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UNCOVER ancient artifacts and find out what they mean in today’s society, on THE RElic HunteR WITH ian grant

- Modern-day ‘Indiana Jones’ travels the world in search of rare, mystical pieces

of the past -

Embark on an adventure across the globe with Ian Grant on Discovery Travel & Living’s new series The Relic Hunter With Ian Grant, as he goes in search of unusual relics used by different cultures and reveals the roles that these ancient objects play – whether in daily life or exotic ceremonies and rituals. From India’s Malabar Coast and the Himalayas in Nepal to the remote mountains of Romania and the rainforests of Peru, Ian uncovers exotic relics that supercede the realm of ordinary. The Relic Hunter With Ian Grant premieres every at , starting . Encores .

Ian Grant is an intrepid adventurer and obsessive collector who has a penchant for straying way off the beaten path to track down incredible and sometimes mystical objects. As an art historian and world-class professional buyer, Ian specialises in finding the unusual, the unique and often overlooked. Looking for a traditional Apinti "talking" drum or three-stringed "guimbri"? Ian’s your man. More than trendy souvenirs, these artifacts serve as mouthpieces for remote tribes and villagers, giving them a voice that would normally be overshadowed in the modern society.

The adventure-enthusiast’s travels are not just a ‘treasure hunt’. Ian also gains an understanding of local customs by engaging in various activities, such as participating in a Voodoo sacrifice in the jungles of Togo, West Africa; riding wild horses with the traditional honour guard in the Atlas Mountains; and learning how to use the “breath of death” with a blowgun in the Peruvian Amazon.

Come along on a journey of adventure and discovery, of the past and the present, on these episodes of The Relic Hunter With Ian Grant:

India

While on the hunt for relics in India, Ian explores a legacy of riches left in the wake of the historic spice trade. Travelling along the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala, Ian visits local craftsmen and villagers, whose traditions and methods of creating luxury goods for the wealthy have remained unchanged for hundreds of years.

Nepal

In the Katmandu Valley of the Himalayas, Ian discovers extraordinary relics inspired by one of the holiest places on Earth - Nepal. As he explores the ancient cities and surrounding mountain villages, Ian participates indifferent religious Buddhism, Hinduism and Shamanism ceremonies, and becomes enamored by the different artifacts used in these traditional ceremonies.

Morocco

Ian travels to Morocco to hunt for relics inspired by the legendary Tran-Saharan trade route. Focusing his search in and around the former imperial city of Fez, he discovers a wealth of traditional items still being made by local artisans using time-honored methods. Ian also encounters a centuries-old religious ritual where he's presented with his ultimate object – a three-stringed lute called a "guimbri" used by the Gnawa people of Morocco.

Turkey

While hunting for artifacts in Turkey, Ian discovers a legacy of eastern influences brought to the area by the legendary Silk Road. Ian's quest for his ultimate object - a hand-tied Turkish rug - takes him into the Toros mountains, where he discovers descendents of nomads still making rugs using centuries-old techniques.

Suriname

While hunting for relics in South America, Ian chances upon one of the most ethnically diverse yet least explored countries in the world - Suriname. As he traces Suriname's fascinating history, he discovers a strange brew of African, Asian, European and native Amerindian cultures. Travelling deep into the jungle, Ian negotiates for a traditional Apinti "talking" drum as well as a hand-carved paddle made by the Maroons, descendents of runaway slaves.

Peru

Ian treks deep into the rainforest of Peru to search for relics inspired by one of the most rugged regions in the world - the Amazon Basin. Travelling along the river by boat, he encounters indigenous tribes of people who maintain traditional, primitive lifestyles. Ian's quest for an authentic Yagua blowgun takes him to a tiny village where he learns firsthand how to make and use "the breath of death" to hunt for small game.

Benin/Togo

In his search to uncover relics associated with voodoo, Ian travels to Benin and Togo, where he encounters a culture full of fetish markets, animal sacrifices, countless deities and bizarre rituals - many never before captured on film. A pair of authentic voodoo dolls, a ceremonial mask and a voodoo priest's sacred fetish stool are among the objects Ian seeks to add to his collection of artifacts from around the world.

Romania

Ian ventures to the Maramures region of Romania to search for relics that symbolise this isolated area's medieval way of life. As he travels through the picturesque countryside, Ian discovers a rural landscape dotted with peasant farmhouses and tiny wooden churches. Even more unbelievable are the archaic customs, the folk art, and the everyday objects that characterise this fairytale-like land.

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About Discovery Travel & Living

Discovery Travel & Living, a Discovery Lifestyle Network, is an in-home getaway for adults aged 18-45 who want to experience the best the world has to offer. Providing an eclectic mix of programming on travel, food, design and decor, Discovery Travel & Living encourages viewers to live life well and make the most of their free time by pursuing unique interests and experiences. Launched in Asia-Pacific on January 1, 2005, Discovery Travel & Living is currently distributed to nearly 133 million subscribers in the region. Discovery Lifestyle Networks is the only portfolio of networks for markets outside of the United States offering lifestyle entertainment that enriches viewers’ lives by focusing on personal experiences and practical advice for greater enjoyment of life. For more information, visit Discovery Travel & Living at

About Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world’s number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in more than 170 countries. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Discovery Science and Discovery HD, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including . In Asia-Pacific, seven Discovery brands reach 458 million cumulative subscribers in 32 countries with programming customized in 10 languages.

ian grant

biography

Ian Grant has a job most people would envy - he travels for a living. As an art historian and world-class professional buyer, Ian Grant hunts for unusual artifacts and objects overseas, and sells them to top retail shops and interior designers around the world.

His business, Bjorling-Grant, has earned a reputation in the design world as one of the best sources for beautiful cultural objects from around the world.

In college, Ian acquired two degrees: one in history and another in art history. He studied at the National Gallery and the British Museum in London in a self structured course during college, and helped curate shows at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

He was lured away from graduate school, however, when he started selling high-end Persian rugs. Ian fell in love with a job that combined art, history, culture and hard-nosed bargaining.

Ian’s work has taken him to places such as Mekong Delta, the mountains of Laos, the coast of southern India, Thailand, and Nepal, as well as remote villages and bazaars in Africa and Central America - by truck, motorscooter, dugout canoe or whatever it takes to score that relic. In addition, Ian also works closely with artisans in developing countries to create environmentally-sustainable products.

Ian’s never looked back – he can now tell you the exchange rates for ten different currencies and the exact shipping times from ports on every continent.

Says Ian: “Tons of people would love to do what I do, but it’s not as simple as getting off a plane, buying stuff, and shipping it home. You have to know your prices, know the competition, and you need an ‘eye’. It’s not a vacation—it’s a business. But when I discover a treasure in a back alley or see the sun come up over Angkor Watt, I realize I have a pretty good job.”

Ian currently lives in Minneapolis with his wife Lisa and son Alex. He runs marathons, practices a variety of martial arts, and plays hockey and the violin, although not at the same time.

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