Primary History

Stone Age: flint | Learning Zone

Raksha Dave explores the importance of flint to Stone Age man.

A look inside a Neolithic home | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

Simon Schama investigates a Neolithic home.

Europe's first farmers | Europe: A Natural History

An exploration of the first farmers in Mesopotamia.

Stone Age: burials | Learning Zone

The Red Lady of Paviland is one of the oldest skeletons found in Britain, dating from around 30,000 years ago. Raksha finds out what she (...

An introduction to Iron Age Britain | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

Simon Schama introduces life in Iron Age Britain.

Stone Age homes | Learning Zone

Raksha explores the inside of a replica Stone Age house and cover the walls in wattle and daub.

An introduction to Skara Brae | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

Simon Schama visits the Stone Age cottages of Skara Brae in Orkney.

Bronze Age: making metal | Learning Zone

Raksha visits Butser Ancient Farm to make a bronze age axe head exactly the way Bronze Age man would have done so.

How did the people of Skara Brae bury the dead? | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

Simon Schama explains how the people of Skara Brae buried their dead.

Bronze Age Stonehenge gold | Learning Zone

There are also lots of barrow burials around Stonehenge and one of them, Bush Barrow Man, is used to find out about Bronze Age times.

Bronze Age: wool | Learning Zone

Raksha visits the Bronze Age at an ancient farm and learns how to make woollen cloth.

Iron Age: iron | Learning Zone

People tried to keep the process of making iron secret to preserve their power. It was often regarded as magic.

Iron Age: tribes | Learning Zone

Raksha explores Maiden Castle; the biggest Iron Age Hill Fort in Britain.

Iron Age: daily life | Learning Zone

Raksha visits re-enactors who build roundhouses and try to live as they think Iron Age people did.

New Stone Age | Learning Zone

Life in Neolithic Britain through the eyes of one family as they attempt to hunt and farm enough food to live on.

Bronze Age Britain | Learning Zone

Life in Bronze Age Britain through the eyes of one family as they learn how copper and tin is mined, and make bronze using a furnace.

Iron Age Britain | Learning Zone

Life in Iron Age Britain through the eyes of one family, as the impact of the new, and cheaper, stronger, metal on their life is explored in...

Ancient Sumer | Learning Zone

We find out about many of the inventions developed in the area, as well as some of the reasons why the Sumer eventually died out.

Qin Shi Huang's China - Cheerleader Parody (Song) | Horrible Histories

Creator of the first Chinese Empire, Qin Shi Huang, shares his story in this song inspired by OMI's Ch...

The Indus Valley | Learning Zone

The importance of the Indus River is emphasised, both for farming and for travel, as well as the design of the city and its houses.

The Maya | Learning Zone

We find out the types of food that the Maya ate and the kind of buildings you would find in the cities.

The Shang Empire | Learning Zone

The Shang developed writing amongst other inventions. This Bronze Age society developed a powerful army using bronze weapons.

Benin | Learning Zone

Benin is famous for its bronzes. This film explores how they are made, using the 'lost wax' process, and why.

Ancient Egypt | Learning Zone

A visit to Ancient Egypt, and life 5000 years ago begins by exploring houses and homes, and contrasting them with our homes today.

Ra-Ra-Cleopatra (Song) | Horrible Histories

Cleopatra sings a special rendition of Lady Gaga's Bad Romance!

Daily life in Ancient Egypt | Learning Zone

Dr Joann Fletcher visits the village of Pa-Demi to discover more about the daily lives and tombs of Kha and Merit.

Crafty Cleopatra (Song) | Horrible Histories

Egyptian Queen Cleopatra tries to sing away her troubles in this song.

Marriage and family in Ancient Egypt | Learning Zone

Joann Fletcher describes the ceremony 'Bringing the Bundle', which was a kind of marriage proposal. Joann then finds abo...

Mummification in Ancient Egypt | Learning Zone

Dr Joann Fletcher outlines the removal of the brain and organs, as well as explaining why the heart was left inside the body.

The afterlife in Ancient Egypt | Learning Zone

Dr Joann Fletcher explains the importance of the afterlife for Ancient Egyptians. She looks at some of the items that would be...

Coffin | Tutankhamun in Colour

After discovering coffins within coffins, a small teenage body is discovered.

Discovery of tomb | Tutankhamun in Colour

Colourised images of when Tutankhamun's tomb was rediscovered share the magic of that historic moment.

Sarcophagus | Tutankhamun in Colour

Behind another sealed wall, Howard Carter discovers numerous shrines within shrines and Tutankhamun's sarcophagus.

Tombs in Ancient Egypt | Learning Zone

Dr Joann Fletcher takes a look at an unfinished tomb and examines some of the tools that would have been used to build it.

