Fossils From Some of the Last Homo Erectus Hint at the End of the ...
The fossils of H. erectus have been found in Western Asia (Georgia), Eastern Asia (China), and, thanks to a land bridge during a glaciated era ...
Rick Potts
“They’ve done some extensive excavations and geological studies, and they’ve done a tremendous job integrating a variety of dating techniques to show very tight age constraints for that fossil bed and by inference the last appearance of Homo erectus,” says <anchor>Rick Potts</anchor>, a paleoanthropologist and head of the Smithsonian’s Human Origins Program. “We have evidence for terrace formation, we have evidence for these flood deposits and rapid deposition, all the fauna is coming from that bed, and so it’s most likely that Homo erectus did, too.”
Rick Potts | The Smithsonian Institution's Human Origins Program
Rick Potts \| The Smithsonian Institution's Human Origins Program

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# Rick Potts

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![Photo of Rick Potts standing outside in bright sunlight in a dry and brushy landscape, wearing a khaki shirt](/sites/default/files/styles/hop_team/public/images/portrait/Rick_Potts_p.jpg.webp?itok=ImTgNoCE)

Paleoanthropologist **Rick Potts** heads the Smithsonian’s Human Origins Program and holds the Peter Buck Chair in Human Origins at the National Museum of Natural History. Since joining the Smithsonian in 1985, Rick has dedicated his research to piecing together the record of Earth’s environmental change and human adaptation.  His ideas on how human evolution responded to environmental instability have stimulated wide attention and new research in several scientific fields.  Rick has developed international collaborations among scientists interested in the ecological aspects of human evolution.  He leads excavations at early human sites in the East African Rift Valley, including the famous handaxe site of Olorgesailie, Kenya, and Kanam near Lake Victoria, Kenya.  Rick also leads the team that recovered the first long sediment core drilled from an early human site in East Africa; the core preserves a high-resolution archive of environmental dynamics over the past 1 million years. He has also co-directed projects in southern and northern China that compare evidence of early human behavior and environments from East Africa to East Asia. He received his Ph.D. in biological anthropology from Harvard University in 1982, after which he taught anthropology at Yale University and served as curator of physical anthropology at the Yale Peabody Museum.  Rick is curator of the Hall of Human Origins at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, and of the traveling exhibition “Exploring Human Origins”, leading a Smithsonian team touring the U.S. with the exhibition. Rick authored the exhibition companion book, _What Does It Mean To Be Human?_ When he’s not time-traveling in the East African Rift Valley and elsewhere, Rick enjoys singing, Halloween, and the Phillies.

[Read more about the latest discoveries published in the journal _Science_ on our **Evolution of Human Innovation** page](http://humanorigins.si.edu/research/east-african-research-projects/evolution-human-innovation)

Books:

Potts, R., Sloan, C., 2010. _What Does It Mean To Be Human?_ National Geographic, Washington, DC.

Petraglia, M., Potts, R., 2004. _The Old World Paleolithic and the Development of a National Collection_. Smithsonian Contributions to Anthropology No. 48, Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC (148 pages).

Potts, R., 1996. _Humanity's Descent: The Consequences of Ecological Instability_. William Morrow & Co., New York, 325pp.

Behrensmeyer, A.K., J. Damuth, W. DiMichele, R. Potts, H. Sues, and S. Wing (Eds.), 1992. _Terrestrial Ecosystems Through Time_. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 568pp.

Potts, R., 1998. _Early \[no-glossary\]Hominid\[/no-glossary\] Activities at Olduvai._ Aldine de Gruyter, New York, 396pp. Republished in 2010 by Transaction Publishers.

