Ancient Civilizations for Children: 2

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Ancient Maya - 00:27:18
The "mysterious Maya" were an impressive civilization, one of the earliest to settle in the Americas. Although historians don't know why the civilization failed, they do know that it spanned 3,000 years and had a population of about 15 million people. Established in what is now part of Mexico and Central America, the Maya built great cities, temples and pyramids, and were quite advanced in engineering and astronomy. Students will learn about Mayan religious beliefs, hieroglyphs, inventions, food and culture. Hosted by the intriguing archeologist, Arizona Smith, and his young detective-in-training.

Ancient Africa - 00:25:43
Most of Africa's ancient history was never recorded in the same manner as the Egyptians or Greeks. Instead, it was passed on in a remarkable way -- in the form of oral history, told and retold from one generation to the next as stories and songs. Using these stories, along with artifacts and the few ancient ruins that exist, archeologists have been able to piece together parts of Africa's past to learn of the great civilizations that rose across the continent. This program reviews some of those civilizations, known as kingdoms, such as Nubia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali and Songhay, then focuses on two specific kingdoms -- Great Zimbabwe in southern Africa and the Swahili civilization in East Africa. Hosted by the intriguing archeologist, Arizona Smith, and his young detective-in-training.

Ancient Greece - 00:25:47
To the Western world, ancient Greece is one of the most significant civilizations that ever existed. This program presents children with interesting facts about the ancient Greeks and their customs, taking them to the Acropolis and the Parthenon, and teaching them about Greek mythology, great Greek leaders and orators, the Olympic Games and the beginnings of democracy. From philosophy and mathematics to new ways of thinking about politics, history, art and science, the Greeks left a lasting legacy that had a great influence on other cultures. Hosted by the intriguing archeologist, Arizona Smith, and his young detective-in-training.

Ancient Aegean - 00:27:23
Are Homer's incredible stories in The Iliad and The Odyssey true? Did the lost continent of Atlantis exist? This program explores the "prehistory" of Europe's first civilizations, which developed around the Aegean Sea on the islands and mainland that now make up Greece. The artifacts of the ancient culture of the Mycenaeans reveal a civilization of warriors and craftsmen. By contrast, the ancient Minoans, named for King Minos, were artists, engineers, merchants and traders. By following the work of archeologists, students will learn of the people and places of the Aegean that laid the groundwork for ancient stories -- and ancient history. Hosted by the intriguing archeologist, Arizona Smith, and his young detective-in-training.

Ancient Rome - 00:29:33
The ancient Romans left many clues for archeologists to decipher in order to understand the magnificent past of the Roman Empire. Starting with Pompeii, an excellent example of everyday life in A.D. 79 is revealed in the ruins and molds that were preserved in the ash from Mt. Vesuvius. Children will learn about the expansion of the empire, its leaders, developing systems of government, art, architecture and trade. The program takes viewers to Hadrian's Wall, to the Coliseum to learn about gladiator fights and to Rome's Circus Maximus for chariot races. Hosted by the intriguing archeologist, Arizona Smith, and his young detective-in-training.