It has sparked wars and toppled empires, inspired legends and captivated our imagination. Throughout the course of human history, gold has been sought, mined, treasured and hoarded.GOLD! ventures across the world and through the ages to tell the story of mankind s oldest obsession. It examines every aspect of our complicated relationship with this most precious of metals, from the gilded dreams of conquistadors and 49ers to gold s role in shaping economies and societies. Visits to world-famous museums showcase the glittering treasures of ancient civilizations, while an extraordinary tour of a three-mile-deep mine in South Africa s Witwatersrand Basin offers a rare, up-close view of workers wresting the timeless treasure from the clutches of the earth.