"When we imagine what life might have been like thousands of years in the past, the images we often conjure are primitive ones: reed and mud huts or plain brick dwellings, cooking pits, villagers, and simple farms. That was indeed what life was like in the earliest settlements, but by five thousand years ago, life in some places had become much more sophisticated than we might think. Impressive achievements-like stepped temples that towered like mountains,...

Covers entries ranging from Abolitionist movement to Zoos.

Gain new insights into civilization by looking at one of the first: the Sumerians of Mesopotamia. Here, use techniques from linguistics, genetics, archeology, climatology, and more to see how this society unfolded - and what lessons it has to offer us today. The approach in this lecture is "Big History" at its most engaging.

"A history of the technological advancements behind the straw, how modern plastic straws harm the environment, and what is being done to solve the problem of plastic pollution"-- "From reeds used by ancient Sumerians to bendy straws in World War II hospitals, people have changed the straw to fit their needs for 5000 years. Today however, this useful tool is contributing to the plastic problem polluting our oceans. Once again, the simple straw needs...

Through rain, snow, heat, or gloom of night, we expect postmen to deliver the mail. The U.S. Post Office handles over 603-million pieces of mail daily. Yet it represents only 43% of the world's total mail volume. From ancient Sumerians to Pony Express, from airmail to E-mail, we follow the long journey of mail.

"Ausar is now faced with an impossible decision. Will he choose to pursue the very real threat of the ancients below the mountain? Or aid in fighting the Spartans who have a significant advantage? Ausar knows the battle is most likely lost without his aide. But he chooses to deal with the ancients instead and requests soldiers to back him up. As they press deeper into the mountain, the Spartans have now launched a full-fledged invasion by land. Thousands...