All episodes

Archaeologist Richard Miles presents a series charting the history of the breakthroughs and watersheds in our long quest to understand our ancient past. He begins by going back 2,000 years to explore how archaeology began by trying to prove a biblical truth - a quest that soon got archaeologists into dangerous water.

How discoveries in the 18th century overturned ideas of when and where civilisation began.

Dr Miles reaches the 20th century and a new quest, discovering the life of the common man.