What if we could tell you everything, the entire history of the world? 有没有想过我们可以跟你说明一切， 说明整段万物的历史？
Now, what if we told you we could do it in just two hours? 如果我们只用两小时， 便能说明整段历史呢？
We're going to tell the whole story, from the Big Bang to the present day. 我们即将说出整个故事， 由宇宙大爆炸，一直说到今天．
How the planet prepared for the rise of man. 地球怎样为人类的崛起作准备．
How the Stone Age led to the steam engine. 石器时代怎样迈向蒸汽机时代．
How the first seeds sprouted into cities and civilizations. 第一颗种子，怎样在 城市与文明世界中发芽．
Everything is connected, and the path leads to you. 一切紧紧相扣， 那条通道，会一直通向你．
It took history 13.7 billion years to unfold. 这要打开137亿年的历史．
We'll show you everything you need to know in the next two hours. 接下来两小时，我们将为 你揭示你有需要知道的一切．
This is our infant universe. 这就是万物之始．
Everything that will ever exist, everything that will ever happen, 一切至今出现的， 一切至今发生的，
all begins here, 一切皆始于这束比原子还小的能量团．
within this tiny bundle of energy, smaller than an atom.
And right now, history as we know it is about to mysteriously begin. 现在，我们所知的历 史，即将要神秘地开始了．
For reasons we may never know, our universe suddenly erupts. 我们可能永远也解不开宇宙大爆炸之谜．
In a millionth of a millionth of a millionth of a millionth 在百万分之一的，百万分之一的，
of a millionth of a millionth of a second, 百万分之一的，百万分之一秒，
it went from a size smaller than an atom 它由小于原子的体积，
to bigger than a galaxy. 变得比银河还要大．
What you're seeing is energy, 你看到的就是能源，
and it's one key to understanding 这是理解
everything that will unfold in the next two hours. 接下来两小时一切事件的关键．
Within a fraction of a second, 在极短的不知几份之一秒，
the Big Bang creates all the energy that will ever exist, 宇宙大爆炸创造了由古至今的一切能源，
all the energy that will power the stars, 所有驱动星体的能源，
that will fuel anything that ever lives. 那些星体将为一切生命体提供燃料．
All the energy that you will ever consume 你至今所用的一切能源，
dates back to the beginning of time. 皆源自那个开始．
When you put gas into your car, 你帮你的车加汽油时，
you're tapping energy that was created during the Big Bang. 你所提取的，便是由宇 宙大爆炸创造出来的能源．
You're tapping the energy of the universe itself. 你正在用的，是属于宇宙本身的能源．
We're only a few minutes into our two-hour journey, 我们两小时的旅程只展开了数分钟，
but already 380,000 years have passed. 38万年已经过去了．
You are about to witness the birth of your original ancestors, 你即将见证你最原始的祖先诞生，
the first atoms. 第一个原子．
This is hydrogen. 这是“氢”．
The universe will use it to make everything in the world around us. 宇宙将会用它来制造我们周遭的一切．
Hydrogen is like a baseball team. “氢”就像一队棒球队．
You say, "What player do I want to start my team with?" 你会问"我想要什么球员， 来开始这球队？"
Well, if I want to start a universe, I want to start it with hydrogen. 那么，如果要开始一个宇宙， 我会用“氢”开始．
Because from that, with a lot of heat and a lot of pressure, 因为“氢”提供大量热能和压力，
you can build more kinds of atoms. 让你可以发展更多种类的原子．
The first atoms blast through the early universe. 第一批原子，在早期宇宙中飞速行进．
And luckily for us, they don't spread out evenly, 幸运的是，它们没有平均散开，
because in those tiny pockets with more atoms, 因为在那么细小的容器里， 越多原子与引力，
gravity, the great sculptor of the early universe, 便越有利于早期的宇宙去变它的戏法，
begins to work its magic.
The first galaxies are beginning to form, 最早期的银河系开始形成，
revealing a timeless secret of the universe. 透露了宇宙中， 存在着“不受时间影响”这个秘密e．
Throughout history, 有史以来，
whenever more matter and energy can be drawn together in one place, 任何时候， 只要一个地方有多种物质与能源，
more complex things can emerge. 便会出现越多复习的综合物．
We have all of these urban centers around the planet 地球上各处都有那些都市化建筑
where so much creativity, so much art, so much science, 多具创意，多富艺术气息，多科学，
so much culture came about 多有文化色彩，一一俱备
because of all these opportunities for things to interact with each other. 那是因为， 一切事物的组成都是互相影响而生的．
Really, in a sense, where there is stuff, new stuff can develop. 从某种意义来说， 有资源的地方，就会有新的创造．
And where there isn't anything, nothing much can develop. 没资源的地方，就没什么可供创造．
300 million years after the Big Bang, 宇宙大爆炸3亿年后，
inside of forming galaxies, 银河系形成的过程中，
gravity continues to squeeze together clouds of gas and dust, 引力持续将气云与星尘挤压在一起，
causing pressure and heat to violently rise. 引至压力与热能猛烈上升．
When the temperature reaches 18 million degrees Fahrenheit, 当温度上升至华氏1千8百万度时，
hydrogen atoms slam together, creating a new element, helium, 氢原子互相猛烈撞击， 创造出一种新元素“氦”，
and radiating bursts of energy. 引发了能源爆炸．
The first stars are born. 首批恒星诞生了．
Suddenly there were these new beacons of light 刹那间，众多星体如烽火般散发着光源．
shining forth, pouring energy into the universe. 为宇宙注入大量能源．
Let there be light. 就让那里亮起来．
But something is missing from this early universe. 但最初期的宇宙，仍欠缺了点什么．
There are billions of stars, yet not a single planet. 当时宇宙有数十亿恒星， 但连一颗独立的行星也没有．
To form planets and eventually people, 要衍生行星，直至衍生人类，
to take the next leap that would make all of history possible, 下一个骤变，促使发生 至今的所有历史成为可能，
the universe needs more to work with than just hydrogen and helium. 除了氢和氨之外，宇宙还需要其他元素．
The complicated elements, 要结构更为复杂的元素，
the heavier things that we build stuff out of, 我们制造较重物质时所用的元素，
for example, iron or life built out of carbon and things like that, 例如铁，又或者， 生命皆由碳与类似的元素组成，
they're actually manufactured in stars. 实际上， 这些元素均是由恒星制造出来的．
We may see stars like our own sun as sources of light, 我们看见的恒星， 就如太阳一样拥有光源，
but there is something bigger happening deep inside. 但它们的深层之中却发生着大事．
Stars are element factories. 恒星是元素工厂．
They fuse hydrogen into helium, helium into lithium, 它们将氢熔合成氨， 氨变成锂，
forging 25 of the most common elements we'll need to live, 锻造出25种最常见， 在我们生命中却不可缺少的元素，
including carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and iron. 包括碳，氧，氮及铁．
So more than 12 billion years ago, 超过120亿年前，
stars are already creating the element that will spur the Iron Age, 恒星创造了促成铁器时代到来的元素，
allow for the building of cities allow for the building of cities
and the creation of some of mankind's most famous monuments. 使得城市与世界闻名的 历史遗迹得以建成．
But a look at the Statue of Liberty 我们看看自由女神就会发现
reveals the next challenge awaiting the early universe. 还有一个挑战等待着早期的宇宙．
While the statue's frame is iron, 当神像的骨架用铁来建造，
her skin requires an element too heavy to be made in stars. 那么，制造她表皮所需要的元素 对恒星来说会是太大的负荷．
For Lady Liberty to have material for her skin, 制造女神像皮肤用的原料，
for there to be gold for wedding rings, 制造结婚介指用的金，
or uranium for nuclear reactors, 制造原子弹反应装置用的铀，
some elements had to be created another way. 某些元素需要另觅创造之途．
Stars don't have enough energy to do the job, 恒星没有足够的能源这样做，
but if the element factory isn't powerful enough, 既然元素工厂不够强大，
how about blowing up the factory? 那么，炸掉它如何？
Just a few million years after the first stars formed, 首批恒星形成后只有数百万年，
some of them exploded. 部份恒星爆炸了．
These explosions, known as supernovas, 那些爆炸， 就是我们所谓的“超级新星”，
are the biggest blasts in the universe since the Big Bang, 是宇宙大爆炸以来最大规模的爆炸，
providing the extra boost of energy needed to fuse heavier elements.
In the fiery blast of their own destruction, 在它们激烈的自我爆炸过程中，
stars create uranium, gold, 众恒星创造了铀，还有金，
all the rest of the elements that will fill our world, including copper. 创造出我们这世界 所需的其余元素，包括铜．
The periodic table of the elements 元素周期表
is sort of the library of matter in the universe. 有如宇宙事件的排序表．
Those are your building blocks, 那就是你砌的积木，
everything that is coming out of that particular chemistry set. 所有东西都是由化学效应产生的．
Supernovas are absolutely necessary for us to be here. 超级新星对于我们的存在， 绝对是必要的．
You know, we have iron in our blood. 如你所知，我们的血液含有铁．
We have little bits of old supernova, therefore, 我们都有着一小部份的超级新星，
just floating around through us. 在我们体内循环流动．
We are all stardust. 我们都是星尘．
Copper and tin, Bronze Age. 铜与锡，青铜器时代．
Without supernovas, there's no Bronze Age. 假如没有超级新星 ，就不会有青铜器时代．
Go to any supermarket and buy a multivitamin 不仿到超级市场买一盒综合维他命剂．
and go and look in the ingredients. 看看它的成份，
You'll find copper. You'll find zinc. You'll find selenium. 你会看到铜，锌，以及硒．
You'll find all sorts of elements that can only be made in a supernova. 你会发现那些元素种类， 只有超级新星才有能力制造．
The elements made by stars will become the seeds of life on Earth 恒星所制造出来的元素， 是地球上一切生命，
and the drivers of human history. 以及人类历史的种子．
But the journey has just begun. 旅程才刚刚要开始．
Before there can be life, the universe has to build us a suitable home. 宇宙首先要为我们创建一个合适的家园．
To build a proper house, you have to assemble the right materials 要建一间合适的居所， 你必先要把所有适当的材料，
all in one place. 集合于一个地点．
Now when planets form, it's the same thing, 行星形成的原理是一样的，
it's the materials that you have at hand 就如你手上有一堆材料，
that's gonna dictate the kind of house that your planet's gonna be. 然后规划出你的居所， 你的星球要怎么样．
To get enough of the right material in the right place all at once 要集够适当的材料，于一个适当的空间，
takes a very long time. 需要相当长的时间．
Over the next eight billion years, 在打后的80亿年里，
more than half of history as we know it, 超过已知的万物历史一半时间，
the element factories continue their work. 元素工厂持续做着这项工程．
Stars explode and are reborn, 恒星爆炸，然后重生，
each generation with more heavy elements than the last. 每一代，都会产生大量更重要的元素．
Until 4.6 billion years ago. 直至46亿年前．
Finally there are enough materials gathered 终于，有足够的材料
for the next step on the path to us. 建构那条通往我们的道路．
A new star is born. 一颗新的恒星诞生了．
This is our sun. 这便是我们的太阳．
It's so massive that it's gathered up 它非常庞大，它聚集了
99.9% of the gas and dust in the solar system, 太阳系里99．9%的气体与尘埃，
but there's still just enough left behind 但剩余的，已足够
for gravity to build some other things, 让引力建立其他东西，
like planets. 例如说，行星．
The third one out from this star will be our home. 太阳外的第三颗星体，便是我们的家园．
By the time Earth emerges just over four and a half billion years ago, 地球在45亿年前出现，
two-thirds of the history of the universe has already passed. 3分之2的宇宙历史刚好过去了．
The first sunrises sweep across a foreboding alien planet, 第一个日出划过一个性质很不同的行星，
a world spinning so rapidly that a day lasts only six hours. 一个迅速自转的行星， 那时一天只有6小时．
When you go back to the early Earth, right after the planet formed, 当你回望早期的地球， 它刚刚形成的时候，
