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First Peoples

An Impossible Task

Season 1 | 2m 34s

Scientists from the Max Planck Institute, a leader in the study of ancient DNA, were the first to crack the genetic code of a Neanderthal. On First Peoples: Europe, Swedish geneticist Svante Paabo describes the challenges faced in reconstructing DNA from millions of degraded genome fragments found in a Neanderthal bone.

Extras
Watch • 54:40
First Peoples
Europe
Find out why Neanderthals, with whom early humans in Europe interbred, went extinct.
Episode: S1 E5 | 54:40
Watch • 1:28
First Peoples
A Human Hybrid?
When Homo sapiens turned up in prehistoric Europe, they ran into the Neanderthals.
Clip: S1 E5 | 1:28
Watch • 2:14
First Peoples
The First Modern European
Archaeologists uncover a modern human in a European cave.
Clip: S1 E5 | 2:14
Watch • 0:30
First Peoples
Next on Episode 5 | Europe
Find out why Neanderthals, with whom early humans in Europe interbred, went extinct.
Preview: S1 E5 | 0:30
Watch • 0:30
First Peoples
Next on Episode 3 | Asia
Discover a type of ancient human whose genes helped us face down extinction.
Preview: S1 E3 | 0:30
Watch • 2:05
First Peoples
The Dangers of Genetic Isolation
Witness the dangers of genetic isolation exemplified by the duck-billed platypus.
Clip: S1 | 2:05
Watch • 54:40
First Peoples
Australia
Learn how Homo sapiens, new in Australia and truly alone, managed to survive and flourish.
Episode: S1 E4 | 54:40
Watch • 1:25
First Peoples
The Denisovans – A New Type of Human Discovered by Genetics
Discover the ancient humans living across Asia when Homo sapiens arrived.
Clip: S1 E3 | 1:25
Watch • 1:22
First Peoples
The Curious Species
Explore what motivated early human migration to Asia.
Clip: S1 E3 | 1:22
Watch • 2:04
First Peoples
My Ancestors
The close cultural and genetic link between early Australians and modern-day Aborigines.
Clip: S1 E4 | 2:04
Latest Episodes
Watch • 54:40
First Peoples
Europe
Find out why Neanderthals, with whom early humans in Europe interbred, went extinct.
Episode: S1 E5 | 54:40
Watch • 54:40
First Peoples
Australia
Learn how Homo sapiens, new in Australia and truly alone, managed to survive and flourish.
Episode: S1 E4 | 54:40
Watch • 54:40
First Peoples
Asia
Discover a type of ancient human whose genes helped us face down extinction.
Episode: S1 E3 | 54:40
Watch • 54:40
First Peoples
Americas
Learn why a discovery in Mexico may rewrite the story of early migration to the Americas.
Episode: S1 E1 | 54:40
Watch • 54:40
First Peoples
Africa
Examine research that suggests we humans are patchwork species of hybrids.
Episode: S1 E2 | 54:40