人類の驚くべき起源：人類のルーツ

人類の驚くべき起源：人類のルーツ

Twenty-five million years ago,
a new species appeared on Earth. The great apes. Among them was one family
with extraordinary abilities. They were our distant ancestors. Through evolution, they gave rise to new,
more advanced species. Then ventured far and wide
and invented hunting, power, tools, love,
and soon war. They competed with the great beasts, conquered the planet,
adapted to every climate. They became us,
homo sapiens, modern man. Where and when did our lineage begin? Who was the first of us? What is that quality that makes us human? The difference that sets us apart
from other animals. Thanks to the latest
scientific discoveries, we are about to take a journey
into the depths of time to find out which of our ancestors
took the decisive step and gave birth to the first man. Our family story begins
25 million years ago, at a time of intense global warming. With the vast Tethys Ocean fragmenting
and closing off in the Near East, humid forests spread north from Africa. Our distant ancestors followed the forest
and rapidly populated the ancient world. They ruled the canopy,
a hundred different species. Gigantopithecus,
Ramapithecus, and Sivapithecus stretched from Europe to modern-day China. This is the age of the Planet of the Apes. Which of these great primates
is our common ancestor? The Mediterranean coast,
13 million years ago, in modern-day Spain. A humid tropical forest. Here lives a creature
with exceptional abilities. This acrobat is Pierolapithecus. The animal kingdom
has never seen such a marvel. This great ape
is the origin of our family, but how? What makes him our great-grandfather? We are only beginning to understand. Pierola lives in the trees
and mainly eats fruit. He is too heavy to walk on the branches,
so he hangs, though he does sometimes
end up on two feet. He can walk. Contrary to common belief, the ability to walk upright
wasn’t developed on the ground but up in the branches. Bipedalism was not man’s invention
but the apes’. This Pierola is a young male. He left his family several days ago. He now faces a difficult task,
being adopted by a new group, and he’s just discovered one. His fate will be decided here. However, each group has its own territory
and intruders are rarely welcome. A young female and her infant. Mothers are especially wary. Not easy to approach. Up there, there is an older female
much easier to make contact with. A large male,
clearly a dominant alpha male. He seems calm,
but it is far too dangerous to approach. To be accepted, he must first be noticed,
a tense moment. Has the young female picked up his scent? She’s the most beautiful Pierola
he’s ever seen. It seems to be going all right. It’s another story with the alpha male. He could kill him, but for now,
it’s just physical intimidation. The young male’s first attempt
ends in failure, but his mood
provokes an unexpected reaction. Our ancestors possessed a new quality,
previously unknown in the animal kingdom, something shared
by very few species, empathy. Understanding the emotions of others. Even more extraordinarily, they are affected
by the feelings of others, sympathy. It’s happening to the older female. She feels the distress of the young male
and it makes her anxious. She must act. She wants to find out more about him. Empathy is a powerful force. It is the thing that allows us
to live in a society today. Why does he need
to be adopted by strangers? It relates to the social structure
of Pierolas. The females never leave the group, while the males are forced to leave
at adolescence. What do the old female’s gestures mean? Will he be able to stay? Not yet. The young male keeps his distance. He needs to sleep. Most mammals only sleep
for a few minutes at a time, not Pierolas. In terms of sleeping,
they are revolutionaries. The Pierolas have come up
with an extraordinary invention. They build nests in the treetops. However, it takes a long time
to learn how to build a nest, and the only way to learn
is from the mother. The young male always slept
in his mother’s nest. He still doesn’t know how to make his own. Up here, Pierolas are protected
from predators, and their leaf
mats stop them from falling. They can sleep all night without fear. Long restorative nights. Thanks to the miracle of sleep,
Pierolas improve their mental faculties. Sleep allows our brains
to sort information. Not all of it received during the day
is useful. Our brain puts some in the trash and stores the essential parts
in our memory. All that while we sleep, remarkable. Pierolas have passed this down to us. Without this invention,
we could never have become humans. This morning, the group has come down
to the forest floor. The young male followed them. He wants to make contact
with the group again. Pierolas love the sweet taste of fruit, but they have an advantage
