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Archaeology: An Introduction to the World's Greatest Sites

Season 1
What, exactly, do archaeologists do? What takes place on an archaeological dig? And how does the reality of the work differ from what we see in Indiana Jones movies? Archaeology: An Introduction to the World’s Greatest Sites, taught by renowned archaeologist and National Geographic Explorer Eric H. Cline, answers these questions and more in provocative detail.
IMDb 5.5201624 episodesTV-PG
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Episodes

  1. S1 E1 - The Origins of Modern Archaeology
    May 26, 2016
    32min
    TV-PG
    Begin to investigate what archaeologists actually do, the nature and scope of their work, and popular misconceptions about the field. As an introduction to the course, trace the colorful history of archaeology from its beginnings with the ancient Babylonian king Nabonidus to archaeological luminaries of the 20th century.#History
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  2. S1 E2 - Excavating Pompeii and Herculaneum
    October 31, 2016
    34min
    TV-PG
    Travel to the iconic sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy-Roman towns that were famously destroyed by the 79 A.D. eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Learn about the history of their excavation, and witness the astonishing preservation of buildings, objects, and human remains. Delve deeper to discover fascinating details of ancient Roman life.
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  3. S1 E3 - Schliemann and His Successors at Troy
    October 31, 2016
    31min
    TV-PG
    Follow the exploits of Heinrich Schliemann, a 19th-century amateur archaeologist who was determined to find the site of Homer’s Troy. Learn about his dig through nine stratified cities, the astonishing finds, and the intense debates concerning which city was the actual Troy. Trace subsequent work at the site and examine the compelling conclusions.
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  4. S1 E4 - Early Archaeology in Mesopotamia
    October 31, 2016
    33min
    TV-PG
    Explore the history of phenomenal finds in Mesopotamia, beginning with the 19th-century unearthing of the great Assyrian palaces at Nimrud and Ninevah, with their libraries of cuneiform texts. Also contemplate the 20th-century discovery of the dazzling treasures of the famous “Death Pits of Ur.”
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  5. S1 E5 - How Do Archaeologists Know Where to Dig?
    October 31, 2016
    30min
    TV-PG
    This lecture uncovers the methodology archaeologists use to look for sites. Get acquainted with the uses of remote sensing technologies, such as LiDAR and ground penetrating radar, which enable archaeologists to visualize objects obscured by vegetation and soil. Then investigate ground surveys-reconnaissance done by carefully walking potential sites-which reveal vital information before digging.
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  6. S1 E6 - Prehistoric Archaeology
    October 31, 2016
    33min
    TV-PG
    Prehistoric archaeology allows us to glimpse the earliest times in hominid and human history. Learn about seminal 20th-century finds of hominids in Africa, which provided clues to the origins of our ancestors from millions of years ago. Then discover the astounding figural cave paintings of Lascaux, Altamira, and Chauvet.
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  7. S1 E7 - Göbekli Tepe, Çatalhöy"k, and Jericho
    October 31, 2016
    32min
    TV-PG
    Among significant Neolithic (New Stone Age) sites, explore Göbekli Tepe in Turkey, whose imposing stone rings are the oldest known examples of monumental architecture in the early Near East. Continue to Jericho, with its extraordinary tombs and famous tower, and Turkey’s Çatalhöyük, noted for its mysterious houses built without doors or windows.
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  8. S1 E8 - Pyramids, Mummies, and Hieroglyphics
    October 31, 2016
    30min
    TV-PG
    In the first of two lectures on the wonders of Egyptology, learn about the deciphering of hieroglyphics through the legendary Rosetta Stone. Also explore the intriguing techniques of ancient Egyptian embalming and mummification, and get the stories behind the building of the Step Pyramid of Zozer, the Pyramids at Giza, and the Sphinx.
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  9. S1 E9 - King Tut’s Tomb
    October 31, 2016
    32min
    TV-PG
    Trace the events that led Egyptologist Howard Carter to the dramatic discovery of King Tutankhamen’s tomb in 1922. Witness the unfolding excavation of the site, and uncover the spectacular treasures of the tomb. Consider why the tomb of a young and short-lived king might have contained such a vast display of wealth.
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  10. S1 E10 - How Do You Excavate at a Site?
    October 31, 2016
    29min
    TV-PG
    Here, delve into the specifics of how to perform an archaeological dig. Learn about the physical tools of the trade, how to excavate objects in the ground, and how a dig’s schedule unfolds. Learn about strategies in the field such as “vertical” and “horizontal” excavations, and walk through the process of organizing an archaeological project.
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  11. S1 E11 - Discovering Mycenae and Knossos
    October 31, 2016
    33min
    TV-PG
    Follow the archaeological search for King Agamemnon at Mycenae, and ponder the discovery of striking tomb objects as well as the palace from which the Mycenaeans sailed for Troy. From there, uncover the majestic palace of the Minoans at Knossos, with its vibrant wall paintings and perilous court rituals of bull-leaping.
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  12. S1 E12 - Santorini, Akrotiri, and the Atlantis Myth
    October 31, 2016
    31min
    TV-PG
    Visit the famously beautiful Greek island of Santorini, whose picturesque topography resulted from a volcanic eruption in the second millennium B.C. Explore the site of Akrotiri, a town buried under volcanic ash, renowned for masterful wall paintings reflecting ancient Aegean trade. Trace intriguing connections between the volcano’s destruction and the myth of Atlantis.
