Ancient Discoveries

We look at how ancient people developed complex systems to solve the problems of transportation. How successfully did ancient peoples travel overland, or move their building materials and goods?

1,500 years ago, the ancient Chinese were the military superpower of the East. Take a revealing look at their warfare technology, including the world's first bomb.

Ancient Discoveries travels to the farthest corners of the ancient East to uncover weapons never before seen by the world at large. Experts investigate how armour that could stop arrows was made of nothing more than paper.

Experts reveal how an ancient army blasted its way through a seven-mile fleet without losing a single ship. Plus, we investigate the mystery of a time-travelling ghost ship.

Some of the strangest and deadliest weapons ever built were the prototypes of the modern gun. Was a simple bamboo tube the world's first hand gun? Plus, hidden in an ancient manuscript lies a secret recipe for ancient tracer fire – but does it work?

Discover ancient mining machines through the ages.

Battleships powered by bulls! Ancient man was far more advanced than the history books suggest.

Investigate the ways in which ancient intelligence services passed messages over thousands of miles.

Can Chi Warriors really kill a man with a single touch?

What exactly was this ancient weapon that destroyed enemy heavy infantry, elephants and cavalry? Watch as experts and archaeological digs reveal new evidence into this invention, which will be reconstructed.

Historians, doctors, model makers and virtual reality artists will help to reveal the startling torture technologies of the ancient world.

Examine how the leech was used as an ancient medical cure and test one on a live patient to see how much blood comes out.

The amazing successes and stunning failures of ancient military engineers have directly affected the weapons and tactics we use today.

Naval engineering has led the way in technological advances through all History. For the simple reason that if anything goes wrong at sea, you're dead.

Holding off invasion and protecting its people, ancient civilisations came up with effective means of self-protection and defense. Walk the grounds of the castle that helped create Great Britain and learn why it was such an impregnable fortress.

Might the stories of the Bible have their basis in ancient scientific fact? How big was the giant Goliath, and what was the tech of the sling that brought him down?

Investigate the legend that the Christians wiped out paganism in an attack on their temples with fire so hot it could melt bronze. And, learn how the great ancient revolutionary Spartacus kick-started his great revolt against the Roman Empire.

Assault from the air didn't begin with the era of the airplane. Take a look back at early methods of airborne attack.

In Mexico explorers use an ancient Mayan temple code to search for an occult underworld. In Britain investigators uncover the secret technologies behind a life size statue of Jesus Christ.

From the mysterious mummified crocodiles of Kom Ombo, Egypt, to the world famous terracotta army in China, discover the world's most incredible death rituals.

In Egypt, we reveal how a tiny army beat off a major invasion force using only a group of farm animals. Plus, how the simple stirrup changed the course of history.

From the most valuable item to the fastest man-made machine, discover the ancient world records that, remarkably, still stand today.