Scientific American Frontiers Season 14 Episode 6 Coming Into America

In the season 14 episode 6 of Scientific American Frontiers titled "Coming Into America," host Alan Alda explores the history of human migration to North America. He begins by looking at the traditional theories of how humans first arrived on this continent. He visits the Meadowcroft Rockshelter in Pennsylvania, one of the oldest archaeological sites in North America, where artifacts and fossils dating back to the Ice Age have been found.

Alda then meets with anthropologist Dennis Stanford, who explains his theory that humans arrived in North America not via a land bridge, but by boat. Stanford posits that these early migrators may have traveled along the Arctic coast, using a maritime adaptation that allowed them to survive in a harsh, ice-bound environment. Alda witnesses a simulation of this mode of transportation on the Potomac River in Virginia.

Next, Alda examines the story of Kennewick Man, a prehistoric skeleton discovered in Washington state in 1996. This discovery opened a debate among scientists about the ancestry of early North Americans. Alda visits the Burke Museum in Seattle to speak with anthropologist Crystal Rogers, who was part of the team that helped identify the genetic ancestry of Kennewick Man.

Alda then turns to the genetics of modern Native American populations. He meets with geneticist Ripan Malhi at the University of Illinois, who explains how DNA testing has provided new insights into the migrations and intermixing of various populations in North and South America. Alda also speaks with members of the Crow and Cheyenne tribes in Montana about their experiences with genetic testing and their ancestral origins.

Finally, Alda looks to the future, examining the complex challenges facing those who study human migration. He visits the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Germany, where researchers are using new technologies, including ancient DNA and isotopic analysis, to trace the movements of early humans across the globe.

Overall, "Coming Into America" offers a thought-provoking look at the history and science of human migration to North America, highlighting the diverse methods and perspectives that scientists use to uncover the mysteries of the past.