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David Attenborough reveals the meteoric rise of mammals from their humble origins as tiny nocturnal forest dwellers millions of years ago.

David Attenborough embarks on an epic 500-million-year journey to unravel the incredible rise of the vertebrates. The evolution of animals with backbones is one of the greatest stories in natural history. To tell this story, David presents explosive new fossil evidence from China, a region he has long dreamt of exploring and the frontier of modern paleontological research. He reveals how vertebrates came to be the dominant form of animal life, and why humans are the heirs to a magnificent evolutionary heritage.

This episode reveals how mammals developed from tiny nocturnal forest dwellers to the dominant form of life on the planet following the death of the dinosaurs. David explains how the meteoric rise of mammals led to an astounding diversity of life and laid the foundations for the ascent of man.

1 hour

Last on

Fri 28 Sep 2018 15:45
BBC Two

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Credits

Presenter David Attenborough
Director David Lee
Series Producer Anthony Geffen

Broadcasts

  • Fri 27 Sep 2013 21:00
    BBC Two except Northern Ireland & Wales
  • Fri 27 Sep 2013 21:15
    BBC Two Northern Ireland
  • Sat 28 Sep 2013 21:00
    BBC Two Wales
  • Wed 23 Oct 2013 23:20
    BBC Two except Northern Ireland
  • Thu 24 Oct 2013 00:25
    BBC Two Northern Ireland
  • Wed 4 Dec 2013 09:00
    BBC Two
  • Thu 6 Apr 2017 16:15
    BBC Two
  • Fri 28 Sep 2018 15:45
    BBC Two

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David's favourite moments from 30 years of broadcasting

David's favourite moments from 30 years of broadcasting

From close encounters with rare creatures to poignant insight on the state of the planet.