TELEVISION

Human Prehistory and the First Civilizations

Series: Human Prehistory and the First Civilizations
4.3
(3)
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Episodes
36
Rating
NR
Year
2003
Language
English
Publisher
The Great Courses

About

Uncover the mystery of our species' beginnings and how ensuing populations formed settlements and cultures, developed agriculture and herding, hunted, interacted, and populated the globe.

Related Subjects

Episodes

1 to 3 of 36

1. Introducing Human Prehistory

31m

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Get an introduction to the themes of the course, including emerging human biological and cultural diversity as well as our similarities, the importance of climatic and environmental change, and the importance of seeing prehistory as a tale of people and their beliefs, not just archaeological sites.

2. In the Beginning

29m

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Evidence of human origins dates from between 6 million and 3 million years ago. What anatomical and behavioral changes occurred among hominids across this vast expanse of time? What fossil forms define the earliest stages of human evolution?

3. Our Earliest Ancestors

30m

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The earliest tool-making hominids appeared between 3 million and 2 million years ago. Evidence from Louis and Mary Leakey's excavations at the famous Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania suggests that "Homo habilis," the first toolmaker, used these stone implements as aids in scavenging and foraging.

Extended Details

  • Closed CaptionsEnglish

Artists

The Great Coursesdirector
The Great Coursesproducer
Brian M. Faganactor

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