Ancient Discoveries
Encyclopedia
Ancient Discoveries is a documentary
television series that premiered on December 21, 2003 on The History Channel
. The program focuses on ancient technologies. The show's theme is that many inventions which are thought to be modern have ancient roots or in some cases may have been lost and then reinvented. The program is a follow-up to a special originally broadcast in 2005 which focused on technologies from the Ancient Roman era such as the Antikythera mechanism
and inventors such as Heron of Alexandria. Episodes of the regular series have expanded to cover other areas such as Egypt
, China
and East Asia
, and the Islamic world
.
Ancient Discoveries was made for The History Channel
by Wild Dream Films based in Cardiff
in the UK. Much of the filming was done on location across the world. The series uses contributions from archaeologists and other experts, footage of historical sites and artifacts, computer generated reconstructions and dramatized reconstructions along with experiments and tests on reconstructed artifacts.
An episode about ancient surgery is available through Comcast
OnDemand, even though it has not aired on History.
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
television series that premiered on December 21, 2003 on The History Channel
The History Channel
History, formerly known as The History Channel, is an American-based international satellite and cable TV channel that broadcasts a variety of reality shows and documentary programs including those of fictional and non-fictional historical content, together with speculation about the future.-...
. The program focuses on ancient technologies. The show's theme is that many inventions which are thought to be modern have ancient roots or in some cases may have been lost and then reinvented. The program is a follow-up to a special originally broadcast in 2005 which focused on technologies from the Ancient Roman era such as the Antikythera mechanism
Antikythera mechanism
The Antikythera mechanism is an ancient mechanical computer designed to calculate astronomical positions. It was recovered in 1900–1901 from the Antikythera wreck. Its significance and complexity were not understood until decades later. Its time of construction is now estimated between 150 and 100...
and inventors such as Heron of Alexandria. Episodes of the regular series have expanded to cover other areas such as Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and East Asia
East Asia
East Asia or Eastern Asia is a subregion of Asia that can be defined in either geographical or cultural terms...
, and the Islamic world
Muslim world
The term Muslim world has several meanings. In a religious sense, it refers to those who adhere to the teachings of Islam, referred to as Muslims. In a cultural sense, it refers to Islamic civilization, inclusive of non-Muslims living in that civilization...
.
Ancient Discoveries was made for The History Channel
The History Channel
History, formerly known as The History Channel, is an American-based international satellite and cable TV channel that broadcasts a variety of reality shows and documentary programs including those of fictional and non-fictional historical content, together with speculation about the future.-...
by Wild Dream Films based in Cardiff
Cardiff (UK Parliament constituency)
Cardiff was a parliamentary constituency centred on the town of Cardiff in South Wales which returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons from 1542 until it was abolished for the 1918 general election.- MPs 1542-1645 :- MPs 1645–1832 :...
in the UK. Much of the filming was done on location across the world. The series uses contributions from archaeologists and other experts, footage of historical sites and artifacts, computer generated reconstructions and dramatized reconstructions along with experiments and tests on reconstructed artifacts.
