Mankind Decoded (2013) | StreamScapeX

Episodes

Season 1, 12 episodes

Episode 1: Arms Race
- Now playing
- 22m
- Jan 26, 2013
About 10,000 years ago we discover farming. But when crops fail, early farming communities face a new threat. War. It's the birth of the arms race.
Episode 2: Lust for Luxury
- 22m
- Jan 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.
Episode 3: Violent Planet
- 22m
- Feb 2, 2013
Over millions of years mankind has evolved from a puny, vulnerable creature to become a dominant force on the planet. Occasionally the planet bites back--with terrifying consequences that have shaped our evolution.
Episode 4: Connecting the World
- 22m
- Feb 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.
Episode 5: Rise of the Machines
- 22m
- Feb 9, 2013
Tools and machines have allowed us to overcome our physical limitations, and become the most successful species on Earth. But tools are also transforming what it means to be human.
Episode 6: Eat It, Drink It, Smoke It
- 22m
- Feb 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.
Episode 7: Fire, Coal, and Oil
- 22m
- Feb 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.
Episode 8: Man and Metals
- 22m
- Feb 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.
Episode 9: Information is Power
- 22m
- Feb 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.
Episode 10: Man and Beast
- 22m
- Feb 23, 2013
15,000 years ago man and the wolf form a partnership that shapes the future of Mankind. With the help of man’s new best friend we domesticate more animals, sowing the first seeds of farming and civilization.
Episode 11: Building Earth
- 22m
- Mar 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.
Episode 12: Need for Speed
- 22m
- Mar 2, 2013
How being the fastest enabled empires to be born and capitalism to thrive.

Mankind Decoded

2013
Rated TV-PG
1 season
22m per episode
Documentary

7.0TMDB(2)

Overview

Mankind Decoded is the intriguing story of how 12 timeless forces have shaped human history in extraordinary ways. Find out how the implacable forces of nature have compelled us to adapt or die; how new technologies have transformed our existence; how our need for food brought forth civilization; and the desire for luxuries changed our world.

Fun facts

Episodes
Ran for 1 season and 12 episodes (2013)
Source for Episodes, opens in a new tab

Details

Status: Ended
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 12
First aired: January 26, 2013
Last aired: March 2, 2013
Original language: English
Countries: United States of America, United Kingdom

Streaming on

In the United States

Availability data byJustWatch, opens in a new tab

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Network

Production

Cast

Eric MeyersSelf - Narrator

Episodes

Season 1, 12 episodes

Episode 1: Arms Race
- Now playing
- 22m
- Jan 26, 2013
About 10,000 years ago we discover farming. But when crops fail, early farming communities face a new threat. War. It's the birth of the arms race.
Episode 2: Lust for Luxury
- 22m
- Jan 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.
Episode 3: Violent Planet
- 22m
- Feb 2, 2013
Over millions of years mankind has evolved from a puny, vulnerable creature to become a dominant force on the planet. Occasionally the planet bites back--with terrifying consequences that have shaped our evolution.
Episode 4: Connecting the World
- 22m
- Feb 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.
Episode 5: Rise of the Machines
- 22m
- Feb 9, 2013
Tools and machines have allowed us to overcome our physical limitations, and become the most successful species on Earth. But tools are also transforming what it means to be human.
Episode 6: Eat It, Drink It, Smoke It
- 22m
- Feb 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.
Episode 7: Fire, Coal, and Oil
- 22m
- Feb 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.
Episode 8: Man and Metals
- 22m
- Feb 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.
Episode 9: Information is Power
- 22m
- Feb 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.
Episode 10: Man and Beast
- 22m
- Feb 23, 2013
15,000 years ago man and the wolf form a partnership that shapes the future of Mankind. With the help of man’s new best friend we domesticate more animals, sowing the first seeds of farming and civilization.
Episode 11: Building Earth
- 22m
- Mar 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.
Episode 12: Need for Speed
- 22m
- Mar 2, 2013
How being the fastest enabled empires to be born and capitalism to thrive.

Episodes

E1 Episode 1: Arms Race

E2 Episode 2: Lust for Luxury

E3 Episode 3: Violent Planet

E4 Episode 4: Connecting the World

E5 Episode 5: Rise of the Machines

E6 Episode 6: Eat It, Drink It, Smoke It

E7 Episode 7: Fire, Coal, and Oil

E8 Episode 8: Man and Metals

E9 Episode 9: Information is Power

E10 Episode 10: Man and Beast

E11 Episode 11: Building Earth

E12 Episode 12: Need for Speed

Overview

Fun facts

Details

Streaming on

Network

Production

Cast

More like this

Episodes

E1 Episode 1: Arms Race

E2 Episode 2: Lust for Luxury

E3 Episode 3: Violent Planet

E4 Episode 4: Connecting the World

E5 Episode 5: Rise of the Machines

E6 Episode 6: Eat It, Drink It, Smoke It

E7 Episode 7: Fire, Coal, and Oil

E8 Episode 8: Man and Metals

E9 Episode 9: Information is Power

E10 Episode 10: Man and Beast

E11 Episode 11: Building Earth

E12 Episode 12: Need for Speed

Episode 1: Arms Race

Episode 2: Lust for Luxury

Episode 3: Violent Planet

Episode 4: Connecting the World

Episode 5: Rise of the Machines

Episode 6: Eat It, Drink It, Smoke It

Episode 7: Fire, Coal, and Oil

Episode 8: Man and Metals

Episode 9: Information is Power

Episode 10: Man and Beast

Episode 11: Building Earth

Episode 12: Need for Speed

Episode 1: Arms Race

Episode 2: Lust for Luxury

Episode 3: Violent Planet

Episode 4: Connecting the World

Episode 5: Rise of the Machines

Episode 6: Eat It, Drink It, Smoke It

Episode 7: Fire, Coal, and Oil

Episode 8: Man and Metals

Episode 9: Information is Power

Episode 10: Man and Beast

Episode 11: Building Earth

Episode 12: Need for Speed