Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History: David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins

On March 17, 2010, the National Museum of Natural History marked its 100th anniversary on the National Mall with the public opening of its newest exhibition hall – the David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins. The exhibition is based on decades of cutting-edge research by Smithsonian scientists, and is the result of an international collaboration with over 60 research and educational organizations and over 100 researchers from around the world. The David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins offers visitors an immersive, interactive journey through 6 million years of scientific evidence for human origins and the stories of survival and extinction in our family tree during times of dramatic climate instability.

Karen and her studio were pleased to be selected to work on this incredible project, and extend sincerest thanks and appreciation to Dr. Rick Potts and his scientific team, and to the outstanding contributions of artist John Gurche.

Karen's studio provide more than 700 images for the exhibit, including murals, illustrations, graphics and maps, A/V components and other images.

Ardipithecus ramidus
© by Karen Carr

Australopithecus afarensis
© by Karen Carr

Australopithecus africanus
© by Karen Carr

Early hominid hand axe
© by Karen Carr

Early human creating cave art
© by Karen Carr

Early human grinding ocre
© by Karen Carr

Early human hunting with spear and atlatl
© by Karen Carr

Early human spearing with harpoon
© by Karen Carr

Early humans share resources over long distances
© by Karen Carr

Early humans sharing food at Gesher Benot Ya'aqov
© by Karen Carr

Elephant buthery at Olorgesailie
© by Karen Carr

Hominid Evolution Timeline
© by Karen Carr

Homo erectus butchers the carcass of a dead elephant
© by Karen Carr

Homo erectus pelvis
© by Karen Carr

Homo erectus with upper torso skeleton
© by Karen Carr

Homo erectus with upper torso skeleton
© by Karen Carr

Homo floresiensis
© by Karen Carr

Homo habilis
© by Karen Carr

Homo habilis butchering with stone-flake knives
© by Karen Carr

Homo habilis skeleton
© by Karen Carr

Homo Heidelbergensis
© by Karen Carr

Homo heidelbergensis skeleton
© by Karen Carr

Homo neanderthalensis
© by Karen Carr

Homo neanderthalensis skeleton
© by Karen Carr

Human knee, early human knee, chimpanzee knee
© by Karen Carr

Leatoli Trail
© by Karen Carr

Modern human pelvis
© by Karen Carr

Paranthropus aethiopicus
© by Karen Carr

Paranthropus boisei
© by Karen Carr

Paranthropus robustus
© by Karen Carr

Relationship of human baby and chimpanzee head size to pelvic opening
© by Karen Carr

Sahelanthropus tchadensis
© by Karen Carr

Sahelanthropus tchadensis, male
© by Karen Carr

San bowman
© by Karen Carr

Striking flakes from a stone core
© by Karen Carr

Terra Amata
© by Karen Carr

Using a burin to engrave antler
© by Karen Carr

Using a stone core to cut meat off an animal carcass
© by Karen Carr

Terra Amata
© by Karen Carr

Burial at Shanidar
© by Karen Carr

Homo rudolfensis
© by Karen Carr

Homo sapiens, Tiffany
© by Karen Carr

Olorgesailie elephant butchery detail
© by Karen Carr

Paranthropus robustus killed by leopard
© by Karen Carr

Sharing food at Gesher Benot Ya'aqov
© by Karen Carr