Watch Walking with Cavemen

Walking with Cavemen is a four-part documentary series by BBC Earth, written and presented by Professor Robert Winston. The show takes us on a journey through time, starting from six million years ago, when our earliest human ancestors first appeared, and ending with the emergence of the Homo sapiens, approximately 30,000 years ago. During this period, the world was vastly different from what we know today, and the series explores the lives, behaviors, and evolutionary changes of these early humans as they adapted to the changing environment around them.

The first episode of the show is called "First Ancestors," which looks at the period from when bipedalism first emerged in our ancestors, to the time of the australopithecines, our first hominid-like relatives. A major theme of this episode is the crucial importance of environmental changes in shaping the evolution of early humans. We see how changes in climate and vegetation forced our ancestors to adapt or die, and how factors such as their ability to walk upright and use tools played a crucial role in their survival.

The second episode, "Blood Brothers," focuses on the time when the homo species first emerged. This episode is more focused on the different species of Homo that existed, such as Homo habilis and Homo erectus, exploring their physical and behavioral differences as they evolved to adapt to the world around them. The episode also explores the development of culture and community, such as the use of fire, tools, and interpersonal relationships.

The third episode, "Savage Family," takes us on a journey through the development of early human societies, and the ways in which they competed and cooperated with other groups. It explores the different personalities and leadership styles of the early humans, as well as how they communicated and formed strong relationships with each other. The episode also delves into the roles of gender, from the roles of male hunters to the roles of women in childbirth and childcare.

Finally, the fourth and final episode, "The Survivors," looks at the most recent stage of human evolution, from the rise of Homo sapiens to the end of the last ice age. This episode covers topics such as the development of language, art, and agriculture, as well as the creation of complex societies and civilizations. We see how humans developed agriculture and domestication of animals, which allowed them to settle in one place and form the foundations of modern civilization.

Throughout the series, the presenter Robert Winston offers his own insights and interpretations of the various events and discoveries from the early human past, drawing on his extensive knowledge in the fields of medicine, genetics, and evolutionary biology. The show also features impressive visual effects and computer graphics to bring the world of prehistory to life, such as animatronic models, CGI recreations of landscapes, and footage of real-life animals and environments.

Overall, Walking with Cavemen is an engaging and informative documentary series that offers a fascinating look at the lives, struggles, and triumphs of early humans. With its unique blend of scientific accuracy and creative storytelling, this series provides a valuable insight into the evolutionary history of our species, helping us to understand the nature of human nature and how we became the beings we are today.

Walking with Cavemen is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between March 27, 2003 and on BBC Earth