Human universe. 1/5.

Brian Cox tackles questions about the universe and human existence, survival and intelligence. He begins this journey in Ethiopia with the Gelada Baboon being the oldest primate and closest ancestors to the human species in evolutionary terms. In this historic land, the Gademotta was home to early human settlers and provides us with earliest evidence of minds that think like the modern human. They crafted spears from obsidian volcanic glass which is formed by rapidly cooling lava. He explores the significance of this type of intelligence, the passing down of information to make better spears and the origin of communication. Next, in East Africa in the gulf of Aden, Brian Cox maps out the changes in our species that took us from ape to man. He explains the significance of the human brain; physically the most complex structure in the universe. Human intelligence is integral to our survival and the earliest evidence of this is found in the rift valley. Human response, adaptability and ultimate survival of rapid climate change in rift valley are what set us apart from other species. The evolution of the brain means there was significant increase in brain capacity and changes in the human condition. This takes the presenter to the next journey to discover the civilisation of human beings. Some 60,000 years ago the first evidence of monumental buildings, water reserves, agriculture and earliest form of written language were found in the city of Petra. Finally, bringing man to space, he takes a close look at the journey of astronauts from Kazakhstan.