Human Universe

Episode 1

Apeman Spaceman

58 mins

Professor Brian Cox considers the history on mankind, presumably unique in the universe, from ordinary primate to the extraordinary achievements of civilization, symbolized by space travel. First he considers the presumed origins of humanity in present Ethiopia, where it may have started with the precision production of obsidian tools, requiring a high IQ, specialization and language. Natural history suggests that the very evolution of apes to Homo Sapiens, with significant brain size increases, peeked each time grave climatic instability, caused by astronomical cycles, demanded greater adaptation, hence brain power. The abandoned Nabataean capital Petra in present Jordania symbolizes how the move north into the Middle East kicked off true civilization. The space station symbolizes the glorious triumph of science and technology, especially since the 20th century enabling rocket technology.