Vol 4 Ep 84 - Easter Island

What separates an ape from a human? Two million years ago, a small, primitive creature appeared in Africa with a larger brain, dexterous hands and an intriguing association with stone tools. Scientists called it Homo habilis — Handy Man. But was this really one of the first human ... Show More

1566 - 1737 - The Ottoman Empire stands at the height of its power, yet a new reign brings fresh ambitions, dangerous rivalries and growing challenges. As the Mediterranean becomes the centre of an epic struggle, the balance of power begins to shift. Join me as we explore the per ... Show More

1565 - A tiny island stood between one of history’s greatest empires and its ambitions in the Mediterranean. Outnumbered, isolated, and facing seemingly impossible odds, a brotherhood of warrior monks prepared for a confrontation that would test courage, endurance, and faith to t ... Show More

On one of the world’s most isolated islands, hundreds of vast stone statues lie mouldering in the grass. In this episode, we take a look at one of archaeology’s most enduring puzzles: the mystery of Easter Island. Find out how this unique community grew up in complete isolation, ... Show More

This week Neil MacGregor is exploring the sophisticated ways in which people connected to gods and ancestors in the Middle Ages. He is looking at religious images from India, France, Mexico and Turkey. Today - in the last programme of the second series - he is with one of the mos ... Show More

<p>In the heart of the Pacific Ocean, over 2,000 miles from the nearest continent, lies one of the world’s most iconic archaeological treasure troves - Rapa Nui, known to the outside world as Easter Island. Famed for the towering stone faces of the <em>moai</em>, the island has u ... Show More

First inhabited by the Rapa Nui people a thousand years ago, Easter Island is best known for its hundreds of giant stone statues. But what inspired a group of ancient Polynesian explorers to settle in such a remote spot in the South Pacific? How did they almost bring their own co ... Show More

Uncover the mystery of the Sea Peoples in this riveting exploration of their role in the Bronze Age Collapse. From coastal raids to decisive battles, delve into the chaos of 1200 BCE! Sponsor: HelloFresh.com/decodingfree and use code decodingfree for free breakfast for life! Lear ... Show More

Despite sporadic food sources and the dangers of the deep sea, the remote islands of the Pacific Ocean have been home to Polynesians for more than a millennium. But what was life like for the first people to venture between Hawaii, New Zealand and Easter Island, to name a few? In ... Show More

Tristan Hughes sits down with Professor Eric Cline to explore the enigmatic Sea Peoples, often blamed for the catastrophic Bronze Age collapse over 3,000 years ago.Together they explore surviving sources from ancient Egypt to find out who the Sea Peoples were, and how they swept ... Show More

The Asia-Pacific War of 1937-1945 has deep roots. It also involves a Japanese society that's been called one of the most distinctive on Earth. If there were a Japanese version of Captain America, this would be his origin story. 

The Yonaguni Monument is a large underwater stone complex off the coast of a tiny Japanese island. After their discovery in 1987, divers and local academics thought the rock formations were human-constructed, indicating the presence of a yet-undiscovered ancient civilization. Cou ... Show More