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First Peoples

The Dangers of Genetic Isolation

Witness the dangers of genetic isolation exemplified by the duck-billed platypus.

Aired 06/30/2015 | Rating NR

First Peoples

The Dangers of Genetic Isolation

Clip: Season 1 | 2m 5s

Witness the dangers of genetic isolation exemplified by the duck-billed platypus.

Witness the dangers of genetic isolation exemplified by the duck-billed platypus.

Aired 06/30/2015 | Rating NR

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Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback

An Impossible Task

Scientists demonstrate the challenges in reconstructing DNA from a Neanderthal bone. (2m 34s)

The Dangers of Genetic Isolation

Witness the dangers of genetic isolation exemplified by the duck-billed platypus. (2m 5s)

Official Trailer

See how the mixing of prehistoric human genes led the way for our species to thrive. (2m 4s)

Next on Episode 4 | Australia

Learn how Homo sapiens, new in Australia and truly alone, managed to survive and flourish. (30s)

Next on Episode 3 | Asia

Discover a type of ancient human whose genes helped us face down extinction. (30s)

Next on Episode 5 | Europe

Find out why Neanderthals, with whom early humans in Europe interbred, went extinct. (30s)

A Human Hybrid?

When Homo sapiens turned up in prehistoric Europe, they ran into the Neanderthals. (1m 28s)

The First Modern European

Archaeologists uncover a modern human in a European cave. (2m 14s)

My Ancestors

The close cultural and genetic link between early Australians and modern-day Aborigines. (2m 4s)

The Denisovans – A New Type of Human Discovered by Genetics

Discover the ancient humans living across Asia when Homo sapiens arrived. (1m 25s)

The Curious Species

Explore what motivated early human migration to Asia. (1m 22s)

The Secret to Our Success - Connectivity

200,000 years ago, a new species appeared on the African landscape. (2m 19s)

Omo 1 - The World's First Modern Human

195,000 years ago, Omo-1 was a hunter prowling the east African savanna. (59s)

Next on Episode 2 | Africa

Examine research that suggests we humans are patchwork species of hybrids. (30s)

Next on Episode 1 | Americas

Learn why a discovery in Mexico may rewrite the story of early migration to the Americas. (30s)

Eva of Naharon - The First American?

Eva of Naharon was discovered in 2008 on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. (1m 2s)

The Clovis Point - The First American Invention

The Clovis point is an amazing piece of Stone Age technology used to hunt animals. (48s)

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