Children in Roman Britain | Learning Zone

A look at how tough life was for the British Roman children and how their education was limited.

Bolshy Boudica (Song) | Horrible Histories

British warrior queen Boudica sings about her battles with the Romans.

A Roman Fort in Benwell | The Great British Dig: History in Your Garden

An archaeological team visits the remains of a Roman Fort in Benwell, Newcastle, preparing for a furt...

Julius Caesar's attempted invasion & Claudius's successful invasion | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

Simon Schama discusses Julius Caesar’s attempted invasion & Claudi...

Public baths in Roman Britain | Learning Zone

How and why Roman baths were introduced to Britain and the variety of uses that they had.

Marcus Licinius Crassus - Minted (Song) | Horrible Histories

No rich man could ever surpass roman 'geezer' Marcus Licinius Crassus, he was minted!

Digitised 3D Imaging of a Roman Barracks | The Great British Dig: History in Your Garden

From the discovery of a fragment of Roman roof tile in a local back garden, digitali...

Queen Boudicca's revenge | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

In 60AD Boudicca rose up in revolt.

Roman Britain | Learning Zone

The Romans bring towns to Britain, and also roads, forts, and Hadrian's Wall, to keep out the Picts.

The Evil Emperors' - Who's Bad? (Song) | Horrible Histories

These four Romans each have equal claim to the title of Evil Emperor, but who was really the baddest?

Hobnails and Coins | The Great British Dig: History in Your Garden

In Newcastle, a team of archaeologists dig in local resident's back gardens, finding walls, hobnails, and ...

Roman baths and culture | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

Simon Schama visits Roman baths in Bath and discusses the Roman bath culture.

Roman soldiers | Learning Zone

Bettany Hughes visits the excavation of a fort and talks about the importance of soldiers and their lifestyle.

Life in a Roman Barracks | The Great British Dig: History in Your Garden

Hugh Dennis visits Vindolander, a Roman Fort near Hadrian's Wall, to find out what life in a Roman b...

The Roman Empire | Learning Zone

Bettany Hughes explains why the Romans were keen to invade Britain.

Roman Horse Tooth | The Great British Dig: History in Your Garden

In Newcastle's back gardens, a team of archaeologists dig for Roman artefacts, including a horse's tooth.

The Roman invasion | Learning Zone

The Romans seek to consolidate their control of the country, where some tribes accept them and others resent them.

Roman Newcastle | The Great British Dig: History in Your Garden

Historian Rachel Wilkinson talks about the Roman history around Newcastle, and the vibrant communities that s...

Women in Roman Britain | Learning Zone

Through looking at artefacts at the museum, such as a genuine letter, we can understand what Roman life was like.

Unearthing Civilian Settlements | The Great British Dig: History in Your Garden

In Newcastle, a team of archaeologists dig in local resident's back gardens and unearth walls...

Unearthing Roman Cookware | The Great British Dig: History in Your Garden

In Newcastle, a team of archaeologists dig in local resident's back gardens, finding distinctive po...

The Vikings | Learning Zone

Differing reasons for the Vikings coming to Britain are explored, and relationships between Anglo-Saxons and the Viking raiders discussed.

The Vikings - Literally (Song) | Horrible Histories

The Vikings tore up England in the 700s, literally!

Viking ships | Learning Zone

Neil Oliver travels to Oslo to find out how the Vikings' skills as shipbuilders and sailors enabled them to travel so far from their homeland.

Viking Eye for a Saxon Guy | Horrible Histories

Two Vikings assist a helpless Saxon with a makeover.

Viking trade | Learning Zone

Neil Oliver visits Istanbul to see for himself why the Vikings made the long and treacherous journey to trade in its exotic markets.

Vikings & Garfunkel (Song) | Horrible Histories

Think the vicious Vikings were purely plunderers and pillagers? Think again!

Viking invaders and settlers | Learning Zone

Neil Oliver visits three of the most important places associated with the Viking invasion and settlement of Anglo Saxon England.

Anglo-Saxon Britain | Learning Zone

One of the children is sick, and this is used as a means to explore the different approaches to medicine and medical care in Saxon times.

Viking home life | Learning Zone

Artefacts found at a Viking settlement reveal another side to violent Viking life - as peaceful farmers and highly skilled craftsmen.

Early Life | King Alfred and the Anglo Saxons

Michael Wood discusses the early life of Alfred of Wessex.

The Viking Wars | King Alfred and the Anglo Saxons

Michael Wood tells the stories of the Viking War, as documented by an Anglo-Saxon manuscript.

The Battle of Ashdown | King Alfred and the Anglo Saxons

Michael Wood discusses the circumstances of the Battle of Ashdown.

Alfred Flees | King Alfred and the Anglo Saxons

Michael Wood investigates the conflict following Alfred of Wessex becoming King.

