A journey into the early worlds of Anatolia
Bettany Hughes Dawn of Civilisations follows the historian through ancient Anatolia in modern-day Türkiye. The two-part journey connects archaeological places with the development of agriculture, religion, trade and urban life. Its route moves between familiar monuments and sites where new discoveries continue to change the picture of early human societies.
The first episode visits Ephesus and the landscapes of Cappadocia. In her production interview, Hughes explains choosing Ephesus as a place where different cultures converged, with the experiences of people living among its buildings as important as the monuments themselves. That interest in lived experience connects the series’ archaeological focus with recognizable human concerns.
Trading routes, sacred places and emerging societies
Cappadocia introduces a landscape shaped by trade routes, fertile volcanic soil and rock-cut refuges used by different groups. Hughes also discusses Ani near the Armenian border as a place where several religious and cultural traditions left visible traces. These locations expand the journey beyond a single civilization towards the movement of people and ideas.
The concluding episode turns to Karahantepe and Göbeklitepe, then to Gordion and Sardis. The programme connects the prehistoric sites with later worlds associated with Midas and Croesus, bringing myth and historical investigation into the same journey. Hughes describes filming at Karahan Tepe before a protective roof was added as one of the production’s unusual opportunities.
