Ancient Discoveries is a television series that premiered on December 21, 2003, on the History Channel. The program focused on ancient technologies. The show's theme was that many inventions which are thought to be modern have ancient roots or in some cases may have been lost and then reinvented. The program was a follow-up to a special originally broadcast in 2005 which focused on technologies from the Ancient Roman era such as the Antikythera mechanism and inventors such as Heron of Alexandria. Episodes of the regular series expanded to cover other areas such as Egypt, China and East Asia, and the Islamic world.
Ancient Discoveries was made for The History Channel by Wild Dream Films based in Cardiff in the UK. Much of the filming was on location across the world. The series used contributions from archaeologists and other experts, footage of historical sites and artifacts, computer generated reconstructions, and dramatized reconstructions along with experiments and tests on reconstructed artifacts.
Episodes
Series 1 (2003) Michael Carroll was the initial narrator of the series for The History Channel (US). No Title Subject Original airdate1x01Ancient Computer?This episode investigates the Antikythera Mechanism, a computer-like device that may have been used to calculate the movements of stars and planets. It also highlights ancient inventors Archimedes and Ctesibius.December 21, 20031x02Galen, Doctor to the GladiatorsThis episode discusses ancient medical devices and procedures, and profiles the Greek physician Galen, who practiced eye and brain surgery 2,000 years ahead of his time.December 21, 20031x03Heron of AlexandriaThis episode discusses Heron of Alexandria, who created automatic doors and coin-operated machines.December 21, 2003
Series 2 (2005) Phil Crowley was narrator of this series of episodes and for all subsequent episodes for The History Channel (US). No Title Subject Original airdate2x01ShipsThe lake Nemi ships, large Roman vessels that were salvaged from the lake in the 1930s and burned in 1944, are discussed, including technological discoveries from the ships.August 21, 20052x02WarfareWarfare technology is examined, including the Helepolis, a square fortified tower on wheels; and "Greek Fire," an incendiary liquid that stuck to people and objects and couldn't be extinguished with water.August 21, 20052x03Machines IIAncient mechanical devices are examined: A jar that appears to be an electric battery, a flour mill in France that is run by waterwheels, and Archimedes use of solar power to defeat the Romans.December 11, 2005
Series 3 (2007) This was the first series of episodes presented in wide screen format on The History Channel (US). No Title Subject Original airdate3x01Siege of TroyThis episode reconstructs the legend of the Trojan War in Turkey. Achilles' duel against Hector and the sailing of the vast Mycenaean fleet are discussed.January 23, 20073x02Cars & PlanesThis episode examines transportation technology that existed in the ancient world. It discusses a Greek railway, Chinese wind-powered vehicles, and possibility of flying machines in Greece, Egypt and China.January 30, 20073x03Machines of the GodsExamining Greek and Roman technology designed for use in religious temples to create illusions that seemed miraculous. Included: an iron chariot that appeared to be suspended in mid air at the Temple of Serapis in Alexandria.February 6, 20073x04Super ShipsExtraordinary sailing vessels are examined, including the Khufu funeral ship in Egypt made entirely without metal nails; and a warship that could hold 7000 crewmen.February 13, 20073x05Mega MachinesExamining ancient machines used in the large-scale engineering projects of the ancient world, particularly in Greece and Egypt. Included: machines used to transport 3-ton limestone coffins in Greece. Also: the building of the Parthenon.February 20, 20073x06Egyptian WarfareEgyptian warfare and weaponry are examined, including revolutionary weapon-making techniques; and the grand scale of their battles.February 27, 20073x07Chinese WarfareExploring the military innovations of ancient China, including gunpowder, flame throwers, rockets, automated crossbows, siege machines, and the grand scale of their battles.March 6, 20073x08Machines IIIChinese technology such as cosmic machines, hydraulic hammers, water-controlled clocks and mass production plants powered by water.March 27, 20073x09RobotsAn examination of ancient robotics includes a look at the automata of ancient China, the Hellenistic engineers Heron and Philon, the Kurdish engineer Al-Jazari, the Byzantine Empire, and Leonardo da Vinci. Also includes reconstructions of ancient inventions.April 17, 20073x10Machines of the EastExamining the inventions of Kurdish engineer Al-Jazari, who lived in what is now modern Iraq and Turkey in the 13th century. His designs include automated water-lifting mechanisms, water-based clocks, and a variety of geared mechanisms.April 24, 2007
Series 4 (early 2008) No Title Subject Original airdate4x01Lost Cities of the Deep Our modern day landscapes are littered with the remains of ancient superstructures. Now, cutting edge archaeology is beginning to reveal that this century's most exciting discoveries actually lie at the bottom of the ocean.January 28, 20084x02Ancient Super NaviesExperts investigate antiquity's legendary naval inventions, including high-explosive grenades, covert underwater attack equipment and biological warfare.February 4, 20084x03Ancient Super BallisticsModern forensic techniques help firearms experts reveal the accuracy, power and range of ancient bullets, rockets and bombs.February 11, 20084x04Ancient Death MachinesMany of today's lethal military weapons owe their origins to inventors of the ancient world who created siege machines, land mines, flamethrowers and more.February 25, 20084x05Ancient Chinese Super ShipsChina's master shipbuilders create some of the most powerful warships and greatest fleets of the ancient world.March 3, 20084x06Ancient New YorkNew discoveries unveil the ancient blueprint for modern life in the metropolis of New York.March 10, 2008
Series 5 (late 2008) No Title Subject Original airdate5x01Death Weapons of the EastComparison test between a shotgun and a staff, the oldest known weapon; the deadly Chinese ermei underwater attack weapon; examining whether Chi warriors can really kill a man with a single touch; ancient Chinese crossbows.October 23, 20085x02Impossible Naval EngineeringCitizens of ancient Tyre use fire ships against Alexander the Great's besieging fleet; Roman Emperor Nero builds a death yacht to kill his own mother; a 15th-century weapon designed to pierce enemy hulls; ancient paddle-wheel boat.October 30, 20085x03Ancient Tank TechAsian battle elephants and Europe's medieval knights in armor demonstrate people in the past understood the modern tank's principles combining protection, speed and firepower; ancient antitank weapon.November 6, 20085x04Ancient Torture TechRevealing the terrifying truth behind torture; ancient inventors go to great lengths to develop precision devices to exact pain; the rack; burning at the stake; Vlad the Impaler.November 13, 20085x05Ancient Mining MachinesUnique technologies of ancient miners, including a Roman hydraulic system, sappers who could undermine castle walls and the 1689 origination of gunpowder mining in England.November 20, 20085x06Impossible Army MachinesThe amazing successes and stunning failures of ancient military engineers influence today's weapons and tactics; an ancient Greek weapon is still used on aircraft carriers; rapid-firing Chinese catapult; Hannibal crosses the Alps.December 1, 20085x07Lost Science of the BibleInvestigating Bible stories to find if they have basis in scientific fact; determining Goliath's size and considering the technology of the sling David used to fell him; Tower of Babel; levitating a replica of the Ark of the Covenant.December 15, 2008
Series 6 (2009)