The Test Of Time

Iain Hutchison, Consultant Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon, discovers that the nasal reconstructive techniques he uses today date back to third century BC in South Asia.

A school of surgery - The Sushruta - grew up on the banks of the river Ganges to help victims of punishment who'd had their noses sliced off.

Producer: Erika Wright

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2009

Surgeon Iain Hutchison looks back to the third century BC in South Asia.

Four scientists look back to their ancient forebears.

In the first programme, Iain Hutchison, Consultant Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon, discovers that the nasal reconstructive techniques he uses today date back to third century BC in South Asia. A school of surgery - The Sushruta - grew up on the banks of the river Ganges to help victims of punishment who'd had their noses sliced off.

Surgeon Iain Hutchison discovers that techniques to reconstruct the nose date from the third century BC in South Asia. From September 2009.

As you check the time rushing to work or boiling an egg, you are making a Babylonian calculation. Dr Anne Curtis of the National Physical Laboratory discovers the origins of 'base 60'.

Dr Anne Curtis discovers the origins of 'base 60'.

When you check the time, you are making a Babylonian calculation. Dr Anne Curtis discovers the origins of 'base 60'. From September 2009.

Producer: Erika Wright

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2009

He goes to an unlikely place to find out - the Bluewater shopping centre just off the M25 in Kent.

Five scientists look back to their ancient forebears and examine how much of that early knowledge still stands the test of time.

Producer: Erika Wright

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2009

Professor Graeme Maidment asks if ancient Egypt answers today's need for sustainable cool.

Did ancient Egypt have the answers to today's need for sustainable cooling.

He likens earthquakes to bodily ructions but remarkably knew that 'where there is dry land there comes to be sea, and where there is now sea, there one day comes to be dry land'.

Five scientists look back to their ancient forebears and examine how much of that early knowledge still stands the test of time.

Producer: Erika Wright

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2009

Gabrielle Walker finds if Aristotle's treatise on meteorology stands the test of time.

Aristotle's Meteorology: Science writer Gabrielle Walker goes punting on the River Cam to discover whether Aristotle's treatise on meteorology stands up to modern scrutiny. He likens earthquakes to bodily ructions but remarkably knew that 'where there is dry land there comes to be sea, and where there is now sea, there one day comes to be dry land'.

Gabrielle Walker goes punting to discover whether Aristotle's treatise on meteorology stands modern scrutiny. From September 2009.

Five scientists look back to their ancient forebears and examine how much of that early knowledge still stands the test of time.

Producer: Erika Wright

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2009

Prof Gus McGrouther finds links between his wound healing research and early Mesopotamia.