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  13. S1 E13 - The Uluburun Shipwreck
    October 31, 2016
    31min
    TV-PG
    The Uluburun shipwreck, a vessel that sank in 1300 B.C. off the coast of what is now modern Turkey, ranks among the greatest archaeological finds of all time. Learn about its remarkable underwater excavation, and wonder at the ship’s fabulous cargo, from ancient raw materials such as copper ingots and ivory to lavish finished goods and dazzling jewelry.
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  14. S1 E14 - The Dead Sea Scrolls
    October 31, 2016
    33min
    TV-PG
    The unearthing of the Dead Sea Scrolls revolutionized the field of biblical studies. Investigate the events that led to their discovery in 1947, and consider their extraordinary contents, which shed light on the Hebrew Bible through texts from over 2,000 years ago. Learn also about the fascinating finds in other nearby caves.
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  15. S1 E15 - The Myth of Masada?
    October 31, 2016
    33min
    TV-PG
    The excavation of Masada-the ancient mountain stronghold of Jewish rebels against Rome-was a milestone for archaeology. Explore the discoveries at the site, hear the harrowing story of its defense, and contemplate the controversy surrounding the use of a first-century historical account in interpreting the archaeological evidence.
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  16. S1 E16 - Megiddo: Excavating Armageddon
    October 31, 2016
    30min
    TV-PG
    The site of Megiddo in northern Israel comprises more than twenty ancient cities, built one atop the other. Trace the excavations there over the last century, and examine the discovery of Neo-Assyrian palaces, lavish Bronze Age tombs, monumental temples, and other treasures at one of the most important archaeological sites in the Near East.
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  17. S1 E17 - The Canaanite Palace at Tel Kabri
    October 31, 2016
    32min
    TV-PG
    Enjoy a firsthand look at archaeological fieldwork as Professor Cline recounts his own excavations at Israel’s Tel Kabri. Follow the work at the site from 2005 to 2015, centering on an elaborate Bronze Age Canaanite palace, its striking architectural features, and the oldest and largest wine cellar ever discovered in the ancient Near East.
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  18. S1 E18 - Petra, Palmyra, and Ebla
    October 31, 2016
    32min
    TV-PG
    Here, visit three superlative sites in Jordan and Syria. Begin at Petra, with its breathtaking tombs and temples carved into the face of cliffs. At the desert oasis of Palmyra, explore the site’s extraordinary Greco-Roman and Persian architecture. Finish at the great citadel of Ebla, famous for its enormous cache of ancient tablets.
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  19. S1 E19 - How Are Artifacts Dated and Preserved?
    October 31, 2016
    32min
    TV-PG
    Observe how the measurement of factors such as electromagnetic radiation, hydration, and carbon content can reveal the age of excavated objects. Examine how particular environmental conditions can preserve organic material over centuries or millennia. Finally, take account of the looting of antiquities and its impact on the world’s archaeological heritage.
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  20. S1 E20 - The Terra-cotta Army, Sutton Hoo, and Ötzi
    October 31, 2016
    33min
    TV-PG
    Among the more unusual archaeological finds, investigate the accidental discovery of China’s terra-cotta army, with its spectacular clay warriors, horses, and chariots. Ponder the “accidental preservation” of a 7th-century ship at Sutton Hoo in England, and conclude with cases of remarkable preservation of human remains in bogs, ice, and desert environments.
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  21. S1 E21 - Discovering the Maya
    October 31, 2016
    33min
    TV-PG
    Trace the unearthing of the great Maya civilizations in the 19th century, and revel in the excitement of the recent “cracking” of Maya hieroglyphics. Contemplate the extraordinary temple-pyramids, tombs, and athletic courts of the Maya; consider the use of remote sensing technology in uncovering Maya structures; and explore the premier sites of Copán, Palenque, Tikal, and Chichén Itzá.
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  22. S1 E22 - The Nazca Lines, Sipán, and Machu Picchu
    October 31, 2016
    31min
    TV-PG
    Continue with three stellar South American sites: First, ponder the mysteries of the Nazca Lines, giant animal and human figures etched in the soil of the Peruvian desert. Then visit the New World’s richest unlooted tomb, that of the “Lord of Sipán,” and finish at Machu Picchu, glorious city of the Incas.
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  23. S1 E23 - Archaeology in North America
    October 31, 2016
    33min
    TV-PG
    Journey into the archaeological heritage of North America, beginning with the excavation of the Hunley, a Confederate submarine from the U.S. Civil War. Investigate the unearthing of colonial Jamestown, Virginia; consider the impact of the 9,000-year-old “Kennewick Man”; and learn about legislation enacted to protect archaeological finds in the U.S.
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  24. S1 E24 - From the Aztecs to Future Archaeology
    October 31, 2016
    40min
    TV-PG
    Finally, travel to the site of Tenochtitlan, buried under modern Mexico City, and to Teotihuacan, with its vast pyramids and temples along the Avenue of the Dead. Conclude the course by considering how future archaeologists may interpret our own culture someday, and reflect on archaeology’s contributions to our collective knowledge and our humanity.
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Producers
The Great Courses
Cast
Eric Cline
Studio
The Great Courses
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