Ice World (film)

Ice World is a 2002 television documentary on the Discovery Channel about humans during the last ice age. The program follows their struggle to survive in the cold and harsh environment of the Europe of 24,000 years ago.^[1]

Plot summary

The documentary follows a group of early European, and evolutionary modern humans living through the Ice age and, although fictitious, is based on archaeological accounts. It begins with a clan of humans in what is today Southern England hunting reindeer. The tribe is led by a man named 'Bron', who is reluctant to have the tribe rout up when food is scarce. After all but three die, the clan decides to leave their encampment and search for more favorable conditions.

The three find another clan and hope to join, although they are rebuffed after a dispute. 'Aki', the other male of the group, and 'Mara' end up conceiving a child and must now fend for a pregnant companion as well. As they encounter other clans that do not welcome them, they are forced to continue their journey. Aki gets food poisoning after eating a mysterious mushroom.

Eventually they are taken by another hunting party and brought to a valley in modern Moravia, Czech Republic. Aki is healed by a medicine woman and the three are allowed to stay. Aki and Mara become full members after taking on ritual tattoos, although Bron is reluctant due to his new low station in the community. During a raid by a rival clan, Aki is stabbed with a knife and dies. Mara births a son and is a full member of the tribe.

Analysis

The documentary gives a depiction of the Ice Age man and how ancient ancestors went through life surviving extremely harsh conditions. Although the characters are entirely fictitious they used tools, techniques, and rituals that archaeologists believe would have actually been used by ancient man.

The documentary also demonstrates what it considers to be humankind's greatest trait: its ability to adapt and overcome conditions. The program argues that, in the event of another Ice age, man's ingenuity and adaptability will allow it to remain through the harshest of conditions.

References