Selected articles:

Potts, R., Dommain, R., Moerman, J.W., Behrensmeyer, A. K., Deino, A.L., Riedl, S., Beverly, E.J., Brown, E.T., Deocampo, D., Kinyanjui, R., Lupien, R., Owen, R.B., Rabideaux, R., Russell, J.M., Stockhecke, M., deMenocal, P.,  Faith, J.T., Garcin, Y., Noren, A., Scott, J.J., Western, D., Bright, J., Clark, J.B., Cohen, A.S., Keller, C.B., King, J., Levin, N.E., Brady Shannon, K., Muiruri, V., Renaut, R.W., Rucina, S.M., Uno, K., 2020. Increased ecological resource variability during a critical transition in hominin evolution, _Science Advances,_ vol. 6, eabc8975 _._ [https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/43/eabc8975](https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/43/eabc8975)

Potts, R., Behrensmeyer, A.K., Faith, J.T., Tryon, C.A., Brooks, A.S., Yellen, J.E., Deino, A.L., Kinyanjui, R., Clark, J.B., Haradon, C., Levin, N.E., Meijer, H.J.M., Veatch, E.G., Owen, R.B., Renaut, R.W., 2018. Environmental dynamics during the onset of the Middle Stone Age in eastern Africa, _Science_. [http://science.sciencemag.org/cgi/doi/10.1126/science.aao2200 (link is external)](http://science.sciencemag.org/cgi/doi/10.1126/science.aao2200)

Brooks, A.S., Yellen, J.E., Potts, R., Behrensmeyer, A.K., Deino, A.L., Leslie, D.E., Ambrose, S.H., Ferguson, J., d’Errico, F. Zipkin, A.M., Whittaker, S., Post, J., Veatch, E.G., Foecke, K., Clark, J.B., 2018. Long-distance stone transport and pigment use in the earliest Middle Stone Age, _Science_. [http://science.sciencemag.org/cgi/doi/10.1126/science.aao2646 (link is external)](http://science.sciencemag.org/cgi/doi/10.1126/science.aao2646)

Deino, A.L., Behrensmeyer, A.K., Brooks, A.S., Yellen, J.E., Sharp, W.D., Potts, R., 2018. Chronology of the Acheulean to Middle Stone Age Transition in Eastern Africa, _Science_. [http://science.sciencemag.org/cgi/doi/10.1126/science.aao2200](http://science.sciencemag.org/cgi/doi/10.1126/science.aao2200)

Anna K. Behrensmeyer, Richard Potts, Alan Deino; The Oltulelei Formation of the southern Kenyan Rift Valley: A chronicle of rapid landscape transformation over the last 500 k.y.. _GSA Bulletin_ doi: [https://doi.org/10.1130/B31853.1](https://doi.org/10.1130/B31853.1)

Potts, R., 2017. What will it mean to be human? In: _Living in the Anthropocene: Humanity in the Age of Humans_, W. John Kress and Jeffrey K. Stine, Eds., Smithsonian Press, Washington, DC.

Potts, R., and Faith, J.T., 2015. Alternating high and low climate variability: the context of natural selection and speciation in Plio-Pleistocene hominin evolution. _Journal of Human Evolution_ 87: 5-20.

Antón, S.C., Potts, R., and Aiello, L.C., 2014. Evolution of early _Homo_: An integrated biological perspective. _Science_ 345(6192): 1-13.  doi:10.1126/science.1236828

Zhu, R.X., Potts, R., Pan, Y.X., Yao, H.T., Lü, L.Q., Zhao, X., Gao, X., Chen, L.W., Gao, F., Deng, C.L., 2008. Early evidence of the genus _Homo_ in East Asia. _Journal of Human Evolution_ 55, 1075-1085.

Potts, R., Behrensmeyer, A.K., Deino, A., Ditchfield, P., Clark, J., 2004. Small mid-Pleistocene hominin associated with East African Acheulean technology. _Science_ 305, 75-78.

Bonnefille, R., Potts, R., Chalié, F., Jolly, D., Peyron, O., 2004. High-resolution vegetation and climate change associated with Pliocene Australopithecus afarensis _. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (U.S.A.)_ 101, 12125-12129.

