What does it mean to be human?

The School of Theology at the University of the South will host the traveling exhibition Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to Be Human? after the seminary was selected through a national competition offered by the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) and the American Library Association (ALA).

“We are delighted to welcome Exploring Human Origins to the School of Theology at Sewanee,” said Hannah Matis, associate dean for academic affairs. “The exhibit asks wonderful questions about who we are, where we’ve been, and what makes us human. These are questions that scientists, clergy, and laypeople are always attempting to answer, and we expect the exhibit will be a resource for seminarians, college students, and the local community.”

In addition to the standing exhibition, scientists and other experts from the NMNH Human Origins Program will visit Sewanee to host public events, including a lecture, community conversations, and more. 

Through panels, interactive kiosks, hands-on displays, and videos, Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to Be Human? invites viewers of all ages to explore and learn about the milestones in the evolutionary journey of becoming human.

The traveling exhibition encourages a public conversation that focuses on multiple perspectives of what it means to be human—one that embraces the ideas and beliefs of non-scientists and fosters greater appreciation of the complexity of the science of human evolution.

The exhibition opens Feb. 2 and closes on May 15, 2026. 

The School of Theology is located at 335 Tennessee Ave. in Sewanee, Tennessee. The exhibition is free and open to the public weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by appointment. For more information or to schedule group tours, contact the director of the School of Theology Library, Dr. Romulus Stefanut, at 931.598.1267 or rdstefan@sewanee.edu.