Chimp Politics

In this video from the PBS series The Human Spark, host Alan Alda and scientist Franz de Waal observe and compare two alpha-male chimpanzees’ different approaches to sharing at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center in Atlanta.

Accessibility features: Transcript

Climate and Human Evolution

In this video segment adapted from NOVA: "Becoming Human," learn how the analysis of rock layers and ocean sediments supports the theory that rapid climate change may have jump-started human evolution two million years ago.

Accessibility features: Caption

A Day in the Life of a Neanderthal

In this video segment from The Human Spark, host Alan Alda looks at some of the similarities and differences between the Neanderthal way of life and that of modern humans.

Accessibility features: Transcript

The Developing Brain

This video from The Human Spark illustrates the difference between the brain growth of man’s early ancestors and today’s modern infant.

Accessibility features: Transcript

Evolutionary Roots of Language

This video excerpt from NOVA scienceNOW looks at how language and tool-making may have coevolved.

Accessibility features: Caption, Transcript

Fossil Evidence of Bipedalism

This video segment adapted from NOVA shows how scientists use the fossil record to trace when early human ancestors and related species began walking on two legs instead of four, and to determine whether they were more apelike or human in appearance.

Accessibility features: Caption

Geneticist Pardis Sabeti

In this video profile adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, learn about geneticist and rock musician Pardis Sabeti, whose innovative insights into natural selection demonstrated how beneficial mutations spread quickly through a population.

Accessibility features: Caption

Homo Sapiens Versus Neanderthals

This video segment, adapted from NOVA, explores reasons why Homo sapiens had an advantage over Neanderthals in the pursuit of territory and natural resources.

Accessibility features: Caption

Human Chromosome 2

In this video segment adapted from NOVA: "Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial," learn how modern genetics and molecular biology offer compelling support for evolution. The video features an interview with biologist Ken Miller.

Accessibility features: Caption

Human Nature

This video segment from The Human Spark looks at the ways in which monkeys and apes are similar to humans, not just biologically but mentally and socially.

Accessibility features: Transcript

Investigating Neanderthals

This video excerpt from NOVA scienceNOW looks at how head shapes of Neanderthals and modern humans differ.

Accessibility features: Caption, Transcript

Laetoli Trackways Diagram

View a diagram of the hominid footprints that archaeologist Mary Leakey's team found at Laetoli in Tanzania.

The Language Spark

This excerpt from the PBS series The Human Spark explores the human brain’s unique capacity for language.

Links in the Evolutionary Chain

In this segment, Alan Alda, host of The Human Spark, explores some of the characteristics that distinguish different branches of the hominid “family tree,” such as brain and face size, ability to make tools, and location..

Accessibility features: Transcript

Profile: Ethiopian Anthropologist

In this video adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, meet Ethiopian anthropologist Zeresenay Alemseged and find out why his work has made him a national hero and the leader of a new generation of African-born anthropologists.

Accessibility features: Caption

Ratty Old Genes

This video from The Human Spark explores the extraction and interpretation of Neanderthal DNA.

Accessibility features: Transcript

Reverse Evolution Machine

In this video adapted from KQED's QUEST, learn how scientist David Haussler is using biotechnology to reconstruct ancient genomes in an effort to find out how animals have evolved over time.

Accessibility features: Caption

A Social Network

Alan Alda explores the relationship between social and technological change, specifically in Neanderthal and modern human populations in this video from The Human Spark.

Accessibility features: Transcript

Talk of Life

Using the FOXP2 “language gene” as an example, this video from The Human Spark explores how similar genes evolve differently in different animals.

Accessibility features: Transcript

What's the Difference?

This video segment from The Human Spark discusses how certain aspects of Neanderthals’ diet and development set them apart from modern humans.

Accessibility features: Transcript