Series 1 (2003)
Michael Carroll was the initial narrator of the series for The History Channel (US).| No | Title | Subject | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1x01 | Ancient Computer? | This episode investigates the Antikythera Mechanism Antikythera mechanism The Antikythera mechanism is an ancient mechanical computer designed to calculate astronomical positions. It was recovered in 1900–1901 from the Antikythera wreck. Its significance and complexity were not understood until decades later. Its time of construction is now estimated between 150 and 100... , a computer-like device that may have been used to calculate the movements of stars and planets. It also highlights ancient inventors Archimedes Archimedes Archimedes of Syracuse was a Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, inventor, and astronomer. Although few details of his life are known, he is regarded as one of the leading scientists in classical antiquity. Among his advances in physics are the foundations of hydrostatics, statics and an... and Ctesibius Ctesibius Ctesibius or Ktesibios or Tesibius was a Greek inventor and mathematician in Alexandria, Ptolemaic Egypt. He wrote the first treatises on the science of compressed air and its uses in pumps... . |
December 21, 2003 |
| 1x02 | Galen, Doctor to the Gladiators | This episode discusses ancient medical devices and procedures, and profiles the Greek physician Galen Galen Aelius Galenus or Claudius Galenus , better known as Galen of Pergamon , was a prominent Roman physician, surgeon and philosopher... , who practiced eye and brain surgery 2,000 years ahead of his time. |
December 21, 2003 |
| 1x03 | Heron of Alexandria | This episode discusses Heron of Alexandria, who created automatic doors and coin-operated machines. | December 21, 2003 |
Series 2 (2005)
Phil Crowley was narrator of this series of episodes and for all subsequent episodes for The History Channel (US).| No | Title | Subject | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2x01 | Ships | The lake Nemi ships Nemi ships The Nemi Ships were ships built by the Roman emperor Caligula in the 1st century AD at Lake Nemi. Although the purpose of the ships is only speculated on, the larger ship was essentially an elaborate floating palace, which contained quantities of marble, mosaic floors, heating and plumbing such as... , large Roman vessels that were salvaged from the lake in the 1930s and burned in 1944, are discussed, including technological discoveries from the ships. |
August 21, 2005 |
| 2x02 | Warfare | Warfare technology is examined, including the Helepolis Helepolis Helepolis was an ancient siege engine invented by Polyidus of Thessaly and improved by Demetrius I of Macedon and Epimachus of Athens for the unsuccessful siege of Rhodes, based on an earlier, less massive design used against Salamis... , a square fortified tower on wheels; and “Greek Fire Greek fire Greek fire was an incendiary weapon used by the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantines typically used it in naval battles to great effect as it could continue burning while floating on water.... ,” an incendiary liquid that stuck to people and objects and couldn't be extinguished with water. |
August 21, 2005 |
| 2x03 | Machines II | Ancient mechanical devices are examined: A jar that appears to be an electric battery, a flour mill in France that is run by waterwheels, and Archimedes use of solar power to defeat the Romans. | December 11, 2005 |
Series 3 (2007)
This was the first series of episodes presented in wide screen format on The History Channel (US).| No | Title | Subject | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3x01 | Siege of Troy Trojan War In Greek mythology, the Trojan War was waged against the city of Troy by the Achaeans after Paris of Troy took Helen from her husband Menelaus, the king of Sparta. The war is among the most important events in Greek mythology and was narrated in many works of Greek literature, including the Iliad... |
This episode reconstructs the legend of the Trojan War in Turkey. Achilles Achilles In Greek mythology, Achilles was a Greek hero of the Trojan War, the central character and the greatest warrior of Homer's Iliad.Plato named Achilles the handsomest of the heroes assembled against Troy.... ' duel against Hector Hector In Greek mythology, Hectōr , or Hektōr, is a Trojan prince and the greatest fighter for Troy in the Trojan War. As the first-born son of King Priam and Queen Hecuba, a descendant of Dardanus, who lived under Mount Ida, and of Tros, the founder of Troy, he was a prince of the royal house and the... and the sailing of the vast Mycenaean fleet Mycenae Mycenae is an archaeological site in Greece, located about 90 km south-west of Athens, in the north-eastern Peloponnese. Argos is 11 km to the south; Corinth, 48 km to the north... are discussed. |
January 23, 2007 |