over other species. Their stomachs
can digest all sorts of food. Well, they still have their favorites. There they are. The young male has made his choice
and will approach the older female. Out of all the different foods
in the forest, some are highly poisonous. How do they know what is edible
and what is poisonous? For Pierolas,
the answer is sharing experiences. The mother teaches her young
how to choose and pick. This knowledge is passed
from generation to generation. The beginning of a culture. The elder female
can’t leave her new contact. Like all Pierolas,
the young male knows how to give gifts. Figs. Will she accept them? It’s a good sign. Now he can begin the conversation. The language of the Pierolas
mainly consists of grooming. Grooming and caresses
say far more than words. However, touching females in the group
risks angering the alpha male. The females defend the young male
against the alpha. Their numbers make them stronger. The alpha must back down. Among Pierolas,
the females have the power. The young male
has taken an important step. He has become the old female’s favorite. Now it’s the female’s turn to caress. Part of this seems
like more than caressing. What exactly does she want? The young male
has no experience of pleasure. To relax the atmosphere, Pierolas have invented
a totally new behavior, laughing. This development,
which resolves conflicts, is not a human invention,
but an inheritance. Our ancestors lived
in an earthly paradise. Fruit in abundance,
freshwater available everywhere, and in all seasons. The only real dangers are the predators
that roam the floor of the great forest. To detect them,
Pierolas read the signs of the forest. They have a deep understanding
of their environment. The cry of a bird alerts them. The alarm sounds. A tiger. They have a different call
for each threat. That means the alert is lifted. They can go back down. Pierolas live in a golden age
for the great apes, but this period of prosperity cannot last. Great upheaval is on the horizon. Africa is on a collision course
with Europe. Tectonic activity
that will soon destroy the environment. The young male remains outside the group. He is cautious. The alpha is still dangerous. To be completely adopted,
he needs the alpha’s consent. He’s perhaps not the best nest builder, but he comes from a group that knows
how to catch tasty little insects. An amazing technique the golden-eyed female
has never seen before. He uses the stick to catch termites. There is nothing tastier than termites. This invention is crucial. The stick is the first tool. An extension of the hand
which allows us to perform new tasks. An idea that will be invaluable to us. They have understood. The young male is now
the main attraction of the group. The infant is a victim of his greed. He forgot his mother’s teaching
and has been poisoned. A fate suffered so often by the young. The young male recognizes this poison. The Pierolas already have some knowledge
of the curative powers of plants. This knowledge varies between groups
and allows them to cure some ailments. The young male seems
to have some knowledge on this matter that the group does not. There are many different types. Plants that put tapeworms to sleep, plants covered in tiny spines
that trap the sleeping worms. Pierolas were herbalists. The tale of this young hero
may seem secondary, but it tells another, more powerful story,
the spread of knowledge. Societies that forced
their young adults to leave possess this quality. The young depart
with the knowledge of their group and transmit it to other groups. The infant is saved, thanks to the young male. The young female has made her choice. He must become part of the group. It’s her will against the alpha. Pierola alpha males resist the pressure
of the females as long as possible, but the females always win. The alpha can sense. From now on,
the young male is part of the group. It’s a sign. The earth is moving and the great period
of climatic cooling is approaching. Our ancestors had to leave,
to escape this place, and so the great exodus begins. Africa is on a collision course
with Europe. The climate of the planet
is changing dramatically. The humid forests of Europe
are disappearing. The same is happening
in large parts of Asia, where the forests of China and Japan
are fragmenting. The Asiatic great apes
migrate towards South Asia. They give rise to the ancestors
of the gibbons and the orangutans. The African continent
has just closed the Strait of Gibraltar. Cut off from the water of the Atlantic,
the Mediterranean dries out and becomes a dead sea. Pierolas and their relatives
cross the dried Mediterranean. They migrate towards Africa,
where the forest is spreading, notably on the vast
green plains of the Sahara. Pierolas evolved and became a new species
