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What the Ancients Did for Us

What the Ancients Did for Us

What the Ancients Did for Us is a 2005 BBC documentary series presented by Adam Hart-Davis that examines the impact of ancient civilizations on modern society.

Created By
StatusEnded
Original NameWhat the Ancients Did for Us
First Air DateFebruary 16, 2005
Last Air DateApril 13, 2005
Seasons1
Episodes9
Episode Runtime1h 0min
LanguageEnglish
Original LanguageEnglish
Production CountriesUnited Kingdom
Production Companies
NetworksBBC Two
S01E09

The Britons

A lot of people still think that we were just woad-covered savages before the Romans came along. Well, we weren't - firstly we weren't covered in woad but dressed in a rather elegant new-fangled invention - trousers; more importantly we were organised, spiritual, technologically advanced Brits with European business connections – all without towns and cities or being able to read and write! This programme shows the evolution of the people of Britain from Stone Age hunters to Iron Age warriors. From early people who used animal bone picks to dig mines to a society skilled in the use of metallurgy, bronze, iron and gold. From a nomadic existence to a society organised into tribes with their own coinage and identities. From farmers using simple wooden ploughs to ferocious warriors driving thousands of chariots and repulsing the invading Roman army of Julius Caesar.

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