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NOVA· Season 52 · Episode 16

Human: Building Empires

S52E16·8.8·October 15, 2025·1h·PBS

What caused humans to stop roaming and start building? How did we transform from a tiny, fragile population of Homo sapiens into the 8 billion strong, globally interconnected species we are today? Discover pivotal moments that set humanity on a new path – toward cities and modern civilizations. What role did the domestication of plants and animals play in this transformation? And how did the invention of writing begin to reshape how we shared knowledge and organized society? From ancient temples like Göbekli Tepe in Turkey to the Egyptian Empire that built the Pyramids along the banks of the Nile, witness the birth of cities, the dawn of communication, and the inherent human drive to build, connect, and thrive against all odds.

Streaming on (US) YouTube TVPBSPBS America Amazon ChannelPBS Documentaries Amazon ChannelSee all

#14In Season 52of 20 rated episodes
#46All-timeof 287 rated episodes
−0.2vs season avgSeason 52 averages 9.0
2025First airedOctober 15, 2025

Guest stars

Ella Al-ShamahiElla Al-Shamahias Host

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