Trade
Examine an ancient civilization unlike any other, that of the Indus Valley. Rather than imposing order through war or religion, it relied on the free flow of trade. The exchange of goods promoted wealth, co-operation and trust.
Episodes
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Trade
S1 E4 - 53m 41s
Examine an ancient civilization unlike any other, that of the Indus Valley. Rather than imposing order through war or religion, it relied on the free flow of trade. The exchange of goods promoted wealth, co-operation and trust.
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Cities
S1 E3 - 54m 11s
View the birthplace of civilization: the Middle East, site of the world’s first villages, towns and cities, from the hills of Turkey to the plains of Iraq. They were crucibles of invention and innovation — turbo-charging the pace of progress.
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Religion
S1 E2 - 54m 10s
Discover the secret to the stability and cohesion of Ancient Egypt — religion. When people share a core set of beliefs, they are more likely to identify as one. That was true for the first civilizations and it’s just as true today.
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War
S1 E1 - 54m 10s
Examine the process of “destructive creation” — the idea that fear, rivalry and conflict strengthen community bonds while stimulating an arms race of technological progress. The result is civilization. Ancient Mesoamerica exemplifies this development.
Extras + Features
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Episode 4 Preview | Trade
S1 E4 - 30s
Examine an ancient civilization unlike any other, that of the Indus Valley. Rather than imposing order through war or religion, it relied on the free flow of trade. The exchange of goods promoted wealth, co-operation and trust.
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The Merchant's Seal
S1 E4 - 2m 37s
The merchant’s seal was a guarantee of quality goods.
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Indus Valley Civilization
S1 E4 - 2m 41s
Explore the splendor of the Indus Valley civilization.
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Rise of International Trade
S1 E4 - 3m 13s
Archaeologist Jeff Rose examines the history of a petroglyph in Oman and its connection to the rise of international trade.
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Rise of Inequality
S1 E3 - 3m 29s
Explore the rise of inequality and threat of dictatorship.
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Episode 3 Preview | Cities
S1 E3 - 30s
View the birthplace of civilization: the Middle East, site of the world’s first villages, towns and cities, from the hills of Turkey to the plains of Iraq. They were crucibles of invention and innovation—turbo-charging the pace of progress.
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Humans Are Social
S1 E3 - 3m 13s
Humans are social creatures. Evolutionary Psychologist Michael Muthukrishna explains why sociability is at the heart of civilization.
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Kings Become Gods
S1 E2 - 2m 22s
In Ancient Egypt, at the site of Nekhen, kings were recognized as living gods.
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Nabta Playa
S1 E2 - 3m
Nabta Playa, 10 square miles of stones, was a religious monument where people could come together to worship.
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Episode 2 Preview | Religion
S1 E2 - 30s
Discover the secret to the stability and cohesion of Ancient Egypt: religion. When people share a core set of beliefs, they are more likely to identify as one. That was true for the first civilizations and it’s just as true today.
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Ritual
S1 E2 - 3m 42s
Anthropologist Dimitris Xygalatas records the ritual of Sufis in Istanbul to see how the physical experience affects their bodies.
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Culture of Violence
S1 E1 - 2m 50s
Archaeologist Yuki Huada explores the history of San Jose Mogote.
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