The+Cradle+of+Humankind

From March to July it will be possible to enjoy the exhibition “The cradle of humankind”, which has been located at the Regional Museum of Archaeology, in Alcalá de Henares, because The National Museum is closed these days due to the remodeling that is being made there. The exhibition tries to explain and as certain the fact that humankind definitely comes from Africa. Not only is it showed through hominids’ evolution, but also through the habitats and ecosystems where they lived. They had to adapt from the tropical forests to the African savannas, humid or dry depending on the period, along several millions of years. A copy of the first footprint trail found on volcanic ashes in Laetoli is displayed as a testimony of the earliest evidence hominid bipedalism. The exhibition has plenty of original fossils of extinct animals, remains of our ancient ancestors and different stone tools. Panels are full of extensive and specific information, although sometimes in a slightly technical jargon. Sadly, it makes heavy reading if you don’t have previous knowledge about it. On the other hand, the large pictures which depict the ancient savannas and their inhabitants allow us to imagine how life could be there in those periods. The catalogue of the exhibition is as thick as a Bible and unusually cheap. Two thick volumes for only thirty Euros is a surprising price. The exhibition is quite interesting if you are really keen on the subject, but personally I wouldn’t say it is aimed at all kinds of people. Probably it is not worth for non-specialised people travelling/going to a far away town (from here) to visit it. (Joaquín Castro)
 * The cradle of humankind**