Chris Stringer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chris Stringer
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Stringer in 2012
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| Born |
London, United Kingdom
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| Alma mater | University College London Bristol University |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | Natural History Museum, London |
| Thesis | A multivariate study of cranial variation in middle and upper Pleistocene human populations (1974) |
| Doctoral advisor | Jonathan H. Musgrave |
Christopher Brian Stringer is a famous British physical anthropologist. He is known for his important work on how humans have changed over time. A physical anthropologist studies human evolution, looking at fossils and bones to understand our past.
Contents
Who is Chris Stringer?
Early Life and Education
Chris Stringer grew up in a working-class family in the East End of London. He became interested in anthropology when he was in primary school. He even did a school project about Neanderthals.
He studied anthropology at University College London. Later, he earned his PhD and a DSc in Anatomical Science from Bristol University.
Working at the Natural History Museum
In 1973, Stringer joined the Natural History Museum. This is a very important museum in London. Today, he is the Research Leader in Human Origins there. This means he leads studies about where humans came from.
Exploring Human Origins
Chris Stringer has done a lot of research on human evolution. He was one of the main supporters of the "Out of Africa" theory. This idea suggests that modern humans first appeared in Africa.
The "Out of Africa" Theory
The "Out of Africa" theory says that modern humans began in Africa over 100,000 years ago. From Africa, they moved to other parts of the world. As they spread, they replaced older human groups. These older groups included Homo floresiensis and Neanderthals.
At first, Stringer thought there was little mixing between these groups. But new genetic studies show that some mixing did happen. Modern humans did interbreed with other groups as they spread.
A More Complex Story
In recent years, Stringer has suggested a new idea. He calls it "multiregional African origin." This idea explains that human evolution within Africa was more complex. Different groups in Africa might have mixed and evolved together.
Ancient Humans in Britain
Stringer also led a project called the Ancient Human Occupation of Britain. This project lasted about 10 years, starting in 2001. It studied how humans came to live in Britain during the Ice Age. They looked at when and how often people settled there.
He is now a co-director of a new project. It is called "Pathways to Ancient Britain." This project continues to explore how ancient humans arrived in Britain.
Awards and Recognition
Chris Stringer has received many important awards for his work.
- He is a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK.
- He is also an Honorary Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries.
- In 2004, he won the Rivers Memorial Medal.
- In 2008, he received the Frink Medal from the Zoological Society of London.
- In 2019, he became a Member of the American Philosophical Society.
In 2023, Chris Stringer was given a special award. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). This was for his great work in helping us understand human evolution.
See also
