Out of Eden

In January 2013 Pulitzer-Prize-winning author, 57-year old Paul Salopek set off on an epic multi-year walk, tracing the probable route our ancient ancestors took over the millennia as they migrated from Ethiopia, considered to be the birthplace of humankind, across the globe, a journey of 21,000 miles in total, stretching eastward into the Middle East and then across Asia and finally across the Pacific Ocean to the Americas. 

Along the way, he's documenting, by word and photography, his experiences meeting all kinds of people along the route, the effects of climate change and advancing technology and, in general, the ways people adapt in order to survive.

Near Gona, Ethiopia

Funded by in part by the National Geographic Society, his regular reports appear as chapters in the journey on the National Geographic Website accompanied by wonderful photographs.

   

Gulf of Tadjourah, Djibouti

Crossing the Red Sea to Arabia

African Sheep on board

From Ethiopia, he travels through Djibouti, crosses the Red Sea and then traverses Saudi Arabia, Jordan, West Bank, Israel, Cyprus, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, across the Caspian Sea, Kazahkstan, Uzbekistan, Krygyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and into India and northern Myanmar, where he is presently walking on.

Cebir Sercan guards precious pistachio grove near Nizip, Turkey

Gulmit, Pakistan

Having only recently discovered this incredible adventure, I'm very much looking forward to catching up on all the chapters, videos and photographs.

All photographs in this post are by Paul Salopek and represent a small sample of what you will find at the National Geographic Website.

You can also follow the Out of Eden Walk on its Facebook Page.