Watch World Heritage Sites: Exploring the World's Greatest Places

Name: World Heritage Sites: Exploring the World's Greatest Places
Genre: Documentary & Biography
Released: 2021-11-26
Cast: Justin M. Jacobs

2021
1 Season

World Heritage Sites: Exploring the World's Greatest Places is an educational series hosted by Justin M. Jacobs, a professor and expert in the field of Asian and Middle Eastern studies. The show is part of The Great Courses Signature Collection, a collection of in-depth educational series featuring renowned experts delivering lectures on various topics.

In each episode, Jacobs takes viewers on a journey to explore a different UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing its history, culture, architecture, and natural beauty. From the Great Wall of China to the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, from the Taj Mahal in India to Machu Picchu in Peru, Jacobs offers a captivating and informative tour of some of the most remarkable places on earth.

Throughout the series, Jacobs shares fascinating facts and stories about each location, providing context and historical background that enriches the viewer's understanding of the site. He highlights the unique features that make each site special, from the intricate carvings on the walls of the Alhambra in Spain to the magnificent architecture of the Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia.

In addition to exploring the physical beauty of each site, Jacobs also delves into the cultural significance of these places. He reveals how each World Heritage Site has played a vital role in shaping the history and identity of its respective region, illuminating the complexities and richness of the human experience.

As an educator and scholar, Jacobs is a gifted communicator, able to distill complex concepts into accessible and engaging insights. His passion for these World Heritage Sites is evident throughout the series, as he shares his deep knowledge and enthusiasm for these remarkable places.

For those who have never had the opportunity to visit these sites in person, World Heritage Sites: Exploring the World's Greatest Places offers an immersive and enlightening experience, transporting viewers to some of the most iconic locations on earth. For those who have visited these sites, the series provides a fresh perspective and a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical significance of these places.

Overall, World Heritage Sites: Exploring the World's Greatest Places is a compelling and informative educational series that is sure to entertain and enlighten viewers. Jacobs' expertise and passion for the subject matter make for a captivating and informative journey that is not to be missed.

World Heritage Sites: Exploring the World's Greatest Places is a series that ran for 1 seasons (24 episodes) between November 26, 2021 and on The Great Courses Signature Collection

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Seasons

24. The Redwood Forests of California

November 26, 2021

Known throughout the world as marvels of nature, the California redwoods are the world's tallest trees, able to reach the age of 2,000 and beyond. Learn about the features of these amazing giants, the conditions for their growth, and the surprising ecosystems that exist in their upper canopies. Finish with the remarkable story of their contact with humanity, and how they came to be protected.

23. Palmyra, Oasis in the Syrian Desert

November 26, 2021

The desert site of Palmyra flourished as a caravan crossroads for 250 years, giving rise to a diverse and fascinating culture and economy. View the extraordinary architecture of the city, from its Roman monuments, Great Colonnade and Tetrapylon to its Babylonian-inspired temples of Bel and Baalshamin. And trace its colorful history, ending with the site's tragic destruction by ISIS in 2015.

22. Tibet's Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple

November 26, 2021

These beloved monuments are the most sacred sites of Tibetan Buddhism. Learn how Buddhism came to Tibet as you explore the Jokhang Temple complex, its Great Courtyard, Central Inner Sanctum, and traditional rituals. Continue with the vast Potala Palace, the highest palace in the world, and grasp its political and religious significance as the seat of the Dalai Lamas.

21. The Acropolis of Athens

November 26, 2021

The glorious Acropolis, beloved symbol of ancient Greece, has a complex and unusual history. Trace how the site came into being and evolved. Study the iconic structures of the Propylaea, the Erechtheion, and the Parthenon, and their decoration. Then follow the Parthenon's Roman conversion into a Christian church, and the Acropolis's later fortunes under other empires and civilizations.

