives.
- Educational Resources:
- Virtual Tour: An online walkthrough of the physical exhibition hall.
- Human Origins Portal: A dedicated digital resource for deeper investigation into human evolution.
- Teacher Support: Lesson plans and educational materials available for classroom use.
- Smithsonian Science How: Specialized content regarding early human diets.
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