Plot Synopsis

Using the latest in archaeology, anthropology and genetics, FIRST CIVILIZATIONS is a one-hour documentary series that explores the seedbed civilizations of Mesoamerica, the Middle East and the Indus Valley to learn how and why early humans, who had been mobile foragers, created villages, towns, cities and states, establishing the blueprint for the modern world. Incorporating studies of artifacts, renowned sites of archaeological interest and interviews with leading experts, it moves around the geographic zones of the world, exploring how and why civilization first sparked into life. Professor Jeffrey Rose, a key contributor for the entire series, is an archaeologist and anthropologist specializing in the prehistory of North Africa and Southwest Asia. His areas of interest include: modern human origins, Neolithization, stone tool technology, archaeo-genetics, rock art, geo-archaeology, submerged landscapes and Near Eastern mythology and folklore. Each 60-minute episode features a different theme:

"War": This episode examines the process of "destructive creation" -- the idea that fear, rivalry and conflict strengthen community bonds while stimulating an arms race of technological progress. The result is civilization. Ancient Mesoamerica exemplifies this development. Professor Peter Turchin is a key contributor in this episode. Turchin is an evolutionary anthropologist who works at the intersection of social and cultural evolution, historical macrosociology, economic history, and the construction and analysis of historical databases.

"Religion": The second installment reveals the secret to the stability and cohesion of Ancient Egypt: religion. When people share a core set of beliefs, they are more likely to identify as one. That was true for the first civilizations and it's just as true today. Professor Ara Norenzayan, this episode's key contributor, is a psychologist at the University of British Columbia, and a co-director of the Centre for Human Evolution, Cognition, and Culture.

"Cities": Episode 3 explores the birthplace of civilization: the Middle East, site of the world's first villages, towns and cities, from the hills of Turkey to the plains of Iraq. They were crucibles of invention and innovation -- turbo-charging the pace of progress. Dr. Michael Muthukrishna is an evolutionary psychologist at the London School of Economics. His research revolves around three key questions: Why are humans so different from other animals? How is culture transmitted, maintained, and modified? How can we use our understanding of human culture to tackle some of the challenges we face as a species?

"Trade": The finale examines an ancient civilization unlike any other, that of the Indus Valley. Rather than imposing order through war or religion, it relied on the free flow of trade. The exchange of goods promoted wealth, co-operation and trust. Key contributor Rachel Botsman is an award-winning writer, speaker and business consultant and author of "Who Can You Trust?: How Technology Brought Us Together -- and Why It Could Drive Us Apart."