with new, more astonishing abilities. This new ancestor
was called Sahelanthropus or Toumai. Further south,
we rejoin the path of our lineage, 7 million years later. Toumai lived on the shores of Lake Chad. They were probably our common ancestor
with modern chimpanzees. Their inventions will make them amongst the most dangerous
and intelligent species on the planet. With them, the march towards humanity
gathers pace. Toumai still sleep in the trees,
but have found plenty to do on the ground. A much more varied food supply,
even if it’s a little trickier to get to. The descendant of the young female
is now a Toumai. Her appearance has changed, but she has kept her golden eyes
passed down through her DNA. Her son still has much to learn. An infant’s education
now takes much longer. As well as knowing what to eat,
he must learn how to eat it. Toumai use different tools
for different foods, but mastering each tool
takes hours of practice. Toumai try to benefit
from all nature’s gifts. The females have a greater
practical instinct than the males. They imagine and invent new techniques. Toumai have also improved
this strange way of getting around, walking on two feet. It has many advantages, such as being able
to carry objects long distances. The descendant of the alpha
still dominates the group. There have been considerable changes
in our ancestors’ social structure. Now the males have the power. There is a hierarchy
and the alpha knows it must be respected. He often feels the need
to remind everyone. It’s usually the weakest
that feel his force. A society dominated by males
is a never-ending series of rivalries. The alpha is a type of ultra-dominant male who always feels the need
to show his force. Is this young one still alive? He’s okay, just a bit shaken up. The Alpha doesn’t just rely on strength
to stay on top. He builds friendships with several allies. He praises a male knowing
he could be a threat one day. He sweet-talks the elder female. Her goodwill could come in useful. Alliances, strategies, betrayal,
conquest, and power. This type of society has given rise
to a new activity, politics. The males spend
most of their day plotting. It is left to the females to find ways
to feed and educate their young. It’s no wonder that females have become
more resourceful than the males. To the alpha, ruling the group
also means having access to the female. The problem with bipedalism is the male can’t see
the female’s genitals as clearly. How does he know if she’s interested? Before being able to mate, he now has to check
the willingness of the female. She’s not interested. The new territory
of the Toumai includes water and all the food it contains. Our ancestors
are just getting used to this new element and will encounter an abundance of riches. The Toumai’s greatest invention,
however, is preference. A male and a female
can decide to get away from the group just to spend some time together. For these two juveniles,
it’s the first time. A big step in relationships
between males and females. Before there was only sniffing,
then mating. It only lasted a minute. Now they can spend time together
and exchange gestures of affection. The great apes begin to feel
their hearts beating, their hair standing on end. The great game of seduction. She seeks his gaze. He is transfixed. She smells him. They feel desire. They give kisses and invent a new way of mating,
face to face. No one has noticed
that the infant has strayed from the bank. Too late. The little one’s frail body
is limp and lifeless. Toumai are well aware
of the importance of the group. The loss of a member is heartbreaking. Life on the ground
does have its advantages, but there are far more predators
than in the canopy. That’s why Toumai
still depend on the trees. Something strange is happening
in our ancestors’ minds. The young female should have left
the lifeless body behind, but she refused. Why? What does she feel? Something happened this morning. Several unknown individuals were spotted
on the other side of the hill. The three males of the group
are very excited. There under the large fig tree,
another group of Toumai. The first time they’ve seen them. Two very enticing females. They have been eating overripe figs
and are now drunk. This group has come here for the fermented fruits
that rot on the ground. The Alpha wants the females. He wants what he sees, but they belong to other males, and he is an absolute giant. What can he do? A cunning plan is formulating
inside the alpha’s head. A previously unimagined idea. An idea that will make us
the most dangerous predator on the planet. The idea is to kill. Killing one’s own species. Killing with premeditation
and in an organized way. Killing to take the goods of others. The Toumai have just invented war. They have conquered a new territory, and with it a tree full of fruit
