First Peoples - Season 1

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.

The appearance of Homo sapiens on the African landscape some 200,000 years ago is detailed. Scientists now believe that the early humans evolved in many places across the continent at the same time, not just in eastern Africa. Also: DNA evidence that early Homo sapiens inter-bred with other human species in Africa.

The migration of Homo sapiens into Asia is detailed. Recent evidence suggests the exodus from Africa began earlier than thought; and that ancient humans mated with another human species known as the Denisovans.

The arrival of early humans in Australia is detailed. Included: the cultural and genetic links between early Australians and modern-day Aborigines.

The final episode explores the arrival of Homo sapiens in prehistoric Europe. The Neanderthals were already present on the continent, and the two species were similar enough to interbreed, but the influx of modern humans had dire consequences for their evolutionary cousins.