Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology
We checked 8 streaming services in India on 05 Jun 2026 at 01:19 IST
About
This six-part series presents the definitive history of archaeology, a 250-year worldwide odyssey that began with the unearthing of the ruins of Pompeii buried beneath the ash of Mt. Vesuvius. In a short time, archaeologists started pursuing very different objectives: some were treasure-seekers hoping to plunder antiquities of the ancient world; others sought to prove theories about the origins of civilization or the historical accuracy of Homer or the Bible; still others focused on humans themselves, trying to determine the age of the species. The series also looks at how archaeology has been misused as an instrument of foreign policy and where the study is going in the future with new technologies and methods.
Cast
Seasons
Episodes
Season 1
Stones and Bones
The Birth of Archaeology In the last 250 years, archaeologists have changed the basic understanding of time and human existence. This program looks at the birth of modern archaeology, an event that stirred all of Europe’s imagination: the unearthing of the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum in the 18th century, buried since Roman times under volcanic ash. It follows the early excavations of Pitt Rivers in Egypt and England; the classification of the Stone, Bronze, and Iron Ages; the momentous discovery of cave paintings in Spain and France; and Mary Leakey’s finds in Africa which took human history back over 3 million years.
Treasure Seekers
Archaeology Turns from Passion to Plunder Archaeology was born of treasure-seeking, but it became the stimulus for rampant pillaging of antiquities in the 18th and 19th centuries. This program charts the escalation of archaeological acquisition from gentlemanly passion to national plunder, from Lord Elgin and the marble friezes of the Parthenon to Richard Lepsius and his Egyptian collection that took sixty barges to transport to Berlin. Also examined is how greed gave way to altruism and preservation, most notably under August Mariette, the acquisitions expert for the Louvre who curtailed the sacking of Egypt and created the Cairo Museum.
Looking for the One Beginning
The Fallacy of Diffusionism When explorers examined the remains of an advanced Mexican culture, they concluded that a superior race must have come from elsewhere to build the palaces and pyramids: the theory of diffusionism was born. This program charts the 150-year search for civilization’s origins, which most 19th and early 20th century archaeologists believed to be a single source. Though questioned in the 1950s by Henri Frankfort, the diffusion theory persisted, as this program shows, and received interpretations ranging from Thor Heyerdahl’s idea that the Mexican pyramids were built by the Egyptians to notions that they were made by aliens—all under the premise that the ancient Mexicans could not have done it themselves.
Digging by the Book
Program Archaeology While most read Homer’s Iliad as an entertaining epic, one man believed it was more than a story and could actually be used as a literary map to find ancient Troy; his name was Heinrich Schliemann and he found treasure and a buried city in what is now Turkey. But was it Troy? This video looks at "program archaeology," how archaeologists dig in the ground to find evidence for the stories in books. In a similar context, the episode covers the work of Flinders Petrie, who unearthed proof that the Israelites had really once lived in Egypt. Inspired by Schliemann’s example and Petrie’s findings, a whole wave of excavations ensued with the hopes of verifying the existence of various figures from the Bible.
At the Service of the State
Archaeology as Political Tool In 1940, Hitler’s archaeologists excavated sites in Poland to try to prove that Germans had lived there before the Poles—an anthropological justification for political aggression and military invasion. This program explores the use of archaeology as a tool for propaganda and diplomatic machination by focusing on the long-standing connections between Germany and Greece. The program also looks at how Mussolini, like Hitler, used Greek motifs and Roman regalia to package the image of his party and, by so doing, align the destiny of fascist Italy with ancient traditions.
The Future of the Past
What are the concerns of archaeology today? How will improved methods and scientific technology shift perspective on the past? The last episode of this series looks at the shift from excavating grand palaces to discovering and learning more about some of the earliest communities, such as at San Jose Magote in the Oaxaca Valley in Mexico, where evidence has been found of human habitation dating back 3,000 years. The program also interviews Professor George Bass of the Institute of Nautical Archaeology in Texas, the father of underwater archaeology, who has discovered and cataloged numerous shipwrecks off the coast of modern Turkey, some dating from the Bronze Age.
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Looking for a place to watch Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology online for free? You've landed on the right page. Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology is a highly acclaimed English documentary series from 2000 that you can stream right now on Bowood.TV in high quality, no signup required.
About Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology
This six-part series presents the definitive history of archaeology, a 250-year worldwide odyssey that began with the unearthing of the ruins of Pompeii buried beneath the ash of Mt. Vesuvius. In a short time, archaeologists started pursuing very different objectives: some were treasure-seekers hoping to plunder antiquities of the ancient world; others sought to prove theories about the origins of civilization or the historical accuracy of Homer or the Bible; still others focused on humans themselves, trying to determine the age of the species. The series also looks at how archaeology has been misused as an instrument of foreign policy and where the study is going in the future with new technologies and methods. Across 1 season and 6 episodes.
Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology Cast and Characters
The cast features John Romer (as Presenter). Their performances are a major reason Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology has built such a passionate audience.
Where to Watch Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology Online
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▶ Watch Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology NowWhy People Are Watching Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology
There's a reason Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology keeps showing up on "must-watch" lists. What makes it work is a tone and style that's hard to find elsewhere. If you enjoy English storytelling that doesn't follow the same tired beats, this is the kind of show you'll end up recommending to friends.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology
Where can I watch Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology online for free?
You can watch Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology online free on Bowood.TV. Just open the page and hit play — no signup, no subscription, full HD streaming on phone, tablet, or desktop.
How many episodes does Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology have?
Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology has 6 episodes across 1 season. All episodes are available to stream right here on Bowood.TV.
Is Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology good? What's the rating?
Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology holds a 10.0/10 rating based on 1 reviews — genuinely excellent.
Who is in the cast of Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology?
The main cast includes John Romer.
Is Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology available in English?
Yes — Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology was originally produced in English and that's the version you'll stream here on Bowood.TV.
When was Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology released?
Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology first aired in 2000.
Do I need an account to watch Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology on Bowood.TV?
No. Bowood.TV is free and you can watch Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology without creating an account. Sign-up is optional — only useful if you want a personal Watchlist or to comment on episodes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology for free?
You can watch Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology online for free on Bowood.TV. All 6 episodes across 1 season are available to stream in HD without a subscription, signup, or paywall. Just open the show page and press play.
How many seasons and episodes does Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology have?
Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology currently has 1 season and a total of 6 episodes. The series status is "Ended", so the episode count may grow as new seasons are released. You can browse the full episode list on Bowood.TV and continue watching from where you left off.
What is Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology about?
This six-part series presents the definitive history of archaeology, a 250-year worldwide odyssey that began with the unearthing of the ruins of Pompeii buried beneath the ash of Mt. Vesuvius. In a short time, archaeologists started pursuing very different objectives: some were treasure-seekers hoping to plunder ant… It belongs to the Documentary genre.
In which language is Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology originally available?
Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology was originally produced in English. On Bowood.TV the show is available in its original English audio, which is the most authentic way to experience the dialogue, music, and performances. Check the player options on the watch page for available subtitle tracks.
When was Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology first released?
Lost Worlds: The Story of Archaeology first premiered on April 6, 2000 (2000). The series has since concluded its run.
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