and a few females. War has its advantages. From now on,
the alpha group will occupy this land. The young female still
has a worrying connection to her infant. She is refusing to accept reality
because reality has become unbearable. The infant is motionless,
but his body is still there. What is it that lives in us
and vanishes so suddenly? Toumai are starting to understand
the concept of death. The loss of life, the loss of a being. They know that their own lives will end. Faced with suffering and confusion, they gather around the body
of their departed friend. Gathering, the feeling
of being in a group, united in space and time. The beginning of a ritual,
a first funeral ceremony. For many years we believed
that awareness of death made us human. Not anymore. Today, we know
that we share this knowledge with many other species,
including chimpanzees. Awareness of the passage of time is a huge leap forward
in our family history. Five million years ago,
Africa began to dry out. The great forests of the Sahara receded and placed pressure
on the descendants of the Toumai. They separate into several families. Some evolve along the line
of the chimpanzees and gorillas. They abandon bipedalism and invent a new way
of getting around on four feet. Others evolve along the line of humans. They are spread throughout Africa,
especially in the East. Here we find the great family
of Australopithecus. Between four and two million years ago,
there is a great diaspora, afarensis, Abel, Africanus, Kenyanthropus, Anamensis, Gary. Around 2 million years ago,
a new character appeared in South Africa. He would go on
to radically alter our history. We named him Sediba. Is he an Australopithecus
or the first man? That question hasn’t yet been solved. Sediba lived in the south
of the African continent. Drought increasingly
affects this part of Africa and will play a considerable role
in the development of our ancestors. Despite spending the majority
of their time on the ground, sediba are still dependent on the trees. The only protection from the man-eating beast
that roam the land at that time. They never stray too far. The dry season is at its peak. There’s no more fruit on the trees. The only food is underground. Roots and bulbs are difficult to find
and dig out of the ground, and they need a lot of chewing
before they can be swallowed. However, that’s all there is. Hours are spent chewing this tough food. This young male
is still part of the group, though he has no female. The females now live in a harem
with the strongest males. These two females
are part of the alpha’s harem. When a carcass is left
by the larger predators, there’s only enough
for the Alpha and his females. A few bones to suck,
but only the strongest have access. That’s why the females
have accepted this new arrangement. Less power for more protection. Sediba don’t live very long. This old female can no longer chew. The marrow is all she can swallow. The alpha doesn’t share with the elders. The old female would already be dead
without the young male. By chewing her food, he keeps her alive. Empathy at work again. This extreme scarcity of food
is driving our species to extinction. If they don’t find an alternative,
they will all die. They must adapt. Fortunately, sediba possesses
a highly developed brain and an array of tools and techniques. Inside the brain of one of them,
a revolutionary idea is taking shape. If the meat won’t come to them,
they will have to go to it. Over there. The alpha’s female wants to take the risk. The young male is ready too. None before them have tried this. Against the wishes of the alpha,
they will attempt the impossible. How can they be so foolish? Neither of them
has ever been so far from the trees. The desire to eat meat outweighs
the dangers of the savannah. The brave ones who took
this reckless decision could not have known
the profound effect it would have on the history of our species. A fresh carcass, an abundance of meat. They’ve never seen so much. The first pieces they choose
are those that contain fat. The tastiest. Fat is so rare in nature
and yet so rich in energy and important
for the digestion of animal proteins. The sediba pick out the parts
that contain the most, the marrow, the entrails, the brain, the tongue, and the eyes. The two explorers are back, their arms laden
with the most wonderful food. Food for everyone. What a success! A solution for the future of the species? However, the alpha is not ready
to digest this humiliation. The female is part of his harem. She has betrayed him. Sometimes the females do swap males. However, a possessive alpha like him
can’t lose one of his females. It’s a threat to his power. The young male can do nothing. Here, might is right. He humiliates her in front of everyone, punishes her,
and isolates her from the others. The old female has nothing to lose. She’s the only one
