Ancient Treasures with Bettany Hughes
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Ancient Treasures with Bettany Hughes

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Historian Bettany Hughes uncovers more extraordinary treasures from the ancient world. With unprecedented access to new discoveries and using state of the art technology, Bettany unearths incredible stories from the past. She visits one of the world's best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in Bulgaria, ancient archeological discoveries in Oman and even the oldest sword in the world.
20255 seasons
20255 seasons
7+
7 episodes
  • 1. Georgia

    1. Georgia

    The truth behind the legendary adventures of Jason and the Argonauts are revealed as Bettany explores the hidden treasures of Georgia. She learns the story of Tamar, the queen who became a king and explores the concealed tunnels of Khertvisi. In Tbilisi, Bettany examines a cache of 19th-century photography before exploring the old town and finding much of what was photographed still exists.
    The truth behind the legendary adventures of Jason and the Argonauts are revealed as Bettany explores the hidden treasures of Georgia. She learns the story of Tamar, the queen who became a king and explores the concealed tunnels of Khertvisi. In Tbilisi, Bettany examines a cache of 19th-century photography before exploring the old town and finding much of what was photographed still exists.
    ALL
    46min
    Jul 22, 2025
  • 2. Bulgaria

    2. Bulgaria

    Historian Bettany Hughes travels to Bulgaria, where a mosaic of cultures has generated an incredible history. Visiting the Black Sea, she explores Varna's 6,000-year-old gold treasure hoard and uncovers the lives of the people who forged one of Europe's earliest cultures. In the valley of the Thracian kings, she enters a 2,300-year-old tomb with extraordinary vibrant frescos still intact.
    Historian Bettany Hughes travels to Bulgaria, where a mosaic of cultures has generated an incredible history. Visiting the Black Sea, she explores Varna's 6,000-year-old gold treasure hoard and uncovers the lives of the people who forged one of Europe's earliest cultures. In the valley of the Thracian kings, she enters a 2,300-year-old tomb with extraordinary vibrant frescos still intact.
    ALL
    47min
    Jul 22, 2025
  • 3. Turkey

    3. Turkey

    Historian Bettany Hughes is on a journey to uncover the latest finds at five of Turkey's most important ancient cities. From gold-colored fragments of King Midas' father's shroud at Gordion, the healing rooms at Pergamon and visiting possibly the last nomadic community in Anatolia at Sagalassos, Bettany discovers how each of the cities plays a vital role in the story of humanity.
    Historian Bettany Hughes is on a journey to uncover the latest finds at five of Turkey's most important ancient cities. From gold-colored fragments of King Midas' father's shroud at Gordion, the healing rooms at Pergamon and visiting possibly the last nomadic community in Anatolia at Sagalassos, Bettany discovers how each of the cities plays a vital role in the story of humanity.
    ALL
    47min
    Jul 22, 2025
  • 4. Azerbaijan

    4. Azerbaijan

    Bettany Hughes returns to Azerbaijan to uncover the secrets of the Silk Road, exploring two enduring art forms that were shaped and traded along this ancient superhighway of goods and ideas-carpets and poetry. High in the Caucasus Mountains, she meets master carpet weavers who are preserving a craft passed down through generations.
    Bettany Hughes returns to Azerbaijan to uncover the secrets of the Silk Road, exploring two enduring art forms that were shaped and traded along this ancient superhighway of goods and ideas-carpets and poetry. High in the Caucasus Mountains, she meets master carpet weavers who are preserving a craft passed down through generations.
    ALL
    47min
    Jul 22, 2025
  • 5. Oman

    5. Oman

    Bettany Hughes returns to Oman, a country shaped by the sea. Journeying to Masirah, Oman's largest island, Bettany uncovers a biodiverse wonderland. Here the human story can be traced back 8,000 years to the earliest settlers. Bettany then visits one of Oman's stunning wadis, a gorge full of life-giving water, where she meets archeologists investigating evidence of its first inhabitants.
    Bettany Hughes returns to Oman, a country shaped by the sea. Journeying to Masirah, Oman's largest island, Bettany uncovers a biodiverse wonderland. Here the human story can be traced back 8,000 years to the earliest settlers. Bettany then visits one of Oman's stunning wadis, a gorge full of life-giving water, where she meets archeologists investigating evidence of its first inhabitants.
    ALL
    47min
    Jul 22, 2025
  • 6. Estonia

    6. Estonia

    Using state of the art technology, historian Bettany Hughes lifts the lid on Estonia's hidden treasures, which mix modern and ancient traditions. Exploring a sacred burial site, she unearths evidence of human sacrifice and a massive medieval shipwreck. Heading west, Bettany visits the island of Kihnu, where she's guided through the unique folklore and customs of the last European matriarchy.
    Using state of the art technology, historian Bettany Hughes lifts the lid on Estonia's hidden treasures, which mix modern and ancient traditions. Exploring a sacred burial site, she unearths evidence of human sacrifice and a massive medieval shipwreck. Heading west, Bettany visits the island of Kihnu, where she's guided through the unique folklore and customs of the last European matriarchy.
    7+
    47min
    Jul 22, 2025
  • 7. Eastern Mediterranean

    7. Eastern Mediterranean

    From Albania to Turkey and Greece, Bettany Hughes encounters the oldest sword on record, the earliest evidence of human government and the pirate queen who took on the Roman Empire. She's also granted access to Alexander the Great's birthplace, investigating the emperor's sister and witnessing the restoration of hundreds of precious artefacts discovered at the site.
    From Albania to Turkey and Greece, Bettany Hughes encounters the oldest sword on record, the earliest evidence of human government and the pirate queen who took on the Roman Empire. She's also granted access to Alexander the Great's birthplace, investigating the emperor's sister and witnessing the restoration of hundreds of precious artefacts discovered at the site.
    ALL
    47min
    Jul 22, 2025
  • Ancient Treasures with Bettany Hughes
    20255 seasons
    Historian Bettany Hughes uncovers more extraordinary treasures from the ancient world. With unprecedented access to new discoveries and using state of the art technology, Bettany unearths incredible stories from the past. She visits one of the world's best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in Bulgaria, ancient archeological discoveries in Oman and even the oldest sword in the world.
    Creators and Cast
    Directors
    Johnny Crockett
    Producers
    Olivia HansenShula SubramaniamAnna ThomsonDavid Upshal
    Cast
    Bettany Hughes
    Studio
    Sandstone Global Productions
    Content advisory
    7+
    Flashing lights and strobing patterns might affect photosensitive viewers
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