Origins of Us background

Origins of Us

We've unlocked the mysteries of the atom, journeyed to the moon, and shaped the course of human history. The ultimate question remains: What makes us so dominant on Earth? In this groundbreaking trilogy, discover the remarkable evolutionary adaptations that set us apart from other species—an...

We've explored the mysteries of the atom, ventured to the moon, and dominated planet Earth. But why have humans been so successful? This three-part series reveals how anatomical changes over millions of years gave us - and our ancestors - an evolutionary edge over all other life on Earth. From our walking posture, jaw shape, and thumb movements, we are deeply connected to our ancestors' struggles and triumphs. While these changes have brought about many advantages, they've also come with significant costs. Our current challenges stem directly from this evolutionary journey. Origins of Us will transform how you view yourself today compared to six million years ago.

Episodes:

Episode 1 Bones

1. Bones

Aired: Oct 17, 2011

Revealing the advantages our skeleton has brought us as we learned to walk on...

Episode 2 Guts

2. Guts

Aired: Oct 24, 2011

A look at why women and cooking vegetables, rather than men and hunting, enab...

Episode 3 Brains

3. Brains

Aired: Oct 31, 2011

The final episode looks at how the human brain evolved, giving us a unique in...

Appearances

Info about Origins of Us

Current Status: Ended

Network: BBC Two

Genres:Documentary