you really have to think of the Earth as another planet. 你实在需想像它是另一颗行星．
The sun would have looked out over a hellacious scene 太阳也会提防这个可怕的景象．
of just molten lava. 这行星整颗都是熔岩．
And in places you would see rafts of black volcanic rock. 在那里， 你还可以看到大量黑色的火山岩．
Within the liquefied rock the elements are all in a jumble. 在那些液化了的岩石里面， 所有元素都陷于混乱状态．
Something has to bring order out of this chaos. 必须要有东西将这种状态拨乱反正．
And once again that something is gravity. 再一次，那东西，便是引力．
Lighter material drifts toward the surface 较轻的物质会渐渐漂向表层，
and forms a solid crust, 形成坚固的外壳，
while heavier material sinks toward the center, 当较重的物质汇集到正中央，
forming a molten iron-nickel core. 形成了一个铁镍的核心．
This churning liquid metal 这个液体金属大熔炉，
creates a magnetic field that reaches out into space. 在宇宙中创造了一个有地磁的场地．
Like a force field, it will protect our future home 有如一个力场， 它会保障我们日后的家园，
from the sun's deadly charged particles. 免遭受太阳致命粒子的攻击．
Soon this magnetic field will allow for life to grow, 很快的，这个场地已可容许生命成长，
and later, guide the explorers who will connect two halves of the world. 往后，它更会带领探险家们 连系起世界的两端．
But for all this to unfold, the Earth will need a critical partner. 但在呈现这一切之前， 地球还欠一个不可或缺的伙伴．
Four and a half billion years ago, 45亿年前，
an object the size of Mars smashes into the planet 一个体积相当于火星的物体
at 25,000 miles per hour. 以时速2万5千英哩猛力撞向地球
Earth swallows up much of the impactor. 地球几乎吞没了所有的撞击力．
But a spray of molten debris is whipped off into space. 但有一团被熔化了的残骸，弹了出太空．
Within as little as a year, gravity gathers this debris 不出一年， 引力便聚集了这些残骸，
into a secondary sphere in orbit around the Earth, 形成了围绕地球运行的第二颗星球，
where it has been ever since. 宇宙不曾出现过这种行星．
The formation of the moon 在地球历史上
was an incredibly important event in Earth's history. 月球的形成是极重要的一页．
And in fact, its creation, over four billion years ago, 事实上，45亿年前所形成的月球，
is really important to the Earth's climate today. 对今天地球的气候，有着关键的影响．
The moon keeps Earth steady. 月球一直维持着地球的稳定性．
Its gravitational pull prevents the planet from wobbling, 它的引力平衡着地球的晃动，
saving us from wild climate swings. 让我们不用承受猛烈的气候动荡．
And the collision that formed the moon leaves Earth tilted on its axis, 而导致月球形成的那次撞击， 令地球在自己的轴心线上倾斜了，
giving the planet a key ingredient to life, 为这行星 提供了生命赖以生存的关键元素，
seasons. 季节．
Having seasons is very, very important 季节的出现，对地球上
for the evolution of life on the Earth, 生物的演化极为重要，
and having some stability in the tilt of those axes, 而地球在轴心线上，那倾斜度的稳定性，
that's very, very important also for maintaining life on the Earth. 对维系地球上的生命，同样极为重要．
The moon's gravity also begins to slow Earth's rotation, 月球的引力逐渐减慢地球的自转速度，
which will eventually lengthen our days from six hours to 24. 最终让地球由一天 6小时延长至24小时．
4.4 billion years ago. 44亿年前．
It's too hot on Earth for liquid water to exist, 地球的温度相当高，容不了水份的出现，
but there's water vapor, steam in the atmosphere. 但在大气之中， 却有一种蒸发了的烟雾─蒸气．
The trick is how to get it out of the sky. 问题在于，怎么把它从天空中抽出来．
Onto any world where you hope to have life, a little rain must fall. 想要有生命存在的世界， 就必需要有雨水．
For millions of years as the planet cools, rain pours down, 有几百万年 地球变得寒冷，常年倾盆大雨，
forming puddles, lakes, and eventually our oceans. 形成了泥潭，湖， 最后，形成了我们的海洋．
By 3.8 billion years ago, 就在38亿年前，
our planet has a moon and permanent oceans, 我们的行星拥有一个月球， 以及长存的海洋，
but it hardly resembles the place we now call home. 但那仍难以与我们 现在的家园联想在一起．
To become the stage for all of human history, 要成为人类历史的舞台，
Earth needs an oxygen-rich atmosphere, 地球还需有氧含量高的大气层，
fertile continents for people to discover and develop. 及资源丰富的陆地 才足够让人类去发掘，去拓展．
Who will create our modern world? 那么，是谁创造了我们的现代世界？
There's a trillion of them crawling on your skin right now. 便是这一刻， 正在你皮肤上蠕动的上百亿个它们．
We're telling the history of the world in two hours, 我们要用两小时跟你说明万物的历史，
from the Big Bang to the present day. 从宇宙大爆炸说到今天．
And our modern world holds important clues to the story. 我们的现代世界，握着故事的重要线索．
In fact, structures like this 事实上，这类建筑
hide a mysterious link to the first life on Earth. 隐藏着我们与地球上第一个生命， 那不可思议的连系．
3.8 billion years ago, 38亿年前，
beneath the surface of our primeval oceans, 在原始的海洋底下，
a revolution is taking place. 正蕴酿着一场革命．
Six simple elements, including hydrogen from the Big Bang, 6种基本元素， 包括宇宙大爆炸产生的氢，
and oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen created by stars, 还有由恒星创造的氧，碳，氮，
have combined to form the key substances 这些元素组合成各种重要物质
that will make up all life, including us. 这些物质孕育出一切生命，包括我们．
The most spectacular is DNA. 当中最惊人的是“基因”．
Within its spirals hide the secret codes of life. 它的排列模式隐藏着生命神秘的密码．
700,000 years after the planet first formed, 在地球形成了70万年之后，
life on Earth begins. 地球上开始出现生命．
We stand not on the shoulders of giants, 我们不是站在巨人的肩膀上，
but of tiny organisms, bacteria. 而是站在一大群有机体─细菌之上．
We're very egocentric. We think that we animals run the world, 我们都自我中心地以为， 身为动物的我们支配着世界，
but in fact we are very late entrants. 事实上，我们是非常迟的进入者．
It was an empire of bacteria long before animals. 这里曾经是细菌王国， 比动物的出现早很多．
Animals come along, 动物出现了，
and we like to think that we wiped out that empire. 我们倾向于想成 "是我们消灭了之前的王国"．
Well, we would be dead if we wiped out that empire. 假如我们消灭了那王国， 那我们应已全死光了．
I have within me an entire zoo of bacteria. 我体内本身就是一整个细菌动物园．
In fact, each one of us 事实是，我们每个人
has more bacteria living in our bodies than there are people on the planet. 体内寄生着的细菌数量 比全球总人口还要多．
For billions of years, 有数十亿年时间，
microbes like these will have Earth to themselves. 微生物之类的东西， 曾一度拥有属于它们的地球．
Like our infant universe, 就如我们初始的宇宙，
the first life is small, simple, and full of possibilities. 第一个出现的生命是细小的，简单的， 并充满无限的可能性．
The secret of how it explodes 要揭开它怎样使我们眼前
into all of the incredible forms we see today, including us, 这不可思议的世界形成的秘密， 包括怎样使我们存在，
goes back to the beginning of time. 我们要先回到一切发生之初．
As we've seen, 如我们先前所见，
all the energy that will ever exist was created in the Big Bang. 一切不曾出现过的能源， 皆源自宇宙大爆炸．
All creatures need to grab their share of this energy to survive. 一切创造物， 均需抓紧自己分到的能源才得以生存．
The more we harness, the more efficiently we use it, 我们驾驭这些能源的能力越高， 便能越有效运用它们，
the more complex we can become. 我们便能成为越复杂的生物．
And almost all of our share of the Big Bang's energy 而几乎所有 我们从宇宙大爆炸分到的能源
is beamed to us by the sun. 均由太阳支撑着的．
Two and a half billion years ago, 25亿年前，
some very special bacteria 一些非常特别的细菌
figure out how to consume the sun's energy to live. 找出了运用太阳的能源来生存的方法．
In doing this, they also create 这样做的同时，它们也创造了
the most important waste product in the history of the world, 史上最未被充份利用的产物，
oxygen. 氧气．
Soon, oxygen will remake our world, 不久，氧气便改造了我们的世界，
but first, it has another important job to do. 但在此之前，它有一件很重要的事要做．
Earth's ancient seas are full of iron particles, 当时，地球那远古的海洋充满了铁粒子，
and everyone knows what happens when oxygen meets iron. 我们都知道， 当氧跟铁碰在一起会产什么化学作用．
Here I'm a little bacterium. I've produced this oxygen molecule, 好比说，我就是一个小小的细菌． 我制做了这个氧分子，
and here's a big piece of iron and clump, I rust it. 而那边有一大块铁， 我一走过去，它便生锈了．
The rusted iron collects on the seafloor. 这些生了锈的铁积聚在海床上．
Billions of years later, these huge deposits will be raised up
to become major sources of the world's iron and steel. 将会成为全世界钢铁的主要资源．
It was these iron deposits 就是这些铁的积存
that later on drove the Industrial Revolution. 带来了后期的工业革命．
In this way, the Brooklyn Bridge 便是布鲁克林大桥
and the other early landmarks of the Industrial Age 这类工业时代兴建的建筑物
are a direct link to some of the first life forms on Earth. 透露了我们跟地球上第一批生物的连系．
Once there's no more iron left in the sea to rust, 一旦海洋中再没有可供锈化的铁，
these ancient bacteria have a mission to complete. 这些远古的细菌 便背负起一个重要的任务．
They create so much oxygen 它们制造大量的氧填满海洋
that it fills the oceans and escapes into the atmosphere. 而这些氧会漂进大气层．
And from then on we have a very different planet 自那一刻起 我们有一颗很不同的行星，
from all the other planets in the solar system. 一颗在太阳系中非常独特的行星．
Now, life takes a giant leap. 现在，对生物来说， 下一步会是一个大跃进．
For the first time, some bacteria learn to live on oxygen. 这是第一次， 某些细菌学着在氧气中生存．
Every human breath is a ritual two and a half billion years old. 人类呼吸的这个举动 已有25亿年历史了．
Life tends to stick with what works 生命体向来有保留可行法则的倾向
even over the course of billions of years. 哪怕是25亿年前的古老方法．
Oxygen is a game changer. 氧气的出现改变了这场游戏．
By taming its power, 驾驭了氧气，
life has found a better way to energize itself. 并利用它作为生存的能源．
Twenty times more efficient than anything used on Earth before. 这比以往地球上的一切能源有效20倍．
What life does with all this new energy 生命体怎样利用这些新能源
will be the story that leads to us. 便是现代世界怎样产生的故事．
Over the next two billion years, life becomes more complex. 然后，20亿年过去了， 生命的发展越来越复杂．
Skies become blue, 天空变成蓝色，
and so do the oceans that reflect them. 反映着天空倒映的海洋也一样．
Large, solid continents appear. 广阔的，坚固的大陆出现了．
Earth is beginning to look more like the place we now call home. 地球的面貌， 开始变得跟我们现今的家园较接近．
550 million years ago,
as the planet celebrates its four billionth birthday, 地球为庆祝它诞生了40亿年，
oxygen levels in the atmosphere have risen from next to nothing 大气中的氧含量由近乎0%
to as much as 13%. 升到13%之多．
Take a deep breath, 深呼吸一下，
because life on Earth is about to go wild. 因为地球上所有生命体，即将要发狂了．
This is the Cambrian explosion, biology's version of the Big Bang. 这就是寒武纪大爆炸， 是宇宙大爆炸的生物版．
Right after you have abundant oxygen, you get size and complexity. 当你有充足的氧气， 你便可以拥有体积与特异错综性．
And oxygen lets you do that. 氧气令你有能力这样做．
It's in this breathtaking span of roughly 30 million years 在这惊人的约莫3千万年其间
that most of the major animal groups evolve. 大部份主要的动物均演化成形了．
By 500 million years ago, the first bony fish have evolved in the seas. 5亿年前， the first 第一条有骨鱼在海洋中演化成形了．
These fish are our direct ancestors. 这些鱼是我们的直系祖先．
Though they look nothing like us, 尽管它们外形上跟我们完全不同，
they evolve the body parts that will make our own bodies possible, 但它们演化出身体各部份， 开拓出人类身躯的可能性，
