Duke University - Evolutionary Anthropology

 Evolutionary anthropology is the study of humankind's place in nature.

Understanding our place in nature is an age-old mission that crosses many disciplines.  Our mission is focused on understanding who we are and how we came to look and act the way we do from an evolutionary perspective.  In that goal we pursue studies of anatomy, behavior, genetics, physiology, ecology, and many other areas in humans and our close relatives – the primates. 

Charles Darwin put it well:

“He who wishes to decide whether man is the modified descendant of some pre-existing form, would probably first enquire whether man varies, however slightly, in bodily structure and in mental faculties; and if so, whether the variations are transmitted to his offspring in accordance with the laws which prevail with the lower animals.” 

Charles Darwin, The Descent of Man (1871) 

Welcome to the brand new web page for the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology at Duke University.

The department has undergone a lot of changes in the past few years. 

We have developed a new vision that expands our long-standing commitment to understanding the anatomy, behavior, and evolution of humans and other primates into new and innovative areas of science. Access our vision statement here.

We have redesigned our popular major to make sure it meets the needs of all students looking for a broad natural science education and that prepares students for professional roles in research, health sciences, and policy. Read more here.

We also continue to offer one of the best graduate training programs for evolutionary anthropology.  Read more about it here.