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Ancient & Classical

Civilization (Part 1)

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Civilization: The West and the Rest with Niall Ferguson



The two-part series examines Niall Ferguson's six principles of prosperity: Competition, Science, Modern Medicine, Democracy, Consumerism, and Work Ethic. The first part focuses on competition, science, and property, comparing the historical trajectories of the West, China (competition), the Middle East (science), and Latin America (property). Continue


The Rise and Fall of a Civilization

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Quest for the Lost Maya



Quest for the Lost Maya explores archaeological evidence of a previously unknown Mayan society based in the Yucatan Peninsula of southern Mexico. The film surveys their dramatic rise to prominence in the "pre-classic era" (800-700 BCE) of the Maya, as well as new evidence of the collapse of their civilization in the 800-900s CE. Continue


Women's History Month - Hatshepsut

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To The Contrary



The first female pharaoh of Egypt, Hatshepsut, has left her mark on the country thousands of years after her reign. Continue


Stephen Mitchell Reads from 'The Iliad' by Homer

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PBS NewsHour



Stephen Mitchell is a poet and one of the preeminent translators and interpreters of ancient and modern classics. His works include "Gilgamesh," "Tao Te Ching," "The Book of Job," "The Gospel According to Jesus" and "The Selected Poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke." Continue


Artist Creates Digital Simulation of Cave Temples of Xiangtangshan

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PBS NewsHour



Digital artist Jason Salavon narrates an audio slide show of images from the exhibit "Echoes of the Past: The Buddhist Cave Temples of Xiangtangshan." Continue


The Mystery of Chaco Canyon - Preview

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PBS Presents



This program presents evidence that the Chacoan people expressed a complex solar and lunar cosmology in their magnificent architecture. 3/15/12 Continue


Sinking Atlantis - Preview

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Secrets of the Dead



Drawing from the archaeological records, new revelations about Minoan language and religion and shocking new geological discoveries, archeologists connects fact with fiction and reveal the truth behind the reign and fall of the great Minoan civilization. 1/30/2012 Continue


China's Terracotta Warriors

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Secrets of the Dead



The extraordinary story of China's 8,000 terracotta warriors begins two centuries before the birth of Christ. The First Emperor of China was preparing an extravagant tomb for his journey into the afterlife - and decreed that he be protected forever by a monumental army. Continue


Pulitzer Prize-winning author Stacy Schiff - clip

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Tavis Smiley



"Cleopatra" author discusses the Egyptian ruler's ethnicity. Continue


Lost Ships of Rome

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Secrets of the Dead



In 2009 a team of marine archeologists carrying out a sonar survey of the seabed around the remote Italian island of Ventotene made an astonishing discovery. The wrecks of five ancient Roman ships were found in pristine condition, each one fully laden with exotic goods. Remarkably, much of the cargo remained exactly as the ancient Roman crews had loaded it. Continue


Civilization - Preview

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Civilization: The West and the Rest with Niall Ferguson



What led the West to be so influential? And how long will the West sustain its supremacy? Premieres on Tuesdays, May 22 and 29, 2012 on PBS (check local listings). Continue


Quest for the Lost Maya - Preview

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PBS Presents



Explore archaeological evidence of a previously unknown Mayan society based in the Yucatan Peninsula of southern Mexico. 3/28/2012 Continue


From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians - Preview

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FRONTLINE



FRONTLINE presents the epic story of the rise of Christianity. 12/13/2011 Continue


Conversation: Stephen Mitchell's 'The Iliad' by Homer

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PBS NewsHour



Stephen Mitchell is a poet and one of the preeminent translators and interpreters of ancient and modern classics. His works include "Gilgamesh," "Tao Te Ching," "The Book of Job," "The Gospel According to Jesus" and "The Selected Poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke." Continue


Conversation: Museums and the Risky Business of Looted Antiquities

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PBS NewsHour



A conversation with 'Chasing Aphrodite' co-author Ralph Frammolino about his new book of reporting on museums and looted antiquities. Continue


China's Terracotta Warriors

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Secrets of the Dead



Secrets of the Dead reveals that the Chinese may have had Henry Ford beat by more than 2,000 years with their own assembly line used to produce 8,000 lavishly painted terracotta warriors. Continue


Ancient Refuge in the Holy Land

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NOVA



Israel's remote Cave of Letters holds clues to a Jewish uprising against the Romans. Continue


Appraisal: 26th Dynasty Ushabti Figure, ca. 550 BC

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Antiques Roadshow



See the appraisal of a 26th dynasty ushabti figure, ca. 550 BC, by Anthony Slayter-Ralph, from Billings Hour 1. Continue


Pulitzer Prize-winning author Stacy Schiff

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Tavis Smiley



Schiff de-bunks some common myths about the Egyptian queen's ethnicity, physical appearance and death. Continue


The Silver Pharaoh

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Secrets of the Dead



The royal tomb of Pharaoh Psusennes I is one of the most spectacular of all the ancient Egyptian treasures - even more remarkable than that of Tutankhamen. So why hasn't the world heard about it? What mysteries does it contain? And what does it reveal about ancient Egypt? Continue


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