DNA IS ENABLING RECOVERY OF THE
DEEP HUMAN PAST
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Contact:
John Patella
Office of Communications and Marketing
973-655-4333
patellaj@mail.montclair.edu
Montclair, N.J. – Nicholas Wade, New York Times science writer and author of a provocative new book on human origins, Before the Dawn: Recovering the Lost History of Our Ancestors, will speak at Montclair State University’s Alexander Kasser Theater at 8 p.m. Wednesday, November 1.
Wade’s talk, “Human Evolution and Progress – How DNA is Enabling Recovery of the Deep Human Past,” is part of the University’s Margaret and Herman Sokol Science Lecture Series and is free for MSU students, faculty, staff and alumni. The public is also welcome and tickets are $10, which includes parking. For additional information, or to order tickets, call the University Box Office at (973) 655-5112.
In Before the Dawn (Penguin Press, 2006) Wade analyzes the recent explosion of findings in a host of fields including genetics, linguistics, archeology and paleontology in an effort to shed new light on human origins.
The book explores mysteries of human history such as: When did language emerge? When and why did we start wearing clothing? How exactly did our ancestors leave Africa, and how did they defeat the more physically powerful Neanderthals who threatened their existence?
A review in Publishers Weekly called the book: “highly recommended for readers interested in how DNA analysis is rewriting the history of mankind.”
A resident of Montclair, Nicholas Wade has been on the news staff of TheNew York Times since 1982. He was the paper’s science editor from 1990 to 1996 and has been a science reporter at the paper since 1997.
Wade is also the author of several books including The Ultimate Experiment (Walker, 1976), The Nobel Duel (Doubleday, 1980), Betrayers of the Truth (Simon & Schuster 1982, written with William J. Broad), A World Beyond Healing (Norton, 1987) and Lifescript (Simon & Schuster, 2001).
About the Sokol Science Lectures
Through a generous gift from Margaret and Herman Sokol, the Sokol Science Lectures have been established to allow members of the University and surrounding communities to gain a greater appreciation and expanded knowledge of important issues in science.
Montclair State is New Jersey's second largest and fastest growing university. It offers the advantages of a large university--a comprehensive undergraduate curriculum with a global focus, a broad variety of superior graduate programs through the doctoral level, and a diverse faculty and student body--combined with a small college's attention to students. For more information on Montclair State University, go to www.montclair.edu.
November 1, 2006
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