| 3x02 | Cars & Planes | This episode examines transportation technology that existed in the ancient world. It discusses a Greek railway, Chinese wind-powered vehicles, and possibility of flying machines in Greece, Egypt and China. | January 30, 2007 |
| 3x03 | Machines of the Gods | Examining Greek and Roman technology designed for use in religious temples to create illusions that seemed miraculous. Included: an iron chariot that appeared to be suspended in mid air at the Temple of Serapis Serapis Serapis or Sarapis is a Graeco-Egyptian name of God. Serapis was devised during the 3rd century BC on the orders of Ptolemy I of Egypt as a means to unify the Greeks and Egyptians in his realm. The god was depicted as Greek in appearance, but with Egyptian trappings, and combined iconography... in Alexandria. |
February 6, 2007 |
| 3x04 | Super Ships | Extraordinary sailing vessels are examined, including the Khufu funeral ship Khufu ship The Khufu ship is an intact full-size vessel from Ancient Egypt that was sealed into a pit in the Giza pyramid complex at the foot of the Great Pyramid of Giza around 2500 BC. The ship was almost certainly built for Khufu , the second pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom of Egypt... in Egypt made entirely without metal nails; and a warship that could hold 7000 crewmen. |
February 13, 2007 |
| 3x05 | Mega Machines | Examining ancient machines used in the large-scale engineering projects of the ancient world, particularly in Greece and Egypt. Included: machines used to transport 3-ton limestone coffins in Greece. Also: the building of the Parthenon Parthenon The Parthenon is a temple on the Athenian Acropolis, Greece, dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their virgin patron. Its construction began in 447 BC when the Athenian Empire was at the height of its power. It was completed in 438 BC, although... . |
February 20, 2007 |
| 3x06 | Egyptian Warfare | Egyptian warfare and weaponry are examined, including revolutionary weapon-making techniques; and the grand scale of their battles. | February 27, 2007 |
| 3x07 | Chinese Warfare | Exploring the military innovations of ancient China, including gunpowder, flame throwers, rockets, automated crossbows, siege machines, and the grand scale of their battles. | March 6, 2007 |
| 3x08 | Machines III | Chinese technology such as cosmic machines, hydraulic hammers, water-controlled clocks Water clock A water clock or clepsydra is any timepiece in which time is measured by the regulated flow of liquid into or out from a vessel where the amount is then measured.Water clocks, along with sundials, are likely to be the oldest time-measuring instruments, with the only exceptions... and mass production plants powered by water. |
March 27, 2007 |
| 3x09 | Robots | An examination of ancient robotics Robotics Robotics is the branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, structural disposition, manufacture and application of robots... includes a look at the automata Automaton An automaton is a self-operating machine. The word is sometimes used to describe a robot, more specifically an autonomous robot. An alternative spelling, now obsolete, is automation.-Etymology:... of ancient China China Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture... , the Hellenistic engineers Heron and Philon Philon Philon, Athenian architect of the 4th century BC, is known as the planner of two important works: the portico of twelve Doric columns to the great Hall of the Mysteries at Eleusis and, under the administration of Lycurgus, an arsenal at Athens. Of the last we have exact knowledge from an... , the Arabic engineer Al-Jazari Al-Jazari Abū al-'Iz Ibn Ismā'īl ibn al-Razāz al-Jazarī was a Muslim polymath: a scholar, inventor, mechanical engineer, craftsman, artist, mathematician and astronomer from Al-Jazira, Mesopotamia, who lived during the Islamic Golden Age... , the Byzantine Empire Byzantine Empire The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State... , and Leonardo da Vinci Leonardo da Vinci Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci was an Italian Renaissance polymath: painter, sculptor, architect, musician, scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, cartographer, botanist and writer whose genius, perhaps more than that of any other figure, epitomized the Renaissance... . Also includes reconstructions of ancient inventions. |
April 17, 2007 |
| 3x10 | Machines of the East | Examining the inventions of Arabic engineers such as Al-Jazari Al-Jazari Abū al-'Iz Ibn Ismā'īl ibn al-Razāz al-Jazarī was a Muslim polymath: a scholar, inventor, mechanical engineer, craftsman, artist, mathematician and astronomer from Al-Jazira, Mesopotamia, who lived during the Islamic Golden Age... , who lived in what is now modern Iraq and Turkey in the 13th century. His designs include automated water-lifting mechanisms, water-based clocks, and a variety of geared mechanisms. |
