Home / Series / The Incredible Human Journey / Aired Order / Season 1 / Episode 3
Home / Series / The Incredible Human Journey / Absolute Order / Season 1 / Episode 3

Europe

When our species first arrived in Europe, the peak of the Ice Age was approaching and the continent was already crawling with a rival: stronger, at home in the cold and even (contrary to their popular image) brainier than us. So how did the European pioneers survive first the Neanderthals and then the deep freeze as they pushed across the continent? Alice Roberts reconstructs the head of the 'first European' to come face to face with one of our ancestors; she discovers how art became crucial for survival in the face of Neanderthal competition; and what happened to change the skin colour of these European pioneers from black to white. Finally, spectacular new finds on the edge of Europe suggest that the first known temples may have been a spark for a huge revolution in our ancestors' way of life - agriculture.

Deutsch English français 한국어 Português - Portugal русский язык
  • Originally Aired May 24, 2009
  • Runtime 48 minutes
  • Content Rating United States of America TV-PG
  • Network BBC Two
  • Created August 12, 2021 by
    bogdan.poberznikcgb
  • Modified August 12, 2021 by
    bogdan.poberznikcgb
Name Type Role
Alice Roberts Writer Presenter
Alice Roberts Host Presenter
Philip Smith Director