Embark on a thrilling journey through time and five continents to the heart of creativity. Fusing social history, politics, science, nature, archaeology and religion, this landmark series unravels a universal mystery - why the world around us looks like it does. Modern-day mysteries are answered by journeying back to the beginning of civilisation via some of the most amazing man-made creations in the world. A strong narrative thread drives through each film as exciting scientific demonstrations reveal how our minds, and those of our ancient ancestors, relate to art. Beautiful, surprising, compelling and above all, relevant, with a visual ambition worthy of its epic subject-matter, this awe-inspiring adventure will appeal not only to art lovers, but to anyone who has ever wondered about humanity's place in the world.

To Death and Back
Today, in the 21st Century, we see fewer dead bodies than at any time in history. If we see a handful in a lifetime, that's unusual. And yet the modern world seems fixated by morbid pictures. Images of death surround us: in graveyards, memorials, on television news, in horror films and in photographs. Despite our lack of contact with the real thing, death is a major theme of our visual world. But why? What is it that compels us to surround ourselves with images of death?