Hunting men, gathering women - that is the picture of prehistory as many of us know it. The man as a hunter was long regarded as the main breadwinner of the family and is said to have been at the top of society from the very beginning of human history. Wrong, say many researchers today. 

With this theory, early archaeologists only postulated the status quo in the 19th and early 20th century as "natural". But not every discovery fit into this picture and meanwhile more and more misinterpretations come to light. Stone Age artists, rich princesses from the Bronze Age and axes-swinging Vikings actually existed. Scientific methods, which are usually used in forensics, are helping researchers worldwide to gain new insights.

ABOUT THE FILM COMMISSIONER:

As an commissioning editor for ZDF Ruth Omphalius has commissioned several series, documentaries and magazine shows since 1991, including award winning programs like “The Future is wild”, “Metropolis – Power of the Cities” or “Universe of The Oceans”.

Ruth became a program executive in the ZDF Department of Nature and Health and since 1994 she has worked for the Department of Historical and Social Affairs.

In addition to serving as a commissioning editor, she authored and directed several documentaries on cultural and environmental issues such as “Ghanas Golden Legend”, “River Drava – Story of a Borderline” and “Who was The Neanderthal Man?”.