History

First Civilizations

Using the latest in archaeology, anthropology and genetics, this series tells the story of where the modern world began. Incorporating studies of artifacts, renowned sites of archaeological interest and interviews with leading experts, it moves around the geographic zones of the world, exploring how and why civilization first sparked into life.

Trade

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.

Episodes

  • 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.

  • War: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    War

    S1 E1 - 53m 39s

    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

  • Raiding Oaxaca Valley: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Raiding Oaxaca Valley

    S1 E1 - 2m 36s

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

  • Culture of Violence: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Culture of Violence

    S1 E1 - 2m 50s

    Archaeologist Yuki Huada explores the history of San Jose Mogote.

  • Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Preview

    S1 - 30s

    Explore the seedbed civilizations of Mesoamerica, the Middle East and the Indus Valley to learn how and why early humans, who had been mobile foragers, created villages, towns, cities and states, establishing the blueprint for the modern world.

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