Level of Education of Students Involved

Undergraduate

Faculty Sponsor

Dr. Lucas Kelley

College

College of Arts & Sciences (CAS)

Discipline(s)

History, Paleoanthropology

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Symposium Date

Spring 4-24-2025

Abstract

This paper examines the life and groundbreaking contributions of the underrecognized Dr. Mary Leakey to the field of paleoanthropology. This paper focuses on Mary's role in reshaping the understanding of human evolution. It begins by examining her early life to identify the reasons behind her passion for paleoanthropology before leading to knowledge known before Mary's work began in the 1930s. This recognition assists in explaining what was known before Mary's involvement, as the field of paleoanthropology was still in its early stages, with limited fossil evidence and a fragmented understanding of human origins. After establishing what was known before Mary's career, the paper shares the pivotal discoveries made over her five-decade career, including the Proconsul africanus from 18 million years ago, the Laetoli hominin footprints from 3.75 million years ago, and some of the most significant of the fifteen new species Mary discovered. By focusing on Mary's achievements, this paper seeks to highlight her underrecognized contributions, often overshadowed by her husband, Louis Leakey, and argue for her significant role in the development of modern paleoanthropology. This paper will also explore her impact on paleoanthropology by examining how Mary found critical fossils of early hominins that changed ideas about human evolution and will conclude with an explanation of Mary's achievements in the field and an insight into how modern paleoanthropologists continue building on Mary's work.

Biographical Information about Author(s)

My name is Courtney Ledbetter, and I am a senior transfer to Valparaiso University after my former college closed unexpectedly. My major is history, with dual minors in psychology and secondary education. I just finished my fourth year as a collegiate athlete, which allows me to put more time into applying to graduate schools. I plan to get a doctorate in anthropology, and my goal for this degree is to become a professor in anthropology.

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