Before We Ruled the Earth

00:00:16 Just to stay alive was the ultimate survival challenge.

00:02:30 This saber tooth has enormous canines for slashing flesh...

00:04:22 The scavenger must be ever watchful.

00:06:49 ...or what this moment of realization felt like.

00:08:35 Armed with stone tools and a slowly evolving brain...

00:09:43 The imposing Megaloceros is their prey.

00:11:26 Kul, the most experienced hunter, leads the drive.

00:14:07 Tsir is badly gored.

00:16:04 There are things about it that are still a mystery to them.

00:18:23 We'll never know what unlocked the secret they were looking for.

00:20:40 They're strong.

00:22:19 They rely on their powerful limbs for close-in stalking and hunting.

00:24:40 ...their eyes constantly mapping the forest searching for danger.

00:25:55 ...the most specialized yet.

00:27:32 How did this strange-looking piece of antler get into the meat?

00:29:21 They'll starve to death if they stay here.

00:30:37 Lohr, Gnoc and Do'og...

00:32:11 And their squat bodies retained heat better in the cold climate.

00:34:18 From compressed layers of ash and charcoal found on cave floors...

00:37:42 They wake up knowing this is the day they must find a beast and kill it.

00:40:35 ...we know Neanderthals, unlike their predecessors...

00:42:18 They know the only way to make a kill...

00:44:57 ...the Neanderthals have been the only inhabitants of Europe.

300:00:00 years ago...