20. Afghanistan's Lost Bamiyan Buddhas

November 26, 2021

The Bamiyan Buddhas, destroyed in 2001 by the Taliban, bore witness to a remarkable Buddhist kingdom that flourished between the 6th and 9th centuries. Study the features of these mammoth statues, the unusual techniques of their construction, and their extraordinary adornments. Visualize the culture, rituals, and splendor that characterized this little-known trading crossroads.

19. Iceland's Great Assembly at Thingvellir

November 26, 2021

Thingvellir marks the site of the Althing, an Icelandic open-air parliament that met for more than 300 years. Relive the story of the settling of Iceland, and the phenomenon of the Althing, which allowed the islanders to resolve local grievances. Study the procedures and methodology of this unique medium of conflict resolution, an intangible yet deeply significant cultural tradition.

18. The Inca Estate of Machu Picchu

November 26, 2021

Delve into the culture of the Inca, within which the sky palace of Machu Picchu functioned as a royal retreat. Take in the topography of the site and how the Inca integrated the estate with the landscape. View the royal residences and religious structures, and note the masterful stonework, hydraulic engineering, and the breathtaking setting that mark this beloved symbol of Peru.

17. Earliest China: Yinxu and the Oracle Bones

November 26, 2021

The site of Yinxu contains the remains of the earliest Chinese dynasty: the Shang. Among Yinxu's astonishing features, learn about the mysterious "oracle bones," inscribed ox bones used in divination to obtain information from the netherworld. Then visit the vast royal necropolis, with sumptuous tombs containing bronze and jade treasures, and which bear evidence of substantial human sacrifice.

16. Angkor Wat, the Great Khmer Temple

November 26, 2021

The jungles of Cambodia are home to the largest religious monument in the world: the massive temple complex of Angkor Wat. Grasp how the culture of Hinduism and Sanskrit influenced the Khmer people and the building of the temple. Tour the temple's courtyards, galleries, towers, and the exquisite decoration of friezes evoking Hindu gods and legends, unmatched in Southeast Asia.

15. Virunga National Park, Gorilla Sanctuary

November 26, 2021

Virunga is one of Africa's great national parks, home to a vast spectrum of wildlife. Learn about the most extraordinary of large primates, the mountain gorilla, which is only found here. Take in the stunning beauty of Virunga's forests, string of dormant volcanoes, and biodiversity. And take account of the poignant political situation in the region, as it affects the park's future.

14. The Ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum

November 26, 2021

Pompeii and Herculaneum were famously buried in 79 AD by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, leaving two ancient Roman cities frozen in time. At Herculaneum, assess treasures discovered at the Villa di Papyri. Then see how the mansions, streets, and bathhouses of Pompeii bring daily Roman life viscerally alive, through preserved artifacts and vestiges that rarely survive in the historical record.

13. Timbuktu, Islam's Center by the Sahara

November 26, 2021

Beginning in the 16th century, the Malian trading city of Timbuktu became a center of learning, literature, and Islamic knowledge, famous throughout the Muslim world. Follow the great flourishing of intellectual culture there, as seen in hundreds of thousands of ancient Arabic manuscripts that remain from the era, now preserved in libraries and attracting international attention from scholars.

12. Mount Fuji, the Symbol of Japan

November 26, 2021

Mount Fuji was granted World Heritage Site status in recognition of its deep association with Japanese history and culture. Take the measure of this iconic picturesque mountain and learn about its presence in Japanese religion, poetry, and folklore, as well as its tradition as a pilgrimage site. Take note of its depiction in art and its role in the definition of the modern Japanese nation.

11. The Forbidden City of Beijing

November 26, 2021

The majestic palace complex called The Forbidden City was the primary residence for 24 Chinese emperors over a period of 500 years. Track its history during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and study its elaborate mix of residential palaces, religious shrines, pavilions, gardens, and administrative buildings. Visualize a day in the life of the Qianlong Emperor within the palace precincts.

10. Ancient Egyptian Thebes

November 26, 2021

Thebes, modern-day Luxor, is an archeological treasure trove, representing the height of ancient Egyptian wealth and power. Begin at the extraordinary temple complexes of Karnak and Luxor, which held huge religious and political significance. Then visit the memorial temples that glorified individual monarchs and, finally, see the Valley of the Kings, the site of more than 60 royal tombs.

