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Americas

Season 1 Episode 1 | 54m 40s

As early humans spread out across the world, their toughest challenge was colonizing the Americas because a huge ice sheet blocked the route. It has long been thought that the first Americans were Clovis people, who arrived 13,000 years ago. But an underwater discovery in Mexico suggests people arrived earlier — coming by boat, not on foot.

Aired: 06/22/15 | Expires: 12/31/69

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

First Peoples

A Human Hybrid?

When Homo sapiens turned up in prehistoric Europe, they ran into the Neanderthals.

Clip: S1 E5 | 1:28

First Peoples

The First Modern European

Archaeologists uncover a modern human in a European cave.

Clip: S1 E5 | 2:14

First Peoples

An Impossible Task

Scientists demonstrate the challenges in reconstructing DNA from a Neanderthal bone.

Clip: S1 | 2:34

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

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

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

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

First Peoples

The Curious Species

Explore what motivated early human migration to Asia.

Clip: S1 E3 | 1:22

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

Africa

Examine research that suggests we humans are patchwork species of hybrids.

Episode: S1 E2 | 54:40