including a spine, and a mouth with jaws and teeth. 包括脊椎，及有下颚与牙齿的口部．
We owe a great deal to our fish ancestors. 我们拥有的一切， 都要归功于我们的祖先．
In fact, all vertebrates today 事实上，现今所有脊椎动物
really represent modifications of the original fish body plan. 身躯上都带有原始鱼类草图的影子．
For the first four billion years of Earth's history, 地球形成后的头40亿年，
plants and animals have stuck to the seas. 一切动植物皆要依附海洋生存．
But that all begins to change. 大气层和臭氧层出现后，
With oxygen comes an ozone layer, 一切开始改变了．
protecting us from dangerous radiation. 因为，大气层和臭氧层 能保护我们免受辐射侵害．
Plants make the move first. 植物是首先踏出第一步的．
Around 400 million years ago, animals are ready to take the leap. 大概4亿年前， 动物才准备好跃进．
Among the first ashore are the amphibians, 两栖类是第一批走上陆地的动物之一，
whose descendants will include us. 我们是它们的后裔之一．
The most amazing thing about animal evolution ever, for me personally, 动物演化史最令人震惊的时刻， 在我个人来说，
is that moment that first amphibian 便是两栖类
walks out of the primeval ocean onto land 首度离开了太古海洋走上陆地，
and takes a big gulp of air. 大口大口呼吸空气那一刻．
Kind of like great-great-great- great-great-great grandpa 就像是曾曾曾曾曾曾祖父
coming out of the ocean and seeing this fantastic world. 走出海洋，要看看这个奇妙的世界．
And it's like, "Hey! I can live here." 似在说: "啊，我可以在这儿生活"
"Look at those trees. Look at those bugs." "看那些树跟虫子．"
"There's food here. I can do this." "这儿有食物啊．我可在这里生存的．"
Eventually, humans will conquer every imaginable terrain. 最后，会由人类 来克服一切想像得到的领域．
But before we can do that, 但在那之前，
our ancestors must first cut their final tie to the water, 我们的祖先 要先摆脱水对它们的最后约束，
mating season. 交配季节．
Like modern frogs, 如现代的青蛙，
they have jelly-like eggs that would dry out on land. 它们产的果冻状卵，在陆上会变干．
But some amphibians eventually solve the problem. 但部份两栖动物，最终解决了这个问题．
They evolve a new form of egg 它们演化产出一种新式蛋
with a shell that keeps the moisture in. 有一层外壳保存卵的水份．
This allows us to carry the ocean with us onto land 此举让我们得以从海洋走向陆地
and signals the evolution of amphibians into reptiles. 亦标示着， 两栖类可以进一步演化成爬行类动物．
You could be 300, 400, 500, 1,000 miles away from water 你可以离开水域300， 400，500，甚至1000哩
and still have the water in that egg in order to birth. 那些蛋仍可保存足够的水份， 作出生之用．
That is the key. 这就是关键．
It cuts that final tie to the ocean. 它们摆脱了海洋的最后一道束缚．
That way we could colonize the rest of the land. 那样，我们才可以去开拓其余陆地．
300 million years ago, life flourishes in massive tropical swamps 3亿年前， 生命在大规模的沼泽地上繁盛地生长
where planet Earth is cooking up a surprise. 在那里，地球正编造一个惊喜．
As plants die here, 在这里死去的植物，
they are buried, compacted, and cooked. 会被埋葬，被挤压，被烹调．
Energy created in the Big Bang 宇宙大爆炸创造出来的能源
and radiated by the sun to plants on Earth 经由太阳散发给地球上的植物
is now locked away underground as coal, 这些植物被紧锁在地底，变成了煤，
a gift to be opened by human beings millions of years in the future. 成为一份足以人类挖掘数百万年的礼物．
250 million years ago, 2亿5千万年前，
an apocalypse unfolds. 一次天启开启了．
The biggest spike in volcanic activity since the early days of the planet. 是早期地球的最大型火山活动．
The atmosphere is choked with carbon dioxide, 大气中充斥着二氧化碳，
and the diversity of animal life spawned in the Cambrian explosion 在寒武纪大爆炸中
is stopped dead in its tracks. 多样性动物的大量繁殖停止了．
More than 70% of all species on Earth go extinct 地球上，超过70%的物种 因大批大批相继死亡而绝种
in the worst mass die-off in history, the Permian extinction. 这便是二叠纪大灭绝．
Extinction is a recurring character in the story of planet Earth. 在地球的故事中， 灭绝是不断循环发生的．
Five times in the last 500 million years, 5亿年前至今 曾经有5次因地壳剧烈变动，，
some cataclysm wiped out the dominant species. 而导致有统治地位的物种灭绝．
It's a reshuffling of the deck that allows new creatures to take hold. 这是要重新洗牌 让新的生物来接管．
New creatures like the dinosaurs. 新的生物，例如恐龙．
Dinosaurs will reign for the next 160 million years. 接下来的1亿6千万年，是恐龙的天下．
During that time, the first hardwood forests appear. 期间，第一个硬木森林出现了．
And after more than four billion years, 而在超过40亿年后，
the moon's gravity finally settles Earth into a 24-hour day. 月球的引力， 终令地球一天变为24小时．
At the start of the dinosaur era, 在侏罗纪之初，
the continents are clustered together 陆地仍是完整一块并未裂开
into a single landmass we call Pangaea. 我们称之为盘古大陆．
But now they start to break apart. 但此时，它开始裂开了．
Africa separates from South America. 非洲与南美洲之间裂开了．
The vast Atlantic Ocean opens up, 打开了浩瀚的大西洋，
creating what will become one of the defining barriers of human history, 为人类历史创造了一条分界线，
the gulf between the old and new worlds. 一条区分旧世界与新世界的界线．
The undisputed stars of the dinosaur era 侏罗纪时代的皇者
are animals like Triceratops and T-Rex. 毫无疑问是三角龙与暴龙那类动物．
But there are some important creatures scurrying around their feet. 但有一种很重要的生物围绕在它们脚边．
If we were to trace our lineage back far enough, 假如我们仔细追溯我们的世系，
we would come to really small shrew-like mammals 便知道在那些巨形爬虫类动物身边
surrounded by these titans of reptile life. 我们是小如??的哺乳类动物．
During that time, mammals, we were living on the fringes. 那段时期， 我们哺乳类动物是在罅隙生存的．
We were maybe stealing dinosaur eggs, maybe just eking out an existence. 或许，我们要偷恐龙蛋， 又或许，
So the dinosaurs kind of held us back. 我们的存在纯粹是为了增多一个物种． 那个时代，恐龙犹如抑制着我们．
The biggest headline of the history of dinosaurs, 整整1亿6千万年的恐龙时代，
which is 160 million years, is that we lost! 最大的标题是 "我们输了"！
Mammals lost. 哺乳类动物输了．
We couldn't get much bigger than a small cat. 我们比一只小猫咪大不了多少．
For 160 million years, all the medium-size, medium-big, 整整1亿6千万年， 中型的，大型的，
big, gigantic and stupendous animals were dinosaurs, for that whole time! 巨型的，超巨型的动物 全都是恐龙一族！
They beat us fair and square. 随时随地拍扁我们，简直易如反掌．
But the deck is about to be reshuffled. 但重新洗牌的时候到了．
Sixty-five million years ago, 6千5百万年前，
a six-mile wide object, likely an asteroid, 一个6哩宽的物体， 很可能是一颗小行星，
slams into the Earth. 猛力撞向地球．
A dust cloud blocks out the sun. 导致一团尘云遮蔽了太阳．
Temperatures plummet. 气温骤降．
Every creature on land weighing over 50 pounds goes extinct. 所有陆地上超过50磅的生物都灭绝了．
The reign of the dinosaurs is over. 恐龙支配的年代过去了．
The greatest gift that the dinosaurs ever gave us was dying. 恐龙给我们最大的礼物 就是它的死亡．
When they went extinct, it gave the mammals time to rise. 恐龙灭绝， 哺乳类动物才得以有时间提升．
It doesn't take long after the disappearance of the dinosaurs 恐龙绝种后，过不了多久
for the first true primates to appear. 第一批真正的灵长类动物出现了．
Like their later versions, including us, 跟它们的后裔一样，包括我们，
these mammals have evolved forward-facing eyes 它们演化出往前看的双眼
allowing for accurate depth perception and flexible hands with five digits. 可用来分辨动物的生死 还有长了5只手指的灵活双手．
They have five fingers, just like us, which means we can grasp things. 它们有5只手指，如我们一样， 那表示我们可以握紧物件．
If you think about other animals that don't have digits 试想想其他不像我们有手指的动物
organized the way ours are, their ability to hold things, 它们抓东西，
to manipulate objects, is much more limited. 及运用物件的能力是很有限的．
Fifty million years ago, 5千万年前，
our primate ancestors are evolving on a planet that is warming. 我们的灵长类祖先 在一个正在暖化的行星上演化．
It's so hot, there are jungles at the poles. 那里非常热，就算是极地也长满密林．
As the continents drift, 随着地壳漂流，
the Americas and Africa have almost fully taken shape. 美洲跟非洲近乎完全成形了．
But in northern Africa, 而在北非，
modern-day Egypt is submerged beneath an ancient sea. 现今的埃及仍然被古老的海洋淹没着．
On the floor of that sea live small, shelled creatures called oxygen. 一种叫货币虫的古生物 在那里的海床上生活．
Their shells, made of calcium and carbon, 它们的壳由钙及碳组成，
pile up on the sea bottom over millions of years, 在海底积累了超过数百万年，
where they form into limestone. 然后，那些壳形成了石灰岩．
Limestone that will be used to build the Great Pyramids. 石灰岩后来会被用来兴建巨大的金字塔．
If you look closely at the pyramids today, 如果你近距离仔细观看那些金字塔，
you can still see evidence that these 4,000-year-old monuments 你会发现那些4千岁的古建筑，
are in fact made of 50-million-year-old seashells. 实际上是用5千万岁的贝壳建成的．
By 10 million years ago, 1千万年前，
Earth is morphing into a world most of us would recognize. 地球已转化成稍接近现今的形态．
The Colorado River is carving out the Grand Canyon. 科罗拉多河已开拓出大峡谷．
Mountain ranges like the Himalayas have arisen. 众山脉的形成，例如喜马拉亚山．
They're so tall, they disrupt weather patterns 这些高耸的山峰，瓦解了原本的气候模式
setting the stage for a colder planet. 为这行星设下一个较寒冷的舞台．
The Isthmus of Panama emerges to connect North and South America, 巴拿马地峡的出现， 把南北美洲连系起来，
cleaving the connection between the Atlantic and the Pacific, 劈开了大西洋与太平洋的连系，
disrupting ocean currents 截断了海洋海流
and tipping the world even more towards an ice age. 加速了世界迈向冰河时期．
With the planet getting colder, 地球越来越寒冷，
our primate ancestors hang on in the tropics, 我们的灵长类祖先坚守在热带地区，
but a new creature is coming in that threatens to destroy them. 但一种新生物来到了 让它们面临被消灭的威胁．
Seven million years ago, 7百万年前，
our primate ancestors live safely in the trees. 我们的灵长类祖先在森林中安稳过活．
But their neighborhood is about to be invaded. 但它们的邻近地区差不多都被侵略了．
This newcomer will have as profound an effect on human history 新来的入侵者跟地球上其他生命体一样
as any other living thing on Earth. 对人类历史有着深远的影响．
It seems almost impossible to believe, 这看似难以置信，
but one of the most important things that will lead to the emergence of us, 但其中一项让我们得以出现的重大事件，
is the emergence of grass. 便是青草的出现．
The grasslands appear almost simultaneously around the world. 草原几乎是同一时间出现在全世界的．
We get the African savannas, 我们有非洲稀树大草原，
we get the Eurasian steppe lands, 我们有欧亚大草原，
we get the North American prairies, 我们有北美大草原，
we get the great grasslands of Argentina, 我们有阿根廷大草原，
appearing simultaneously around the world. 这些草原几乎是同时出现在世界各地的．
In Eastern Africa, grasslands invade the traditional woodland habitat 在东非，草原侵占了传统的森林地带
of our ape ancestors. 我们猿类祖先的栖息地．
With fewer trees and greater gaps between them, 树少了，树与树之间距离宽了，
our ancestors have to adapt. 我们的祖先必须要适应．
Apes would notice that there's more and more apes in the same tree 这些猿大概也察觉到， 同一棵树上，猿越来越多，
and less and less food, 食物则越来越少，
increasing incentives for apes 这激发它们必须跨越草原寻找食物
to go from one patch of food to a different one,
separated by grasslands.
