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[Prog summaries - [Ice World]
[The Earth was Born] [Out
of Eden] [In perspective]]
[Out of chaos - [Introduction]
[Divine guidance] [Tools
of knowledge] [Religious conflict]
[Search goes on]]
[Survival - [Introduction] [Exodus]
[New Technology] [Moving
on]]
[The Globe - [Introduction]
[Star Dust] [Water
of life]]
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Unlike other creatures, humans have developed an immense ability to adapt to their environment. As detailed in Out of Eden, over four thousand generations ago modern humans left Africa and penetrated every corner of the globe in their struggle to survive.
In leaving Africa to find food and resources, modern humans were following the same route as older migrants. Over the past two million years a succession of spreading ice caps, volcanic eruptions, cycles of drought and flood forced early humans such as Homo erectus and Homo heidelbergensis to into Asia and beyond.
These humans were hunter-gatherers, roaming great distances, living in widely scattered groups, sheltering where they could. Hunting was key to survival. It needed planning, co-operation, communication, weapons training, language to be able to organise. A knowledge of different species and their behaviour was essential. These were sophisticated groups, like us in physique, intelligence and abilities.