Tristan Hughes

The house is well built for the cold climate.

The fire's heat does not escape.

This winter house is home to several families, their wet outdoor clothes drying on racks above.

Now they come together around the fireplace to eat and tell stories.

Children run around, as they do, until they're finally told to sit and take their place.

The storytelling is about to begin.

Forward steps the Shaman, a leading figure in their small community and the deliverer of tonight's tale.

What was it to be tonight?

Perhaps the story of the heroic hunter who slew the great whale many moons ago that still provides food for this community.

Or perhaps a myth steeped in survival knowledge, lessons for the young to take heed of in this snowy landscape.

Or maybe a story about the spirits that lived in the world around them, in the beaches, atop the mountains, even in their own houses.

Or maybe, just maybe, the shaman will talk about the majestic beast that crosses land and sea, covered in white fur, able to stand on two legs, protective of its young, with razor-sharp teeth and claws that could easily end the life of a human.

The dangerous yet fascinating bear that calls this polar world its domain.

The children hoped for an exciting story, but tonight their luck is out.

As the Shaman begins, it's soon clear that tonight's tale is not one of their favourites.

Slowly their eyes begin to close.

Soon they are fast asleep.

Perhaps tomorrow the Shaman will treat them with a more thrilling tale of valiant heroes.

Perhaps.

Welcome to the Ancients and our brand new episode about prehistoric Greenland.