Ep 3. Savage Family

In Walking with Cavemen season 1 episode 3, titled "Savage Family," viewers are taken back in time to 2.5 million years ago when early humans lived in Africa. This episode focuses on the Australopithecus afarensis, a hominid species that lived during the Pliocene and early Pleistocene epochs.

The episode begins with a family of Australopithecus afarensis attempting to find food and shelter in a harsh environment. As they travel, they are constantly at risk of being attacked by predators, such as hyenas and sabre-toothed cats. However, they are also competitive with other groups of Australopithecus afarensis, fighting over resources such as water and food.

The episode is narrated by Robert Winston, who provides insight into the daily lives of these early humans. Viewers learn about the family unit and how they interact with one another. The parents must protect their children from predators and teach them how to gather food. The children, in turn, must learn how to forage for food and avoid danger. The episode also highlights the importance of communication and language in early human society.

As the family travels, they encounter other groups of Australopithecus afarensis. These encounters are often violent, as each group tries to protect their resources. Viewers see firsthand how early humans used tools, such as rocks and sticks, to defend themselves and attack their enemies.

One of the most interesting parts of the episode is when the family comes across a group of Homo habilis, an early human species that lived approximately 2.3 to 1.4 million years ago. The Australopithecus afarensis and Homo habilis have a tense encounter, as each group tries to assert dominance over the other. The similarities and differences between the two species are highlighted, such as the fact that Homo habilis had larger brains and could make more advanced tools.

Throughout the episode, viewers also learn about how early humans evolved over time. The Australopithecus afarensis eventually gave way to Homo habilis, who were followed by Homo erectus and then, eventually, modern humans. Walking with Cavemen makes it clear that early human evolution was a slow process, with different species existing at the same time and evolving at different rates.

At the end of the episode, the family of Australopithecus afarensis finally finds a new home, but not without some cost. One member of the family is killed by a predator during their travels, highlighting the constant danger that early humans faced. However, they are able to band together and find a way to survive in a harsh, unforgiving environment.

Overall, "Savage Family" is an interesting look into the lives of early humans. Walking with Cavemen does an excellent job of using computer-generated imagery to bring these ancient creatures to life and make their daily struggles relatable to modern audiences. This episode is a great reminder of how far humans have come, and how much we owe to our ancient ancestors.