Joanna Lumley's Silk Road Adventure
Joanna Lumley embarks on a grand and challenging journey into the heart of the Silk Road.
Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road takes students on a journey through the landscapes, cities, and cultures connected by one of history’s most famous trade routes. The program brings geography and history to life while helping students see how ideas, goods, people, and cultures have traveled and shaped societies across generations.
Ages 11–18
In The Stone Wonder of Tash Rabat, host Joanna Lumley visits Tash Rabat, a stone structure, located in a mountainous region of Kyrgyzstan that served as a stopping point or inn (caravanserai) for traders traveling through the region during the 15th Century. Its origins, however, may go back long before the 15th Century. Follow Joanna Lumley through some of the structure’s 31 rooms as she marvels at the many passageways, domes, and skylights. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In Using Eagles to Hunt in Kyrgyzstan, host Joanna Lumley visits Bokonbaevo, Kyrgyzstan, where hunting with eagles has taken place for generations. Eagles help people hunt wild animals for meat and fur. Over time, meat from animals caught by eagles has helped to keep many people alive. In a mountainous region, a hunter explains and demonstrates the hunting skills an eagle possesses. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In Who Were the Sogdians?, Joanna Lumley uncovers the long-forgotten Sogdian civilization, which thrived between the fourth and eighth centuries in what is now Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The Sogdians, known for their pivotal role in trade, formed merchant communities along the Silk Road, connecting distant cultures. Recent archaeological discoveries, including fresco paintings and evidence of cranial deformation, shed light on their culture and practices. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In The Subways of Tashkent, host Joanna Lumley explores the transformation of Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital, which was destroyed by a devastating earthquake in 1966. Under Soviet rule, the city was rebuilt, including the construction of its 29 subway stations, each with unique architectural design that celebrates Uzbekistan's rich culture and history. From honoring space exploration to paying tribute to national exports like cotton, these subway stations are not only functional but also serve as a testament to the country's resilience and pride. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In Persepolis, Crown of the Persian Empire, host Joanna Lumley explores the ancient Iranian city of Persepolis, founded by Darius the Great in 518 B.C. She uncovers how the city was used for ceremonial purposes and showcases the grandeur of the Persian Empire, which at one point ruled over 44% of the world’s population. Using AI, Joanna visualizes what the city may have looked like in its prime and explains why it was destroyed just 200 years after its creation. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In The City of Yazd and the World's First Air Conditioning System, host Joanna Lumley explores the ancient city of Yazd, located in the heart of Iran's desert. Learn about the world's first air conditioning system, developed using ingenious wind chimneys. These structures draw air in from the outside, cool it, and direct it into buildings, providing relief from the intense desert heat. See how this revolutionary system helped people survive in one of the hottest places on Earth. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In The Fin Garden of Kashan, host Joanna Lumley visits a garden that was built in 1590 by channeling an ancient spring to bring flowing water to the desert. The water in this garden flows even during times of drought. The technology used to bring water to the surface has since been used in many other parts of the world. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In The History of Kashan, Iran, host Joanna Lumley visits the small city of Kashan in Iran, which is surrounded by desert. Ancient traders followed camel routes through the desert and Kashan grew from an oasis. Joanna visits a family of carpet weavers to see how the process of making Persian carpets continues today. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In Challenging Preconceptions of Iran, host Joanna Lumley visits a shopping mall in Tehran. As she explores the mall, her guide explains how the use of social media by young people in Iran is helping to connect individuals and shift some attitudes about life in the country. Through this experience, Joanna gains a deeper understanding of the evolving social landscape of Iran, highlighting how modern technology and cultural traditions intersect in the lives of its people. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In The Dyeing Process of Kelaghayi Scarves, host Joanna Lumley visits Azerbaijan to explore the traditional craft of creating kelaghayi silk scarves. See the intricate process of making these scarves, from using carved wooden stamps to applying natural dyes. The significance of kelaghayi scarves is highlighted, with a special focus on their cultural importance in Azerbaijan, as well as their recognition by UNESCO. The artisans showcase their mastery of blending colors and applying them without measurements, resulting in unique, handcrafted silk scarves. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In Silkworms — Spinning Beauty for Centuries, host Joanna Lumley explores the fascinating life cycle of silkworms and how they produce silk. Each silkworm can spin up to 1,500 meters of silk, which is used to create fabrics. Learn about the selective breeding of silkworms over centuries, highlighting how they feed on mulberry leaves and the process of silk production. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In The Caucasus Mountains, host Joanna Lumley travels through the mountains which form a natural border between Georgia and Russia to explore routes taken by early traders. She learns how isolated mountain regions developed their own cultures and how people living there often face hardships that lead them to migrate into towns and cities. