Courses

Produced in partnership with National Geographic, and led by a renowned archaeologist, explore over 20 of the most significant and enthralling archaeological sites on the planet.

<p>Discover why the ancient Greeks occupy such a prominent place in Western culture and identity in this engrossing course taught by a historian and archaeologist.</p>

Tour of one of the world&#039;s most exciting and interesting destinations in this course that goes on location in Greece and Turkey with a brilliant archaeologist as your guide.

<p>Join a practicing archaeologist for a spirited virtual tour of the past, present, and future of Maya civilization in the northern Yucatán.</p>

<p>Visit the birthplace of Judaism and Christianity in this comprehensive tour, taught by an archaeologist, that will take you deep beneath the pages of the Bible.</p>

Follow in the footsteps of the businessman-turned-archaeologist who brought the Mycenaean Age and Troy to life. What you'll learn: By the end of this course, you will be able to describe in outline fashion the life and contributions of Heinrich Schliemann to history and archaeology.In this course, you will understand the many arguments for the Trojan War in the late Bronze Age.In this course, you will come to understand the historical accuracy behind much of what Homer wrote in the Iliad and the Odyssey.In this course, you will learn about the major finds in the archaeological sites of Troy and Mycenae. This history course contains about 2 1/2 hours of video lectures that survey the life and adventures of Heinrich Schliemann, a 19th century archaeologist who unearthed the ancient city of Troy. The course will also cover his other exploits, including his archaeological work at Mycenae. The course will also look at the archaeological work done at Troy and Mycenae to the present time, which often confirmed the assertions of Schliemann, though sometimes corrected his dating. Also discussed at length is the work of Homer, it's possible historical accuracy, and its influence upon Heinrich Schliemann. Last, this course will investigate whether the famous Trojan War actually took place in history.

Explore the origins of human creativity in this TEDx talk by Dr. Nowrooz Rajabi, archaeologist and chairman of the Iranian Archaeological Society. Delve into the earliest examples of innovation and artistic expression in ancient civilizations as Dr. Rajabi shares insights from his extensive research in archaeology. Discover how our ancestors developed creative solutions and cultural practices that laid the foundation for human progress. Gain a deeper appreciation for the ingenuity of ancient peoples and the enduring impact of their creative contributions on modern society.

Explore the rich intellectual heritage of India in this TEDx talk by historian and archaeologist Anica Mann. Discover how understanding your roots can lead to a deeper appreciation of everyday life and the historical significance hidden in plain sight. Delve into Mann's journey and experiences as she shares her passion for art and history, showcasing her renowned oratory skills. Gain insights into India's role as an ancient intellectual powerhouse and learn how connecting with your cultural heritage can transform your perspective on the world around you.

Explore the principles, practices, and protocols of forensic archaeology in outdoor crime scene investigations through this 46-minute keynote presentation by Dr. William Belcher, a senior Forensic Archaeologist. Gain insights into documenting and analyzing evidence at various complex crime scenes, including large-scale searches, surface-scattered remains, buried body features, fatal fires, and mass disaster sites. Learn how forensic archaeology contributes to understanding the parameters of death and crime scene analysis, particularly in outdoor settings. Discover the importance of this specialized field in enhancing the effectiveness of crime scene investigations and its applications beyond human remains.

Explore a groundbreaking perspective on human history and inequality in this 17-minute TED talk by archaeologist David Wengrow. Challenge conventional narratives about the foundations of civilization, from the development of agriculture to the emergence of cities and class systems. Discover how rethinking historical assumptions can profoundly alter our understanding of inequality and modern society. Gain insights into cutting-edge research that questions traditional views on social evolution and offers a fresh interpretation of humanity's past. Engage with thought-provoking ideas that may reshape your perspective on the origins of societal structures and their impact on contemporary life.

This episode of "It's History: On Air" explores the intriguing possibility that an ancient culture in present-day Poland constructed monumental tombs predating Egypt's famous pyramids. During the 54-minute discussion, archaeologist and museum director Dominik Plaża guides viewers through the mysterious burial mounds of prehistoric Europe, some potentially older than the pyramids at Giza. Discover the archaeological evidence behind these remarkable structures and what they reveal about advanced prehistoric European civilizations. Note that as this was recorded live-to-air, the audio contains minor imperfections typical of real-time conversations.

Embark on a captivating 32-minute video journey through central Turkey, exploring ancient architectural sites, geological wonders, and mysterious underground cities. Discover an area rich in history and natural marvels, from the bustling capital of Ankara to the spiritual center of Konya and the otherworldly landscapes of Cappadocia. Delve into long-lost subterranean worlds, marvel at cave dwellings and basalt "fairy chimneys," and uncover the secrets of dozens of underground cities packed into an area the size of Maryland. Join archaeologist John R. Hale as he guides you through this fascinating region straddling Southeastern Europe and Western Asia, offering insights into archaeology, hidden civilizations, and remarkable architectural achievements.