Zhu, R., Potts, R., Xie, F., Hoffman, K.A., Deng, C.L., Shi, C.D., Pan, Y.W., Wang, H.Q., Shi, R.P., Wang, Y.C., Xhi, G.H., Wu, N.Q., 2004. New evidence regarding the earliest human presence at high northern latitudes in northeast Asia. _Nature_ 431: 559-562.

Hou Y., Potts, R., Yuan B., Guo Z., Deino, A., Wang W., Clark, J., Xie G., Huang, W., 2000. Mid- Pleistocene Acheulean-like stone technology of the Bose Basin, South China. _Science_ 287: 1622-1626.

Potts R., 1998. Environmental hypotheses of hominin evolution. _Yearbook of Physical Anthropology_ 41: 93-136.

Potts, R., 1996. Evolution and climate variability. _Science_ 273: 922-923.

### Resource Links

[NPR Science Friday March 2014 - Sculpting Science: Interview with Rick Potts an…](https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/sculpting-science/)

[PBS Nova October 2009 - The Adaptable Human: Q & A with Graham Townsley, produc…](https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/article/adaptable-human/)

[AnthroNotes article by Ruth O. Selig, ‘Human origins: One man’s search for the …](http://anthropology.si.edu/outreach/anthnote/Summer99/anthnote.html)

