Shelf Life Episode 7 - The Language Detectives

What does it take to solve a mystery about an ancient Native American language group? 16th-century missionary texts, DNA sequencing methods, and lots of algorithms. Curators Peter Whiteley and Ward Wheeler discuss their project to map the evolution of Uto-Aztecan languages.

For more about some of the cultures in the Uzo-Aztecan language group, head over to the episode website: http://www.amnh.org/shelf-life

Shelf Life is a collection for curious minds—opening doors, pulling out drawers, and taking the lids off some of the incredible, rarely seen items in the American Museum of Natural History. Over 12 episodes, Shelf Life will explore topics like specimen preparation, learn why variety is vital, and meet some of the people who work in the Museum collections. Videos roll out monthly, and Episode 8 will premiere on June 19, 2015.

For more, visit ‪http://www.amnh.org/ShelfLife‬‬

Series Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2PmDLfWt1Q

Episode 1: 33 Million Things
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NR-xl7W0vo

Episode 2: Turtles and Taxonomy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmXqn9AW2Kc

Episode 3: Six Ways to Prepare a Coelacanth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqL17uabbso

Episode 4: Skull of the Olinguito
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEYfY0mRc5k

Episode 5: How To Time Travel To a Star
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5xJqFtPGAA

Episode 6: The Tiniest Fossils
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLSa8cGJixQ

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