Now, one way to do it is to run like hell, you know. 现在， 可以继续东奔西跑，过地狱般的生活．
The other way to do it is to extend one's food sources into the grasslands 另一个方法，是到草原上发掘食物，
to seek out the foods that are available there. 扩大食物来源．
And so, some apes make the move down into this stark, new habitat. 然后，部份猿迁移到这种荒凉的， 新的栖息地．
It's a landscape better suited to primates that can walk on two legs. 这个环境更适合灵长类生活 让它们可以用两条腿行走．
Keeping their heads up above the tall grasses to watch for predators. 让它们可以抬高头， 越过高高的草丛监察掠夺者．
Standing on two feet is a revolutionary advance. 用两腿站立是一项革命性的提升．
Because it frees up our hands. 这样，我们双手便可以自由活动．
Hands we will need to shape human history. 我们需要这双手去塑造人类历史．
2.6 million years ago, 260万年前，
early proto-humans or hominids 早期的原始人，或称类人类
walk an Earth whose rocks are loaded with the element silicon. 行走于地球上含有元素“矽”的岩石上．
Created in the cores of stars billions of years before, 这种元素，是于数十亿年前， 在各恒星的中心被创造出来的，
silicon is the second-most abundant element in Earth's crust. 在地球的地壳里， 矽是第二大充裕的元素．
One of its chemical quirks is the ability to bond with oxygen 矽其中一个化学变化，是与氧结合，
to form crystals that combine into solid rocks, 形成水晶 水晶会跟固体的岩石结合，
rocks that can be chipped and shaped without shattering. 而这种岩石不用先砸碎， 便可以切割开并加以塑形．
Hominids started doing this 2.6 million years ago, 原始人于260万年前已开始这样做，
breaking cryptocrystalline silicates to make sharp edges, 破开潜晶质矽酸盐，来制造锋利的边沿，
and people use them for millions, literally 2.6 million years. 人类沿用这个方法260万年了．
Simply having a modified stone with a sharp edge on it, 简简单单 便改造出一块有锋利边沿的石头，
now suddenly you have a hammer. 突然间，你有锤子，
You have a crude cutting edge. 有简陋的切割工具．
A simple modified stone means a human can suddenly do 一块简单的加工石头
a thousand more things than we could do previously. 寓意着人类可以比从前多做上千件事．
That little extra bit of technology 这套小小的老工艺
enabled our ancestors to persist and eventually turn into us. 让我们的祖先在地球上得以存留 并最终演变成我们．
Silicon launches the first technological revolution, 矽带来了第一次技术革命，
the Stone Age. 石器时代．
Millions of years after it powers our first handheld devices, 在我们造出第一件 手携式工具数百万年后，
another chemical quirk of silicon will make it 矽的另一个化学效应
the height of technology once again. 再度把工艺推向更高的层次．
The next leap towards becoming truly human 下一个令我们跃进成真正人类的关键
relies on a little-known secret of our home planet. 是地球上一个已知的小小秘密．
In the known universe, 在已知的宇宙里，
it turns out Earth may have a rare and special power. 证明了 地球或许有一种特殊而罕见的力量．
Of all the planets and moons in the solar system, 在太阳系里所有行星及月球之中，
we think that Earth is unique in the ability to sustain fire. 我们认为， 地球维持火焰燃烧的能力是独一无二的．
Other planets and moons have lightning and lava. 其他行星及月球上，均有闪电跟熔岩．
But only on Earth do we have the two critical things 但只有在地球上，
we need for fire to burn, 我们有用这两种关键的能量来生火吗，
a vast fuel supply in the form of plants and trees, 地球本身便是一个庞大的燃料库，
and an atmosphere full of oxygen to fan the flames. 植物，树木， 还有大气层中充满可扇起火焰的氧．
If fire wasn't a possibility, you'd have nothing like us running around. 如果没有生火的可能， 我们这类生物或许就不存在了．
Homo sapiens, they made a world with fire. 智人，他们用火缔造了一个世界．
Our ancestors have fire firmly under control by 800,000 years ago. 80万年前， 我们的祖先已懂得有效地控制火．
It's a skill that connects us back to the very beginning. 这技术让我们连系上初始的世界．
Remember that all energy was created in the Big Bang 还记得一切能源皆由宇宙大爆炸创造吧
and all life is in a competition for our share of this energy. 一切生命 皆为了维护所分到的能源而竞赛．
Using fire to cook is like having 生火煮食，
an external stomach to break down foods, 让我们像多了一个外在的胃来消化食物，
releasing more calories, giving us more energy, 释放更多卡路里， 供给我们身体更多能量，
which in turn allows us to support bigger brains. 让我们有能力支持较大的大脑．
Fire is also the ultimate gateway technology. 用火可说是一门终极技术．
We will soon use it to turn clay into pottery, 我们往后会借助它的力量， 化泥土为陶器，
metal into weapons, 化金属为武器，
water into steam power. 化水为蒸汽动力．
If you don't have fire, you can't have the internal combustion engine. 你没有火，你便没有内燃引擎．
No fire, no metal. 没有火便没有金属．
No fire, no rubber. 没有火便没有橡胶．
It's a technology that opens a world of possibilities 这项技术为懂得运用它的生物
for creatures that know how to use it. 开创出一个充满可能性的世界．
200,000 years ago, 20万年前，
the modern human has fully taken shape. 现代人类正式完全成形了．
The larynx or voice box 我们的祖先及其后裔，
which is high up in the throat in our ancestors, descends. 喉头长在喉咙的高处．
More complex sounds are now possible. 让我们发出复杂的声音变成可能．
We begin to speak. 我们开始说话．
For the first time, information can be shared 这是第一次， 资讯可以在个体与个体之间交流
between individuals and across generations. 甚至跨代传播．
Humans have gained a critical advantage 人类拥有一个
over every other creature on Earth. 超越地球上所有生物的优势．
You can tell, "My grandfather said that when the elephants didn't show up" 你可以说， "我祖父说，大象没有出现"
"we go off and hunted zebras." "我们转而去猎斑马．"
You know, "My aunt told me that her cousin found this water hole" "我婶婶跟我说，她表亲"
"on the other side of that river." "在河的另一边找到这个池塘．"
And we can all benefit 当他们描述他们在什么环境里找到些什么
and we can all understand what they mean when they were describing 我们可以完全了解，
what they found out on that landscape. 并从中亦获益良多．
Language changes humans from being like stand-alone computers 语言就像将人类，由一部独立电脑
to being networked computers where you can share information. 变成互联网电脑一样 你可以分享资讯．
Now, one doesn't need to depend on one's own personal experience. 现在， 每个人都不用再单靠自身的经验了．
One can borrow the personal experience of anyone 我们可以透过沟通，
with whom one can communicate. 借助他人的经验．
That's a powerful advantage. 那是一项超强的优势．
No other creature has that. 是其他生物没有的．
As a species, humans become exponentially smarter. 作为一种物种， 人类的精明是以倍计超前的．
The global game board has been set, and we are now ready to play. 全球的记分牌都设好了， 我们准备好要玩这场游戏了．
100,000 years ago, man can move. 10万年前，人类可以活动自如．
We have agile hands and primitive tools. 我们有灵活的双手及简陋的工具．
We can communicate and control fire. 我们可以互相沟通，也可以控制火．
We are finally ready to expand out of our African home 我们终于准备好， 冲出非洲大陆这个家园了
on a path millions of years in the making. 通过这条用了数百万年建构的道路．
Shifting continents have linked Africa and Eurasia 地壳移动， 令非洲大陆与欧亚大陆连接起来
into the largest contiguous landmass on Earth, Afro-Eurasia. 成为地球上面积最大的陆地， 亚非欧大陆．
33 million square miles, 总面积达3千3百万平方哩，
more than twice the surface area of our entire moon. 比月球总面积的两倍还要大．
For early humans, 对早期的人类来说，
this means more than half the land on Earth can be reached on foot. 这表示，地球上有一半以上的陆地， 是可以徒步到达的．
Human dispersal was a crucial game changer. 人类分散聚居，是游戏的重要转捩点．
We are one of the few primates 只有极少数灵长类，
that live on more than one continent simultaneously. 会同时栖息在不同的大陆上 我们是其中之一．
So what that means is that we're better insulated 那么，同属 导致大型哺乳类动物灭绝的灵长类
from the kinds of things that caused big mammals to become extinct 凭什么说我们胜过其他灵长类呢
than other primates are.
It's extinction insurance. Dispersal is extinction insurance. 是绝种防预措施． 分散栖息是预防绝种的有效措施．
But just as the world begins to open itself up to man, 但大概世界已开始向人类敞开怀抱，
the planet turns on us. 这行星将目标转移到我们身上．
An ice age begins. 冰河时期开始了．
Now the planet will test us like never before. 地球将以前所未有的方式考验我们．
By 50,000 years ago, glaciers begin to advance down from the North Pole. 5万年前，冰河开始由北极往下推进．
At the same time, humans continue their conquest of the globe, 与此同时，人类继续占领地球，
arriving in China and Australia. 并已到达了中国及澳洲．
By 30,000 years ago, Homo sapiens reach Europe for the first time. 3万年前，智人首次到达了欧洲．
By 20,000 years ago, with the ice nearing its most extreme, 在2万年前，冰块接近尽头了，
the march of man reaches the frigid tundra of Northeast Siberia. 人类抵达了 西伯利亚东北面的严寒冻土地带．
Despite the trials of the Ice Age, 人类熬过了冰河时期的艰苦考验，
man endures and develops the last skills we will need to be truly human. 并发展出让我们 得以成为真正人类的最后一项技术．
The clues lie in these symbols. 提示就在那些记号之中．
We have taken an intellectual leap, 我们作了一步极具智慧的跃进，
to think beyond the here and now, 思考超越此时此地的事，
beyond what is simply needed to survive. 思考超越生存基本需求的事．
We can only start saying we have an organism that is human, 看见那些符号，我们只会说，
that is the same as us, 那时有一种生物，
when we start seeing evidence of symbolic thought. 那是人类，跟我们差不多．
It's when we start seeing a picture of a cow 但当我们看见一幅牛的图画
that everybody will recognize as the picture of a cow. 而所有人一眼便认出那是一头牛．
Because only when we start seeing all of those things 因为，我们看到这些后，
can we say that is a human. 因为，我们看到这些后，．
People or creatures that think like us, 他是一个如我们般思考，
that see the world in the same way as us. 看到的世界跟我们一模一样的人或生物．
And from that moment on, 从那刻开始，
human history was marked to be radically different 便标示着人类的历史，
to any other species on this planet. 明显跟地球上其他物种截然不同．
Now, with huge amounts of the planet's water locked up in ice, 现在，地球上大量海水被封在冰层之中，
sea levels plummet by 300 to 400 feet. 海平面降低了300至400英尺．
The last great barrier to the spread of man is erased. 人类分散栖息的最大障碍被消除了．
We come across the Bering Land Bridge from Siberia to North America. 我们由西伯利亚 穿过白令陆桥去到北美洲．
We are telling the history of the world in two hours, 我们正用两个小时来告诉你万物的历史，
and in just one hour, more than 13 billion years have already passed. 用不了1小时，130亿年已经过去了．
These years of preparation have allowed man 全凭这过百亿年来的准备
to finally emerge and spread out across the planet. 人类最终才得以发展， 并遍怖于全球各地．
And human history as we know it can truly begin. 真正由人类打造的历史， 可以正式开始了．
Our history of the world began with the beginning of time, the Big Bang. 世间万物的历史，皆始于宇宙大爆炸．
It has taken us on a journey of nearly 14 billion years. 这是一个将近140亿年的旅程．
Now, as humans take center stage, 现今，人类正站在舞台的中心，
it's important to remember 但我们必须要谨记
just how small a slice of history we actually occupy. 我们只占整个旅程的极少极少部份．
To make things simple, 要化繁为简，
imagine compressing 14 billion years of history 可以试试将140亿年
down to just 14 years. 压缩成14年．
On this scale, the Earth would have existed only for the past five years. 根据这个比例，地球便只形成了5年．
So that's about a third of the history of the universe. 那么，这就是宇宙万物历史的3分之1．
Large complex creatures would have developed seven months ago. 大型，复杂的生物在7个月前才形成．
On this scale, dinosaurs went extinct only about three weeks ago. 恐龙在3周前才绝种．
The entire recorded history of humans 而整段人类历史，
would span only the last three minutes. 仅仅跨越了最后的3分钟．
Modern industrial societies, 近代社会的工业革命，，
the Industrial Revolution, effectively, six seconds ago. 实质上只发生在6秒前．
What this shows me is that we humans have been around 这让我们了解到 在整段宇宙历史里
for only a very brief instant in the recorded history of the universe. 人类出现至今只是极为短暂的一刹那．
Mankind has waited billions of years for our brief instant to shine, 这闪耀的一刹那，人类等待了上百亿年，
as the stars and our evolving planet 等待期间，众恒星与我们这颗行星，
carried out the slow work of organizing the elements 完成了组织元素这项冗长工作
in a way that would make human history possible. 这才让人类的历史变成可能．
It's 10,000 B.C., 公元前1万年，
less than 100,000 years after expanding out of Africa, 在跨出非洲大陆后不到10万年，
man has reached South America. 人类便到达了南美洲．
Humans have met the adversity of the ice age head on, 人类与冰河时期来临时的困境遇个正着 但我们克服了，
and rather than die off, 我们不仅没有相继死亡，
we have adapted, become even more intelligent. 还变得更聪明．
And now we have colonized the entire globe. 而现在，我们已开拓了整个地球．
From coast to mountaintop, 由海岸至山顶，
from tundra to desert, 由冻土地带至沙漠，
humans are there. 都有人类的踪影．
Our closest living ancestors, the chimpanzees, live in the tropics. 我们最亲近的黑猩猩， 居住在热带森林中．
They only live in the tropics. 它们只活在热带地区．
Humans have managed to colonize the entire globe. 而人类则操纵并开拓了整个地球．
Ice age land bridges allowed man to spread around the world, 冰河时期形成的天然桥， 让人类可以走遍世界，
but now the ice begins to melt and sea levels rise again. 但这时，冰层开始溶化 海平面再度上升．
Humans are trapped and separated in two vast and unconnected hemispheres. 人类被困了，被迫分隔在地球两边， 两块完全不能互通的大陆上．
Each pocket of humanity left to make the best of what it has been given. 两边的人只能利用身边的资源， 尽可能做到最好．
As the glaciers recede, 冰河退去，
they carve out lakes, rivers, and bays. 开展出湖泊，河流，以及海湾．
The map as we know it emerges. 我们熟识的地图出现了．
In Africa, 在非洲，
increased rainfall causes Lake Victoria and Lake Albert to overflow 降雨量增加 导致维多利亚湖及艾伯特湖泛滥
and form Egypt's Nile River. 形成了埃及的尼罗河．
In Eurasia, other rivers emerge, 在欧亚，其他河流亦形成了，
the Tigris and Euphrates in Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq. 美索不达米亚(今伊拉克) 的底格里斯河及幼发拉底河．
The Indus in modern-day Pakistan and China's Yellow and Yangtze. 今巴基斯坦的印度河 及中国的黄河与长江．
These river valleys become critically important 这些河流流域将会非常重要
for how human history will now be played out 它们将显示人类的历史进程
following the retreat of these ice sheets. 是怎样被大冰原退却牵着走的．
These are the river valleys whose waters and fertile soils 这些河流流域带来的水份及沃土
will allow the first seeds of civilization to be planted. 让第一颗种子在文明世界中得以生长．
With temperatures warming after the ice age, 冰河时期后，气候逐渐暖化，
plants and animals are more plentiful, 地球上的植物和动物变得丰盛起来，
and man can finally choose to stop moving. 人类终于选择停下步伐．
Permanent settlements begin. 是时候开始解决积存的问题了．
Populations grow. 人口增长．
With more mouths to feed, our ancestors have to get clever. 越来越多人口要养活， 我们的祖先必须要变得更聪明．
They had to find a way to increase the amount of food 他们必须找出方法，
they could get from the surroundings. 增加身边的食物来源．
Now, one discovery forever changes the planet and the path of mankind. 现在，一项发现将永远改变地球， 以及人类往后要走的道路．
We learn to plant seeds. 我们学会了用种子种植．
And the seeds we sow come from the same plants 我们所播的种子
that millions of years earlier spurred our evolution from ape to man, 来自于那些曾于上百万年前， 激发我们由猿演化成人类的植物，
the unheralded hero of human history, grass. 那个人类历史的无名英雄─草．
A grass seed is tiny, right? It's no food. 草的种子很细小，对吧？那不是食物．
I can hunt a bison or I can take grass. 如果可以去猎一头野牛或拿一些草．
You hunt a bison, right? 你会去猎一头野牛，对吧？
Ironically, grass seeds become the most important food crops 但讽刺的是， 草类植物是世界上最重要的作物
in the world, but they're the things that are ignored by hunter-gatherers 只不过它们的重要性， 被采猎者抹杀了不知多少个千年
for thousands and thousands of years.
People don't start using them until they absolutely have to use them. 若非迫不得已，人们并不会用到它们．
Some of the species of grass that we are most familiar with 某些我们最常见的草类植物， 都含有甘蔗成份
includes sugarcane. 都含有甘蔗成份．
It includes wheat and rye and barley, 包括小麦，黑麦与大麦，
all of the cereal crops are types of grass. 这些谷类作均属于草类植物．
So it's not just that beautiful green lawn 所以，它不仅是用来炫耀
that we measure our middle class success from. 中产阶层成就的美丽草坪．
It's also the staple crop upon which civilization depends. 它是文明世界赖以为生的作物．
It is the majority of our calorie intake. 它是我们摄取卡路里的主要来源．
Once again, it all goes back to the Big Bang. Once again， 再一次，让我们回到宇宙大爆炸之时．
Central to the story of all life is our competition for that energy 这个万物故事的中心点，
created at the beginning of time. 是初始之时的那场能源争夺战．
Just as oxygen gave us an edge, 氧，带给我们优越的条件，
just as fire allowed us to consume more calories, 火，让我们得以摄取更多卡路里，
switching to farming is an energy revolution. 而耕种，则是一场能源革命．
A hunter-gatherer needs 10 square miles of territory 一个采猎者， 要有10平方哩地的动植物资源
to provide himself with enough sustenance, 才足够维持个人的粮食与能量需要，
enough energy in the form of plants and meat to survive. 才足以生存下来．
A farmer can harvest the sun's energy so efficiently, 一个农夫， 可以有效率地收割太阳孕育出来的资源，
he can fulfill his needs using only a tenth of a square mile of land. 只需10分1平方哩的地， 便足以满足他的需要．
In the warming after the last ice age, farming begins to take hold 冰河时期过后，气温正在暖化
in a half dozen places around the globe, 全球有六个地方的农地已开始上轨道，
but by the fortunes of geography, no place in the ancient world 以天然的地理优势来说， 在古代的世界
has a better concentration of plants and animals 同时适合植物生长
that can be domesticated 又适合饲养动物的
than the Middle East's Fertile Crescent. 没一个地方及得上中东的新月沃土．
In the Middle East, we have this remarkable convergence 在中东，
of species that seem to have been susceptible 我们有这块非凡的复合地
to domestication, both plants and animals. 既适合种植，又适合饲养动物．
In terms of animals, we're talking about cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats. 饲养动物，是指牛，猪，绵羊及山羊．
In terms of plants, two varieties of wheat, rye, barley, lentils, figs, 至于植物，要两种麦─大麦及黑麦; 还有扁豆，无花果，
all in this very small part of the world. 所有这些都只占地球一块极小的地．
Unlike the Fertile Crescent and the rest of Afro-Eurasia, 跟新月沃土及亚非欧大陆 余下的地区不同，
places like sub-Saharan Africa and the Americas 像撒哈拉以南的非洲及美洲的那种地方
have very few wild species that can be easily domesticated. 便只有少数野生动植物 适合人工饲养或种植．
It's a critical difference. 这是很重要的差异．
People blessed with the right mix of plants and animals 人们唯有祈祷，祈望自己培养的动植物
will become more powerful 得以壮茁成长
and get a massive head start on the road to the modern world. 然后， 他们便可以骄傲地迎接新世界的来临．
One animal that gives any human who can tame it 有一种动物 几乎是可以被任何人彻底驯养的
an almost unbeatable edge is the horse. 那便是马．
It's a little-known fact that although horses first evolved in the Americas, 一个已知的小小事实是， 尽管马最早是在美洲演化形成的，
they died out there along with many other large mammals 但在公元前1万年， 它们与附近众多大型哺乳类动物
around 10,000 B.C. 一起灭绝了．
There were at least three species of ice age horses in North America, 冰河时期，马于北美洲最少有三个品种，
maybe more, some as small as ponies, some as big as Clydesdales. 或许更多，有的小如矮种马， 有的则大如壮健驮马．
And they had evolved in North America for 40 million years. 它们早在4千万年前 已于北美洲演化成形．
They're part of the whole history, and then... They're gone. They're gone. 它们是万物历史的一部分， 然后突然间它们消失了．