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        - [Apollo 11 Plaque](/evidence/behavior/art-music/rock-art/apollo-11-plaque)
      - [Other Decorated Objects](/evidence/behavior/art-music/other-decorated-objects)        - [Carved antler baton with horses](/evidence/behavior/art-music/other-decorated-objects/carved-antler-baton-horses)
        - [Geometric incised bone rectangle](/evidence/behavior/art-music/other-decorated-objects/geometric-incised-bone-rectangle)
        - [Tata Plaque](/evidence/behavior/art-music/other-decorated-objects/tata-plaque)
  - [Human Fossils](/evidence/human-fossils)    - [Species](/evidence/human-fossils/species)
    - [Fossils](/evidence/human-fossils/fossils)
    - [Mystery Skull Interactive](/evidence/human-fossils/mystery-skull-interactive)
    - [Shanidar 3 - Neanderthal Skeleton](/evidence/human-fossils/shanidar-3-neanderthal-skeleton)
  - [3D Collection](/evidence/3d-collection)    - [Artifacts](/evidence/3d-collection/artifacts)
    - [Fossils](/evidence/3d-collection/fossils)
    - [Primates](/evidence/3d-collection/primates)
  - [Genetics](/evidence/genetics)    - [One Species, Living Worldwide](/evidence/genetics/one-species-living-worldwide)
    - [Human Skin Color Variation](/evidence/genetics/human-skin-color-variation)
    - [Ancient DNA and Neanderthals](/evidence/genetics/ancient-dna-and-neanderthals)
  - [Dating](/evidence/dating)
  - [Human Evolution Timeline Interactive](/evidence/human-evolution-interactive-timeline)
  - [Human Family Tree](/evidence/human-family-tree)
  - [Snapshots in Time](/evidence/snapshots-time)    - [Swartkrans, South Africa](/evidence/snapshots-time/swartkrans-south-africa-18-million-years-ago)
    - [Olorgesailie, Kenya](/evidence/snapshots-time/olorgesailie-kenya-990000-years-ago)
    - [Shanidar, Iraq](/evidence/snapshots-time/shanidar-iraq-65000-years-ago)
- [Human Characteristics](/human-characteristics)  - [Walking Upright](/human-characteristics/walking-upright)
  - [Tools & Food](/human-characteristics/tools-food)
  - [Bodies](/human-characteristics/bodies)
  - [Brains](/human-characteristics/brains)
  - [Social Life](/human-characteristics/social-life)
  - [Language & Symbols](/human-characteristics/language-symbols)
  - [Humans Change the World](/human-characteristics/humans-change-world)
- [Education](/education)  - [Introduction to Human Evolution](/education/introduction-human-evolution)
  - [Lesson Plans](/education/lesson-plans)    - [Nuts and bolts classification: Arbitrary or not? (Grades 6-8)](/education/lesson-plan/nuts-and-bolts-classification-arbitrary-or-not-grades-6-8)
    - [The Origins and Evolution of Human Bipedality (Grades 9-12)](/education/lesson-plan/the-origins-and-evolution-of-human-bipedality-grades-9-12)
    - [Comparison of Human and Chimp Chromosomes (Grades 9-12)](/education/lesson-plan/comparison-human-and-chimp-chromosomes-grades-9-12)
    - [Hominid Cranial Comparison: The "Skulls" Lab (Grades 9-12)](/education/lesson-plan/hominid-cranial-comparison-skulls-lab-grades-9-12)
    - [Investigating Common Descent: Formulating Explanations and Models (Grades 9-12)](/education/lesson-plan/investigating-common-descent-formulating-explanations-and-models-grades-9-12)
    - [Fossil and Migration Patterns in Early Hominids (Grades 9-12)](/education/lesson-plan/fossil-and-migration-patterns-early-hominids-grades-9-12)
  - [For College Students](/education/college-students)
  - [Fun Facts](/education/fun-facts)    - [Why do we get goose bumps?](/education/fun-facts/why-do-we-get-goose-bumps)
    - [Chickens, chimpanzees, and you - what do they have in common?](/education/fun-facts/chickens-chimpanzees-and-you-what-do-they-have-common)
    - [Grandparents are unique to humans](/education/fun-facts/grandparents-are-unique-humans)
    - [How strong are we?](/education/fun-facts/how-strong-are-we)
    - [Humans are handy!](/education/fun-facts/humans-are-handy)
    - [Humans: the running ape](/education/fun-facts/humans-running-ape)
    - [Our big hungry brain!](/education/fun-facts/our-big-hungry-brain)
    - [Our eyes say it!](/education/fun-facts/our-eyes-say-it)
    - [The early human tool kit](/education/fun-facts/early-human-tool-kit)
    - [The short-haired human!](/education/fun-facts/short-haired-human)
    - [The “Nutcracker”](/education/fun-facts/%E2%80%9Cnutcracker%E2%80%9D)
    - [What can lice tell us about human evolution?](/education/fun-facts/what-can-lice-tell-us-about-human-evolution)
    - [What does gut got to do with it?](/education/fun-facts/what-does-gut-got-do-it)
    - [Why do paleoanthropologists love Lucy?](/education/fun-facts/why-do-paleoanthropologists-love-lucy)
    - [Why do we have wisdom teeth?](/education/fun-facts/why-do-we-have-wisdom-teeth)
  - [Human Origins Glossary](/education/human-origins-glossary)
