Jericho and Anau are two of the world's oldest cities; their stories have much to say about the scope of human history; what makes these cities successful; how they differ from each other; introducing the concept and key themes of Big History.

Tracing the origins of the human species from the emergence of proto-humans to the rise of Homo sapiens; Professor Benjamin offers perspectives to show what makes the human species unique; why it has been able to flourish.

The Paleolithic Era is the longest time in human history; understanding this period is crucial for comprehending the human history that follows; how family dynamics, migration patterns, climate change and more affect life in this era.

Debating why and how humanity transitions from foraging to agriculture; delving into the agricultural revolution; how some combination of climate change, population growth and human ingenuity leads to a revolution in human history.

The next major transition in human history is the rise of cities; introducing life in the early farm communities; Professor Benjamin investigates the origins of power; its relationship to the state; the abiding features of the world's early cities.

The Era of Agrarian Civilizations stretches nearly 5,000 years; teasing out the large-scale trends and patterns of this period; what leads to the growth of agrarian civilizations; the key barriers these civilizations face.