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George McGavin

Fred Hepburn

Marcus Herbert

After Life: The Strange Science of Decay

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Factual: Science & Nature

06/12/2011

BBC Four - After Life: The Strange Science of Decay

A journey into the science of decay, using a typical kitchen and a garden left to rot.

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.

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