Embark on a captivating 14-minute journey through ancient structures around the world in this TEDx talk by Diana Baranova. Explore intriguing questions about the architecture of creation as the passionate and ambitious aspiring archaeologist shares her deep-seated curiosity for history. Discover how Baranova's love for reading and unwavering commitment to uncovering lost secrets fuels her pursuit of knowledge in the field of archaeology. Gain insights into the speaker's determination to leave an indelible mark on the study of ancient civilizations and be inspired by her enthusiasm for embracing challenges in the quest for historical understanding.

Discover in this 15-minute TED talk how AI researchers are revolutionizing archaeological research by virtually "unrolling" and decoding the Herculaneum scrolls - ancient texts that were carbonized during Mount Vesuvius's eruption nearly two millennia ago. Join AI researcher Youssef Nader and digital archaeologist Julian Schilliger as they demonstrate cutting-edge AI technology's capability to decipher previously unreadable ancient artifacts, offering unprecedented insights into historical mysteries and achievements of ancient civilizations. Recorded at TEDAI Vienna in October 2024, explore the groundbreaking intersection of artificial intelligence and archaeology, opening new possibilities for understanding our past through advanced digital techniques.

Explore the profound impact of misinterpreting Plato's Atlantis parable in this 15-minute TEDx talk by archaeologist Peter Nulton. Delve into how colonial misunderstandings of this ancient story have fueled division and caused harm to humanity. Drawing from his extensive experience in Classical and Maritime archaeology, including excavations and research projects in the Mediterranean, Nulton offers unique insights into the real-world consequences of fictional narratives. Learn how a Fulbright-funded study of the sanctuary of Apollo on the Acropolis of Athens informs his perspective on this topic. Gain a deeper understanding of the intersection between archaeology, philosophy, and societal impact as Nulton unpacks the complex legacy of Atlantis in modern thought.

Explore the sources of power in modern civilization and learn how to prevent its collapse in this thought-provoking TEDx talk by Miroslav Bárta, a renowned Czech scientist, Egyptologist, and archaeologist. Drawing from his extensive research on ancient civilizations and their rise and fall, Bárta introduces past and present civilizations to provide valuable insights into sustaining our own. Discover the "Seven Laws of Civilizational Development" theory and gain a unique interdisciplinary perspective on the challenges facing complex societies. Benefit from Bárta's expertise as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and founder of the Complex Societies think tank as he shares his knowledge gained from lecturing at universities worldwide and consulting for multinational corporations.

Explore the fascinating world of paleoanthropology in this 31-minute interview with Ginika Ramsawak, a student and aspiring archaeologist at the University of the Witswatersrand. Delve into Ramsawak's experiences working in the renowned Rising Star Cave fossil site, home to the groundbreaking discovery of Homo naledi. Learn about her background, the field of paleo-ecology, and how she secured her position on the Rising Star team. Gain insights into the cave's unique characteristics and the incredible discoveries made under the leadership of Lee Berger. Discuss the importance of representation for women of color in science and receive valuable advice for young people interested in pursuing similar careers. Discover the exciting world of human evolution research and the ongoing quest to uncover our ancient ancestors.

Explore the groundbreaking work of Ada Lovelace in this 45-minute conference talk from NDC London 2024. Delve into the details of the first computer program ever written, understanding its purpose and functionality. Follow along as developer and digital archaeologist Steven Goodwin breaks down the program, simulating it within a JavaScript version of Babbage's analytical engine. Witness the step-by-step transformation of the original code into modern programming language, gaining insights into the evolution of coding practices. Examine the controversial aspects surrounding Ada Lovelace's role in early computing and engage with the debate on her status as the first programmer. Gain a deeper appreciation for the foundations of computer science and the pioneering contributions that shaped the field.

Explore a 23-minute conference talk on deploying machine learning models for forensic anthropology using Docker and Streamlit. Discover how an archaeologist and physicist created a web application for skeletal sex prediction without prior web development experience. Learn about the use of pandas and scikit-learn for data analysis and model construction, and how Streamlit simplified the web application design process. Gain insights into packaging code and dependencies into a Docker image, and deploying it as a container on a virtual machine. Follow the step-by-step process of building and deploying the SexEst web application, including Dockerfile creation, Docker installation on a web server, and container deployment. Understand the implications of this project for forensic anthropology and bioarchaeology, and explore references to Streamlit, the SexEst application, and its GitHub repository.

Explore the fascinating archaeological discoveries revealing Iran's pivotal role as a bridge for prehistoric human societies in this TEDxEsfahan talk. Delve into the Paleolithic era, spanning approximately 2 million years, and uncover the various human groups that inhabited the Iranian geographical area. Learn about the Qaleh Kurd cave in Qazvin province, Iran's oldest known archaeological site, and its groundbreaking findings from joint Iranian-French excavations. Discover the significance of a 175,000-year-old Neanderthal child's tooth and other cultural artifacts unearthed at the site. Gain insights into the latest dating techniques that have established Qaleh Kurd cave as the oldest human settlement in the Iranian plateau, with layers dating back over 455,000 years. Join archaeologist Hamed Vahdati Nasab as he shares his expertise on Neanderthal facial morphology, ancient DNA analysis, and bioarchaeology, offering a comprehensive look at the earliest evidence of human presence in Iran.