Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Series that challenges prehistoric history has language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Ancient Apocalypse
What's the Story?
ANCIENT APOCALYPSE is a reality series that questions what we know and believe about ancient civilizations. Author Graham Hancock travels around the world investigating archaeological sites that suggest that advanced civilizations may have lived on Earth thousands of years earlier than what mainstream scholars assert. From examining prehistoric pyramids in Mexico and the megalithic temples of Malta, to reinterpreting traditional stories about what ended certain people's time on Earth, Hancock challenges the assumptions that characterize prehistoric humans as primitive beings who eventually evolved. Excerpts from talk shows and podcasts featuring the author defending his positions are featured in some episodes.
Is It Any Good?
The speculative series offers a platform for challenging what we consider to be the history of world civilization. Author Graham Hancock, a former journalist, doesn't characterize himself as an archeologist, but argues that scientists should be open to different ideas about prehistoric civilizations, even if they may initially seem far-fetched. But aside from the show's impressive visuals, Ancient Apocalypse doesn't go beyond offering suggestions and pseudo-scientific guesses. As a result, it's more entertaining than educational.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the difference between science and pseudo-science. If someone doesn't use standard scientific methods to substantiate a belief, are they automatically wrong? How does media blur the lines between the two?
Are the challenges to mainstream prehistoric history featured Ancient Apocalypse reasonable? Should archeologists reconsider the way they understand how ancient civilizations came about and disappeared based on what Graham Hancock's research? Why?
TV Details
- Premiere date : November 11, 2022
- Cast : Graham Hancock
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Reality TV
- Topics : History
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate