Nova series 'Human' examines origins and survival of Homo sapiens

A five-part Nova documentary produced by the BBC is streaming on PBS under the title Human. The series uses fieldwork, fossil dating and expert interviews to explore the origins and survival of the human race. Hosted by paleoanthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi, it follows her as she travels to dig sites and remote locations to explain how Homo sapiens emerged and endured when other human species disappeared.

In the premiere episode, Origins, Al-Shamahi explains that Homo sapiens were not the first humans. She cites Homo erectus and Neanderthals as predecessors and travels to a Moroccan dig site to examine the Ihroud 1 skull, dated at more than 350,000 years old. That skull has a brainpan more like Homo erectus but a facial structure more typical of Homo sapiens, prompting researchers to reconsider the long-held idea that Homo sapiens emerged in East Africa around 250,000 years ago. The episode traces early migratory patterns and explains how small clusters of Homo sapiens came together at key points in history, adapting to harsh climates and developing ways to communicate, cooperate, and reproduce.

The show leans on new dating technologies and noninvasive imaging to identify fossils and piece together lifeways. Al-Shamahi is on camera in most scenes, narrating as a storyteller while also presenting the scientific context. Viewers see how early humans developed tools and weapons, like bows and arrows, and how symbol-like behaviors, such as collecting perforated shells to string into jewelry, emerged alongside technology. Reenactments are used sparingly, and the program often features interviews with researchers at dig sites rather than static studio discussions.

Critics compare the tone to Carl Sagan’s Cosmos, noting that Al-Shamahi's direct-to-camera presence helps translate complex topics into a human-centered story. The show blends cinematic landscapes with archaeological science, presenting a travelogue that traces our species’ journey across continents and climates while underscoring the continuity of human curiosity and ingenuity.

Overall, the series presents a rigorous, accessible account of the long arc of human evolution. It is designed to reach broad audiences through a lively host, clear explanations and high-end production values, while grounding its narrative in the latest fossil dating methods and genetic research. By highlighting moments when Homo sapiens outpaced rival species, the program reinforces the idea that our species survived not solely because of biology but because of culture, technology and social organization.