Alice Roberts explores the latest discoveries in the study of human origins, revealing the transformation that has been brought about in this field by genetics.

Traditional paleo-anthropology, based on fossils, is being transformed by advanced genome sequencing techniques. We now know that there were at least four other distinct species of human on the planet at the same time as us - some of them identified from astonishingly well-preserved DNA extracted from 50,000-year-old bones, others hinted at by archaic sections of DNA hidden in our modern genome. What's more, we now know that our ancestors met and interacted with these other humans, in ways that still have ramifications today. Alice uses these revelations to update our picture of the human family tree.

Horizon Season 55 Episodes...

• s55e01 - The Immortalist
• s55e02 - Project Greenglow
• s55e03 - The Mystery of Dark Energy
• s55e04 - Oceans of the Solar System
• s55e05 - The End of The Solar System
• s55e06 - How to Find Love Online
• s55e07 - Ice Station Antarctica
• s55e08 - Curing Alzheimer's
• s55e09 - E-cigarettes: Miracle or Menace?
• s55e10 - Why Are We Getting So Fat?
• s55e11 - Doping
• s55e12 - Inside CERN
• s55e13 - My Amazing Twin
• s55e14 - Jimmy Carr And The Science Of Laughter
• s55e15 - The Lost Tribes of Humanity
• s55e16 - The Wildest Weather in the Universe

Horizon Show Summary

Horizon is BBC Two's flagship 50-minute science documentary series.

Recognised as the world leader in its field, it regularly wins a sweep of international science, medical and environmental film accolades, and has recently won the Royal Television Society Award and the Prix Italia.

In 2002, the British Academy of Film & Television Arts presented Horizon with the BAFTA Television Award for Best Factual Series or Strand.

In 2003 it won the prestigious Images et Science award for best medical documentary and the Carl von Linne Award at the Living Europe film festival in Sweden. That year, a Horizon co-production with WGBH Boston won the Emmy for best documentary.

In September 2014 it celebrated its 50th anniversary and it continues to enjoy outstanding critical acclaim.