archaeology

Ireland's Treasures Uncovered

Ireland’s Treasures Uncovered

History / 3 minutes of reading / / By

Ireland’s Treasures Uncovered: The story of the iconic Irish artefacts that have helped to shape and create modern Ireland, both north and south.     The programme reveals the surprising tales behind treasures such as the Tara Brooch, the Broighter Hoard, the Waterford Charter Roll and others, revealing new stories behind the artefacts that we thought we knew. It also reveals the most recent astounding finds that are adding to the list of Ireland’s Treasures. Using key access to Ireland’s two largest museums, in Belfast and Dublin, the programme brings together archaeologists and curators who have spent their lives working […]

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Mary Beard's Ultimate Rome: Empire Without Limit episode 3

Mary Beard’s Ultimate Rome: Empire Without Limit episode 4

History / 2 minutes of reading / / By

Mary Beard’s Ultimate Rome: Empire Without Limit episode 4: In the fourth and final episode, Mary tackles the biggest puzzle of all: why, and how, did the Roman Empire fall? Surveying the massive walls and fortifications of Britain and Germany, she discovers an empire under pressure, struggling to control its borders.     Mary seeks to redefine our understanding of the so-called ‘Barbarian Invasions’, but also shows that the Roman Empire was facing even greater challenges from within. Maverick emperors upset all the assumptions of right-thinking Romans, while the traditional religion and beliefs of the Roman state came head to

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Mary Beard's Ultimate Rome: Empire Without Limit episode 3

Mary Beard’s Ultimate Rome: Empire Without Limit episode 3

History / 3 minutes of reading / / By

Mary Beard’s Ultimate Rome: Empire Without Limit episode 3: In the third episode Mary takes an in-depth look at the question of identity and citizenship within the Roman Empire. What did it mean to be, or to become, Roman, and how did the very different parts of the empire react to Roman rule?     In the beautifully preserved cities of Algeria, incomers and locals mixed to create flourishing communities with a distinct ‘more Roman than Rome’ frontier identity. Mary follows the trail of one such African Roman from his native land all the way to Britain, where he served

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Rome: Empire Without Limit episode 2

Mary Beard’s Ultimate Rome: Empire Without Limit episode 2

History / 2 minutes of reading / / By

Mary Beard’s Ultimate Rome: Empire Without Limit episode 2: In the second episode, Mary Beard explores the physical world of the Roman Empire, and finds surprising parallels with our own world.     Setting out in the footsteps of the emperor Hadrian, she discovers a vast empire bound together by a common material culture, and a globalised economy of such scale that evidence of its side-effects can still be seen today, thousands of miles away from Rome. Mary unpicks the threads of a huge commercial and cultural network, taking in the vital supply of olive oil to Rome and her

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Mary Beard's Ultimate Rome: Empire Without Limit episode 1

Mary Beard’s Ultimate Rome: Empire Without Limit episode 1

History / 3 minutes of reading / / By

Mary Beard’s Ultimate Rome: Empire Without Limit episode 1: How could a mediocre city in central Italy come to dominate such a huge area? What held the empire together and tore it apart? Mary Beard takes in the history and archaeology of the ancient world.     In this first episode, Mary Beard reaches back to the myths and legends of the origins of Rome to gain an insight into the deep-rooted psyche of the people of Rome – a city born through fratricide and rape. But from the very beginning, Rome was also an asylum for outcasts and exiles

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The Man who Discovered Egypt

The Man who Discovered Egypt

History / 3 minutes of reading / / By

The Man who Discovered Egypt: Documentary about English Egyptologist Flinders Petrie, the pioneer of systematic methodology in archaeology.     Ancient Egypt was vandalised by tomb raiders and treasure hunters until this Victorian adventurer took them on. Most people have never heard of him, but this maverick undertook a scientific survey of the pyramids, discovered the oldest portraits in the world, unearthed Egypt’s prehistoric roots – and in the process invented modern field archaeology, giving meaning to a whole civilisation.   The Man who Discovered Egypt   Flinders Petrie Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie, commonly known as Flinders Petrie, was

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First Horse Warriors

First Horse Warriors

History / 2 minutes of reading / / By

First Horse Warriors: Horse riding played a key role in human expansion and civilization. But when and how did people first master these animals? Scientists use archaeology and genetics to uncover clues about the first horse riders and how they shaped the world.     The advent of horse riding was a momentous step in human history. But when and how did our ancestors first learn to master these animals? In a spectacular adventure, NOVA unlocks the mystery on the vast, grassy plains of Kazakhstan, where wild horses still roam free, and nomadic herders follow their traditional way of life.

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