The Salvation of Wessex | King Alfred and the Anglo Saxons

Michael Wood investigates the events of King Alfred's Salvation of Wessex.

Alfred vs The Vikings | King Alfred and the Anglo Saxons

Michael Wood discusses the brutal battle between King Alfred and the Vikings and the following peace process.

Alfred's Kingdom | King Alfred and the Anglo Saxons

Michael Wood investigates life in Alfred's Kingdom.

Alfred and London | King Alfred and the Anglo Saxons

Michael Wood discusses Alfred's biggest urban project, the 886 restoration of London.

The 1860s | The Victorian Slum

A group of 21st-century people move into a recreated Victorian slum. In this episode, the slum dwellers move into the 1860s, when London was t...

The 1870s | The Victorian Slum

A group of 21st-century people move into a recreated Victorian slum. The slum dwellers live through a dire economic depression that blighted t...

The 1880s | The Victorian Slum

A group of people move into a recreated Victorian slum. The slum dwellers have moved into the turbulent 1880s: unemployment was sky high, livi...

The 1890s | The Victorian Slum

A group of people move into a recreated Victorian slum. The slum dwellers have moved into the 1890s, when Britain was slowly recovering from a...

The 1900s | The Victorian Slum

A group of people move into a recreated Victorian slum. In the final episode the slum dwellers have moved into the 20th century and social cha...

Charles Dickens - Miserable (Song) | Horrible Histories

Charles Dickens on life, novels and inspiration from his experiences in the Victorian Era.

Darwin's Natural Selection (Song) | Horrible Histories

Charles Darwin explains his theory of evolution via song, oh, and there's a dancing gorilla!

Formidable Florence Nightingale (Song) | Horrible Histories

Nurse, statistician and social reformer - the Lady with the Lamp did a lot of amazing things!

Queen Victoria - British Things (Song) | Horrible Histories

Queen Victoria discovers the surprising origins of some of her favourite things.

Queen Victoria - Mambo No.10 (Song) | Horrible Histories

Queen Victoria had ten different Prime Ministers heading up twenty different governments during her reign. But can s...

The Suffragettes' (Song) | Horrible Histories

Emily Pankhurst and Millicent Fawcett sing about their involvement in getting the right to vote for women.

Tricky Queen Vicky (Song) | Horrible Histories

Queen Victoria gets down, Bollywood style.

A is for Archduke Franz Ferdinand | WWI A-Z

Explanation of how the assassination of Austria-Hungary's Archduke Franz Ferdinand triggered World War One.

B is for Battalions | WWI A-Z

Recruitment through the formation of 'Pals' Battalions' where friends and neighbours joined up together.

C is for Conscription | WWI A-Z

Newsreel and commentary describe how Britain introduced conscription in 1916.

D is for Diary | WWI A-Z

School pupils examine diaries written during the war years and discuss what we can learn from them.

E is for Empire | WWI A-Z

Newsreel and commentary explore the contribution of the British Empire to the war effort.

F is for Food | WWI A-Z

Newsreel and commentary illustrate the working of the field kitchens that supplied the British trenches in World War One.

G is for Gas | WWI A-Z

School pupils handle a British gas mask from the World War One period and describe its use in a gas attack.

H is for Home Front | WWI A-Z

Newsreel and photographs illustrate life on the Home Front in Britain during World War One.

I is for In Flanders Fields | WWI A-Z

Newsreel, photographs and commentary about Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian field surgeon who served on the Western Front.

J is for Jutland Jack | WWI A-Z

Newsreel and commentary about Jack Cornwell, a boy of sixteen serving on HMS Lancaster, who died at the Battle of Jutland in 1916.

K is for Keep the Home Fires Burning | WWI A-Z

Newsreel and commentary about the role of patriotic songs in World War One.

L is for Lusitania | WWI A-Z

A German U-Boat submarine sank the Lusitania off the coast of Ireland on 7 May, with the loss of 1,202 lives.

M is for Medicine | WWI A-Z

Newsreel and commentary about the advances in medicine made during World War One.

N is for Nurses | WWI A-Z

Commentary and newsreel describe the role of nurses during World War One, including the work of volunteer nurses.

O is for Owen (Wilfred) | WWI A-Z

Examining the life of Wilfred Owen, today one of the most widely recognised poets of World War One.

P is for Post Office | WWI A-Z

Overview of the role of the Post Office in conveying messages and parcels from home to British Tommies in the trenches.

Q is for Quartermaster | WWI A-Z

Newsreel and commentary examine the role of the quartermaster in keeping British troops supplied and equipped during World War One.

R is for Remembrance | WWI A-Z

Schoolchildren describe the national act of remembrance that takes place on 11th November each year.

S is for Shrapnel | WWI A-Z

Shrapnel shells caused more injuries than any other weapon of the war years.

