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First Peoples
200,000 years ago we took our first steps on the African savanna. Today there are 7 billion of us living across planet Earth. How did our ancestors beat the odds and spread from continent to continent? What was the secret to their success? This is a global detective story, featuring new fossil finds and the latest genetic research. It's a story that revolves around a shocking revelation. In prehistoric times, we met and mated with other types of human – like Neanderthals, Denisovans and Homo erectus. This mixing of genes helped us survive - and ultimately thrive. Scientists are beginning to realize that ours is not a pedigree species, but a patchwork. We are all hybrids.
Metadata: TVmaze · CC BY-SAEvery chapter of the story.
120m1. Americas
120 minAs early humans spread out across the world, their toughest challenge was colonizing the Americas because a huge ice sheet blocked the route. It has long been thought that the first Americans were Clovis people, who arrived 13,000 years ago. But an underwater discovery in Mexico suggests people arrived earlier — coming by boat, not on foot.
120m2. Africa
120 minThe appearance of Homo sapiens on the African landscape some 200,000 years ago is detailed. Scientists now believe that the early humans evolved in many places across the continent at the same time, not just in eastern Africa. Also: DNA evidence that early Homo sapiens inter-bred with other human species in Africa.
120m3. Asia
120 minThe migration of Homo sapiens into Asia is detailed. Recent evidence suggests the exodus from Africa began earlier than thought; and that ancient humans mated with another human species known as the Denisovans.
60m4. Australia
60 minThe arrival of early humans in Australia is detailed. Included: the cultural and genetic links between early Australians and modern-day Aborigines.
120m5. Europe
120 minThe final episode explores the arrival of Homo sapiens in prehistoric Europe. The Neanderthals were already present on the continent, and the two species were similar enough to interbreed, but the influx of modern humans had dire consequences for their evolutionary cousins.
The people behind the story.
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