Ella Al-Shamahi is a National Geographic Explorer, paleoanthropologist, evolutionary biologist, stand-up comic, TV personality and author of “The Handshake.” She will present the 2023 NHMU Lecture Series: Frontlines of Archaeology’s keynote talk titled “Exploring Dangerous Places” at 7 p.m. on April 4 at Kingsbury Hall. Al-Shamahi specializes in Neanderthals, caves and expeditions in hostile, disputed and dangerous territories. From heading up exploratory expeditions to joining cave excavations, the conditions can be unusual; from avoiding landmines to wearing a burqa for security reasons. She almost exclusively works in places where it is hard to get insurance, such as Iraq, Yemen, Nagorno-Karabakh and places she can’t publicly admit to.

Hosted by the Natural History Museum of Utah, the 2023 NHMU Lecture Series invites you to explore the Frontlines of Archaeology with four intrepid explorers whose fascination and research of the past have unearthed incredible insights into human history. Click here to learn about the other speakers.

Ticket information

Tickets for the in-person lecture at Kingsbury Hall are $20 for general admission and $10 for University of Utah faculty, staff and students with an active UCard. Purchase in-person tickets here.

Tickets for a virtual live stream of the lecture are also available for $20 and $40 for viewing parties greater than two. Registration for the virtual keynote will close on April 3. Purchase virtual tickets here.