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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.

1 hour, 30 minutes

Last on

Sun 23 Jul 2017 22:50

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter George McGavin
Series Producer Fred Hepburn
Executive Producer Marcus Herbert

Broadcasts

Rot Box - Webcast

View the life cycle of a fly unfold before your very eyes and see microbes at work.