Incredible revivals of the features of the 'hobbit,' Neanderthal, and Homo erectus, providing a glimpse into the appearances of our prehistoric human ancestors.
The highly anticipated documentary series, "Human," is set to premiere on July 14 in the United Kingdom on BBC Two and on September 17 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT in the United States. This groundbreaking collaboration between the BBC Studios Science Unit and the U.S. science program "NOVA" offers a captivating exploration of human evolution over the past 300,000 years.
The series features four lifelike reconstructions of prehistoric humans, including a model of the "hobbit" species, Homo floresiensis. This diminutive species, an adult of which was about the same height as a modern 4-year-old, will be introduced in the documentary.
In addition to the hobbit, the series includes models of three other prehistoric human species - Homo erectus, Neanderthals, and the earliest known H. sapiens specimen. The early H. sapiens model is based on fossils from Jebel Irhoud, Morocco, dated to about 300,000 years ago.
One intriguing aspect of the Neanderthal model is its light skin tone, reflecting DNA evidence from genes linked to pigmentation. This light skin would have aided in vitamin D production, as Neanderthals lived at high latitudes in Eurasia that had low levels of sunlight.
The series will also delve into the diverse places and climates humans have experienced throughout history, showcasing the extraordinary animals we encountered and hunted. A relevant episode focuses on 20,000-year-old footprints found in White Sands National Park, New Mexico, which offer a poignant story of a prehistoric mother's perilous journey during the end of the last Ice Age.
Hosted by Ella Al-Shamahi and Professor Matthew Bennett, "Human" will introduce viewers to different types of archaic humans who lived throughout history, including Neanderthals. These early H. sapiens remains exhibit a mix of modern and archaic features, suggesting an earlier origin for our species than previously believed.
Scientists believe that at least six other human species existed around the time our species first emerged in Africa. The production team for the series developed the 3D models using hundreds of cameras and digital stitching of actor photographs.
"Human" will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer for U.K. residents and at pbs.org/nova, NOVA on YouTube, and the PBS app for U.S. viewers. The series offers a fascinating glimpse into our past, shedding light on human migration patterns and the diverse prehistoric humans who walked the Earth.
[1] For more information, please visit www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b2z8p6 and www.pbs.org/nova/next/human-documentary-series-explores-human-evolution/
[4] For more information on human migration to the Americas, please visit www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04001-z
The documentary series, "Human," not only delves into the diverse prehistoric human species like Neanderthals, Homo erectus, and the early H. sapiens, but also explores the role of technology in creating lifelike models of these species. Furthermore, the series shed light on medical-conditions such as vitamin D deficiency in Neanderthals, aided by their skin tone evident from DNA analysis, and discusses the impact of technology on space and astronomy, as it enabled the development of 3D models for the series.
