Four anthropology experts will talk about their research into the earliest phase of human evolution this spring at Kansas University.

The lectures, scheduled in conjunction with the “Early Us (and Them) in Africa” exhibit at the Museum of Anthropology, begin at 7 p.m. at the museum.

The lecture series includes:

 April 3: Jon Kalb, a geologist associated with the University of Texas-Austin who recently returned from an expedition to Ethiopia. He will talk about the Afar hominids (Australopithecus afarensis) and why they are so unique.

 April 17: John Gurche, a Kansas University alumnus and acclaimed artist of prehistoric reconstructions. He will discuss his method and theory in re-creating prehistoric hominids. His works have appeared in the Smithsonian Institution and National Geographic magazine and his paintings were used for the 1989 dinosaur stamps issued by the U.S. Postal Service.

 April 24: Bruce Latimer, who works at the Cleveland Museum of National History and recently assessed the preservation of the Laetoli footprints. He will review evidence for bipedalism from bones and footprints.

 May 8: Carol Ward works with the description and analysis of early hominid skeletal remains from Kenya. Ward, of the University of Missouri, will discuss her work with Australopithecus anamensis (the likely ancestor of Lucy and her kin) and review evolutionary trends in the earliest hominids.

The lectures are free and open to the public.