Up Next
Back to Show
Watch Preview
NOVA
Rise of the Mammals
Season 46
Episode 17
Sixty-six million years ago, an asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs in a fiery global catastrophe. But we know little about how their successors, the mammals, recovered and took over the world. Now, hidden inside ordinary-looking rocks, an astonishing trove of fossils reveals a dramatic new picture of how rat-sized creatures ballooned in size and began to evolve into the vast array of species.
Support Provided By
53:32
Discover how two revolutionary ancient inventions changed the course of humanity forever.
53:25
Follow ancient humans’ journey into an icy and perilous new land.
53:27
Discover how Homo sapiens outlasted Neanderthals – and how they helped make us who we are today.
53:25
Follow Homo sapiens as they venture out of Africa and spread farther than any other human species.
53:32
Trace the remarkable origin story of Homo sapiens and the crucial moments that shaped our species.
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:27
Forensic science is put to the test after the first-ever staged multi-vehicle pileup.
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:29
A first-of-its-kind experiment aims to stage a multi-vehicle pileup to gain new data on car safety.
1:36:42
After centuries of pseudoscience, researchers examine the causes of racial health disparities.
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:41
Follow scientists in a quest to understand how complex forest ecosystems can help cool our planet.
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:39
Explore key military technologies in the American colonies’ fight for freedom.
53:32
Follow the investigation into the deadly container ship collision that closed the Port of Baltimore.
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:40
Archaeologists uncover new truths about Pompeii, a wealthy Roman playground with dark secrets.