Silurians' Earth

The original masters of Earth awaken beneath a nuclear facility on an English moorland.

Doctor Who and the Silurians introduces the first encounter with an intelligent bipedal reptilian race that ruled Earth before humanity. Set in an English moorland and the cave system beneath it, along with London, this serial aired on BBC1 from 31 January to 14 March 1970 across seven weekly parts. The story centers on the Third Doctor (Jon Pertwee) attempting to broker peace between humans and these ancient masters. The conflict escalates due to a xenophobic usurper Silurian and aggressive human soldiers, ultimately resulting in the destruction of the Silurian base after a deadly epidemic is released.

Quick Facts

Species

Silurians (Reptile People)

Location

English moorland, cave system below it, and London

First appearance

31 January 1970

Technology

Hibernation machines
cyclotron power drains
deadly bacteria strains
reactor o

Lore & Background

The Silurians are an intelligent bipedal race of reptilians who ruled Earth before humans. Their civilization was hidden in a cave system under an English moorland, where they utilized hibernation technology to survive. A nuclear-powered cyclotron facility built above their base caused mysterious power drains and mental breakdowns among staff when the Silurians began reviving from hibernation. The story establishes that this race possessed advanced technology capable of creating deadly bacterial strains and manipulating energy. Their society was not monolithic; while one leader attempted to reason with humans for co-existence, a younger Silurian refused, killed the pacifist leader, and usurped control. This internal division, combined with human xenophobia, prevented peace. The story is so significant that it inspired the real-world 'Silurian hypothesis' in science.

Reader's Guide

To understand this specific event, one must note the setting: an English moorland, the cave system below it, and London. The narrative takes place in February and March of 1970 during its broadcast run. Key turning points include the discovery of the Silurian base beneath a cyclotron facility, the release of a deadly bacteria by the Silurians which infected Major Baker, and the subsequent epidemic across Britain. The climax occurs when the Doctor overloads the reactor at the power plant, creating an irradiation zone for 25 years.

This forced the younger Silurian to sacrifice his life to maintain the hibernation mechanism while the rest of his race slept. Despite the Doctor's insistence on preserving the site, Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart ordered the caves destroyed. The story features specific technology such as the machine that revived Silurians from hibernation and the cyclotron reactor. It also marks the first appearance of the Silurians in the series.

Did You Know?

This serial was the first to be recorded using colour studio cameras, although the previous story was shot entirely on film in colour.
The title 'Doctor Who and the Silurians' is the only time the name 'Doctor Who' appeared in a serial's on-screen title during this era.
Episode One marks the first appearance of the Doctor's yellow Siva tourer, Bessie.