Microsoft Ancient Lands

{{short description|Multimedia software}}

{{Infobox video game

| title = Microsoft Ancient Lands

| developer = Microsoft Home

| genre = Edutainment

| released = 1994

}}

Microsoft Ancient Lands is a 1994 "infotainment" multimedia software title, part of the Microsoft Home series, covering the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece, and Rome.{{Cite web|title=The Classical Outlook:Random Access:Fall 1995|url=https://www.centaursystems.com/archives/zcol_95b.html|access-date=2020-11-02|website=www.centaursystems.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/1995/1212/12101.html|title=Wrapping Up CD-ROMs for Christmas|date=December 12, 1995|via=Christian Science Monitor}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.tes.com/news/incredible-journeys|title=Incredible journeys|website=Tes}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.oldgames.sk/mag/score-16/page/73/|title=www.oldgames.sk :: Časopisy BiT, Excalibur, Score, Riki|website=www.oldgames.sk}} It featured 21 animations and video sequences and 5 hours of video,{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ET2qCAAAQBAJ&q=%22Microsoft%22+%22Ancient+Lands%22&pg=PA31|title=The Information Superhighway and Private Households: Case Studies of Business Impacts|first1=Walter|last1=Brenner|first2=Lutz|last2=Kolbe|date=December 6, 2012|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=9783642484230|via=Google Books}}{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WKaekAHjQ1EC&q=%22Microsoft%22+%22Ancient+Lands%22&pg=PA150|title=PC Mag|date=September 13, 1994|publisher=Ziff Davis, Inc.|via=Google Books}} and allowed users to learn about aspects of life like cooking and working.{{Cite web|url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/fsp/1994/7/13/informatica/14.html|title=Folha de S.Paulo - Conheça novos títulos em CD - 13/7/1994|website=www1.folha.uol.com.br}}

In 1995, a computer lab was available at Andover Elementary School with Microsoft products including Ancient Lands.{{Cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1995-10-23-9510230381-story.html|title=COMPUTER LAB NOW OPEN TO RESIDENTS|first=Hartford|last=Courant|website=courant.com}}

The Chicago Times felt the title would appeal to teachers and parents who wanted children to be interested in history and culture.{{Cite web|last=Coates|first=James|title=MICROSOFT'S SOUPED-UP CHARIOT BRAKES FOR ANCIENT LANDS|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-09-23-9409230286-story.html|access-date=2020-11-02|website=chicagotribune.com|language=en-US}} The Washington Post thought it is easy to be wrapped up in the title's wealth of information.{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1994/09/28/everything-new-is-old-again/67f3a17d-62be-43fa-a83d-f64349615f19/|title=EVERYTHING NEW IS OLD AGAIN|first1=Don|last1=Oldenburg|first2=Rob|last2=Pegoraro|date=September 28, 1994|via=www.washingtonpost.com}} PC Mag wrote the title could inspire children to visit a museum.{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AghQgqwUzgUC&q=%22Microsoft%22+%22Ancient+Lands%22&pg=PA364|title=PC Mag|date=January 24, 1995|publisher=Ziff Davis, Inc.|via=Google Books}}