All Episodes of Mankind Decoded
Browse all episodes of Mankind Decoded
Season 1
6.6/1011 votesLust for Luxury
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 1/26/2013
When ordinary people desire the luxuries of the rich, ingenuity and innovation come together to take history in a new direction. From the obsession with silk to the fall of Constantinople, the discovery of the Americas to the launch of the Industrial Revolution, our desire for luxury has shaped our history and evolution.
Director: Unknown
Writer: Unknown
- 6.9/1012 votes
- 7.2/1011 votes
Connecting the World
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 2/2/2013
The world is linked like never before. Modern transport and communications have resulted in a world that is wealthier, healthier, more mobile and better informed than ever before. But throughout history new trade routes have proved to be double-edged swords, opening the way to wealth as well as terrible dangers — among them revolutionary ideas and terrifying pandemics.
Director: Unknown
Writer: Unknown
- 7.1/109 votes
Eat It, Drink It, Smoke It
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 2/9/2013
Man uses plants to feed, heal and clothe himself, to build his world and even to alter how he feels. The use of plants like corn, tobacco and cotton become such an important part of our lives that they play a central role in our evolution, and lead to everything from War to Prohibition.
Director: Unknown
Writer: Unknown
- 7.3/108 votes
Fire, Coal, and Oil
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 2/16/2013
Early man rubbed two sticks together and created fire. We learn to cook our food, saving vital energy. As a result, our brains expand — making us the most intelligent species on the planet. Armed with fire, we experiment by heating minerals to make stronger tools allowing us to fight wars and build civilizations. But burning wood destroys our landscape, so Mankind exploits a new energy — oil.
Director: Unknown
Writer: Unknown
- 6.4/109 votes
Man and Metals
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 2/16/2013
Five thousand years ago man first throws a handful of rocks into a campfire and stumbles upon a discovery that changes the world: Metal. Copper, Tin and Bronze empower the ancient world and allow empires to expand, armed with sharp, hard-wearing weapons.
Director: Unknown
Writer: Unknown
- 7.3/108 votes
Information is Power
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 2/23/2013
Communication is the vital ingredient in the building of civilization. The ability to share complicated ideas allowed early man to hunt, farm and build communities. And the creation of things like a 22-letter alphabet and the printing press allow Mankind to further expand, leading to the proliferation of new ideas and revolution.
Director: Unknown
Writer: Unknown
- 7.1/109 votes
- 6.6/109 votes
Building Earth
Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 3/2/2013
Mankind is a building species. Inspired by the divine, we create monuments to its power (Stonehenge, the Great Pyramid). New challenges create new sciences, and when the Romans mixed volcanic ash with water they created a new super-material: concrete. Today, we shape the surface of the earth to facilitate our needs.
Director: Unknown
Writer: Unknown