These documentaries use reenactments to tell the stories of past civilisations, looking for traces of ancient history of mankind and the scientific, technical and artistic discoveries that have shaped human history. Key players, periods and events in history are used to figure in the stories, from Maya empire, Mesopotamia to the exploration of Africa, from Ancient Egypt to the Taklamakan mummies, from Leonardo da Vinci, Louis the Sun King, Frederick the Great to Jean-François Champollion, etc., the series explores our planet, recounting mankind's achievements, development, lifestyles and religions. It also occasionally follows some spectacular scientific expeditions.