NOVA backdrop
NOVA S52E12 — Human: Origins
7.3
NOVA•Season 52•Episode 12

Human: Origins

7.3/10 · 72 votesSep 17, 202554 min

Ranked #13 of 20 in Season 52•matches the season avg

Discussion

Where did humans come from, and what makes us unique? Discover the remarkable origins of Homo sapiens, and the crucial moments of innovation, communication, and ritual that set us on our path.

Directed byNaomi Austin
Previous episodeE11 · Ultimate Crash Test: ImpactNext episodeE13 · Human: Journeys
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons53

All1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738394041424344454647484950515253

Season 52 Episodes20

What Are UFOs? stillE1 6.8

What Are UFOs?

Extreme Airport Engineering stillE2 6.9

Extreme Airport Engineering

Dino Birds stillE3 7.8

Dino Birds

Egypt's Tombs of Amun stillE4 7.1

Egypt's Tombs of Amun

Pompeii's Secret Underworld stillE5 7.1

Pompeii's Secret Underworld

Baltimore Bridge Collapse stillE6 7.6

Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Revolutionary War Weapons stillE7 7.2

Revolutionary War Weapons

Secrets of the Forest stillE8 7.4

Secrets of the Forest

Critical Condition: Health In Black America stillE9 6.0

Critical Condition: Health In Black America

Ultimate Crash Test: Countdown stillE10 7.3

Ultimate Crash Test: Countdown

Ultimate Crash Test: Impact stillE11 7.4

Ultimate Crash Test: Impact

Human: Origins stillE12 7.3Now viewing

Human: Origins

Human: Journeys stillE13 7.5

Human: Journeys

Human: Neanderthal Encounters stillE14 7.7

Human: Neanderthal Encounters

Human: Into the Americas stillE15 7.9

Human: Into the Americas

Human: Building Empires stillE16 7.7

Human: Building Empires

Ancient Desert Death Trap stillE17 7.1

Ancient Desert Death Trap

Superfloods stillE18 7.6

Superfloods

Operation Space Station: High-Risk Build stillE19 7.8

Operation Space Station: High-Risk Build

Operation Space Station: Science and Survival stillE20 7.6

Operation Space Station: Science and Survival

Crew1

N

Naomi Austin

Director

Discussion

0 comments

Join the conversation

Share your take and reply to other fans.

No comments yet

Be the first to share your thoughts on this episode.

Episode Summary

"Human: Origins" is episode 12 of NOVA season 52. It scored 7.3/10 from 72 votes, ranking #13 of 20 episodes this season (season average 7.3). Directed by Naomi Austin, it aired on September 17, 2025.

Next: E13 · Human: JourneysBest of Season 52