that can come to her help. The harshness of this life
has not favored the females. They have lost a lot of their power
to the benefit of the large males. The first effects of the meat
are immediate. It’s easier to digest than roots,
and the body feels lighter. Meat gives the sensation of well-being
and the sound of sleep. The second effect will take hundreds
of thousands of years. Less energy consumed by the stomach
means more energy for the brain. Thanks to that, our mental capacity
will improve and our bodies become taller and slimmer. Although physical force still dominates,
it won’t be enough to adapt. A new generation is coming whose ingenuity will prove
the decisive advantage. Sediba already used rocks
to break and crush roots, but he has a new thought. The young male has an idea
that could change their lives, maybe even the future of his species. If he can cut the carcasses of animals
killed by big predators into smaller pieces,
they can carry them to a safe place. If it works, they will have provisions
for several days. For this, they will need
a range of new tools to cut and slice the flesh
and break the bones. He shapes them out of a rock. These shards are as sharp as razors. It will take thousands of years
to master the technique. One of the great advantages
of our ancestors is that, they relied on their capacity
for imagination and on the language
they were beginning to articulate. They were capable of conceiving a project, weighing up different aspects,
and anticipating future needs. The young male
has decided to train the group to find carcasses and bring them back. He lays out his vision. His words evoke images
of abandoned feasts. He captures their attention. He wins them over with his words. The alpha understands
that his dominance is under threat. His physical force
is no longer sufficient, so he takes the young male’s idea. A dream of plentiful food
is leading them into dangerous territory. Sediba are prey. Without their trees, they are vulnerable, and yet they march into the unknown. Driven by an urge
greater than any other, to eat. They explore a continent
inhabited by great carnivores. On the hunt for carcasses
left by the kings of the savannah. Who would think
that this band of scavengers would soon dominate the planet? When a carcass is found,
everyone should take their turn. First the top predators, then the hyenas,
the vultures, and the rest. It’s crucial to get there
at the right time. The alpha doesn’t know that yet. Their tree. They should never have left their tree. It is perhaps this moment that the fate of the entire human race
hangs in the balance. They could retreat to the safety
of the tree and risk dying of starvation, or they could head into the unknown, risking being attacked
but having the chance to eat. What should they do? The young female
doesn’t know what to choose. Everything is telling them
to seek shelter. Is there another life beyond the tree? The group splits into two factions. Some follow the young female,
while the others head back to the tree. In fact, it is the weaker ones
that will make the right choice. They will risk everything
for a better life. The strong never want
to give up their privileges. Those who leave
are guided by their imagination. Open spaces, prey in abundance,
and food for everyone. They dream of another world,
a better world. Up there, over the mountains. Even the old female. Her energy, nearly spent,
is galvanized by hope. This world does exist. A vast land of riches. If some of us
hadn’t had this astonishing courage, you wouldn’t be here today. Those who have chosen to stay
near the trees will survive for a time. They will be known as Paranthropus
or almost humans, but they will not be able to adapt
to the next climatic changes. We thought that Lucy,
the most famous Australopithecus, was the grandmother of humanity. We were wrong. Lucy was, in fact,
one of these almost humans, and her descendants
died out a million years later. Those who left the Savannah
freed themselves from a life of the trees and had to invent a new way of living. The world isn’t exactly as they imagined. There are riches all around,
but there are just as many traps. Limitless space lies ahead of us
and nothing will stop our advance. Is this how man became free? Is this how we became truly human? Some believe so,
but is there still something missing? After the sediba, a new species emerges,
a very mobile man. The next character in our story
is an unparalleled explorer, Homo erectus. Five million years ago,
the two Americas collided. This led to the creation
of the Gulf Stream. This warm current travels from the Gulf
of Mexico up toward the Arctic and plunges into the ocean,
taking the heat with it. The polar ice cap formed,
the earth cooled and entered the Ice Age. The green plains of the Sahara dried out. Two million years ago, populations of herbivores left Africa
