After Life: The Strange Science of Decay
Dr George McGavin examines the fascinating science of decay when a unique experiment involving a rotting kitchen and garden is captured over two months by time-lapse photography.
Ever wondered what would happen in your own home if you were taken away, and everything inside was left to rot? The answer is revealed in this fascinating programme, which explores the strange and surprising science of decay.
For two months in summer 2011, a glass box containing a typical kitchen and garden was left to rot in full public view within Edinburgh Zoo. In this resulting documentary, presenter Dr George McGavin and his team use time-lapse cameras and specialist photography to capture the extraordinary way in which moulds, microbes and insects are able to break down our everyday things and allow new life to emerge from old.
Decay is something that many of us are repulsed by. But as the programme shows, it's a process that's vital in nature. And seen in close-up, it has an unexpected and sometimes mesmerising beauty.
Last on
After Life: Rot Box Detectives
Dr George McGavin and a team of young science detectives investigate rot and decay.
Time-lapse clips
Watch a fruit bowl decay - and a chicken, a pig on a spit, burgers and a rat. Delightful!
Clips
-
After Life: The Strange Science of Decay
Duration: 02:17
-
Pig Dissection
Duration: 00:59
-
The Maggot Challenge
Duration: 01:29
-
Fry Trap
Duration: 01:07
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Presenter | George McGavin |
Series Producer | Fred Hepburn |
Executive Producer | Marcus Herbert |
Broadcasts
- Tue 6 Dec 2011 21:00
- Wed 7 Dec 2011 02:30
- Fri 9 Dec 2011 01:25
- Fri 9 Dec 2011 01:3091热爆 HD
- Thu 29 Dec 2011 21:00
- Thu 3 May 2012 21:00
- Fri 4 May 2012 02:10
- Mon 6 Aug 2012 22:00
- Tue 7 Aug 2012 02:00
- Thu 10 Oct 2013 22:00
- Thu 11 Jun 2015 23:50
- Thu 1 Oct 2015 23:30
- Wed 31 Aug 2016 01:00
- Mon 5 Sep 2016 02:30
- Sun 23 Jul 2017 22:50
Rot Box - Webcast
View the life cycle of a fly unfold before your very eyes and see microbes at work.