humanity & the Birth of Western Civilization

What can evidence from the Neolithic reveal about human adaptation, cooperation, creativity, identity, and community?

· What can the emergence of the first large communities teach us about human cooperation and belonging?

· How should we understand the transformation from collective relationships with land and resources toward concepts of ownership and individual control?

· What aspects of prehistoric societies have yet to be fully considered in public understanding?

Perspectives are invited from fields including:

· Anthropology   +   · Psychology

· Neuroscience   +  Gender Studies

· Genetics and human evolution

· Indigenous Studies

· Education

· Architecture and environmental design

· Public health

· Social sciences

· The arts and cultural practice

The congress welcomes research and perspectives that illuminate questions of human connection, cultural value systems, social resilience, creativity, learning, identity, and well-being.

The congress will explore the development of prototype pilot programs that translate interdisciplinary knowledge into meaningful public initiatives.

Potential areas may include:

· Museum and cultural institution programming

· Educational initiatives

· Intergenerational community programs

· Approaches to strengthening social connection

· New models for public humanities engagement

· Community-based explorations of human flourishing