in search of new pastures. Homo erectus followed. Some of our ancestors
migrated to Europe, others to Asia. They crossed mountains and deserts,
forests and swamps. They traveled unthinkable distances
into the unknown. Driven by the spirit of conquest
passed down to them from their ancestors. They migrate to the Far East. The north of China,
home of the Chinese Homo erectus. Homo erectus possesses
the anatomy of a champion. This man of the plains is born to run. A vertical body propelled by his long legs
and balanced by his arms. He is equipped with an extraordinary
internal cooling system, a body covered in short hairs,
sweat glands that allow perspiration, and in his brain, a blood-purifying system
that regulates body temperature. This gives him the most stamina
of any living creature. Homo erectus has now become
a big game hunter. Like wolves, they track their prey
across great distances. They are slower
but can run a lot longer than their prey. When the prey is exhausted,
they set the trap. For Homo erectus
power is not reserved for the males. The difference in size
between males and females has reduced. The rule of the strongest is now replaced
by the leadership of the cleverest. In this group, a female is in charge. Her ability to anticipate, her intelligence and political skill
have made her their chief. No longer scavengers
competing with vultures, thanks to their weapons
and collective organization, Homo erectus now compete
with the top predators, but they have become
dependent on their prey. They must follow them wherever they go. They have become nomads, and so they build shelters
on their travels. Their ancestors
adapted to the environment. They are transforming it. Finding a site to set up camp. They are building their first shelters,
sometimes enclosed by fences, camps that allow them
to protect themselves. Homo erectus has created
a more complex society. Each member of the group now has a role, often according
to their particular skills. Some are skilled at shaping rocks. Others for cutting meat. Social functions appear for tanning hides
or building shelters. Work, and the distribution of tasks
are now part of human life, with all the pressures
and conflicts that come with them. Clearly, some do more than others. The leader of the group
must maintain justice. The most important moment of the day
is when the food is shared out. Serving some first with the best cuts. Giving a little extra
to someone she may need soon. Establishing a hierarchy
and nurturing alliances. The fine details of her social life
require political skill. To protect their bodies, Homo erectus have clothes
made from plants, hides, and bark. However, this brings its own problems. Parasites have found a new home. A body covered in thin, visible skin, is easy and enticing prey
for bloodsuckers. They no longer fear predators, but another enemy now stalks them,
more dangerous, more ruthless. The world is still full
of unexplained phenomena. Homo erectus has an inquiring mind trying to make sense
of the mysteries that surround it. One of the greatest
is about to be revealed. It’s here. This savage beast appears
in some dry seasons to take lives. It is a huge creature. They must prepare to fight. They are defeated. They save whatever they can. In a few hours,
the fire has destroyed their world. Their camp has gone up in smoke,
and the herds deserted the landscape. However, Homo erectus
is about to make a discovery. What is that powerful odor? What are these mouth-watering smells? An animal has been trapped in the fire. Its flesh is still good
and has a delicious taste. This is perhaps how Homo erectus discovered this remarkable property
of fire, to cook food. As well as the taste, they will soon notice
that the meat is easy to chew and digest. What about those awful roots? Cooked, they are delicious. They require
16 times less energy to digest. An amazing discovery. Cooked food will allow us
to reduce the size of our jaw muscles and develop our brains. We will walk with a lighter step
and think clearer. Our brains will become
high-powered machines capable of associations,
constructed thoughts, and new emotions. It is likely that the aesthetic sense
developed at this time. Shapes and lights elicited new sensations. We were affected
by the beauty of the world. They are all dreaming
about that delicious food but lack the key ingredient, fire. If only they knew how to obtain it. That one looks small and seems alone. Maybe they can capture it. Another group. They have captured the beast. Technology. In this new world,
nothing is more important. They are ready to fight to obtain it. They could fight,
but the young chief has a different idea. His clan knows how to control fire. The other has a greater skill
