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Bone Detectives

(Rated TV-14, Educational, Starring Scotty Moore, Where to watch: Discovery Channel)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Docu about human death has violent moments.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The series looks at how archeology and modern scientific technology can be used to research ancient remains. It features ancient histories and cultures from all over the world.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Skeletons, mummified remains, and bone fragments are prominently visible. Includes violent re-enactments of the possible ways that people may have died. These scenes are quick and feature no blood or open wounds, but they do show people having their skulls crushed by rocks and being stabbed in the forehead.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Bone Detectives

Parents need to know that this interesting series -- which shows how science can be used to identify ancient remains -- discusses death, death rituals, and mummification from a scientific context. It also includes footage of ancient skeletons, unearthed mummies, and scattered bone fragments and features some brief but violent re-enactments of each victim's death (including one who's stabbed in the head). Mature kids who are interested in the subject matter will likely be able to handle it, but these images are too strong for younger children.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how science is used to investigate history. Can researchers really know what happened to people who lived thousands of years ago? Families can also talk about how different cultures around the world deal with death. What are some of the practices and rituals surrounding death today? How do you think they've changed over the course of history?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    purpleslayer57
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0

    Very interesting

    I like to watch these kinds of shows to see just how they come to figure out what they belong to and other things. I think it is a good program. and could be a good source for homework at times.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Adult Reviewer
    supergram
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    FOR INFORMATION OR JUST LEARN NEW THINGS

    THIS IS A GOOD SHOW IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON WAYS THEY DO THING'S.iT COULD COME IN HANDY FOR INFORMATION TO AN OLDER CHILD.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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