Breakthrough Season 1 Episode 29 Little Foot: Exploring Our Origins

In episode 29 of season 1 of Breakthrough, viewers are taken on a journey to explore our evolutionary origins through an excavation site in South Africa. The episode, titled "Little Foot: Exploring Our Origins," focuses on the discovery and excavation of the most complete Australopithecus skeleton ever found, nicknamed "Little Foot."

The episode begins with an introduction to the excavation site in the Sterkfontein Caves, located just outside of Johannesburg. Viewers are introduced to the scientists and researchers who have been working on the site for years, uncovering evidence of early human ancestors. The team is led by Professor Ron Clarke, who first discovered a few of Little Foot's bones in 1994 while sifting through rock deposits that had been collected from the site in the 1970s.

Viewers are then taken on a journey through the complex and meticulous process of excavating the skeleton from the hard rock it's embedded in. This requires extreme precision and patience, as even the slightest mistake could damage or destroy the delicate bones. The team uses a variety of tools, including small chisels and magnifying glasses, to delicately chip away at the rock and slowly reveal more and more of Little Foot's skeleton.

Throughout the episode, viewers learn about the various challenges and obstacles the team has faced in trying to piece together Little Foot's story. For example, much of the skeleton is still embedded in hard rock that has yet to be excavated, making it difficult to fully analyze and understand. Additionally, the site itself is not always easy to work in, with tight spaces and difficult conditions making it a challenging environment for both humans and equipment.

Despite these challenges, the team perseveres, driven by their passion for understanding our evolutionary origins. Viewers are given a sense of the excitement and thrill that comes with uncovering such a significant discovery, and are left in awe of the dedication and hard work required to make such a breakthrough.

As the episode progresses, viewers learn more about what Little Foot's bones reveal about our evolutionary history. The skeleton dates back over 3 million years, and is from the Australopithecus genus, which is believed to be a direct ancestor to modern humans. By analyzing the bones, scientists can determine details such as Little Foot's stature, diet, and even how it moved.

One particularly fascinating discovery from Little Foot's skeleton is the shape of its foot. The bones reveal that the foot was adapted to both walking upright on two legs, as well as climbing trees. This suggests that early humans may have spent more time in the trees than previously thought, and provides further insight into how our ancestors evolved to walk and run on two legs.

Throughout the episode, viewers are given a sense of the implications of Little Foot's discovery. Not only does the skeleton help fill in gaps in our understanding of our evolutionary history, but it also has the potential to inspire new research and discoveries in the field. As Professor Clarke states in the episode, "You never quite know what you're going to find until you actually start uncovering it."

Overall, "Little Foot: Exploring Our Origins" is a fascinating and engaging episode of Breakthrough that takes viewers on a journey through the exciting world of paleontology. From the thrill of unearthing a significant discovery to the meticulous work required to piece together the story, viewers are given a sense of the power of science and the passion of those who dedicate their lives to understanding our origins.