How Natural Disasters Changed the Course Of Ancient History

Step back in time as we uncover the secrets of medieval Plimpton! Join us as we dig beneath the streets to reveal 700-year-old mysteries and forgotten buildings. In this fascinating episode, the Time Team investigates the medieval origins of Plimpton, Devon, starting from the iconic motte and bailey of Plimpton Castle. Watch as archaeologists and historians race against the clock to uncover the original layout, boundaries, and high-status buildings of this Norman town, using geophysics, excavations, and historic maps. From discovering ancient fireplaces and timber beams to reconstructing the grand medieval marketplace, we reveal how much of the 12th- and 13th-century town still lies hidden beneath modern Plimpton. Explore the process of dating buildings with dendrochronology, analyze pottery and glassware from the trenches, and see how architectural clues inside ordinary homes help piece together a bustling medieval community. We also investigate the town’s unique burgage plots, ancient boundary lines, and the possible remains of a deer park, all while unearthing stories of the powerful Dredvers family and the town’s strategic role in Devon’s history. Whether you’re passionate about medieval archaeology

Step into the Cotswolds as archaeologists uncover a mysterious Roman villa with stunning mosaics, ancient coins, and secrets that rewrite local history! Join Time Team on a three-day excavation in Cobbleley, Gloucestershire, where centuries-old Roman buildings lie hidden beneath a tranquil field. This episode delves into the fascinating process of identifying the remains of what might be a villa, bathhouse, or even a temple. From the first glimmers of mosaic tile and pottery fragments, to the discovery of grand architectural features like apses and colonnaded porticos, our experts piece together the story of a site that saw continuous occupation from the earliest days of Roman Britain to its very end. Watch as specialists debate the true function of the site - was it a wealthy farming estate, a religious sanctuary, or something more complex? See rare finds unearthed, including coins from the reign of Emperor Claudius, intricate jewelry, and a remarkable mosaic featuring symbols like the cantharis and Gordian knot. Uncover evidence of industrial activity, clues to ritual significance near ancient springs, and the surprising possibility of Christian iconoclasm in

Discover the secrets of lost worlds, from Egypt’s legendary land of Punt to ancient Antarctic rainforests and the buried mysteries of Karahan Tepe and Giroft civilization. Dive into shocking archaeological discoveries, forgotten civilizations, and legendary treasures that are rewriting our understanding of history. In this video, we explore incredible finds like the 3,300-year-old Egyptian baboon skull traced to Punt, a kingdom whose true location remains a mystery despite new breakthroughs in science and isotope analysis. We also examine the fierce debates over ancient out-of-place artifacts like the puzzling Nampa figurine, follow the fossil trails of early hominids uncovered by the Leakey family in Africa, and journey to the breathtaking rainforests once thriving on Antarctica, challenging everything we thought we knew about the continent's past climate. You’ll learn about the enigmatic Karahan Tepe, potentially older than Göbekli Tepe, and how new excavations could redefine humanity's "zero point" of monumental architecture. We also delve into the Iranian Bronze Age city of Giroft and its implications for the cradle of civilization debate. Along the way, we uncover the human stories behind mysterious remains

Guided by curator Dr Fraser Hunter, we learn about this extraordinary hoard, which is over 1,500 years old and was hidden, buried on top of a volcanic hill for more than a millennium. Together, they delve into its mysterious origins, uncovering what the treasure reveals about power, trade, and diplomacy at the far edges of the Roman Empire and beyond. You can now become a History Hit member right here on the original video platform! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world-renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more.

Step back in time as we uncover ancient female hunters, the story of the world’s oldest pet dog, and mysterious pathways of the first Australians. Explore archaeology like never before. This captivating video dives into paradigm-shifting discoveries from the ancient world. Begin with the startling case of a 9,000-year-old female big game hunter in Peru, challenging our assumptions about gender roles in early hunter-gatherer societies. Learn how fresh evidence from burial sites, toolkits, and protein analysis suggests women played far greater roles in prehistoric hunting than previously believed. The video follows this theme globally, highlighting warrior women in Viking, Mongolian, and even Neanderthal societies. Journey next to Southern Europe, where archaeologists recently unearthed the remains of a domesticated dog in an Italian cave, revealing new insights into canine domestication and the deep human-dog bond that stretches back over 20,000 years. Detailed genetic studies, ritualized dog burials, and the ancient origins of special breeds all paint a sweeping portrait of how wolves became humankind’s oldest companions. Explore further the roots of human symbolism and creativity at Africa’s Blombos Cave, with beads

Step inside the Colosseum as its hidden history is revealed during a massive restoration, uncovering ancient secrets and the real stories of Rome’s legendary gladiators. Discover how Rome’s iconic Colosseum, the world’s most famous monument, is being meticulously restored to its former glory through an unprecedented public-private partnership. This video takes you behind the scaffolding as experts strip away centuries of grime, revealing original colors, architectural marvels, and lost details. Learn about the political intrigue, engineering genius, and social spectacle that shaped this ancient arena - from its construction on Nero’s former palace grounds to its pivotal role in Roman society as the heart of “bread and circuses.” We explore not just the Colosseum’s dramatic past, but also its impact on modern Rome, the controversial sponsorships funding its preservation, and the sophisticated restoration techniques being used today. Hear from archaeologists, historians, and those spearheading the multi-million euro facelift, and follow the evolution of gladiatorial combat from early funeral rites to the star-studded spectacles that captivated an empire. Plus, delve into the lives of real gladiators, their rise to celebrity status