T is for Trenches | WWI A-Z

Descriptions of the conditions of British trenches on the Western Front in World War One.

U is for Unsung Heroes | WWI A-Z

Newsreel and schoolchildren's commentary illustrate and describe the role animals played in the trench warfare of World War One.

V is for Victory | WWI A-Z

Newsreel shows the victory celebrations sparked by news of the armistice on 11th November 1918.

W is for Women | WWI A-Z

Newsreel of women working on the land and in factories, focusing on the munitions factories, which employed more than 1 million women in the war years.

X is for Xmas Truce | WWI A-Z

The story of the unofficial 'Christmas truce' that broke out between the opposing armies at Ypres on 24th December, 1914.

Y is for Your Country Needs You | WWI A-Z

A selection of British newspaper headlines from World War One suggest the impact propaganda had on the Home Front.

Z is for Zeppelin | WWI A-Z

Newsreel, photographs and a school child's commentary give an account of the Zeppelin raids on Britain which began in January 1915.

Poland | The Dark Charisma of Adolf Hitler

The brutality of the Nazi occupation in Poland.

Invading the Soviet Union | The Dark Charisma of Adolf Hitler

In June 1941 Germany launched it's largest invasion into the Soviet Union.

Russian winter | The Dark Charisma of Adolf Hitler

Hitler shows little compassion for German soldiers stuck in Russia during the winter.

Stalingrad | The Dark Charisma of Adolf Hitler

The German defeat at the Battle of Stalingrad.

Political prisoners and concentration camps | Nazis: A Warning from History

When Hitler first became Chancellor of Germany, political opponents were rounded up and put in co...

Dunkirk | War Walks

Professor Richard Holmes walks the French beaches and breakwaters from which thousands of British troops escaped capture in May 1940. German tanks had ov...

Dunkirk: The Forgotten Heroes

The untold story of the British troops who were left in France when Dunkirk was evacuated

The Essay: British War Films of the 50s: Dunkirk

Simon Heffer on one of the last and best-loved films of the post WWII era: Dunkirk.

War and Words: Dunkirk and the Fall of Paris

The German army forces the epic retreat of Dunkirk as Paris falls to Hitler’s forces.

Blitz experience | Blitz: The Bombs That Changed Britain

Survivors share their experiences of the Blitz in Hull. Contains some strong language.

Blitz surveys | Blitz: The Bombs That Changed Britain

Government scientist Professor Solly Zuckerman was put in charge of conducting surveys about the impact of the Blitz on...

Blitz | War Walks

Richard Holmes traces the events of a night of the Blitz, from the sector control room where the incoming raiders were plotted through to the efforts to sa...

Black Saturday | Blitz: The Bombs That Changed Britain

Survivor accounts of the Black Saturday bombing on East London.

Bristol Blitz | A House Through Time

Guinea street was targeted in the Bristol Blitz, due to its close proximity to the docks.

Bristol Blitz | Blitz: The Bombs That Changed Britain

Luftwaffe bombing tactics for the Bristol Blitz. First the Luftwaffe would send elite pathfinders with flares and incen...

Bristol bomb shelters | Blitz: The Bombs That Changed Britain

Inadequate shelters forced Bristolians to seek shelter in disused railway tunnels.

Clydeside Blitz | Blitz: The Bombs That Changed Britain

Clydeside was almost entirely destroyed in the Blitz.

Government censorship | Blitz: The Bombs That Changed Britain

The Ministry of Information had strict control over the press which caused a lot of resentment in Bristol.

Henry Willink | Blitz: The Bombs That Changed Britain

After the Blitz, the government appointed Henry Willink as a special commissioner for the homeless in London.

Hull | Blitz: The Bombs That Changed Britain

Hull became a target for the Luftwaffe during the Blitz.

Inadequate preparation for the Blitz | Blitz: The Bombs That Changed Britain

The inadequate preparations put in place for this new type of warfare.

Incendiary bomb | Blitz: The Bombs That Changed Britain

An exploration of the incendiary bomb used by the Luftwaffe.

Industry in Clydebank | Blitz: The Bombs That Changed Britain

The role that the industry in Clydebank played in the war effort.

Mass Observation | Blitz: The Bombs That Changed Britain

The Ministry of Information contracted Mass Observation to gather information about the morale of Bristol, from the ...

Photographs of the Blitz | Blitz: The Bombs That Changed Britain

The photojournalist Jim Facey's photographs are a unique record of the Bristol Blitz.

RAF Carpet bombing | Blitz: The Bombs That Changed Britain

Government scientist Professor Solly Zuckerman's psychological surveys were used to decide whether to carpet bomb ...

Unexploded bombs | Blitz: The Bombs That Changed Britain

The impact of an unexploded bomb.