Secretos de los Neandertales

This is exactly what you can expect from a documentary on Neanderthals. I see too many reviews saying it should be more precise and less speculative because "science is not speculative." Do you know how hard it is to even determine the sex of old skeletons, let alone anything else? Archaeologists, in most cases, can't say anything with 100% certainty. Of course, it's speculative. Until you know something with complete assurance, you don't truly know.

With all this said, I'm very satisfied with this documentary. I heard about it from someone who called it a "series," and I was excited to watch something longer than this, but nonetheless, it's totally worth watching. The scenery is absolutely amazing.

I do not understand the point of this documentary.

You learn nothing about Neanderthals.

You DO learn way more than you want about the people studying them.

The weird thing is they don't even bother to ask the questions most viewers might have about the subject matter, much less answer them. Questions like how did they live? What happened to them?

Apparently the filmmakers thought Neanderthals liked to roll around in the mud.... I started laughing about it.

There are some interesting sites they visit (eg beautiful caves) but it is too little too late. The scenery plays second to the scientists roaming around in it.

I seriously don't know why they bothered to even make this. It is boring and uninteresting.

The best part was that Sir Patrick Stewart narrated it.

Patrick Stewart is the narrator of this light "documentary", and the posh received pronunciation accent starts to drone quickly. British accents have oversaturated the documentary landscape. I can't abide listening to them for several hours anymore.

I've read that the Scottish accent is the most desirable in terms of call centres, and that is due to its pleasing lilt.

Anyway, aside from the tedious voiceover, there's really nothing much here, and it seems to be a hair and makeup exhibit more than an educational journey into an interesting topic.

And now I shall keep writing until the required character limit is met. Thanks for reading.

Some of the comments from reviewers are strange in that the reviewers seem disappointed there are assumptions. Of course there are. That's archaeology. I am a post graduate archaeologist and making assumptions is part of the process of interpretation. The modern evidence is showing Solecki's assumptions were partly incorrect and I have no doubt that in 50 years the science will have advanced so that new interpretations and assumptions are made. However, this wonderful documentary is a fantastic introduction to the world of the Neanderthals and what we currently know about them. For instance, it's only in the last 20 years we have established they ate plants. Kudos to the international team that have made these wonderful discoveries and long might they prosper.

If you're curious about Neanderthals, BBC Studio's new documentary "Secrets of the Neanderthals" offers a compelling look at these enigmatic human ancestors. Narrated by the ever-intriguing Sir Patrick Stewart, the doc delves into recent discoveries that challenge traditional views of Neanderthals.

The focus on the Shanidar Cave excavation in Iraqi Kurdistan is particularly captivating. Here, we see archaeologists unearth new evidence that sheds light on Neanderthal behavior and rituals. The documentary also explores intriguing sites in France and Croatia, adding depth to the Neanderthal story.

While some sections might feel like a refresher for those already familiar with Neanderthals, the fresh research and engaging presentation make it worthwhile. However, the film could have benefited from a bit more on the reasons for their eventual extinction.

Overall, "Secrets of the Neanderthals" is a solid documentary that will leave you wanting to know more about our closest extinct relatives. It's perfect for a casual watch and a good fit for anyone interested in human evolution and prehistory. (7 out of 10)