  - [Teaching Evolution through Human Examples](/education/teaching-evolution-through-human-examples)
  - [Frequently Asked Questions](/education/frequently-asked-questions)
  - [Recommended Books](/education/recommended-books)
- [Exhibit](/exhibit)  - [Exhibit Floorplan](/exhibit/exhibit-floorplan)    - [Exhibit Floorplan Interactive](/exhibit/exhibit-floorplan/exhibit-floorplan-interactive)
    - [Print Floorplan PDF](/education/interactive-exhibit-printable-floorplan)
  - [Reconstructions of Early Humans](/exhibit/reconstructions-early-humans)
  - [Human Origins Traveling Exhibit](/exhibit/exploring-human-origins-what-does-it-mean-be-human)    - [Chesterfield County Public Library](/exhibit/human-origins-traveling-exhibit/chesterfield-county-public-library-chesterfield-va)
    - [Orange County Library](/exhibit/human-origins-traveling-exhibit/orange-county-library-orlando-fl)
    - [Andover Public Library](/exhibit/human-origins-traveling-exhibit/andover-public-library-andover-oh)
    - [Ephrata Public Library](/exhibit/human-origins-traveling-exhibit/ephrata-public-library-ephrata-pa)
    - [Oelwein Public Library](/exhibit/human-origins-traveling-exhibit/oelwein-public-library-oelwein-ia)
    - [Cedar City Public Library](/exhibit/human-origins-traveling-exhibit/cedar-city-public-library-cedar-city-ut)
    - [Milpitas Library](/exhibit/human-origins-traveling-exhibit/milpitas-library-milpitas-ca)
    - [Spokane County Library](/exhibit/human-origins-traveling-exhibit/spokane-county-library-spokane-wa)
    - [Cottage Grove Public Library](/exhibit/human-origins-traveling-exhibit/cottage-grove-public-library-cottage-grove-or)
    - [Pueblo City-County Library](/exhibit/human-origins-traveling-exhibit/pueblo-city-county-library-pueblo-co)
    - [Springfield-Greene County Library](/exhibit/human-origins-traveling-exhibit/springfield-greene-county-library-springfield-mo)
    - [Peoria Public Library](/exhibit/human-origins-traveling-exhibit/peoria-public-library-peoria-il)
    - [Orion Township Public Library](/exhibit/human-origins-traveling-exhibit/orion-township-public-library-lake-orion-mi)
    - [Skokie Public Library](/exhibit/human-origins-traveling-exhibit/skokie-public-library-skokie-il)
    - [Wyckoff Free Public Library](/exhibit/human-origins-traveling-exhibit/wyckoff-free-public-library-wyckoff-nj)
    - [Tompkins County Public Library](/exhibit/human-origins-traveling-exhibit/tompkins-county-public-library-ithaca-ny)
    - [Otis Library](/exhibit/human-origins-traveling-exhibit/otis-library-norwich-ct)
    - [Fletcher Free Library](/exhibit/human-origins-traveling-exhibit/fletcher-free-library-burlington-vt)
    - [Bangor Public Library](/exhibit/human-origins-traveling-exhibit/bangor-public-library-bangor-me)
  - [Human Origins Do it Yourself Exhibit](/exhibit/human-origins-do-it-yourself-exhibit)
  - [Exhibit Field Trip Guide](/exhibit/exhibit-field-trip-guide)
- [About Us](/about)  - [Acknowledgments](/about/acknowledgments)
  - [Events](/about/events)
  - [Human Origins Program Team](/about/human-origins-program-team)
  - [Broader Social Impacts Committee](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee)    - [What We Do](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/what-we-do)
    - [Members & Member Resources](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/members-member-resources)      - [Connie Bertka](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/members-member-resources/connie-bertka)
      - [Jim Miller](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/members-member-resources/jim-miller)
      - [Betty Holley](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/members-member-resources/betty-holley)
      - [Nancy Howell](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/members-member-resources/nancy-howell)
      - [Wes McCoy](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/members-member-resources/wes-mccoy)
      - [Lee Meadows](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/members-member-resources/lee-meadows)
      - [Jamie L. Jensen](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/members-member-resources/jamie-l-jensen)
      - [David Orenstein](/node/136882)
      - [Michael Tenneson](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/members-member-resources/michael-tenneson)
      - [Ilia Delio](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/members-member-resources/ilia-delio)
      - [Leonisa Ardizzone](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/members-member-resources/leonisa-ardizzone)
      - [David Haberman](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/members-member-resources/david-haberman)
      - [Fred Edwords (Emeritus)](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/members-member-resources/fred-edwords-emeritus)
