Ancient Discoveries
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Ancient Discoveries

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From brain surgery to computers, find out how ancient knowlegde influenced modern-day tech.
IMDb 7.6/1020091 season
Season 1
36 episodes
  • 1. Siege Of Troy

    1. Siege Of Troy

    Modern technology, archaeology, and engineering are used to uncover the real story behind the Siege of Troy, a legend steeped in mystery for thousands of years.
    Modern technology, archaeology, and engineering are used to uncover the real story behind the Siege of Troy, a legend steeped in mystery for thousands of years.
    TV-PG
    45min
    Jan 22, 2007
  • 2. Cars & Planes

    2. Cars & Planes

    Surprising archaeological finds lead historians to new conclusions about the underrated transportation technologies invented by ancient civilizations.
    Surprising archaeological finds lead historians to new conclusions about the underrated transportation technologies invented by ancient civilizations.
    TV-PG
    45min
    Jan 29, 2007
  • 3. Machines Of The Gods

    3. Machines Of The Gods

    Great scholars such as Philon, Ctesibius, and Heron are enlisted by temples to create "magic" through a heavy mix of religion and science.
    Great scholars such as Philon, Ctesibius, and Heron are enlisted by temples to create "magic" through a heavy mix of religion and science.
    TV-PG
    45min
    Feb 5, 2007
  • 4. Superships

    4. Superships

    What do the recent discoveries of ancient ships say about the societies that created them and the techniques used in their construction?
    What do the recent discoveries of ancient ships say about the societies that created them and the techniques used in their construction?
    TV-PG
    45min
    Feb 12, 2007
  • 5. Mega Machines

    5. Mega Machines

    The discovery of two massive limestone coffins weighing over 3 tons leads archaeologist Guy Sanders to investigate how they were transported.
    The discovery of two massive limestone coffins weighing over 3 tons leads archaeologist Guy Sanders to investigate how they were transported.
    TV-PG
    45min
    Feb 19, 2007
  • 6. Egyptian Warfare

    6. Egyptian Warfare

    Though remembered mostly as a cultured civilization, new evidence reveals that Egypt invested heavily in war technology. Some of these weapons were brand-new inventions and were used in massive battles.
    Though remembered mostly as a cultured civilization, new evidence reveals that Egypt invested heavily in war technology. Some of these weapons were brand-new inventions and were used in massive battles.
    TV-PG
    45min
    Feb 26, 2007
  • 7. Chinese Warfare

    7. Chinese Warfare

    Many of our modern military innovations stem from ancient China. From automated crossbows to siege machines, from gunpowder to a rocket-powering substance, we uncover the secrets of China's most awe-inspiring weaponry.
    Many of our modern military innovations stem from ancient China. From automated crossbows to siege machines, from gunpowder to a rocket-powering substance, we uncover the secrets of China's most awe-inspiring weaponry.
    TV-PG
    45min
    Mar 5, 2007
  • 8. Machines III

    8. Machines III

    Explore the remarkable stories behind China's invention of myriad ingenious devices, including cosmic machines, hydraulic hammers, and water-controlled clocks.
    Explore the remarkable stories behind China's invention of myriad ingenious devices, including cosmic machines, hydraulic hammers, and water-controlled clocks.
    TV-PG
    45min
    Mar 26, 2007
  • 9. Robots

    9. Robots

    Did the ancients actually use robotic devices? Temple doors, a girl servant, roaring lions, and singing birds are just a few of the devices we'll attempt to reconstruct.
    Did the ancients actually use robotic devices? Temple doors, a girl servant, roaring lions, and singing birds are just a few of the devices we'll attempt to reconstruct.
    TV-PG
    45min
    Apr 16, 2007
  • 10. Machines Of The East

    10. Machines Of The East

    Discover the ancient Islamic world's most influential engineer, a prolific writer and talented craftsman named Al-Jazari, as his most important inventions are recreated.
    Discover the ancient Islamic world's most influential engineer, a prolific writer and talented craftsman named Al-Jazari, as his most important inventions are recreated.
    TV-PG
    45min
    Apr 23, 2007
  • 11. Ancient Super Navies

    11. Ancient Super Navies

    Using the latest scientific techniques, our team of modelmakers, underwater detectives, and elite naval commandos investigate lethal weaponry of the past to solve the greatest mysteries of the ancient world's naval technology.
    Using the latest scientific techniques, our team of modelmakers, underwater detectives, and elite naval commandos investigate lethal weaponry of the past to solve the greatest mysteries of the ancient world's naval technology.
    TV-PG
    45min
    Feb 3, 2008
  • 12. Impossible Naval Engineering

    12. Impossible Naval Engineering

    There's little room for errors at sea. Relive the most extraordinary Naval ambitions of antiquity, from Nero's collapsible death yacht to Greek chemical bomb fire ships.
    There's little room for errors at sea. Relive the most extraordinary Naval ambitions of antiquity, from Nero's collapsible death yacht to Greek chemical bomb fire ships.
    TV-PG
    45min
    Oct 29, 2008
  • 13. Ancient Super Ballistics

    13. Ancient Super Ballistics

    The science and technology of ballistics dates back thousands of years to the ancient world. Using state-of-the-art forensic techniques, firearms experts reveal the power and range of ancient bullets, rockets, and bombs.
    The science and technology of ballistics dates back thousands of years to the ancient world. Using state-of-the-art forensic techniques, firearms experts reveal the power and range of ancient bullets, rockets, and bombs.
    TV-PG
    45min
    Feb 10, 2008
  • 14. Ancient Death Machines

