The Ascent of Man

Season 1

Jacob Bronowski, a friend of many famous 20th century nuclear physicists describes the history of Man from Ape to computer-maker. He touches upon the history of art, empires and science.

Where to Watch Season 1

13 Episodes

Lower Than the Angels
E1
Lower Than the AngelsThe programme follows the changes in Man as he marches out of Africa, through desert and ice age, to leave the print of his hand in a dark Spanish cave.
The Harvest of the Seasons
E2
The Harvest of the SeasonsAs the ice retreats and the land flowers, Man the hunter turns to agriculture, domesticating plant and animal, imposing his will on the wild wheat and the horse.
The Grain in the Stone
E3
The Grain in the StoneThe wandering nomads cease their migrations and settle in townships, learning new skills.
The Hidden Structure
E4
The Hidden StructureThe programme follows the beginnings of chemistry: from the techniques of ancient metallurgy in China and Japan to the mystical searchings of the alchemists.
Music of the Spheres
E5
Music of the SpheresMathematics is a way of describing the world that we see, hear and touch.
The Starry Messenger
E6
The Starry MessengerFrom the earliest times, Man has looked outwards from the earth and wondered at the movements of sun, stars and planets. The programme hinges on the crisis of the scientific conscience in the person of the astronomer Galileo and in the rich cities of Venice and Rome, the scenes both of his triumph and his punishment.
The Majestic Clockwork
E7
The Majestic ClockworkThe universe of Newton, clear, English, stately, like the music and the great buildings of his century ticking away with a fine clockwork mechanism, wisely regulated by laws. Then the quizzical world of Einstein whose direct truth and questions could turn the dignified universe upside-down in the interests of a clearer understanding. We ride with Einstein on his beam of light to end our journey in our own century.
The Drive for Power
E8
The Drive for PowerAs political revolutions shook France and America, another quieter, yet more profound restructuring was taking place in Britain - the Industrial Revolution.
The Ladder of Creation
E9
The Ladder of CreationHow did life begin on earth? Dr Jacob Bronowski recounts the adventures of Alfred Russell Wallace, and how they triggered off the ideas of Charles Darwin.
World Within World
E10
World Within WorldDr Jacob Bronowski tells the story of the men and ideas that gave concrete expression to the invisible, intangible structure that lies beneath all matter.
Knowledge or Certainty
E11
Knowledge or CertaintyDr Jacob Bronowski considers how the great achievement of physics in the 20th century has been to show that absolute certainty, in science or outside of it, is beyond our grasp.
Generation Upon Generation
E12
Generation Upon GenerationDr Jacob Bronowski follows the history of genetics, from the lonely experiments of Gregor Mendel to the discovery of the structure of DNA. Should we see human sexuality as a gift?
The Long Childhood
E13
The Long ChildhoodFrom his home, Dr Jacob Bronowski takes stock of man's complex and often precarious ascent, drawing on experiences from his own lifetime.