These powerful potential allies 那些有强太潜力的伙伴
disappear before they can be used by the first North Americans. 还未有机会被第一批北美人加以运用， 便已经消失了．
Fortunately before that happened, 而幸运地，在那之前，
large numbers of horses escaped back across the Bering Strait land bridge 大量马群穿越白令陆桥逃脱了
and spread out across the great grasslands 然后，它们分散栖息于
and steppe lands of Central Eurasia. 欧亚大陆的草原与大草原上．
A narrow escape that had a profound effect on human history. 这个小规模逃脱行动， 对人类历史有着深刻的影响．
Around 4,000 B.C., 约公元前4千年，
nomadic people in Central Asia learn to tame them for the first time. 亚洲中部的游牧民族， 首次学习驯养这些马．
Domesticated horses will be harnessed across Eurasia, 遍及整个欧亚大陆， 被驯养过的马均会被套上马具，
advancing everything from work to warfare. 它们可提升日常劳动力， 以致战争战斗力．
Perhaps no other animal has had a bigger influence 也许，不会有别的动物， 能对人类历史进程
on the course of human history. 产生这么大的作用．
And the circle wouldn't be complete for another 5,000 years 若不是哥伦布在第二次航海 往美洲时带着马匹
when Christopher Columbus would bring horses with him 就算再多5千年
on his second voyage to the Americas. 地球的圆圈也未必可以画得完．
His horses would be the first to set hooves in the Americas 自从马在美洲灭绝，超过1万年以来
since the great die-off over 10,000 years earlier. 他的马是第一批踏上美洲大陆的马．
6,000 years ago, domestication of animals and plants 6千年前， 种植与饲养这项作业
sets the stage for the next phase of human history. 为人类历史的下一阶段设置好了舞台．
Like clouds of interstellar dust gathering in material to form stars, 就像星尘云集合资源以形成星体一样，
a type of gravity is at work as places like Sumeria, 有一种引力正在某些地方发挥作用， 如苏美尔区域，
located in part of the Fertile Crescent known as Mesopotamia, 它位于新月沃土， 又被称为美索不达米亚，
draw in people, support large populations, 它吸纳居民，主张大量人口，
and spin up into centers of power and innovafion. 中央集权，以及革新．
By 3,000 B.C., 公元前3千年，
some of these Sumerian settlements can truly be called our first cities. 部分苏美尔城镇， 已称得上是我们第一批真正的城市．
One of them, Uruk, has around 50,000 people 其中一个城镇─乌鲁克， 有大约5万人口
living in less than one square mile, 聚居在少于1平方哩的区域，
a population density that rivals modern-day New York City. 人口密度可与当代的纽约市匹敌．
Humans have become so efficient at deriving energy 人们已经能有效率地从农作物摄取能量
from domesticated food that this land area, 而那些农田所占的地，
which would have supported only a single hunter-gatherer, 从前只够养活一个采猎者，
now can support thousands. 现在则足以养活上千人．
But a change in diet also triggers a new dependence. 但饮食的改变，会引致一种新的依赖．
Once you move to agriculture, 一旦你开始了耕种，
you are depending for 80, 90% of your calories 你有80%-90%卡路里摄取量，
on perhaps one or two species. 会依赖在一或两种农作物上．
In the case of the Middle East, wheat and barley. 在中东，依赖的是小麦跟大麦．
In the case of wheat and barley, 而小麦跟大麦，
they both ripen at about the same time. 成熟期差不多在同一时期．
Humans have to gather the seeds at the same time. 人们要在同一时期收集两种种子．
So now we have our food for the year that has arrived in one hit. 所以， 我们同一时期会有一年的粮食量产生．
It's like getting your salary paid once a year. 就像你的薪酬累积一年发放一次．
You need to record it. You need to plan, 那你便需要记录与计划，
because if inevitably your crop fails, you have famine. 因为，假如农作物不可避免地失收， 便会酿成饥荒．
And you're not gonna have another go for another 12 months. 你不会有额外12个月的尝试机会．
In these first cities, crops are king. 在那些首批形成的城市里， 收成便是一切．
To keep track of them, 为记下农作物的生长常规，
our ancestors develop the first writing. 我们的祖先展开了首次的文字记录．
To protect them, the first armies. 用作保护农作物，记录收成．
And to administer them, the beginnings of politics. 管理农作物，成了设计策略的开端．
When you have hundreds or thousands of people who are living together, 当有上百上千人聚居在同一个地方，
there's simply too many people 要分配谁负责劳动，
to sort of run around and create a census. 谁负责决策便不容易了．
It creates a need for government. 这形成了对政体的需要．
It creates a need for some form of social and political hierarchy. 进一步， 便需要有社会等级及政治等级的形成．
Planting seeds has set man on a new path. 用种子种植为人类开辟了一条新的道路．
Settlements have grown into cities. 城镇发展成为城市．
But to take the next epic step from city to civilization, 但要迈出庄阔的下一步 由城市发展成文明世界，
we'll need the help of a very surprising creature. 我们需要一种出乎意料的动物的帮助．
5,000 years ago, 5千年前，
after wandering the Earth for more than 100,000 years, 人类在地球上流浪了超过10万年之后，
mankind has begun to settle down. 开始安顿下来了．
We cluster near rivers, along the Tigris and Euphrates, 我们沿着河流聚居， 沿着底格里斯河，幼发拉底河，
the Nile, the Indus, 尼罗河，印度河，
the Yellow and Yangtze. 黄河及长江．
Civilizations are about to take off. 各方的文明即将要起飞了．
But first, they must all master one thing, trade. 但首先，它们必先要精通一件事，贸易．
The more they exchange goods and learn from other lands, 它们跟别的城市学习及交易得越多，
the faster they grow. 便能发展得越快．
It seems that long-distance trade and communication 看来，以我们目前所知， 长途的贸易与通讯
is a necessary precursor 长途的贸易与通讯
to allow urban civilization as we know it. 是开化成文明都市的必然先驱．
And surprisingly, the first civilizations arise 而令人意外的是， 第一批文明国家产生的背后
on the back of a creature 是仰赖一种
with a lowly reputation in the modern world, the donkey. 现代世界中相当卑微的动物，驴子．
The donkey caravan is the interstate highway 当年，驴子车队 不仅是洲与洲连系的主要干道
and high-speed Internet of its day. 也是那个时代的高速互联网．
Their routes will lay the groundwork for the modern world, 它们所走的路线， 会为现今的世界打下基础，
moving not only goods like timber and bronze, but ideas and stories. 它们不仅运送木材与青铜等货物， 还运送思想观念与故事．
The civilizations they connect 经它们所连系的文明
will be some of the first described in the Bible. 有些在圣经中会被首次描述到．
The caravan routes converge at the Persian Gulf, 车队的路线大多会汇合于波斯湾，
where they link up with ships that carry goods to India. 在那里， 它们会将货物交由船只运往印度．
It essentially brought these civilizations together 实际上，它们是融合各方文明，
into great cultural and material exchange 成就更卓越的文化及贸易网的桥梁
and really was the beginning of the trend towards globalization. 这才是真正走向全球化的开端．
It is a key to understanding how our world works to this day. 我们要先明白一个重点， 才能弄清世界是怎样发展到今时今日的．
Just like the first civilizations, we trade and form networks. 尤如第一批文明城镇那样， 我们交易并构成网络．
These networks form hubs. 那些网络交织成众多汇聚点．
And throughout history, being at that hub has meant one thing. 而贯穿历史，那些汇聚点象征着一件事．
The amount of ideas, the amount of cargo that passes through a region, 无论是思想观念还是货物，
seems to have a direct correlation 它的流通量越大，就表示它的作用越大，
to how powerful and important they are. 重要性也越高．
By 2,000 B.C., humans have gone from humble huts 公元前2千年， 人类的居所由简陋粗糙的小屋
to massive monuments. 演变为规模宏大的不朽建筑．
In Africa, Great Pyramids arise on the banks of the Nile. 在非洲，尼罗河岸一带， 众巨大的的金字塔冒起．
The first stages of Stonehenge rise up in Ancient Britain. 第一阶段的巨石阵在古英国出现．
And back in Sumeria, artificial temple mounds called ziggurats 回到苏美尔， 被称为宝塔的人造寺庙墩
climb ever higher toward the heavens. 高耸入天际．
To cement these massive structures together, 为巩固那些大规模建筑物的接合处，
the builders of Sumeria turn to a substance that oozes from seepages 苏美尔建筑者们的视线 转向了沿幼发拉底河的渗流
along the Euphrates river. 渗出的一种物质．
It's called bitumen. Used as asphalt in the modern world, 一种叫做沥青的物质． 与当今的沥青用途一样，
it's the first petroleum product to be exploited by mankind. 是第一种被人类剥削的石油产物．
While bitumen is highly prized, 当沥青被高度重视的时候，
the lighter, thinner, substance oozing from the ground along with it 有一种较轻，较稀的物质从地下渗出来
is considered a nuisance by the ancients 因为它的易燃，
because it catches fire so easily. 而被我们的祖先视为麻烦之物．
The ancients call it naphtha. We call it gasoline. 我们的祖先称它为石脑油． 我们称之为汽油．
And it's one of the first indications of the vast oil fields 这是其中一个最早期的先兆， 预兆这些广大的油田
that will one day turn the cradle of civilization 总有一天会令文明发源地，
into a center of wealth and warfare. 变成财富与战争的中心．
The legacy of these first civilizations 在那些首批文明城镇 遗赠给后人的东西当中
can be seen in surprising ways. 有着惊人的发现．
The Sumerian counting system was based on the number 12 苏美尔人的计算系统是用12进制，
rather than 10, which is why we divide our days into two 12-hour blocks, 而不是10进制，所以， 我们才会将一日分成两个12小时，
our hours into 60 minutes, and our minutes into 60 seconds. 1小时分为60分钟， 1分钟分为60秒．
The Sumerians also likely invented the wheel, 车轮很可能也是苏美尔人发明的，
which eventually leads to another innovation 这最终将导致
that will change the course of man, the chariot. 另一场改变人类进程的改革， 双轮战车．
Thus bringing together the Sumerian invention of the wheel 就那样子，将苏美尔人的发明结合在一起
with the domestication of the horse 车轮，还有被驯化了的马
that had occurred amongst these nomadic peoples 就在游牧的人们
into this really formidable piece of military technology. 打算迈进可怕的军事技术时 这种马正好出现了．
Around 1,200 B.C., 大约公元前1200年，
a chariot-driven clash of civilizations 双轮战车的冲击
cuts off trade routes for copper and tin, 切断了文明成市之间铜及?的贸易，
the metals we need to make bronze tools and weapons. 我们都需要金属来制造青铜器和武器．
But luckily, 幸运地，
the stars have made us an alternative, iron. 恒星为我们提供了代替品─铁．
Now, metalsmiths make a crucial discovery. 此时，铁匠们有一个决定性的发现．
By working at higher temperatures, 每当在高温下工作，
they can release the power of this ancient metal. 他们便能发挥出这些古老金属的真本领．
Easier to sharpen and 700 times more common on Earth than copper, 较容易造成利器的优点， 令它在地球上比铜普及700倍，
it is a game changer. 它改变了这场游戏．
Humanity enters the Iron Age. 人类步进铁器时代．
As we reach the first millennium B.C., history has taken us on a wild ride. 当我们步入公元前第一个千禧年之际， 历史已载着我们经历了一个疯狂之旅．
From the initial blast of the Big Bang, 由初始的宇宙大爆炸，
to the formation of Earth and its first creatures and the rise of man, 至地球形成，以及地球首批生物出现 然后是人类的起义，
we've seen the ice age create bridges to spread mankind around the world, 我们也看到了，冰河时期 制造了天然桥让人类可以通往全球，
then strand us on different continents, 然后，将我们困在不同的大陆上，
leaving us to survive on what we have at hand. 让我们只能以手头上仅有的物资求存．
So by 1,000 B.C., the world remains a divided place. 公元前1千年， 地球上的大陆仍然分成两大块．
The trade network that connects much of Eurasia and North Africa 当时，往来欧亚与北非的贸易网
doesn't yet penetrate the planet's driest deserts 还不用穿越地球上最干旱的沙漠
or cross the vastest oceans. 或渡过最浩瀚的海洋．
Cut off by geography are people 被地理环境孤立开来的
in places like Sub-Saharan Africa and the Americas. 是那些居住在 如黑非洲或美洲那种地区的人．
With few easy to domesticate plants and animals of their own, 为了令种植与饲养容易一点，
they remain tied to more ancient ways of life. 他们保留并沿用了较多古老方法．
600 B.C. 公元前600年
The cavalry have arrived. 骑兵出现了．
Humans ride into battle on horseback for the first time. 人类首次骑在马背上作战．
We've seen that just taming a horse gives man a massive advantage. 我们早前已看到，单是驯化马， 便已给人类带来莫大好处．
Now, pairing him with iron weapons makes him nearly unstoppable. 现在，将它与铁制武器组合在一起 更让它近乎是势不可挡．
These advances in technology, 这些技术上的进步，
they don't just make a fighting ability possible, 不单造就了战斗技术的可能性，
they make empires possible. 还造就了帝国的可能性．
