Alice Roberts explores recent discoveries in the study of human origins, revealing the transformation that has been brought about in this field by genetics.
Alice Roberts explores recent discoveries in the study of human origins, revealing the transformation that has been brought about in this field by genetics.
Traditional paleo-anthropology, based on fossils, is being transformed by advanced genome sequencing techniques. We now know that there were at least four other distinct species of human on the planet at the same time as us - some of them identified from astonishingly well-preserved DNA extracted from 50,000-year-old bones, others hinted at by archaic sections of DNA hidden in our modern genome. What's more, we now know that our ancestors met and interacted with these other humans, in ways that still have ramifications today. Alice uses these revelations to update our picture of the human family tree.
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Clips
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Voices from the past: did Neanderthals speak?
Duration: 01:50
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Trail - The Lost Tribes of Humanity
Duration: 02:28
Music Played
Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes
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00:08DJ Kappa
Intro: Hra Sa Zacina
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00:47Diddy
I Don't Like That (Interlude) (feat. Bristal & Mark Curry)
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Alice Roberts |
| Series Editor | Steve Crabtree |
| Director | Giles Harrison |
| Producer | Giles Harrison |
