Lectures by Dr. David Christian, Professor of History at San Diego State University. Surveys the past at all possible scales, from conventional history, to the much larger scales of biology and geology, to the universal scales of cosmology.

Reveals a startling truth: hidden within the human body is a story of life on Earth. This scientific adventure story takes viewers from Ethiopia to the Arctic Circle on a hunt for the many ways that our animal ancestors shaped our anatomical destiny.

"Join two leading biologists on an exploration of how key developmental genes, natural selection, and time fuel the evolutionary process"--Cover.

Transcendent Man explores the theories of inventor, futurist, and best selling author Ray Kurzweil (The Singularity Is Near), who predicts that in the not-so-distant future, the science fiction behind The Terminator; Blade Runner; Total Recall; The Matrix; and I Robot will become science fact. The film follows Kurzweil as he journeys the world sharing his mind-bending vision of a future in which we merge with our computers.

"Where did we come from? What makes us human? NOVA's...investigation explores how new discoveries are transforming views of our earliest ancestors. Featuring interviews with world-renowned scientists, footage shot "in the trenches" as fossils were unearthed, and...computer-generated animation, [these programs] bring early hominids to life, examining how we became the creative and adaptable modern humans of today...In the first episode...encounter..."Selam,...

From fossil rich desert gorges to laboratories and primeval rain forests this film presents in the field some of the most influential scholars working today investigating the million year mystery of human origins, seeking the latest discoveries that may answer the question: What exactly was it that first initiated our genesis, our species' birth?

"Evolution" offers a groundbreaking and definitive view of the extraordinary impact the evolutionary process has had on our understanding of the world around us. Beginning with Darwin's revolutionary theory, this seven-part series explores all facets of evolution--the changes that spawned the tree of life, the power of sex, how evolution continues to affect us every day, and the perceived conflict between science and religion. THE MIND'S BIG BANG:...

Nova and National Geographic present exclusive access to an astounding discovery of ancient fossil human ancestors. Deep in a South African cave, a special team of experts has brought to light an unprecedented wealth of fossils belonging to a crucial gap in the record of our origins that spans the transition between the ape-like australopithecines (such as the famous Lucy) and the earliest members of the human family. The film describes the 2013 discovery,...

Journey back 15,000 years to trace humankind's incredible journey through time. Beginning with humanity's exodus from the Ice Age and chronicling milestones such as hunter-gatherer, farmer, builder, and city organizer. Reveals how humankind managed to survive and conquer the world. Explores the motivation of early humankind and its epic transformation to reveal the inspiring story of he invention of civilization.