Watch Terry Jones' Great Map Mystery

Terry Jones' Great Map Mystery is a fascinating and exciting documentary series that stars the late Terry Jones, a renowned British comedian, actor, director, and writer. The show was produced and released in 2008 by FilmRise, an American digital media company that specializes in acquiring, distributing, and streaming TV shows and films.

Throughout the five-episode series, Terry Jones embarks on an adventurous journey across the world to investigate and decode some of the most enigmatic and mysterious maps in history. He travels to different countries, meets with leading experts and historians, and uncovers hidden secrets and clues that shed light on the origins, purposes, and influences of these maps.

Each episode of the show focuses on a particular map, time period, and theme. The maps range from ancient to contemporary times, and they vary in size, style, and content. Some of the maps are well-known and widely studied, while others are obscure and rarely seen. Some of the maps are geographical and depict the natural and human-made features of the Earth, while others are symbolic and represent ideas, beliefs, and values.

Episode one, titled "The Secrets of the Alchemists' Map," explores a rare and intricate map from the 16th century that portrays the world according to the principles of alchemy. Jones visits the British Library in London, where he examines the map and talks to experts about its symbolism and significance. He also travels to Prague, the birthplace of alchemy, and learns about the mystical and scientific theories that inspired the map's creation.

Episode two, titled "The Vikings Map," investigates a mysterious map from the 14th century that shows the North Atlantic Ocean and the lands and islands beyond it. Jones visits Norway, Iceland, and Greenland, where he discovers evidence of Viking exploration and trade in the region. He also visits a Greenlandic Inuit community and learns about their traditional lifestyle and culture.

Episode three, titled "The Maps of the Founding Fathers," delves into the maps that influenced the making of the United States of America. Jones visits Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington D.C., where he explores the maps that George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin used to plan the American Revolution and the Constitution. He also talks to historians and activists who explain the maps' political, economic, and social impact.

Episode four, titled "The Map That Changed the World," tells the story of a revolutionary map that transformed the science of geology. Jones visits the Geological Society of London, where he learns about the life and work of William Smith, the mapmaker who created the map in 1815. He also travels to the English countryside, where he examines the geological features that Smith discovered and mapped, and meets with scholars who explain how the map paved the way for modern geological research.

Episode five, titled "The New World Map," looks at the modern maps that have revolutionized the way we navigate and perceive the world. Jones visits Google headquarters in California, where he observes the making of Google Earth, a digital map that allows users to explore the world in 3D. He also visits a cartography conference in Germany, where he talks to mapmakers and technologists who discuss the challenges and possibilities of modern mapmaking.

Overall, Terry Jones' Great Map Mystery is a captivating and informative show that combines humor, adventure, and education. Jones' charismatic and witty personality makes the show engaging and entertaining, while the maps' historical and cultural significance makes it enlightening and thought-provoking. Whether you are a map enthusiast, a history buff, or a curious traveler, this show is definitely worth watching.

Terry Jones' Great Map Mystery is a series that ran for 1 seasons (4 episodes) between May 13, 2008 and on FilmRise