Uploaded July 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
The dragon was the ultimate mythical beast – why did so many civilisations believe in this terrifying fire breathing monster?
From Scandinavia to China, stories of dragons appear across the globe. Some ancient civilisations saw the dragon as a symbol of evil, others revered them and welcomed their help. But why does the dragon appear in so many different cultures? Science and archaeology are starting to shed new light on the truth behind this mythological super-beast. The discovery of prehistoric dinosaur bones may have convinced our ancestors that these terrifying creatures really did exist. But why were some dragons believed to breathe fire and control the weather. The hunt for the truth behind the dragon myths reveals some of our deepest darkest fears.
For thousands of years, civilisations believed in mythical beasts – Dragons, Cyclops, Giants, Vampires and Sea Monsters. They still fascinate us today, but where did the stories of these fabled creatures come from? How much truth lies behind the legends, and what can these myths tell us about the medieval and ancient people that created in them? This series combines action-packed location filming and computer-generated animation, with experts in archaeology and palaeontology, to unearth the secrets behind some of the most famous and terrifying mythical beasts.
Subscribe to Element 18 – bit.ly/337R2uO
The dragon was the ultimate mythical beast – why did so many civilisations believe in this terrifying fire breathing monster?
From Scandinavia to China, stories of dragons appear across the globe. Some ancient civilisations saw the dragon as a symbol of evil, others revered them and welcomed their help. But why does the dragon appear in so many different cultures? Science and archaeology are starting to shed new light on the truth behind this mythological super-beast. The discovery of prehistoric dinosaur bones may have convinced our ancestors that these terrifying creatures really did exist. But why were some dragons believed to breathe fire and control the weather. The hunt for the truth behind the dragon myths reveals some of our deepest darkest fears.
For thousands of years, civilisations believed in mythical beasts – Dragons, Cyclops, Giants, Vampires and Sea Monsters. They still fascinate us today, but where did the stories of these fabled creatures come from? How much truth lies behind the legends, and what can these myths tell us about the medieval and ancient people that created in them? This series combines action-packed location filming and computer-generated animation, with experts in archaeology and palaeontology, to unearth the secrets behind some of the most famous and terrifying mythical beasts.
Subscribe to Element 18 – bit.ly/337R2uO
