The beautifully crafted two-part episode of DW’s documentary series “Stone Age Secrets” seeks to uncover the truth behind a pivotal moment in human history.
The first section, titled “From Hunters to Farmers,” traces the transition of humans from hunter-gatherers to a sedentary lifestyle 12,000 years ago. Developments in agricultural technology have forced changes in diets, reliance on domesticated animals for consumption, and strong population growth.
The discovery of ancient sites — such as those found at the Göbekli Tepe site in southeastern Turkey — has inspired a clearer understanding of this transition. These structural markings reveal the fears and beliefs of Neolithic peoples in the close connection between the natural and supernatural worlds. The burial site contained decomposed skulls and broken bones. Through carbon dating, isotope analysis and DNA testing, scientists can use these ruins and remains to pinpoint everything from vitamin deficiencies to stressors to migration patterns.
These massive stone ruins form the basis of the second part of the film, “Witness to Eternity.” Prehistoric settlements in Jordan, Syria, northern Iraq and southern Anatolia provide clues about how the stones were made, what they represented and how they were transported according to the technology of the time. They also provide valuable insights into housing construction and class divisions.
This film can be considered a thrilling world travel adventure, especially for ancient history buffs. The filmmakers draw on a variety of interview subjects to illuminate this rich and complex story, and their narratives are complemented by brilliant footage of each archaeological site they explore. Animations are used to depict the way of life of those who adopted the earliest iterations of agriculture in the form of food and livestock farming.
This documentary provides a wealth of fascinating information on ancient customs, technological developments and primitive living conditions. It is also a powerful tribute to the important work of archaeologists and anthropologists, who dedicated their lives to advancing our understanding of our species.
Directed by: Barbara Puskás
