The World's Most Influential Civilizations are Explored in The Science Channel's Three-Part Series, WHAT THE ANCIENTS KNEW, Beginning Monday, March 14

The World's Most Influential Civilizations are Explored in The Science Channel's Three-Part Series, WHAT THE ANCIENTS KNEW, Beginning Monday, March 14

SILVER SPRING, Md., Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Exploring the Roman Empire, early Egypt and the Chinese dynasties, WHAT THE ANCIENTS KNEW is a panoramic journey into the technological past that shaped our world. Host Jack Turner travels back in time to understand the motivations behind early solutions and inventions, demonstrating how ancient machines worked and explaining why they were developed. The series kicks off Monday, March 14, from 8-9 PM, with the one-hour The Romans; The Egyptians premieres the following Monday, March 21, from 8-9 PM; and the series concludes Monday, March 28, with The Chinese from 8-9 PM (all times ET/PT).

On Monday, March 14, viewers travel the globe to see sites of some of the world's earliest inventions, beginning with those of ancient Rome. Roman scientists and engineers were the first to be deployed to conquered provinces, and it was their ingenuity that linked the vast Roman Empire together with sophisticated bridges and roads, solidifying Roman rule over a swath of territory that in its heyday extended from Scotland to Syria. Masters of incorporating innovations from the cultures they dominated, the Romans spread the concepts of clean water distribution and sewer systems -- as well as the ubiquitous Roman bath -- to far-flung outposts of the empire. The Romans used the aqueduct to distribute water, the catapult to defend their cities, and the hypocaust (the first radiant heat apparatus) to heat the Roman baths. They also invented double-pane glass, public bathrooms and one of the first prototypes of industrialization -- a water-powered flour factory that could feed a minimum of 12,000 people each day. The Romans used concrete to build almost everything and made use of a drum crane for building projects, which allowed them to use a measly four pounds of lifting pressure to lift an astonishing 4,000 pounds.

On March 21, viewers visit ancient Egypt, where astronomers developed the world's first solar calendar and marked the first 24-hour day. The Egyptians were also the first culture to believe in life after death, and they built burial monuments that stand today. One of these monuments, Cheops' pyramid, was built in 2550 B.C. and was the tallest structure on earth until the Eiffel Tower was built in 1889. It is the last of the seven wonders of the ancient world still existing. Egyptian agricultural and horticultural technology is the source for much of agricultural technology in the western world. Since their entire civilization was based on their relationship with the Nile, the Egyptians had tremendous incentive to develop the world's first examples of hydraulic engineering and systematic irrigation. They built the first reservoirs in human history and were the first to plant ornamental gardens. They were also the first nation to focus manpower away from farming and cater to other aspects of life -- like luxury items.

WHAT THE ANCIENTS KNEW winds up in China on March 28, exploring how China was a leader in science and technology for much of its history. From 600 to 1500 A.D., China was the most technologically advanced society on earth. Chinese inventors can lay claim to the invention of gunpowder, fireworks, the world's first rocket (and rocket launcher), the seismoscope, the compass, the kite, porcelain, the crossbow, and perhaps most important for modern civilization, steel. In addition, the Chinese invented the printing press around 800 A.D., 700 years before Johannes Gutenberg's famous Bible was printed in the West. The Chinese were also using printed money around 812 A.D., long before paper money was first printed in Europe in 1661. In addition, the Chinese were the first to identify and understand the human circulatory system -- around the 2nd Century B.C.

The series is produced for The Science Channel by Washington, D.C.-based Edgework Media. Heike G. Wells is the producer/writer and Richard J. Wells is the director. For The Science Channel, Charlie Parsons is executive producer.

The Science Channel is part of Discovery Networks, U.S., a unit of Discovery Communications, Inc., which also operates and manages the Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, the Travel Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Discovery HD Theater, Discovery Kids Channel, Discovery Times Channel, Military Channel, Discovery Home Channel, Discovery en Espanol and FitTV. The unit also distributes BBC AMERICA.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Images are available at
http://www.press.discovery.com

Source: The Science Channel

CONTACT: Beth Foster of Discovery Communications, Inc., +1-301-807-3624,
beth_foster-cw@discovery.com

Web site: http://www.discovery.com/

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