in working hides and accessories. This period saw the first instances
of trade. Through objects, the techniques that go with them
travel between clans. A new era for humanity,
the exchange of knowledge. Thanks to traditions and language, knowledge accumulates
and the spread of skills accelerates over vast distances. From now on,
everything will move a lot faster. No wonder the use of fire
appeared so suddenly and across the entire world. The young chief
is attracted to this woman. Her face stirs something in him. At this point in our history,
the first real couples begin to appear. Selecting, desiring,
and seeking intimate moments alone. Aesthetics now play a role
in sexual relationships. Bodies are covered in colors,
styles, decorations to arouse. Sexuality brings people together,
but something else is happening. A story of bonds
that build and grow and last. The story of love is still being told. The domestication of fire
changed the lives of the first humans and gave them warmth,
and protection from insects and predators. It cured their ailments,
eliminated the dark, sharpened the points of their spears,
and made them stronger. However, the greatest advance
was in the domain of speech. Thanks to the development
of our left brain and a small evolution
in the throat, the larynx, our speech became so articulate that we could evoke the past, speak of the future, and recount stories. Imagine, the old woman is a storyteller. Who are we? Where are we from? She tells the story of these people
and their exploits. These tales give meaning to their lives. Perhaps it is this that makes us human. The first man is the one
who can tell his story. Homo erectus will continue
to populate the earth. With their skills,
they will adapt to every climate. Different populations
begin to diverge genetically and give rise to new types of man. In furthest China, Homo erectus
will become Beijing man, a giant. In Indonesia, Solo man. At its edges on Flores Island,
a tiny man of no more than a meter. In Central Asia, he is Denisova man. In the cold of Europe,
Homo erectus has become a Neanderthal. A massive, heavy man
of incredible strength. He can withstand extreme cold. His skin whitens
to better absorb the weak sunlight. His eyes and hair grow lighter. In Africa, he becomes Homo sapiens, and it is through him
that the greatest changes will occur. At least six species of humans
populate the ancient world. Each develops according to the environment
and creates its own culture. However, this multi-faceted humanity
won’t last long. Homo sapiens will soon replace them all. Around 100,000 years ago, Homo sapiens
turned the world of man upside down. Invented more complex societies
and proved more inventive in every area. How will he go on to invent art,
skills, beliefs, magic, writing, medicine, and science? His extraordinary imagination
certainly helps, but so does the knowledge
accumulated by his forefathers. The Pierola, Toumai,
sediba, and Homo erectus. They have left us a heritage
of millions of years of evolution, one through the impulse to live
and a fierce desire to learn. With this knowledge
passed down through the ages, this great dreamer gave rise
to the diversity of peoples today. A hundred thousand years ago,
Homo sapiens left just like his ancestors, to conquer the world. He left Africa
and spread out across the globe. He mastered navigation, across the seas and vast glacial expanses. He traveled to Australia, to America over the Bering Strait
and soon inhabited the entire planet. He occasionally intermingled
with those who went before, but everywhere he went
the other species of man disappeared. His appearance changed
according to climate and place. His skin, his hair, the shape of his eyes. From him arose a multitude of peoples,
all looking different, but deep down the genes are the same. Genes developed
through millions of years of evolution. He is the father
of the entire human race on earth today. He is the only human on earth, but his presence
shines with a million fires.

Il y a 25 millions d’années, la Terre voit apparaître des formes de vie encore jamais vues. Parmi elles… les tout premiers maillons de notre propre histoire. Ce sont nos ancêtres. Des êtres qui ne ressemblent pas encore à l’Homme, mais qui vont poser les premières pierres de ce que nous sommes aujourd’hui. Ils apprennent à survivre, à chasser, à façonner des outils. Peu à peu, ils découvrent la solidarité, le pouvoir, les émotions… et les conflits. Face aux grands prédateurs, ils s’imposent. Puis, ils explorent. Ils migrent. Ils s’adaptent. Jusqu’à devenir Homo Sapiens : l’Homme moderne. Mais alors… Où commence réellement notre lignée ? Quand l’histoire de l’humanité prend-elle naissance ? Retour aux origines. Remontons le temps pour comprendre comment l’Homme est devenu Homme.

Réalisation : Frédéric Fougea, Jérôme Guiot