History

Video documentaries about history of the world

Maps: Power, Plunder and Possession episode 1

Maps: Power, Plunder and Possession episode 1

History / 2 minutes of reading / / By

Maps: Power, Plunder and Possession episode 1: Jerry Brotton shows how maps can be tools of power and snapshots of history. Henry VIII’s maps of the British coast helped him exert control over the world.     In a series about the extraordinary stories behind maps, Professor Jerry Brotton uncovers how maps aren’t simply about getting from A to B, but are revealing snapshots of defining moments in history and tools of political power and persuasion. Visiting the world’s first known map, etched into the rocks of a remote alpine hillside 3,000 years ago, Brotton explores how each culture develops […]

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Secrets from the Sky - Antonine Wall episode 6

Secrets from the Sky – Antonine Wall episode 6

History / 3 minutes of reading / / By

Secrets from the Sky – Antonine Wall episode 6: Bettany and Ben visit the Antonine Wall in Scotland to show evidence how the Romans built the 40 mile wall, and why 20 years later it was abandoned.     Britain is full of monuments and other buildings that have historical significance, some of which are explored in an unusual way on this show. Historian Bettany Hughes and aerial archaeologist Ben Robinson explore the sites from above using camera-equipped, remote-controlled helicopters.The top-down view of the locations helps link together clues on the ground, which can have a different meaning when viewed

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Secrets from the Sky - Sutton Hoo episode 5

Secrets from the Sky – Sutton Hoo episode 5

History / 3 minutes of reading / / By

Secrets from the Sky – Sutton Hoo episode 5: Bettany and Ben visit Sutton Hoo in Suffolk to show evidence that it is Britain’s Valley of the Kings, and how it went undiscovered until it was found by Basil Brown.     Britain is full of monuments and other buildings that have historical significance, some of which are explored in an unusual way on this show. Historian Bettany Hughes and aerial archaeologist Ben Robinson explore the sites from above using camera-equipped, remote-controlled helicopters.The top-down view of the locations helps link together clues on the ground, which can have a different

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Secrets from the Sky - Maiden Castle episode 4

Secrets from the Sky – Maiden Castle episode 4

History / 3 minutes of reading / / By

Secrets from the Sky – Maiden Castle episode 4: Bettany and Ben visit Maiden Castle in Dorset to show evidence of its construction and composition, and how Iron Age Britain prospered and changed with the arrival of the Romans.     Britain is full of monuments and other buildings that have historical significance, some of which are explored in an unusual way on this show. Historian Bettany Hughes and aerial archaeologist Ben Robinson explore the sites from above using camera-equipped, remote-controlled helicopters.The top-down view of the locations helps link together clues on the ground, which can have a different meaning

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Secrets from the Sky - Stonehenge episode 3

Secrets from the Sky – Stonehenge episode 3

History / 3 minutes of reading / / By

Secrets from the Sky – Stonehenge episode 3: Bettany and Ben visit Stonehenge in Wiltshire use aerial and historical evidence to reveal a 1000 years of worship and uncover its mysteries.     Britain is full of monuments and other buildings that have historical significance, some of which are explored in an unusual way on this show. Historian Bettany Hughes and aerial archaeologist Ben Robinson explore the sites from above using camera-equipped, remote-controlled helicopters.The top-down view of the locations helps link together clues on the ground, which can have a different meaning when viewed from above, to discover the full

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Secrets from the Sky - Old Sarum episode 2

Secrets from the Sky – Old Sarum episode 2

History / 3 minutes of reading / / By

Secrets from the Sky – Old Sarum episode 2: Bettany and Ben visit Old Sarum in Wiltshire to show evidence why the settlement was abandoned and the bitter battle between the Church and the military which lead to the creation of Salisbury.     Britain is full of monuments and other buildings that have historical significance, some of which are explored in an unusual way on this show. Historian Bettany Hughes and aerial archaeologist Ben Robinson explore the sites from above using camera-equipped, remote-controlled helicopters.The top-down view of the locations helps link together clues on the ground, which can have

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Secrets from the Sky - Tintagel Castle episode 1