    14. Ancient Death Machines

    From apocalyptic skyscraper siege machines to ancient landmines and flamethrowers, most of today's lethal weapons have origins in inventions driven by one purpose: war.
    From apocalyptic skyscraper siege machines to ancient landmines and flamethrowers, most of today's lethal weapons have origins in inventions driven by one purpose: war.
    TV-PG
    45min
    Feb 24, 2008
  • 15. Ancient New York

    15. Ancient New York

    New York's towering skyline and world-leading technology have made it the ultimate city, yet breathtaking new discoveries reveal that the blueprints for this megametropolis were in fact laid thousands of years ago.
    New York's towering skyline and world-leading technology have made it the ultimate city, yet breathtaking new discoveries reveal that the blueprints for this megametropolis were in fact laid thousands of years ago.
    TV-PG
    47min
    Mar 9, 2008
  • 16. Death Weapons of the East

    16. Death Weapons of the East

    Learn about deadly weapons such as the staff, ermei, and crossbow; find out if Chi warriors can really kill a man with a single touch; and investigate the ability of Eastern warriors to withstand pain.
    Learn about deadly weapons such as the staff, ermei, and crossbow; find out if Chi warriors can really kill a man with a single touch; and investigate the ability of Eastern warriors to withstand pain.
    TV-PG
    45min
    Mar 9, 2008
  • 17. Ancient Torture Tech

    17. Ancient Torture Tech

    Throughout history man has gone to great lengths to develop the technology of torture. Historians, doctors, model makers, and virtual reality artists reveal the startling torture technologies of the ancient world.
    Throughout history man has gone to great lengths to develop the technology of torture. Historians, doctors, model makers, and virtual reality artists reveal the startling torture technologies of the ancient world.
    TV-14
    45min
    Nov 12, 2008
  • 18. Ancient Tank Tech

    18. Ancient Tank Tech

    What exactly was the ancient weapon engineered to stop an onslaught of bullets, elephants, and cavalry? Watch as experts and archaeological digs reveal new evidence into this invention.
    What exactly was the ancient weapon engineered to stop an onslaught of bullets, elephants, and cavalry? Watch as experts and archaeological digs reveal new evidence into this invention.
    TV-PG
    45min
    Nov 5, 2008
  • 19. Ancient Mining Machines

    19. Ancient Mining Machines

    The Romans created a hydraulic mining system that blew millions of tons of material away. Ancient sappers dug under walls to bring a whole castle down. What technologies and techniques made these feats possible?
    The Romans created a hydraulic mining system that blew millions of tons of material away. Ancient sappers dug under walls to bring a whole castle down. What technologies and techniques made these feats possible?
    TV-PG
    45min
    Nov 19, 2008
  • 20. Impossible Army Machines

    20. Impossible Army Machines

    Explore the ways in which the amazing successes and stunning failures of ancient military engineers have directly affected the weapons and tactics used by the armed forces today.
    Explore the ways in which the amazing successes and stunning failures of ancient military engineers have directly affected the weapons and tactics used by the armed forces today.
    TV-PG
    45min
    Nov 30, 2008
  • 21. Lost Science of the Bible

    21. Lost Science of the Bible

    Might the stories of the Bible have their basis in ancient scientific fact? Discover the tech of the sling that brought down Goliath, learn how fire can be created from water, and watch the Ark of the Covenant levitate.
    Might the stories of the Bible have their basis in ancient scientific fact? Discover the tech of the sling that brought down Goliath, learn how fire can be created from water, and watch the Ark of the Covenant levitate.
    TV-PG
    45min
    Dec 14, 2008
  • 22. Mega-Structures of the Deep

    22. Mega-Structures of the Deep

    Our modern landscapes are littered with the remains of ancient superstructures. Now, cutting-edge archaeology reveals that this century's most exciting discoveries might actually lie at the bottom of the ocean.
    Our modern landscapes are littered with the remains of ancient superstructures. Now, cutting-edge archaeology reveals that this century's most exciting discoveries might actually lie at the bottom of the ocean.
    TV-PG
    45min
    Jan 27, 2008
  • 23. Airborne Assault

    23. Airborne Assault

    Assault from the air didn't begin with the era of the airplane. Take a look back at early methods of airborne attack, from medieval kite bombs to ancient China's whistling arrows.
    Assault from the air didn't begin with the era of the airplane. Take a look back at early methods of airborne attack, from medieval kite bombs to ancient China's whistling arrows.
    TV-PG
    45min
    Nov 4, 2009
  • 24. Ancient Chinese Super Ships

    24. Ancient Chinese Super Ships

    Uncover the ingenuity of the ancient engineers of the Far East, whose innovations would take shipbuilding to new heights and create some of the largest and most fearsome navies of the ancient world.
    Uncover the ingenuity of the ancient engineers of the Far East, whose innovations would take shipbuilding to new heights and create some of the largest and most fearsome navies of the ancient world.
    TV-PG
    45min
    Mar 2, 2008
  • Ancient Discoveries
    IMDb 7.6/1020091 season
    From brain surgery to computers, find out how ancient knowlegde influenced modern-day tech.
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    Audio languages
    English
    Subtitles
    English [CC]
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