Long before the arrival of Homo sapiens, the Neanderthals wander the vast European plains, regularly drowned into the Ice Ages. Several discoveries, in France and England, and especially on the island of Jersey, now allow the archaeologists to understand the lifestyle of those first great nomads of Europe, that lasted 300 000 years

A La Recontre de Neandertal

Over the last 20 years, the number of discoveries of new dinosaur species has multiplied, changing the way we see them. By combining NHK's highly realistic 3D imagery with the most recent paleontological evidence - to which we have exclusive access - this project offers an ambitious and spectacular PRIME TIME documentary. Scientists now believe they have a more accurate overview of dinosaurs. Unique fossils have revealed more details about their behaviour and characteristics. Feathers were a widespread feature amidst dinosaurs and must have facilitated their adaptation to extreme climates, such as the Arctic. In addition, the discovery of a fossilized nest suggests that these animals hatched their eggs and took care of their offspring. In the same period, the oceans were filled with sea monsters - reptilians which had probably fled the dinosaurs in their evolutionary process. In particular, this film will show the survival tactics of these giants, especially off the coasts of Japan.

Time of the Giants

In France, King Louis XIV, better known as the Sun King (le Roi-Soleil), made of his kingdom the leading European power during the 17th century. An original portrait of Louis XIV's engineer, Vauban, a man who after serving his sovereign zealously, questions the idea of absolutism and the economic misery of the kingdom.

Vauban

Sea battles in the morning and gladiator fights in the afternoon with wild beasts magically appearing in the arena? A subterranean archaeologist investigates tunnels to see how the Colosseum could be flooded; and architects, engineers, and builders construct a lift and trap door system to attempt the release of a wolf into the most famous amphitheater in the world for the first time in 1500 years.