Ice Age: A Frozen World

Steve Backshall and Michaela Strachan travel the world in the series Battle for Survival, exploring remote sites linked to ancient peoples. Their aim is to uncover how Neanderthals and Homo sapiens managed to survive the harsh conditions of the Ice Age.

Battle for Survival is a television programme presented as a single episode. It falls within the adventure‑nature genre and follows a clear premise: two presenters set out to uncover the ways early humans endured one of the planet’s toughest periods. In this instalment, Steve Backshall and Michaela Strachan travel the globe, tracing the footprints of Neanderthals and Homo sapiens. Their journey takes them to the far‑flung corners where evidence of these Ice‑Age peoples remains, allowing them to piece together how each group managed to survive when temperatures fell dramatically and resources became scarce. The pair’s investigations focus on the strategies employed by both species to cope with the harsh climate. By comparing the adaptations of Neanderthals with those of modern humans, they aim to highlight the similarities and differences that dictated success in such an unforgiving environment. Their worldwide trek provides a broad perspective on the challenges faced during the Ice Age, offering viewers insight into the resilience and ingenuity of our ancient ancestors.