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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