First Peoples

Gr 9 Up—In five approximately one-hour long segments, this series explores what scientists now know about the time lines for the emergence of modern humans and their migration throughout the world. Kerry Stone narrates with the right mix of matter-of-fact and "can-you-believe-it?" inflection. Divided into chapters—"Americas," "Africa, "Asia," "Australia," and "Europe"—the segments share some of the same graphics and interview subjects. Each stands well alone. The program features actors in dramatizations, filmed with a slight sepia tint to create a vision of how the first peoples might have looked, hunted, danced, and died. This color change is helpful so that students will immediately see which sequences are fact based and which are the interpretations of anthropologists, archaeologists, and others. Episodes are culturally sensitive and contain effective interviews with male and female scientists, all of whom clearly exude excitement about new discoveries. Each segment notes that genetic research reveals that modern people (Homo sapiens) carry bits of DNA from Homo erectus, Neanderthals, and other hominid family tree branches once considered too different to mate. Breeding and mating among similar types of humans are mentioned in all episodes. Some episodes briefly show photos of culturally acceptable nudity.