Ella Al-Shamahi: Becoming Human

This is the story of Homo sapiens… us

Host of BBC landmark show Human, Ella Al-Shamahi, palaeoanthropologist, TV presenter, explorer and stand-up presents a talk on our remarkable origin story.

Once upon a time we shared this planet with many species of human – it has been said that our world was a bit like Lord of the Rings. To start with we Homo sapiens weren’t that remarkable, our origins were in fact rather humble and yet somehow today we are the only ones left. But we didn’t just survive against all odds, we thrived, innovated and travelled like no other species of human - becoming the explorer species who built cities, iPhones and painted the Sistine Chapel. Our success was profound, but how on Earth did it happen and at what cost?

Ella Al-Shamahi started studying evolution as a creationist and so she interweaves her own story demonstrating the power of tribalism not just in the past, but also in the present. Expect a talk that draws on the latest discoveries, heart, humour and wild expedition stories.

Al-Shamahi is a National Geographic Explorer specialising in searching for fossils in Palaeolithic caves in politically unstable, hostile and disputed territories. She is the presenter of Human, a flagship BBC/PBS science series as well as other TV and radio shows. She is also author of a Times/Sunday Times book of the year The Handshake: A Gripping History.

'She is the best teacher you never had' ★★★★★ The Guardian

'Infectious enthusiasm' ★★★★ Financial Times

Courtyard Theatre