Let’s Go: Exploring Patagonia Through Darwin’s Eyes

Did you know that Charles Darwin’s early exploration of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego helped him develop the theory of human evolution? Darwin’s encounters with this remote region’s indigenous peoples, along with his observations of South America’s rugged landscapes and unique wildlife, played a key role in shaping his understanding of natural selection and adaptation. During his famous voyage aboard the HMS Beagle, Darwin was surprised to find isolated human populations living in the continent’s southernmost archipelagos. His firsthand impressions of how the native Patagons and Fuegians lived in these wild places stimulated his initial evolutionary concepts about the human species. Expedition Leader Annie Van Dinther hosts fellow Expedition Leader, biologist and former Tierra del Fuego resident Lilia Gonzalez for a virtual journey through Darwin's sketches and notes, along with some current photos, for intriguing insights into the how this journey to the bottom of South America shaped our perception of life on Earth.


Originally presented May 6, 2021

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