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Human: Building Empires

Season 52 Episode 16 | 53m 32s

Discover how Homo sapiens transformed from nomads to empire builders. Witness the innovations – from animal domestication to writing – that revolutionized ancient life and shaped our modern world.

Aired: 10/14/25 | Expires: 11/14/25
National Corporate funding for NOVA is provided by Carlisle Companies and Viking Cruises. Major funding for NOVA is provided by the NOVA Science Trust, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.
Extras
Follow the complex lives of giant elephant bulls in Amboseli and Mount Kilimanjaro.
Male elephants form powerful bonds — and even become adoptive parents together.
In Amboseli, one male’s opportunity attracts rivals — and the attention of watching juveniles.
Esau’s journey spans borders that elephants cannot see — but must obey.
Lyse Doucet; Matthew McConaughey; Christina Cross
Christiana Figueres; Katy Hessel; Jacob Collier
Russel L. Honoré; Eugene Korolev; Polina Sychova; Ken Burns
Thant Myint-U; Werner Herzog; Arundhati Roy
Halla Tomasdottir; Pamela Hogan; Gayle Young; Cory Doctorow
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