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In The Stone Wonder of Tash Rabat, host Joanna Lumley visits Tash Rabat, a stone structure, located in a mountainous region of Kyrgyzstan that served as a stopping point or inn (caravanserai) for traders traveling through the region during the 15th Century. Its origins, however, may go back long before the 15th Century. Follow Joanna Lumley through some of the structure’s 31 rooms as she marvels at the many passageways, domes, and skylights. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In Using Eagles to Hunt in Kyrgyzstan, host Joanna Lumley visits Bokonbaevo, Kyrgyzstan, where hunting with eagles has taken place for generations. Eagles help people hunt wild animals for meat and fur. Over time, meat from animals caught by eagles has helped to keep many people alive. In a mountainous region, a hunter explains and demonstrates the hunting skills an eagle possesses. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In Who Were the Sogdians?, Joanna Lumley uncovers the long-forgotten Sogdian civilization, which thrived between the fourth and eighth centuries in what is now Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The Sogdians, known for their pivotal role in trade, formed merchant communities along the Silk Road, connecting distant cultures. Recent archaeological discoveries, including fresco paintings and evidence of cranial deformation, shed light on their culture and practices. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In The Subways of Tashkent, host Joanna Lumley explores the transformation of Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital, which was destroyed by a devastating earthquake in 1966. Under Soviet rule, the city was rebuilt, including the construction of its 29 subway stations, each with unique architectural design that celebrates Uzbekistan's rich culture and history. From honoring space exploration to paying tribute to national exports like cotton, these subway stations are not only functional but also serve as a testament to the country's resilience and pride. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In Persepolis, Crown of the Persian Empire, host Joanna Lumley explores the ancient Iranian city of Persepolis, founded by Darius the Great in 518 B.C. She uncovers how the city was used for ceremonial purposes and showcases the grandeur of the Persian Empire, which at one point ruled over 44% of the world’s population. Using AI, Joanna visualizes what the city may have looked like in its prime and explains why it was destroyed just 200 years after its creation. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In The City of Yazd and the World's First Air Conditioning System, host Joanna Lumley explores the ancient city of Yazd, located in the heart of Iran's desert. Learn about the world's first air conditioning system, developed using ingenious wind chimneys. These structures draw air in from the outside, cool it, and direct it into buildings, providing relief from the intense desert heat. See how this revolutionary system helped people survive in one of the hottest places on Earth. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In The Fin Garden of Kashan, host Joanna Lumley visits a garden that was built in 1590 by channeling an ancient spring to bring flowing water to the desert. The water in this garden flows even during times of drought. The technology used to bring water to the surface has since been used in many other parts of the world. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In The History of Kashan, Iran, host Joanna Lumley visits the small city of Kashan in Iran, which is surrounded by desert. Ancient traders followed camel routes through the desert and Kashan grew from an oasis. Joanna visits a family of carpet weavers to see how the process of making Persian carpets continues today. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In Challenging Preconceptions of Iran, host Joanna Lumley visits a shopping mall in Tehran. As she explores the mall, her guide explains how the use of social media by young people in Iran is helping to connect individuals and shift some attitudes about life in the country. Through this experience, Joanna gains a deeper understanding of the evolving social landscape of Iran, highlighting how modern technology and cultural traditions intersect in the lives of its people. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In The Dyeing Process of Kelaghayi Scarves, host Joanna Lumley visits Azerbaijan to explore the traditional craft of creating kelaghayi silk scarves. See the intricate process of making these scarves, from using carved wooden stamps to applying natural dyes. The significance of kelaghayi scarves is highlighted, with a special focus on their cultural importance in Azerbaijan, as well as their recognition by UNESCO. The artisans showcase their mastery of blending colors and applying them without measurements, resulting in unique, handcrafted silk scarves. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In Silkworms — Spinning Beauty for Centuries, host Joanna Lumley explores the fascinating life cycle of silkworms and how they produce silk. Each silkworm can spin up to 1,500 meters of silk, which is used to create fabrics. Learn about the selective breeding of silkworms over centuries, highlighting how they feed on mulberry leaves and the process of silk production. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
In The Caucasus Mountains, host Joanna Lumley travels through the mountains which form a natural border between Georgia and Russia to explore routes taken by early traders. She learns how isolated mountain regions developed their own cultures and how people living there often face hardships that lead them to migrate into towns and cities. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.