Where did we come from? The BBC docuseries ‘Human’ is an exhilarating origin story

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Recently, it feels like humanity, despite our impressive abilities like writing and publishing newspapers, is failing to live up to its potential. We often talk about humanity as being defined by kindness, compassion, and selflessness, but it’s easy to find examples of the opposite: people acting irrationally, driven by fear and cruelty. Considering that “sapiens” means “wise,” it almost feels like a cruel joke.

Ever wondered how humanity evolved into what it is today? The new five-part BBC/PBS “Nova” series, “Human,” starting Wednesday, takes a look at our species’ history stretching back hundreds of thousands of years. Hosted by paleoanthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi, the series follows her as she travels the globe – from caves and jungles to mountains, deserts, and even the Nile – in search of clues about our prehistoric ancestors. She often explores these remote locations alone, leaving you wondering how she reached such incredible places.

Born in England to parents from Yemen and Syria, Dr. Al-Shamahi studied evolutionary biology and biodiversity at Imperial College London and was recognized as a National Geographic Emerging Explorer in 2015. She’s appeared in several television programs, including documentaries about Neanderthals, the Amazon, and Tutankhamun, and even performs stand-up comedy. On screen, she brings an adventurous and engaging energy, often compared to a relaxed Lara Croft, and her narration has a captivating quality similar to Cate Blanchett’s voice in the opening scenes of a “Lord of the Rings” film. The series she hosts explores ancient locations and archaeological digs, presenting the field of paleoanthropology in a visually appealing and surprisingly exciting way.

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The study of humanity is an ongoing process, recognizing that our understanding is constantly evolving. While fossils and artifacts provide valuable insights, they don’t offer a complete record of the past. New discoveries frequently change what we thought we knew, and improved analytical tools help us refine timelines as we uncover more pieces of the puzzle. Our picture of early humans is far more nuanced than older, simpler depictions – and increasingly reflects the reality that many *did* actually live in caves.

The story centers around the idea that we are the last humans remaining from several different groups that once lived on Earth, a lineage stretching back over 300,000 years. Al-Shamahi points out that our survival has repeatedly come at the expense of other human species. These included *Homo erectus*, the first to migrate out of Africa; *Homo floresiensis*, a small group nicknamed “Hobbits” who lived on the island of Flores; the Denisovans, who lived across Asia; and the Neanderthals, who despite often being portrayed differently, had a rich and successful culture. They moved north into Europe and, through interbreeding with our ancestors, left a small trace of their DNA in almost everyone alive today except those with purely African ancestry. Al-Shamahi finds it comforting to think that they continue to live on within us.

Looking back, it’s amazing to see how far we’ve come – though it wasn’t so great for the Neanderthals, they did alright for a while! For a long time, people moved around following food sources, but when we started farming, everything changed. We settled down, started domesticating animals like dogs and sheep, and eventually, those settlements grew into cities. As cities got bigger, people started specializing in different jobs, and we had to learn to work together – even though old instincts of ‘us versus them’ just got bigger, turning into full-blown wars between countries. It’s just… people, isn’t it?

I really appreciate that this show doesn’t rely too much on cheesy recreations of what life was like way back then – they keep those parts brief and a little fuzzy, which is perfect. Honestly, the best part is seeing everything *now* – it’s a beautifully shot show, and following Dr. Al-Shamahi as she explores places like White Sands, New Mexico, and the incredible Göbeklitepe in Turkey (which is seriously older than Stonehenge!) is just fascinating. She doesn’t shy away from the less glamorous side of fieldwork either – I even saw her removing leeches! But mostly, it’s her genuine enthusiasm for things like ancient skulls, tools, and even little beads that really draws you in. It’s not that she’s trying to *make* you excited, it’s that her passion is just… captivating.

Awards

Nate Bargatze, hosting the Emmys for the first time, handled a tricky situation by cleverly keeping the show on track. His relaxed and understated humor helped everyone enjoy the night.

As a total cinema devotee, I was captivated by how Al-Shamahi’s narrative builds to the very dawn of writing – essentially, the end of prehistory as we know it. What really struck me was her take on the alphabet’s origins. She argues it wasn’t developed by scribes or royalty, but by ordinary, even marginalized, workers – turquoise miners providing materials for Egyptian jewelry. It’s a fascinating detail, and a stark reminder that even something as fundamental as language has roots in social and economic realities – income inequality, sadly, being another invention of our species.

According to Al-Shamahi, standing near London’s modern skyline, humanity’s success wasn’t guaranteed. She emphasizes that Homo sapiens wasn’t necessarily *meant* to be the last surviving human species, but rather simply the most adaptable. This idea is a recurring theme throughout her work. While she acknowledges and celebrates our species’ capacity for collaboration, learning, and innovation – a sentiment she jokingly compares to Captain Kirk – she believes our understanding of history prevents us from confidently predicting what lies ahead.

It really makes you wonder, doesn’t it? As I was listening, I kept thinking, ‘Is this it? Is this the full picture?’ Or are we just at the beginning, like the first act of a really long movie? Honestly, we have no clue what’s coming next. Looking back, who could have guessed we’d end up here? But the exciting thing is, where the story goes from here? That’s up to us, it seems.

Good luck with that.

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2025-09-16 21:02