Ep 1. Dawn
- TV-PG
- February 1, 2016
- 44 min
Description: In the first episode of The Great Human Race season 1, titled "Dawn", viewers are introduced to two teams of experts in anthropology, archaeology, and primitive skills who attempt to retrace the path of our ancestors as they migrated out of Africa over 60,000 years ago. The teams are headed by Bill Schindler and Cat Bigney, both of whom are experts in primitive skills and have spent years learning how to live off the land with only basic hand tools.
Their journey begins in the Omo Valley of Ethiopia, a region that is home to some of the oldest human fossils ever discovered. The teams set up camp by the Omo River and begin their journey on foot, wearing traditional clothing and carrying only the most basic tools. They soon discover that life in the Omo Valley can be incredibly challenging. They encounter snakes, scorpions, and other dangerous creatures, and they must rely on their primitive skills to secure food and water.
As they journey through the valley, the teams encounter two tribes of people who still live much as their ancestors did thousands of years ago. The first tribe they meet is the Bodi, who are known for their tradition of force-feeding young men to prepare them for manhood. The teams witness one of these ceremonies and are shocked by the level of dedication the young men show. The second tribe they meet is the Mursi, known for their use of lip plates as a form of adornment. The teams witness a Mursi woman undergoing the painful process of having her bottom lip pierced and stretched to accommodate a plate.
After leaving the Omo Valley, the teams head across the desert to the Red Sea, following the same route our ancestors may have taken as they migrated out of Africa. They face many challenges along the way, including dehydration and heat exhaustion. Eventually, they reach the coast and build a raft to travel across the Red Sea. The journey across the sea is one of the most dangerous parts of their trip, and the teams are exhausted and weak from their journey thus far.
Finally, after weeks of grueling travel, the teams reach the shores of Saudi Arabia. They set up camp and begin to explore the area, searching for signs of early human civilization. They discover several archaeological sites and uncover evidence of early human migration out of Africa. They also learn about the harsh realities faced by early human travelers, including predators and harsh weather conditions.
In the end, the teams complete their journey successfully, having retraced the path of our ancestors from Africa to Saudi Arabia. Along the way, they gain a new appreciation for our early human ancestors and the incredible challenges they faced. The Great Human Race season 1 episode 1 is an epic journey through time, exploring the triumphs and difficulties faced by early humans as they journeyed across the globe.