Secrets from the Sky – Tintagel Castle episode 1

History / 2 minutes of reading / / By

Secrets from the Sky – Tintagel Castle episode 1: Historian Bettany Hughes takes to the air to unravel the legend of King Arthur. Bettany and Ben visit Tintagel Castle in Cornwall to show evidence that the castle has its roots in the Dark Ages and was once part of a world trading network.     Britain is full of monuments and other buildings that have historical significance, some of which are explored in an unusual way on this show. Historian Bettany Hughes and aerial archaeologist Ben Robinson explore the sites from above using camera-equipped, remote-controlled helicopters.The top-down view of the

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Around the World in 80 Treasures episode 10 - Homeward Bound

Around the World in 80 Treasures episode 10 – Homeward Bound

Art, History, Travel / 3 minutes of reading / / By

Around the World in 80 Treasures episode 10 – Homeward Bound: At last, the end is in sight, and Dan’s circumnavigation of the globe almost complete. But first there are some of the most brilliant treasures of all to enjoy. Venice, Florence and Rome revive an exhausted but ebullient Dan about to take his 92nd flight of the trip before he sails for home.     His first destination was once the most dangerous place on earth – Mostar and its famous bridge spanning the Christian and Muslim worlds. Destroyed by missiles and now rebuilt. Then on to Athens and

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Around the World in 80 Treasures episode 9 - Turkey to Germany

Around the World in 80 Treasures episode 9 – Turkey to Germany

Art, History, Travel / 4 minutes of reading / / By

Around the World in 80 Treasures episode 9 – Turkey to Germany: In the penultimate stage of Dan Cruickshank’s gargantuan journey around the world, we find the intrepid explorer floating above Turkey in a hot air balloon! Below lie miles of a subterranean city where across the centuries peoples hid from warring factions from the east and west.     Once in the caves – dark and sinister as they are – Dan uncovers an ingenious means of defence before stumbling on the weirdest treasure of his trip – a cavern full of golden locks – of hair! It reminds

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Around the World in 80 Treasures episode 8 - Mali to Egypt

Around the World in 80 Treasures episode 8 – Mali to Egypt

Art, History / 4 minutes of reading / / By

Around the World in 80 Treasures episode 8 – Mali to Egypt: Dan Cruickshank’s journey around the world reaches new heights of discomfort in the heat and dust of the desert. He takes in the astonishing cave paintings of the Dogon tribe before embarking on a love affair in Egypt with the most beautiful woman in history for whom he must brave two giant jackals.     In between, he witnesses the grotesque masks of Mali that connect the world of the living with the world of the dead, survives a power cut in the middle of the deepest, darkest

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Around the World in 80 Treasures episode 7 - Jordan to Ethiopia

Around the World in 80 Treasures episode 7 – Jordan to Ethiopia

Art, History / 3 minutes of reading / / By

Around the World in 80 Treasures episode 7 – Jordan to Ethiopia: Dan Cruickshank travels the world in search of man’s greatest creations. Dan’s in search of the Ark of the Covenant, a journey which takes him from Jordan to the Holy Land and finally to Ethiopia.     On the way he sees the city of Petra which is carved directly out of a rock face, prehistoric skyscrapers and the most powerful king in Africa – King Lalibela.   Around the World in 80 Treasures episode 7 – Jordan to Ethiopia   Ark of the Covenant The Ark of

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Around the World in 80 Treasures episode 6 - Uzbekistan to Syria

Around the World in 80 Treasures episode 6 – Uzbekistan to Syria

Art, History / 4 minutes of reading / / By

Around the World in 80 Treasures episode 6 – Uzbekistan to Syria: Dan hits some of the most mysterious and secret countries in the world, where the weary western traveller cannot be sure of a warm welcome. Documentary series in which Dan Cruickshank travels the world in search of man’s greatest creations.     But he’s in for a surprise as he is accosted by young girls in Bukhara and Persian carpet sellers in Iran. He couldn’t be more welcome if he tried. Tile making in Samarkand, the extraordinary Trading Domes of Bukhara in Uzbekistan and the Fire Temple of

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