First Civilizations

Preview

Preview: Season 1 | 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.

Aired: 04/24/18

Rating: TV-PG

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Video thumbnail: First Civilizations Episode 4 Preview | Trade

First Civilizations

Episode 4 Preview | Trade

Examine the civilizing effect of trade.

Preview: Ep4 | 30s

Episode 4 Preview | Trade

Preview: Ep4 | 30s

Video thumbnail: First Civilizations Rise of International Trade

First Civilizations

Rise of International Trade

Archaeologist Jeff Rose examines the history of a petroglyph in Oman.

Clip: Ep4 | 3m 13s

Rise of International Trade

Clip: Ep4 | 3m 13s

Video thumbnail: First Civilizations Indus Valley Civilization

First Civilizations

Indus Valley Civilization

Explore the splendor of the Indus Valley civilization.

Clip: Ep4 | 2m 41s

Indus Valley Civilization

Clip: Ep4 | 2m 41s

Video thumbnail: First Civilizations The Merchant's Seal

First Civilizations

The Merchant's Seal

The merchant’s seal was a guarantee of quality goods.

Clip: Ep4 | 2m 37s

The Merchant's Seal

Clip: Ep4 | 2m 37s

Video thumbnail: First Civilizations Rise of Inequality

First Civilizations

Rise of Inequality

Explore the rise of inequality and threat of dictatorship.

Clip: Ep3 | 3m 29s

Rise of Inequality

Clip: Ep3 | 3m 29s

Video thumbnail: First Civilizations Humans Are Social

First Civilizations

Humans Are Social

Humans are social creatures. Evolutionary Psychologist Michael Muthukrishna explains.

Clip: Ep3 | 3m 13s

Humans Are Social

Clip: Ep3 | 3m 13s

Video thumbnail: First Civilizations Episode 3 Preview | Cities

First Civilizations

Episode 3 Preview | Cities

Investigate why cities were so integral to the rise of civilization.

Preview: Ep3 | 30s

Episode 3 Preview | Cities

Preview: Ep3 | 30s

Video thumbnail: First Civilizations Ritual

First Civilizations

Ritual

Explore how rituals bring people together.

Clip: Ep2 | 3m 42s

Ritual

Clip: Ep2 | 3m 42s

Video thumbnail: First Civilizations Nabta Playa

First Civilizations

Nabta Playa

Nabta Playa became a religious monument where people could gather and worship.

Clip: Ep2 | 3m

Nabta Playa

Clip: Ep2 | 3m

Video thumbnail: First Civilizations Episode 2 Preview | Religion

First Civilizations

Episode 2 Preview | Religion

Learn why every successful civilization needs a narrative — a shared set of beliefs.

Preview: Ep2 | 30s

Episode 2 Preview | Religion

Preview: Ep2 | 30s

Video thumbnail: First Civilizations Kings Become Gods

First Civilizations

Kings Become Gods

In Ancient Egypt, at the site of Nekhen, kings were recognized as living gods.

Clip: Ep2 | 2m 22s

Kings Become Gods

Clip: Ep2 | 2m 22s

Video thumbnail: First Civilizations Power of Obsidian

First Civilizations

Power of Obsidian

Explore the power of obsidian weapons and their use in Teotihuacan.

Clip: Ep1 | 3m 32s

Power of Obsidian

Clip: Ep1 | 3m 32s

See All Extras

Episodes

Video thumbnail: First Civilizations TradePassport

First Civilizations

Trade

Examine the civilizing effect of trade.

Ep4 | 53m 41s

Trade

Ep4 | 53m 41s

Video thumbnail: First Civilizations CitiesPassport

First Civilizations

Cities

Investigate why cities were so integral to the rise of civilization.

Ep3 | 54m 11s

Cities

Ep3 | 54m 11s

Video thumbnail: First Civilizations ReligionPassport

First Civilizations

Religion

Learn why every successful civilization needs a narrative—a shared set of beliefs.

Ep2 | 54m 10s

Religion

Ep2 | 54m 10s

Video thumbnail: First Civilizations WarPassport

First Civilizations

War

See how war can destroy lives, yet create civilization.

Ep1 | 54m 10s

War

Ep1 | 54m 10s

See All Episodes

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