9. Samarkand, Crossroads of Central Asia

November 26, 2021

Samarkand, among the oldest and greatest cities of Central Asia, contains a wealth of historical and cultural treasures. Trace the history of this fascinating icon of the Silk Road, and the Islamic transformation of the region. Take in the splendor of Samarkand's monuments, highlighting the glorious Bibi Khanum mosque, the Gur-i Emir tomb, and the spectacular madrassahs of the Registan.

8. Teotihuacán, Largest City of Mesoamerica

November 26, 2021

Teotihuacán, one of the most sophisticated cities of the ancient world, sits northeast of Mexico City. With no written records, assess what archaeologists have deduced about the city's people and their cosmology. Visit the imposing Sun and Moon Pyramids, Temple of the Feathered Serpent, and other monuments. Also, study the remarkable art objects and colossal statues found at the site.

7. Canada's Rocky Mountains

November 26, 2021

The Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks contain an astonishing spectrum of mountain ranges, ice fields, glaciers, pristine lakes, archaeological sites, and a superabundance of plant and animal life. Learn the natural history of the region and its settlement. Explore highlights such as the Burgess Shale; the Columbia Icefield; and other phenomenal features of Jasper, Banff, and Yoho national parks.

6. Easter Island and the Moai

November 26, 2021

The extraordinary moai, the colossal statues of Easter Island, are a testament to human innovation and resilience. Begin with the amazing story of how this exceedingly remote island was colonized by Polynesian seafarers and how they subsisted there. Study the building techniques of the great statues, how they were transported across the island, and what they mean within the island's culture.

5. Persepolis, the Great Persian Capital

November 26, 2021

The citadel of Persepolis was the capital of the Achaemenid Empire for nearly 200 years. Take the measure of the vast empire of the builders of the complex, the kings Darius I and Xerxes. Explore the palace, taking in its Gate of All Nations, monumental stairways, and superb friezes. Sample some of the many inscriptions and texts found at the site.

4. The Mogao Grottoes and Manuscripts

November 26, 2021

The Mogao Grottoes are a series of nearly 500 caves, dug out of cliffs in the desert of northwestern China, containing one of the most dazzling collections of Buddhist art anywhere in the world. Learn how the caves were created and see the sublime statues and lush paintings within them. Also take account of the legendary depository of Buddhist literature and historical texts within Cave 17.

3. Australia's Great Barrier Reef

November 26, 2021

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world's natural wonders, drawing travelers to its shimmering, multicolored coral reefs, teeming with fascinating marine life. Relive the dramatic discovery of the Reef in 1768, and learn about its complex, layered ecosystem, the largest structure ever built by living organisms. Witness the huge diversity of its wildlife and assess man-made dangers to the Reef.

2. The Taj Mahal of Agra

November 26, 2021

The Taj Mahal is widely considered one of the world's most beautiful buildings and an enduring symbol of love. Learn about the builder of Taj, the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, and his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, for whom it was built. Study the stunning features of this incredible funerary monument, as it serves as an architectural expression of the culture and politics of Shah Jahan's empire.

1. Paleolithic Cave Art of Spain and France

November 26, 2021

In this first episode, discover the oldest paintings in the world, in the cave art of Altamira, Lascaux, and Chauvet. Explore details of the imagery, principally depicting large animals, taking in the richness and sophistication of the artwork. Contemplate the mysteries of what the paintings mean and how they show us the cognitive tools on which human civilization was built. #Better Living

Description

Where to Watch World Heritage Sites: Exploring the World's Greatest Places

World Heritage Sites: Exploring the World's Greatest Places is available for streaming on the The Great Courses Signature Collection website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch World Heritage Sites: Exploring the World's Greatest Places on demand at Apple TV Channels, Amazon Prime, Amazon and Hoopla.