And that is the story of the next several millennia. 那便是接下来数个千禧年的故事．
With new technology and improved logistics, empires spread, 随着新技术与逻辑的进步， 各帝国的势力扩张，
uniting massive land areas under a central control. 把大量区域联合起来，由中央负责管治．
As empires grow, 帝国在发展的同时，
so do new beliefs. 新的信仰也一样．
One interesting phenomenon we see with the rise of these empires 一个有趣的现象是 一神论是伴随各帝国的扩张而出现的
is this idea of monotheism, 还有，全能的上帝超越时空，
this idea of a universal god that develops over time, 创造了万物这信念也一样，
and it's just a phenomenon. 这纯粹只是一种现象．
Judaism emerges, from which we eventually get Christianity and Islam. 犹太教出现，从而， 最终衍生了基督教与伊斯兰教．
Buddhism and Hinduism also arise. 佛教与印度教也相继出现了．
The five major religions today are all rooted in this remarkable era. 当今的5大宗教 皆起源于这个卓越的年代．
Although empires spread, some great powers remain isolated. 尽管各帝国势力扩张， 某些强大势力却维持在独立状态．
The rise of the Himalayas 50 million years earlier 早5千万年前冒起的喜马拉雅山脉
has left China cut off from trading with the rest of the world. 切断了中国与所有其他国家的贸易．
But that is about to change. 但差不多是时候改变了．
Around 100 B.C., a Chinese emperor sends an envoy to the west 大约公元前100年， 一个中国皇帝派了外交使节
in search of alliances. 到西方堪找同盟．
The routes he travels will become the Silk Roads, 他所走的路线，将会成为丝绸之路，
a massive trade network that connects China 一个横跨中亚
across central Asia to the Roman Empire. 连系起中国与罗马帝国的庞大贸易网络．
China has joined the world. 中国加入了世界．
As far as we know, no Chinese trader ever met a Roman. 就我们所知，在丝绸之路发展初期．
No Roman ever met a Chinese trader, 没有一个中国人遇到过罗马人，
at least during this first period of the Silk Roads. 也没有罗马人遇到过中国人．
But this vast trade then began to explode. 不过，这个庞大的贸易网即将要爆发了．
Between about 100 B.C. and about 200 A.D., 大既在公元前100年至公元200年间，
we have three centuries of trade and cultural exchange 这3个世纪的贸易及文化交流所到的层次
on a level that has not been seen before in human history. 是人类历史上前所未见的．
But this new human network also unleashes 而这个新出现的人际网 却触发了
hidden dangers. 潜在的危机．
By the beginning of the Common Era, great empires have risen, 在公元年代初期，强大的帝国纷纷掘起，
and a massive trading network connects most of Europe and Asia. 庞大的贸易网， 让欧亚洲大部分国家产生了连系．
But the trade routes also carry an invisible threat, 但那些贸易路线， 同时伴着一个无形的威胁，
disease. 疾病．
Massive epidemics that some blame for taking down both the Roman Empire 罗马帝国与汉朝的灭亡
and China's Han Dynasty, 部分也要归因于传染病的爆发，
but these networks also lead to the spread of religion. 那些网络也带领着宗教的传播．
In 312 A.D., the Roman Emperor Constantine converts to Christianity, 公元312年， 罗马皇帝君士坦丁改信了基督教，
paving the way for it to become the dominant religion of Europe 他铺排好一切 让基督教成为欧洲及西方
and the West. 最具支配力的宗教．
Three centuries later, Islam also emerges, 3个世纪后，伊斯兰教出现了，
a religion that will, for a time, 有一段时间，
unify a territory two and a half times larger than Rome ever was. 这个宗教所统一的领土， 比罗马还大上2．5倍．
Arab trade will drive innovation for the next 1,000 years 阿拉伯贸易，会带动接下来1千年的革新
and expand the global network to places it has never gone before. 还会将全球网络， 扩展至一个前所未有的境界．
The Arabs are sitting in the middle of Afro-Eurasia. 阿拉伯人坐拥亚非欧大陆的中心．
There are Arab traders who are sailing off to China. 那儿会有一些阿拉伯商人 专门航海到中国．
There are Arab traders who are traveling all the way 也有一些阿拉伯商人，
to the Atlantic Ocean. 专门往大西洋行进．
So they are sitting in the middle of the hub. 所以，他们是坐在汇聚点的中心之上．
One secret to Arab trade? The camel. 关于阿拉伯商贸的秘密？骆驼．
A creature whose ancestor, like the horse, 它的祖先跟马一样，
escaped across the Bering land bridge out of North America. 穿过白令陆桥，逃离了北美洲．
A caravan of six camels can lug as much as two tons of cargo 一队有6只骆驼的商队 可以拉着重达2公吨的货物，
as far as 60 miles a day, 每天行走60哩，
twice the load of a donkey caravan in half the time. 承重量比驴子高1倍，还省了一半时间．
For the first time, camel caravans open up reliable trade routes 这是首次， 骆驼商队开辟了一条可靠的贸易路线
across the formidable Sahara Desert, 横越可怕的撒哈拉沙漠，
leading to the formation of the first states in West Africa. 这促使了东非第一个政府的形成．
Arabic trade expands, moving salt from the Sahara to Rome, 阿拉伯商贸的扩展， 把盐从撒哈拉带到罗马，
rice from Eastern Asia to India, 把米从东亚带到印度，
the secrets of making paper out of China into Europe, 将造纸的秘密带出中国，传进欧洲，
and countless other inventions and ideas around the world. 还有遍及全球， 数不尽的其他革新以及概念．
Where does our word for lemon come from? 我们哪来柠檬这个名字？
Where does our word for coffee come from? 我们又哪来咖啡这个名字？
They're all Arabic, because the Arabs brought a huge number 那都拜阿拉伯人所赐， 阿拉伯人将庞大数量的农作物
of food crops into Europe. 引入欧洲．
Oranges, citrus crops, they come from South China, 橙，柑橘之类的作物， 均来自中国南部，
yet they don't make it to the west until the great age of the Arabs. 一直没有人将它们引入西方 直至伟大的阿拉伯时代．
In Islamic North Africa, one Italian merchant named Leonardo Fibonacci 在信奉伊斯兰教的北非，一个名叫 李欧纳多 菲玻纳奇的意大利商人
becomes well-schooled in the ways of Arab traders. 成了阿拉伯人营商方式的优越学习者．
He picks up on a simple but ingenious counting system 他学了一套精而简的计算系统
that originated in India but is used extensively in the Arab world. 这套计算系统源于印度 却在阿拉伯世界被广泛使用．
His writings will spread this knowledge to Europe 他的著作，令这套系统传遍欧洲，
and around the globe. 甚至全球．
With everyone counting the same way, 随着所有人用同一系统计算，
business and trade will explode. 商贸的发展随之而爆发．
And because of Fibonacci, 就因为菲玻纳奇，
people today still, almost universally, 现今几乎所有人，
use the numbers known as Arabic Numerals. 皆沿用那种 称作“阿拉伯数系”的数目字．
But there is another idea Arab traders will spread, 阿拉伯商人还将会传播另一种构想，
something even more influential. 一种更具影响力的构想．
It originates in China around 800 A.D. 这是在公元800年发源于中国的．
A Chinese alchemist in search of an elixir for long life, 当时， 一个中国炼金术士正在研制长生不老药，
instead stumbles upon chemistry that can bring sudden death. 碰巧，却给他发现了 一种可舜间至人于死地的化学效应．
He combines carbon and sulfur with saltpeter, 他将碳，硫磺跟硝石，
a compound made of potassium, nitrogen, and oxygen. 一个钾的化合物，氮及氧混合．
Forged in the stars, these elements now come together 曾是恒星中的锻造工， 现在，那些元素一起来到这里
to make gunpowder. 制造火药．
The recipe for gunpowder eventually moves west across the Silk Roads 火药的处方最终传至西方 通过丝绸之路，
to the Islamic world, 传至伊斯兰世界，
where Muslim warriors use it to fire cannon balls at Christian crusaders. 在那里，伊斯兰教徒用火药制作炮炸 以轰炸基督教十字军．
Europeans pick up on the idea, 欧洲人依照这个概念，
embracing and perfecting gunpowder weapons. 抓住重点，并将火药武器完美化．
1,492 A.D. 公元1492年
There are roughly 400 million people in the world, 全球大约有4亿人口，
but it is still divided in two. 但他们依然被分隔两地．
In the Americas, the civilizations of the Aztecs, Mayans, and Incas 在美洲，阿滋特克文明， 玛雅文明及印加文明，
have all arisen. 全已纷纷掘起．
While halfway around the world, in the aftermath of the fall of Rome, 这时，正值全球的转捩点， 全世界正处于罗马帝国灭亡的余波中，
Europe has cracked like an egg into individual states. 欧洲如撞裂了的鸡蛋一样， 分裂成各个独立国．
For Italian-born Christopher Columbus, 对意大利裔的哥伦布来说，
this means he can appeal for funding from a succession of European rulers, 这就等如， 他可以向一连串欧洲统治者申请资金，
until he finally convinces the king and queen of Spain 所以他才有机会， 最终说服了西班牙国皇与皇后
to back his expeditions. 赞助他的远征探险计划．
It has taken all of Earth's history to make Columbus' journey possible. 是地球的所有历史， 让哥伦布之旅成为可能的．
For tacking into the wind, he uses triangular sails, 为使船只得以抢风转航向， 他选用了三角帆，
a technology copied from the Arabs. 一项从阿拉伯人那儿抄袭来的技术．
To guide him, the compass, an invention from China. 指南针是他的向导， 一项中国的发明．
And guiding the needle, 而操纵指针的，
a magnetic field formed with the core of the planet itself. 是地球本身的地心所形成的磁场．
Although Columbus is looking for a new way to sail to India, 哥伦布原本只想由海路 找一条通往印度的航道，
what he does instead is finally and forever 但最终，他所做的
connect the two halves of the world. 将永远把地球的两边连接起来．
The voyage is not just significant in American history. 这次航海，不仅对美国历史有重大意义．
As you'll see, it's a pivotal event in all of human history. 你将会看到，即使对全人类的历史， 它也有着非凡的意义．
Nothing will ever be the same. 万物皆不会始终如一．
The end of the ice age marooned large pockets of humanity 冰河时期未段 令人类分隔在地球两端的大陆上
on separate sides of the globe for over 15,000 years. 已过了1万5千多年．
Now, that's all about to change. 现在，一切皆是时候要改变了．
The voyage of Christopher Columbus in 1492 is taught 哥伦布于1492年的航海
as one of the most significant events in American history. 被列为美国历史最重大的事件之一．
In fact, it's one of the most significant events 事实上，这也是人类历史中，
in all of human history. 最重大的事件之一．
Prior to that voyage, the great world zones 在那次航海之前，地球上那两片大陆，
had existed largely in isolation. 依然处于近乎相互完全隔绝的状态．
By crossing the Atlantic, Columbus opens up 随着横渡大西洋， 哥伦布开辟了广大的美洲大陆
the vast American world zone, 而南美洲北美洲，
these two enormous continents of North and South America, 这两片广阔的陆地，
with the millions of people that are living there, 只住了数百万人口，
the resources that are available. 就是说，那里仍有相当丰富的资源．
And for the first time, 这是第一次，
people living in Eurasia become aware of this other part of the world. 住在欧亚的人们开始认识另一边的世界．
Until the voyage of Columbus, 在哥伦布航海之前，
these people might as well have been living on different planets, 人类有如居住在两个不同的星球，
so isolated were they. 双方完全互相隔绝．
A trade network that started with the first civilizations 与首批文明一同冒起的贸易网络
connected Europe, Asia, and Africa, now reaches across the Atlantic. 连系了欧洲，亚洲及非洲， 现在，我们已渡过了大西洋．
In this vast, new global network, new hubs will form, 在这个崭新的庞大全球网络里， 会有新的汇聚点形成，
and once again, power will shift. 又一次，势力会再度转移．
For most of the last 2,000 years, Europe hasn't been that important. 在过去2千年大部分时间里， 欧洲从未显得如此重要过．
Then we get the age of Columbus, and what do you know? 我们踏入了哥伦布年代，
This is exactly the time where we see the rise of the West. 这绝对是我们看着西方起飞的年代．
This is when the West starts taking over. 这是西方自有史以来．
When it gets itself smack-bang in the middle 初尝成为全球最大
of the biggest exchange network the world has ever seen. 贸易网络中心的年代．
Now, foods that had been isolated on disconnected continents 现在，因地理环境而被隔绝了的食物资源
begin to move around the world. 开始被运遍全球．
Maize from the Americas shows up in Egypt and China. 美洲生产的粟米，出现在埃及与中国．
Potatoes from the Andes prove perfectly suited 安地斯山脉的薯仔 已被证实
to the soils of Ireland and Russia. 很适应爱尔兰及俄罗斯的土壤．
The old Fertile Crescent grains like wheat 古老的新月沃地生产的谷类作物， 如小麦
begin to feed the Americas. 开始成为美洲人的日常粮食．
New foods mean more calories, more energy. 新的食物代表有更多卡路里， 有更多能量．
Within three centuries of Columbus' voyage, 哥伦布发现新大陆后不到3个世纪，
the population of the world will more than double to 900 million. 全球人口激增了超过一倍， 总人口达9亿．
But the unequal hands dealt to the two hemispheres 两边地球的不平衡分配
now play out in a deadly climax. 现在，要在致命的顶峰上结束了．
European conquistadors, 欧洲的征服者，