April 24, 2007 |
Series 4 (early 2008)
| No | Title | Subject | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4x01 | Lost Cities of the Deep | Our modern day landscapes are littered with the remains of ancient superstructures. Now, cutting edge archaeology is beginning to reveal that this century's most exciting discoveries actually lie at the bottom of the ocean. | January 28, 2008 |
| 4x02 | Ancient Super Navies | Experts investigate antiquity's legendary naval inventions, including high-explosive grenades, covert underwater attack equipment and biological warfare. | February 4, 2008 |
| 4x03 | Ancient Super Ballistics | Modern forensic techniques help firearms experts reveal the accuracy, power and range of ancient bullets, rockets and bombs. | February 11, 2008 |
| 4x04 | Ancient Death Machines | Many of today's lethal military weapons owe their origins to inventors of the ancient world who created siege machines, land mines, flamethrowers and more. | February 25, 2008 |
| 4x05 | Ancient Chinese Super Ships | China's master shipbuilders create some of the most powerful warships and greatest fleets of the ancient world. | March 3, 2008 |
| 4x06 | Ancient New York | New discoveries unveil the ancient blueprint for modern life in the metropolis of New York. | March 10, 2008 |
Series 5 (late 2008)
| No | Title | Subject | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5x01 | Death Weapons of the East | Comparison test between a shotgun and a staff, the oldest known weapon; the deadly Chinese ermei underwater attack weapon; examining whether Chi warriors can really kill a man with a single touch; ancient Chinese crossbows. | October 23, 2008 |
| 5x02 | Impossible Naval Engineering | Citizens of ancient Tyre use fire ships against Alexander the Great's besieging fleet; Roman Emperor Nero builds a death yacht to kill his own mother; a 15th-century weapon designed to pierce enemy hulls; ancient paddle-wheel boat. | October 30, 2008 |
| 5x03 | Ancient Tank Tech | Asian battle elephants and Europe's medieval knights in armor demonstrate people in the past understood the modern tank's principles combining protection, speed and firepower; ancient antitank weapon. | November 6, 2008 |
| 5x04 | Ancient Torture Tech | Revealing the terrifying truth behind torture; ancient inventors go to great lengths to develop precision devices to exact pain; the rack; burning at the stake; Vlad the Impaler. | November 13, 2008 |
| 5x05 | Ancient Mining Machines | Unique technologies of ancient miners, including a Roman hydraulic system, sappers who could undermine castle walls and the 1689 origination of gunpowder mining in England. | November 20, 2008 |
| 5x06 | Impossible Army Machines | The amazing successes and stunning failures of ancient military engineers influence today's weapons and tactics; an ancient Greek weapon is still used on aircraft carriers; rapid-firing Chinese catapult; Hannibal crosses the Alps. | December 1, 2008 |
| 5x07 | Lost Science of the Bible | Investigating Bible stories to find if they have basis in scientific fact; determining Goliath's size and considering the technology of the sling David used to fell him; Tower of Babel; levitating a replica of the Ark of the Covenant. | December 15, 2008 |
Series 6 (2009)
| No | Title | Subject | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6x01 | Airborne Assault | Assault from the air didn't begin with the era of the airplane. The kite bomb was a medieval siege weapon that dropped bombs from a kite over cities. Ancient bouncing bombs that actually skipped across water terrorized shipping in Turkey in 1453. Ancient China's whistling arrows, the world's earliest rocket-powered explosive missile, and the earliest known successful parachute, are also examined. | November 5, 2009 |
| 6x02 | Guns n' Ammo | This episode examines many strange and early prototypes of the modern gun. These include a simple bamboo tube that could have been the world's first gun, a secret recipe for ancient tracer fire, a mega-mortar named "Roaring Meg Roaring Meg (cannon) Roaring Meg was the name of several powerful cannons used in the 17th century. It is not to be confused with Mons Meg, a medieval cannon preserved at Edinburgh Castle.-Created by Colonel Birch for the Siege of Goodrich Castle:... ", and a nine-barreled medieval volleygun. The truth behind the bizarre battlefield phenomena of "wind of the cannonball" is also explored. |
November 12, 2009 |
| 6x03 | Ancient Mega-Fort | This episode explores the defenses of ancient forts and cities. Discover the invisible underground defensive systems of Cappadocia and how they proved so successful. Test the ancient Mayan killer bee castle defenses, and release bees in an attack. A replica section of the ancient Roman fort of Alesia is built. And the most impregnable walls in history--the multi-layered defenses of Constantinople are investigated and the type of cannon that destroyed them 1453. | December 4, 2009 |
