The BEST episodes of Origins: The Journey of Humankind

Every episode of Origins: The Journey of Humankind ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Origins: The Journey of Humankind!

Hosted by Jason Silva, ORIGINS: THE JOURNEY OF HUMANKIND rewinds all the way back to the beginning and explores the innovations that made us modern.

Last Updated: 8/7/2023Network: National GeographicStatus: Ended

7.81

48 votes

#1 - The Writing On the Wall

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 3/27/2017

A look at how the ability to communicate impacted the human race.

Watch Now:Amazon

7.56

27 votes

#2 - The Road Ahead

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 5/1/2017

Engines and animals powered the rise of civilization, driving humanity into the modern world.

Watch Now:Amazon

7.41

37 votes

#3 - Progress of War

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 4/10/2017

The world's populations seem to be in a constant state of war.

Watch Now:Amazon

7.19

62 votes

#4 - Power of Money

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 3/20/2017

Money is the most successful story imagined by humans, because it's the only story everyone believes. From a simple act of trade to the greed for gold to today’s global economy, the meaning of money and what we value changes as civilization evolves. If modern money is a reflection of who we are, what does it say about us?

Watch Now:Amazon

7.18

28 votes

#5 - Into the Unknown

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 4/24/2017

Our primal curiosity has sparked new inventions and revealed the mysteries of the universe.

Watch Now:Amazon

7.15

123 votes

#6 - Spark of Civilization

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 3/6/2017

Harnessing fire gave us the power to create, to destroy and to transform. But it also taught us hard lessons about what we can and cannot control. This is the story of how fire transformed our biology and carried us from the savannah to the moon.

Watch Now:Amazon

7.06

35 votes

#7 - Building the Future

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 4/17/2017

From bone huts to skyscrapers, our shelters have evolved with us, every step of the way.

Watch Now:Amazon

7.03

79 votes

#8 - Cheating Death

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 3/13/2017

Microscopic armies have waged war on humanity for thousands of years. Medicine is our great weapon to fight back against invisible, unthinkable death.

Watch Now:Amazon