The Department of Human Evolution was founded in 2004 as part of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI-EVA). The MPI-EVA is multidisciplinary facility, whose aim is to investigate human biological and cultural evolution, through the perspectives of five departments and several junior scientist groups.

The Institute is located in Leipzig, Germany.

In addition to research at the MPI-EVA, there is a strong commitment to education and training. Perspective Ph.D. candidates are encouraged to consider the
Leipzig School of Human Origins, (IMPRS - International Max Planck Research School) which started in 2005.