First Civilizations

Raiding Oaxaca Valley

The birth place of agriculture in Mesoamerica, Oaxaca Valley became an area of conflict as raiding occurred between villages over resources.

Raiding Oaxaca Valley

2m 36s

  • Trade: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Trade

    S1 E4 - 53m 40s

    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.

  • Cities: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Cities

    S1 E3 - 53m 40s

    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.

  • Religion: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Religion

    S1 E2 - 53m 39s

    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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