Ice World
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Synopsis
Past and future ice ages have always been considered a threat to humanity, but new research suggests that this is a misundrestanding of our history. If it were not for the climatic chaos brought on by the growth and reduction of the polar ice caps human kind would never have developed the intelligence that singles us out from all other creatures. The idea that climate affects evolution moves in and out of fashion. There is currently a growing body of scientists that believe climatic changes played a key part in human evolution. This is a controversial idea, but is based in ever-expanding evidence. This two-part documentary looks at the effects of the ice age through the eyes of the human beings that lived it. By interweaving drama, narrative and cutting-edge science it brings to life the story of human beings living 20,000 years before the first recorded civilisation. Ice World follows three fictional characters: Aki, Bron and Mara. They are the only surviving members of a dying tribe, slowly being wiped out by the extreme weather and lack of food. In evolutionary terms they were modern humans who spoke a complex language and were able to make clothes and shelter strong enough to withstand glacial temperatures. But their lifestyle was very different to ours. They were restricted to living in clans of 20 to 30 people and adopting a hunter-gatherer method of survival. Aki, Bron and Mara cannot survive alone so they head south to look for other clans who will take them in and help them survive the coming winter. In programme one, Origins explores how the ice age has shaped human biology. The human brain has developed in such a way that it allows us to deal with difficult and highly variable environments. If it were not for the ice age our ancestors may have remained as forest dwelling apes. Programme two examines how the ice age shaped human culture. When humans first came into contact with the freezing climates, around 24,000 years ago, living conditions became increasingly more difficult. The hunter-gatherer lifestyle that had existed for all of human history was no longer viable. Our ancestors had to overcome deep-seated psychological obstacles against living in large groups and lay down the foundations for a more modern civilisation.
Past and future ice ages have always been considered a threat to humanity, but new research suggests that this is a misundrestanding of our history. If it were not for the climatic chaos brought on by the growth and reduction of the polar ice caps human kind would never have developed the intelligence that singles us out from all other creatures. The idea that climate affects evolution moves in and out of fashion. There is currently a growing body of scientists that believe climatic changes played a key part in human evolution. This is a controversial idea, but is based in ever-expanding evidence. This two-part documentary looks at the effects of the ice age through the eyes of the human beings that lived it. By interweaving drama, narrative and cutting-edge science it brings to life the story of human beings living 20,000 years before the first recorded civilisation. Ice World follows three fictional characters: Aki, Bron and Mara. They are the only surviving members of a dying tribe, slowly being wiped out by the extreme weather and lack of food. In evolutionary terms they were modern humans who spoke a complex language and were able to make clothes and shelter strong enough to withstand glacial temperatures. But their lifestyle was very different to ours. They were restricted to living in clans of 20 to 30 people and adopting a hunter-gatherer method of survival. Aki, Bron and Mara cannot survive alone so they head south to look for other clans who will take them in and help them survive the coming winter. In programme one, Origins explores how the ice age has shaped human biology. The human brain has developed in such a way that it allows us to deal with difficult and highly variable environments. If it were not for the ice age our ancestors may have remained as forest dwelling apes. Programme two examines how the ice age shaped human culture. When humans first came into contact with the freezing climates, around 24,000 years ago, living conditions became increasingly more difficult. The hunter-gatherer lifestyle that had existed for all of human history was no longer viable. Our ancestors had to overcome deep-seated psychological obstacles against living in large groups and lay down the foundations for a more modern civilisation.
Duration
2 x 48'
Definition
SD
Genre
Factual
Subgenre
Science
Producer
WALL TO WALL TELEVISION LTD