| 6x04 | Ancient Secret Agents | The systems by which ancient intelligence services transmitted messages over thousands of miles is investigated. Methods by which ancient spies sent secret messages are reviewed such as invisible ink made of human sperm and how they wrote on the inside of a raw egg. Discover how the ninja used explosives, not just darts and poisons. How a Roman James Bond used a suit made of cork to support him in full armor across a river is also explored. | December 10, 2009 |
| 6x05 | Gruesome Medicine | Explores ancient medical techniques and possible new applications in the modern era. Techniques reviewed include blood letting by leeches, reading from a torpedo fish, trepanning to relieve pressure on the brain, and Roman battlefield surgery and tools. Other items reviewed include how snake venom was used as medicine and using replica tools and virtual surgery in a computer to see how an arrow was removed from the skull of Prince Henry V of England. | December 18, 2009 |
| 6x06 | Riots and Revolution | The show tracks down the secret manual that explained how the Vietnamese defeated not only the US in the 20th century, but the Mongols 700 years earlier. It reveals the largest booby trap in history, one that snagged an entire battle fleet, how king Mithridates used a substance called burning mud in his revolt against Rome, and how the terrorist booby-traps and letter bombs of today were invented hundreds of years ago. | December 18, 2009 |
| 6x07 | Ancient Commandos | Ancient commandos fought deep behind enemy lines in some of the harshest terrains know to man. The show examines such exploits through storms and snowdrifts, revealing the tech and truth behind the world earliest known ski commandos. A journey to the deserts of Egypt reveals how a tiny army beat off a major invasion force using deception and a bunch of farm animals. The Bayeux tapestry is featured as well as one of the ancient worlds most feared and successful commando units, the Naftun. | December 18, 2009 |
| 6x08 | Ancient Special Forces | The show reviews ancient Roman navy SEAL techniques of capturing enemy ships from underwater and replicates the feat. The tactics of ancient Roman war dog units are explored including a historically savage breed of dog, the Mastiff. Finally, the secrets of the samurai sword and how it was made is reviewed and they build and test an ancient Horro, a Japanese device that could protect a galloping cavalryman from arrow fire using thin silk. | December 18, 2009 |
| 6x09 | Twisted Weapons of the East | The show travels first to India where they encounter martial artists wielding terrifying 6 feet (1.8 m) swords, a projectile that can sever the limbs of any enemies, and an ancient Indian booby trap which impales its victims as they sleep. In Egypt, how camels were turned into weapons of war are explored. Finally, through painstaking research, they construct the world's first unmanned weapon that went onto the battlefield over 2000 years ago. | December 18, 2009 |
| 6x10 | Ancient Record Breakers | This episode explores some ancient world records that still stand today. The most valuable thing in the ancient world is still the most valuable thing today at 2000 dollars per gram. A replica of a 2000 year old jet engine is built and a weapons team finally reveals the only weapon in history that can shoot around corners. They review what was the fastest thing in the ancient world and explosives experts reveal that the first gun was made of fruit. | December 22, 2009 |
| 6x11 | Mega Ocean Conquest | The show reveals how an ancient destroyer rammed its way to victory in one of the most significant sea battles. In Denmark, a team of divers build and test the world's first ever deep sea diving suit, designed in the 15th century. CSI science helps unravel the mystery of an unknown ship found off the coast of Britain. And in a sea cannon experiment, naval experts explore how a 16th century war fleet blasted their way to victory against the Spanish armada. | December 22, 2009 |
| 6x12 | Rituals of Death | (description forthcoming) | December 22, 2009 |
| 6x13 | Secret Science of the Occult | (description forthcoming) | December 28, 2009 |
An episode about ancient surgery is available through Comcast
Comcast
Comcast Corporation is the largest cable operator, home Internet service provider, and fourth largest home telephone service provider in the United States, providing cable television, broadband Internet, and telephone service to both residential and commercial customers in 39 states and the...
OnDemand, even though it has not aired on History.
External links
- Official Site (History Channel)
- Official Site of Wild Dream Films (Incomplete Episode Listings)
- Ancient Discoveries on Zap2It (Most Complete Episode Listings)