From the death cults of Egypt to the fearsome yet sophisticated society of the Vikings, the ancient world was a surprising and challenging place.
Explore the in-depth sections below.
Ancient History in-depth
Archaeology
Discover more about the techniques used to investigate archaeological sites on land and sea. With analysis of some fascinating digs and the controversies surrounding the findings.
Egyptians
The culture of ancient Egypt spanned 5,000 years, but it remains an intriguing mystery.
Greeks
The vibrant societies of ancient Greece have had a profound impact on the modern world.
British Prehistory
Who were the ancient Britons and did the people known as Celts ever really exist?
Romans
The ingenious yet brutal Roman Empire laid the foundations for much of the Europe of today.
Vikings
Not just pirates and warriors but also traders and colonists, the Vikings left their mark on Britain.
Anglo-Saxons
They ruled England for 600 years, forming the basis of its culture, language and borders.
Ancient India
The Indus Valley nurtured the subcontinent's enduring and sophisticated cultures.
Other Cultures
The ancient world played host to a rich array of fascinating cultures.
Hands on History: Ancient Britain
Hands on History: Roman Britain
BBC iD
BBC iDBBC navigation
BBC links
BBC © 2014 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.