      - [Elliot Dorff (Emeritus)](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/members-member-resources/elliot-dorff)
      - [Francisca Cho (Emeritus)](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/members-member-resources/francisca-cho-emeritus)
      - [Peter F. Ryan (Emeritus)](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/members-member-resources/peter-f-ryan-%28emeritus%29)
      - [Mustansir Mir (Emeritus)](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/members-member-resources/mustansir-mir)
      - [Randy Isaac (Emeritus)](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/members-member-resources/randy-isaac-emeritus)
      - [Mary Evelyn Tucker (Emeritus)](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/members-member-resources/mary-evelyn-tucker)
      - [Wentzel van Huyssteen (Emeritus)](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/members-member-resources/wentzel-van-huyssteen-emeritus)
      - [Joe Watkins (Emeritus)](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/members-member-resources/joe-watkins-emeritus)
      - [Tom Weinandy (Emeritus)](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/members-member-resources/tom-weinandy-emeritus)
    - [Members Thoughts on Science, Religion & Human Origins (video)](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/thoughts-science-religion-and-human-origins)
    - [Science, Religion, Evolution and Creationism: Primer](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/science-religion-evolution-and-creationism-primer)
    - [BSIC Public Event Videos and Audio](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/bsic-public-event-videos-and-audio-files)      - [The Evolution of Religious Belief: Seeking Deep Evolutionary Roots](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/bsic-public-event-videos-and-audio/evolution-religious-belief-seeking-deep-evolutionary-roots)
      - [Laboring for Science, Laboring for Souls:  Obstacles and Approaches to Teaching and Learning Evolution in the Southeastern United States](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/bsic-public-event-videos-and-audio/laboring-science-laboring-souls-obstacles-and-approaches-teaching-and-learning-evolution)
      - [Public Event : Religious Audiences and the Topic of Evolution: Lessons from the Classroom (video)](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/bsic-public-event-videos-and-audio/religious-audiences-and-topic-evolution-lessons-classroom-video)
      - [Evolution and the Anthropocene: Science, Religion, and the Human Future](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/bsic-public-event-videos-and-audio/evolution-and-anthropocene-science-religion-and-human-future)
      - [Imagining the Human Future: Ethics for the Anthropocene](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/bsic-public-event-videos-and-audio/imagining-human-future-ethics-anthropocene)
      - [Human Evolution and Religion: Questions and Conversations from the Hall of Human Origins](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/bsic-public-event-videos-and-audio/human-evolution-and-religion-questions-and-conversations-hall-human-origins)
      - [I Came from Where? Approaching the Science of Human Origins from Religious Perspectives](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/bsic-public-event-videos-and-audio/i-came-where-approaching-science-human-origins-religious-perspectives)
      - [Religious Perspectives on the Science of Human Origins](/about/broader-social-impacts-committee/bsic-public-event-videos-and-audio/religious-perspectives-science-human-origins)
  - [Become Involved](/about/become-involved)    - [Submit Your Response to "What Does It Mean To Be Human?"](/about/become-involved/submit-your-response-what-does-it-mean-be-human)
    - [Volunteer Opportunities](/about/become-involved/volunteer-opportunities)
    - [Submit Question](/about/become-involved/submit-question)
  - [Products](/about/products)    - ["Shaping Humanity: How Science, Art, and Imagination Help Us Understand Our Origins" (book by John Gurche)](/about/products/shaping-humanity-how-science-art-and-imagination-help-us-understand-our-origins-book)
    - [What Does It Mean To Be Human? (book by Richard Potts and Chris Sloan)](/about/products/what-does-it-mean-be-human-book-richard-potts-and-chris-sloan)
  - [For Press](/about/press)
- [Multimedia](/multimedia)  - [Slideshows](/multimedia/slideshows)    - [Bronze Statues](/multimedia/slideshows/bronze-statues)
    - [Reconstructed Faces](/multimedia/slideshows/reconstructed-faces)
  - [Videos](/multimedia/videos)
  - [Audio](/multimedia/audio)
- [FAQ](/education/frequently-asked-questions)
- [Support Our Work](https://support.si.edu/site/Donation2?df_id=20105&mfc_pref=T&20105_donation=form1&s_src=web_ho_wrbtn)

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