Channel logo

Ancient Discoveries

In the ancient texts of Homer and on the walls of Egyptian tombs lie exciting clues that are causing historians to rethink just how sophisticated centuries-old societies were.
200918 episodesTV-14
Join Prime

Episodes

  1. S3 E1 - Death Weapons of the East
    October 23, 2008
    45min
    TV-14
    The oldest known weapon is the staff. Watch with surprising results a comparison test between a staff and a shotgun.
    Join Prime
  2. S3 E2 - Ancient Tank Tech
    November 6, 2008
    45min
    TV-14
    Amazingly, the Ancients understood the principles of the modern tank.
    Join Prime
  3. S3 E3 - Ancient Torture Tech
    November 13, 2008
    45min
    TV-14
    Throughout history man has gone to great lengths to develop the technology of torture. Learn about a new discovery that proves victim's bones were snapped apart on the rack.
    Join Prime
  4. S3 E4 - Ancient Mining Machines
    November 20, 2008
    45min
    TV-14
    The Romans created a hydraulic mining system that literally blew millions of tons of material away and ancient sappers dug under mega walls and brought a whole castle down. But how was this possible?
    Join Prime
  5. S3 E5 - Impossible Army Machines
    December 1, 2008
    45min
    TV-14
    The amazing successes and stunning failures of ancient military engineers have directly affected the weapons and tactics we use today.
    Join Prime
  6. S3 E6 - Lost Science of the Bible
    December 15, 2008
    45min
    TV-14
    Might the stories of the Bible have their basis in ancient scientific fact? How big was the giant Goliath, and what was the tech of the sling that brought him down?
    Join Prime
  7. S3 E7 - Airborne Assault
    November 5, 2009
    45min
    TV-14
    Assault from the air didn't begin with the era of the airplane. Take a look back at early methods of airborne attack. The kite bomb was a medieval siege weapon.
    Join Prime
  8. S3 E8 - Guns n' Ammo
    November 12, 2009
    45min
    TV-14
    Some of the strangest and deadliest weapons ever built were prototypes of the modern gun. Find out whether a simple bamboo tube could have been the world's first gun.
    Join Prime
  9. S3 E9 - Ancient Mega-Fort
    December 4, 2009
    45min
    TV-14
    Holding off invasion and protecting its people, ancient civilizations came up with creative, efficient and effective means of self-protection and defense.
    Join Prime
  10. S3 E10 - Ancient Secret Agents
    December 12, 2009
    45min
    TV-14
    Investigate the systems by which ancient intelligence services transmitted messages over thousands of miles--the fire beacon, the horse and the pigeon.
    Join Prime
  11. S3 E11 - Gruesome Medicine
    December 18, 2009
    45min
    TV-14
    Modern medicine it isn't, but at the time, it was the best that could be done--and perhaps may have new applications in our world.
    Join Prime
  12. S3 E12 - Riots and Revolution
    December 18, 2009
    45min
    TV-14
    Discover a book that has never been seen in the west until now. In a world exclusive we track down the secret manual that explained how the Vietnamese defeated not only the US.
    Join Prime
  13. S3 E13 - Ancient Commandos
    December 18, 2009
    45min
    TV-14
    Exactly as they do today, ancient commandos fought deep behind enemy lines in some of the harshest terrains know to man.
    Join Prime
  14. S3 E14 - Ancient Special Forces
    December 18, 2009
    45min
    TV-14
    Discover the ancient Roman navy SEAL technique of capturing enemy ships from underwater.
    Join Prime
  15. S3 E15 - Twisted Weapons of the East
    December 17, 2009
    45min
    TV-14
    In India, we encounter martial artists wielding terrifying six foot long flexible steel swords.
    Join Prime
  16. S3 E16 - Ancient Record Breakers
    December 22, 2009
    45min
    TV-14
    Amazingly some of the world records that still stand today were set in the ancient world. The most valuable thing in the ancient world is still the most valuable thing today.
    Join Prime
  17. S3 E17 - Mega Ocean Conquest
    December 21, 2009
    45min
    TV-14
    From conquering the depths of the oceans to defending the freedoms of the seas--ancient man pushed the technological boundaries to the limits in the mega battle for the oceans.
    Join Prime
  18. S3 E18 - Rituals of Death
    December 22, 2009
    45min
    TV-14
    Travel to Egypt to discover the mysteries of the mummified crocodiles of Kom Ombo. We'll x-ray an ancient mummy that has held a secret for 2000 years,.
    Join Prime

Details

More info

Audio languages
English
Subtitles
English [CC]
Directors
Ben MoleTom DumicanBelinda KirkSam BensteadJessica CobbLisa Hallat
Producers
Mike StillerStuart Clarke
Cast
Phil CrowleyKarl WarwickSteve Truglia
Studio
A+E Networks
By clicking play, you agree to our Terms of Use.