inheritors of the agriculture and animals of the Fertile Crescent 结束了新月沃土农业 及牲畜继承者们的继承权
and the trade spread along the vast networks of the old world, 并着手拓展那旧有的庞大贸易网络，
come bearing guns, riding horses, and carrying infectious diseases. 他们均佩枪骑马， 还带着传染病．
The result, slaughter. 酿成的结果，大屠杀．
In the years following Columbus' first voyage, 在哥伦布首度成航后数年间，
95% of the native population in the Americas 95%的美洲原住民
will die from European guns and germs. 将会死于欧洲人带来的枪枝或病菌之下．
Once the hemispheres are connected, nothing can ever be the same. 一旦地球的两边产生了连系， 一切皆不可能一如往昔．
Take the incredible story of sugar. 就来看看糖那出人意表的故事．
Chemically, it's the only source of fuel for our brains, 化学理论上， 它是我们脑部所需燃料的唯一来源，
a substance we are programmed to crave. 是一种我们身体机能要求的物质．
Raw sugar comes mostly from sugarcane. 原糖绝大多数来自甘蔗．
Once again, a grass will play a central role in the story of mankind. 重申一次，草是人类历史上 一个很重要的角色．
First cultivated more than 6,000 years ago in Asia, 6千多年前，草在亚洲首度被人工培植，
Europeans discovered sugar in the Middle East during the Crusades, 十字军东征期间 欧洲人于中东发现了糖，
and carried it home. 并带了回家乡．
Europe was hooked, 整个欧洲都为之着迷了，
but there's virtually nowhere in Europe where sugar can grow. 但整个欧洲， 几乎没有一个地方能成功培植出糖．
Then we have Christopher Columbus and the discovery of the new world. 然后，我们有哥伦布所发现的新大陆．
And the Spanish conquistadors, 而西班牙的征服者们，
yes, they initially are very interested in the gold and the silver. 最初，他们的确对金银相当感兴趣．
But really they just wanna make it rich, 但终归，他们的最终目的是要富有，
they don't care how they're gonna make it rich. t哪管它是什么途径．
And once the gold and the silver has been looted, 当新大陆的金银都被洗劫光了，
the next step is to open sugar plantations. 下一步，便是开发糖的种植场．
The Spanish themselves don't want to work in the sugar plantations. 西班牙人不想亲自在种植场里工作．
They start looking around for a new labor force. 他们开始四处另觅新的劳动力．
And over on the other side of the Atlantic, 而在大西洋的另一端，
there is a place where they can buy slaves. 有一个可以让他们购买奴隶的地方．
And if we look at the history of slavery, 我们翻查奴隶制的历史便会发现，
the number one destination of slaves from Africa are sugar plantations. 从非洲被买走的奴隶 被送往糖种植场的占最多数．
So the history of sugar 可见糖的历史
shapes the development of history through the Middle East, 反映着我们的历史进程 中东，十字军，
through the Crusades, through the conquest of Mesoamerica, 接着，征服中美洲，
and even the history of slavery from Africa to the Americas. 甚至是，非洲至美洲奴隶制的历史．
In the year 1700, mankind has hit a wall. 在公元1700年， 人类撞墙了．
Most humans continue to live simple lives 大部分人仍然过着非常简单的生活
more like our ancient ancestors than our own. 简直与我们古代的祖先无异．
When you think back to the world in 1700, 你看看公元1700年的世界，
most people were farmers, 大部分人是农夫，
most people practiced small scale subsistence agriculture, 大部分人以小规模耕种为生，
most manufacturing was done in workshops. 大部分生产都来自小工场．
In 1700, it takes over a year 在1700年，让货物或资讯
for cargo and information to circle the planet, 环绕地球一周需时超过1年，
longer than it would take us today to get to Mars. 比我们现今往火星一赵还要久．
What's holding us back is how we power our lives. 我们是否停滞不前， 是看我们用什么方法推动生活．
In Egypt of 2,000 B.C., 90% of all work was done by human muscle, 公元前2千年的埃及， 有90%工作是靠人类的体力完成，
with animals kicking in the rest. 剩余的才借助动物的力量．
By 1700 in Europe, the majority of work, 70%, 公元1700年的欧洲， 主要工作当中，
is still driven by human muscle. 有70%仍然要依靠人类的体力．
Muscle power alone can't clear the path to the modern age, 单靠人类体能，是无法走向现代社会的，
but there's a breakthrough hidden deep within the Earth. 有一个突破口，深藏在地球之中．
As our history of the world in two hours races towards a close, 我们两小时的万物竞赛历史 正当接近尾声时，
mankind has hit a wall. 人类撞墙了．
Human progress is stalled by the limits of our muscle. 人类的进展被人类体能的极限困住了．
To break through, we'll need a new way to power our lives 要打破困局， 我们便要另觅新方法推动我们的生活
and the entire history of the world. 继而推动万物历史．
Remember that billions of years ago iron from exploding stars 还记得在数十亿年前 众恒星爆炸产生的铁聚集在一起
was gathered up into planet Earth during its formation. 在地球形成期间，被吸进地球之中．
Thousands of years ago, 数千年前，
man started using this iron for tools and weapons. 人类开始用铁来制造工具及武器．
To keep our forges burning, we began cutting down our forests. 为了维持熔铁炉的火， 我们开始砍伐我们的森林．
Now, 300 years ago in Britain, iron is in high demand, 然后，在300年前的英国， 铁的需求量相当大，
and the trees are running out. 而树木则越来越少．
The British need a new source of fuel. 英国人需要一种新资源作燃料．
And thanks to the decayed remains of ancient ferns, 多亏了那些古代残留的羊齿植物，
they have one. Coal. 他们找到了．煤．
But coal itself won't power mankind into the modern world. 但单靠煤，并不足以推动人类走向现代．
There's one more fateful twist in the story. 故事中还有一个决定性的转折．
As the quest for coal takes miners ever deeper into the ground, 为了掘煤矿，矿工前所未有的深入地底，
water begins flooding the tunnels. 矿坑开始被水淹没．
To pump out the water, a new invention is needed. 为了抽走矿坑的积水， 需要有一项新发明．
In 1712, Thomas Newcomen produces a pump powered by burning coal 公元1712年， 托玛斯 纽克门制造了一台以烧煤为动力，
and driven by steam. 用蒸汽驱动的抽吸机器．
Newcomen's machine is the first practical steam engine. 纽克门的机器是第一台 真正可付诸实践的蒸汽发动机．
It is this combination, energy and engine, fuel and machine, 就是这样的组合 ─发动机，能源，燃料，机械，
that will free man from the limits of his own muscle 解放了人类自身体能极限的束缚
and change the world. 它将会改变世界．
The industrial revolution begins. 工业革命开始了．
Along with political revolutions in America and, later France, 随着政治的革命， 首先是美洲，然后是法国，
this technological revolution forever transforms the landscape of the world. 这场技术上的革命 将永远改变地球的面貌．
And before long, the Atlantic world has become the new economic, 过了不久，大西洋世界便成了新领袖，
therefore cultural, therefore political, therefore military leader, 无论是经济上， 文化上，政治上，以至军事上，
and will utterly dominate global geopolitics from that moment to this. 直到今天， 它依然支配着全世界的地缘政治．
Trains thunder across the countryside. 火车轰隆轰隆地横越郊外．
By the 1870s, the internal combustion engine has arrived, 在1870年代，内燃机出现了，
and the Germans invent its killer app, the automobile. 德国人发明了他们的杀手简机械─汽车．
Oil, the substance which the ancients considered too flammable 汽油，我们的祖先 认为它太过易燃而不加使用
to be of any use, becomes the most important commodity on the planet, 最后却成了地球上最重要的日用品，
fueling even more innovation. 甚至激发出更多新事物．
The telegraph and telephone move messages at lightning speed. 电报及电话，以光速传递资讯．
With electricity, mankind reclaims the night from darkness. 电力的使用，人类使晚间不再漆黑一遍．
The hub of power has shifted. 势力的重心转移了．
In 1800, Europeans and their descendants 公元1800年，欧洲人及他们的后裔
control 35% of the land on Earth. 支配了地球上35%的土地．
By 1900, they control 85%. 公元1900年， 他们支配的土地达85%．
By the 20th century, fossil fuels and the internal combustion engine 20世纪，古老的燃料与内燃机
have amplified everything, 代表着一切，
including warfare. 包括财富．
That technology meant that military power and military conquest 那项技术代表着军事力量与军事侵略
was something that could be international, 而军事侵略，是可以跨越国际的，
international in a way that it had never been before. 那种国际性程度， 甚至可以是前所未见的．
In the 20th century, 在20世纪，
almost three times as many people are killed as a result of war 于战火中死去的人口数量
as in the previous 2,000 years of human history combined. 几乎是之前2千年间 死于战火的总人口3倍．
The application of the industrial skills, the industrial technologies 面对18世纪的特殊事件， 在工业技术的应用上
of the 18th century reached their culmination, I think, 我相信18世纪的发明家们，
with these extraordinary events. 已到了他们的顶峰．
And it's all being driven again by the micro-fossilized bodies of organic 一切又再被那些 附着有机体的微小石化身体所驱动
entities that disappeared into ancient swamps 它们在不知多少百万年前
millions and millions of years ago. 一度消失于古老的沼泽地．
The industrial revolution also allows the human population to explode. 工业革命也允许了全球人口的爆发．
It has taken 200,000 years of human history, 累积了20万年人类历史，
from the dawn of man to the year 1900, 从人类的出现，到公元1900年，
for the population to reach 1.6 billion. 全球人口终于达到16亿．
Now, within the 100 years of the 20th century, 现在，踏进20世纪不到100年，
it nearly quadruples to more than six billion. 全球人口增长了将近4倍， 已超越60亿．
The 20th century is the most extraordinary moment in human history. 20世纪是人类历史中最非凡的时代．
Never before have we seen change on such a scale. 我们不曾有过如此大幅度的变化．
Today, humans number close to seven billion. 今天，全球人口将近70亿．
We are the dominant players on the planet. 我们是地球上的支配者．
We have learned to harness 50,000 times more energy 我们的祖先，跟我们相差只不过1万年
than our ancestors just 10,000 years ago. 我们能驾驭的能源， 已超越他们5万倍之多．
This energy drives our fast-paced lives, 这些能源带领着我们急速的生活步伐，
and a literal World Wide Web, a network that, as we have seen, 以及一个名乎其实的全球网络， 那个网络，我们刚才见证了，
has been in the making for as long as humans have walked the Earth. 自人类开始于地球上行走， 便一直持续建立着．
Our two-hour story is coming to an end, 我们两小时的故事即将要结束，
a story that really began 14 billion years ago, 一个开始于140亿年前o，
with a tiny universe where everything was all in one place. 万物存在于一个 小小宇宙之中的真实故事．
Then the Big Bang, 然后，宇宙大爆炸，
all the energy that has ever existed created in an instant. 所有不曾出现过的能源， 舜间被创造出来了．
Gravity sculpted our universe. 引力塑造了全世界．
For billions of years, stars and supernovas created 用了数十亿年时间， 众恒星及超级新星群，
all the elements we would eventually need. 创造出我们日后需要的各种物质．
Then, an extreme Earth took shape 然后，一个狂热的地球成形了
and settled into just the right conditions to support life. 渐渐转化成一个适合生命生长的环境．
As the planet evolved, life competed for energy 随着地球的演化，生命互相争夺能源，
and grew more and more complex. 并生长得越来越复杂．
Eventually, the conditions were right for our species to rise. 最后，终于形成一个 适合我们这种生物发迹的环境．
We mastered stone and fire. 我们成功控制了石与火．
When the ice age came, we spread around the planet. 冰河时期来临时， 我们将栖息地分散于全球．
And when the ice melted, we were stranded on different continents. 冰层溶化时， 我们被分隔在不同的大陆上．
We learned to bend plants and animals to our will. 为了将来，我们学习培养植物及动物．
We built cities, then civilizations. 我们建立城镇，发展文明．
We created a vast network that linked empires, 我们建立了一个庞大网络， 使各帝国产生连系，
joined continents, then crossed oceans. 连接起大陆，然后，越过海洋．
Just when it seemed we had reached our human limit, 正当我们看似已到达人类极限，
we found the energy and technology to carry us into the future. 我们找到 能带领我们走向未来的能源与科技．
On Earth, the seeds of the past have bloomed into a present 在地球上，一切过去撒下的种子 在充满能源与创造力的现代繁华盛放
filled with energy and creativity. 以宇宙作背景
The stories of billions of lives have played out against 牵涉到数十亿种生物终结的一个故事
the backdrop of a universe almost too vast to comprehend. 要完全领会，似乎是过于浩瀚．
In everything that we do, in all that we are, 我们所做的一切，我们所在的地方，
we remain living monuments to the past, 均会留下生活的痕迹，成为过去，
as we continue to make history every day. 终归，我们每天也在制造着历史．