Dartmouth Events

ANTH Colloquium - Integrating Genetic and Archaeological Evidence for the Initial Peopling of the Americas
Jennifer Raff, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Indigenous Studies, University of Kansas 

How did people first come to the American continents? As researchers have worked to construct and test new models for the initial peopling of the Americas, they have increasingly incorporated ancient DNA evidence, which reveals a complex story.  In this talk we will examine the strengths and weaknesses of these different models, paying special attention to findings that have emerged within the last two years.  We will root our discussion in the context of the history of the discipline: its colonial origins and current challenges, and discuss ways to confront the legacy of harm it has caused Indigenous peoples.

Jennifer Raff (PhD Biology and Anthropology) is an Associate Professor of Anthropology and Indigenous Studies at the University of Kansas and a 2024 Guggenheim fellow. She works with tribes and Indigenous communities across North America to use ancient and contemporary genomes as tools for investigating historical questions. She has written for the general public on various topics related to genetics and science literacy, including the New York Times bestselling book “Origin: A genetic history of the Americas”.