From the Legends of King Arthur and Robin Hood to the recent events of the Russian Revolution, history is full of fascinating and evocative unsolved mysteries. They have inspired, intrigued and often confounded us – but how much do we really know about them? And can we separate fact from fiction? In Mystery Files, the dust is blown off the case files of the world’s most famous and iconic mysteries in a dynamic series that asks, what is the truth behind the greatest stories ever told?
Author and medical historian Dr. Lindsey Fitzharris uses science, tests, and demonstrations to shed new light on famous deaths, ranging from drug lord Pablo Escobar to magician Harry Houdini. Using her lab to perform virtual autopsies, experiment with blood samples, interview witnesses and conduct real-time demonstrations, Dr. Fitzharris puts everything about these mysterious deaths to the test.
Sprawling estates and magnificent castles dot Britain's landscape, passed down from one aristocratic heir or heiress to the next. But life in a stately home isn't quite the fairy tale it's made out to be. Join Julie Montagu, Viscountess Hinchingbrooke as she ventures through some of the most storied and remarkable estates in Great Britain. From England's Newby Hall and Holdenby House to Scotland's Inveraray and Floors Castles, this is an all-access look at grand residences and the families who keep their histories alive.
In the heart of Beijing lies the largest palace in the world, The Forbidden City. For five hundred years, it served as the home of the almighty Emperors of China along with their wives, concubines, and entourages of tens of thousands of eunuchs and civil servants. But the Forbidden City is more than an imperial residence; it is the center of the universe, a unique complex of structures revealing a hierarchy of power both imperial and divine.
Enter the battlefields of Africa, arenas bathed in a history of savagery and blood, where big cats and big crocs have reigned supreme for centuries. Here in the open plains, muddy swamps, and deep rivers, these super predators don't simply survive in hostile and unforgiving conditions, they thrive because of them. See how these four-legged assassins adapt to their surroundings and use the terrain to unlock new hunting techniques, seek out new prey, and amplify their age-old skills by using the lay of the land.
Fifteen miles south of Cairo lies the site of a royal graveyard...and an ancient crime scene. When archaeologists discovered a 4,000-year-old burial chamber there, still sealed with a 10-ton capstone, they hoped to uncover a preserved body and perhaps even treasure. Instead, they found the tomb had been robbed. Now, experts must find out how the seemingly unopened chamber was disturbed and reveal the identity of the royal figure buried there.
There's no better way to take in Greece's great diversity, natural beauty, and mythic grandeur than to experience it from a god's-eye-view. This exhilarating aerial tour whisks you away on a four-part, cross-country journey above the heart of Athens, over the timeless, contrasting Aegean archipelago, and across eastern islands of mesmerizing beauty and priceless heritage. Along with the physical splendors, we also explore the human stories of the people who embody the ingenuity, resilience, and vibrant spirit of this remarkable country.
Follows the action at Johannesburg’s two biggest international airports, as well as urban helicopter crews flying life-or-death medivac missions and aviation teams in Botswana and Madagascar protecting and serving humans and animals.
Follow the evolution of advertising from the 1950s through the 1980s, via interviews with the industry's top ad executives, and through classic ads and commercials.
A chronicle of the daily challenges of the airport staff who manage to keep the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) open, freight flowing, and passengers flying, all despite weather that regularly dips to -38 Fahrenheit and wind speeds that typically exceed 100 mph.
To many, the legacy of King Henry VIII begins and ends with his six wives. But remarkable though his marital history is, it is not what defines him. Just as influential were the men who surrounded him before and during his 37-year reign as King of England. Join host Dr. Tracy Borman as she reveals the story of Britain's most famous monarch and how his male advisors, ministers, family, and friends molded his views, shaped his destiny, suffered his ruthlessness, and, in the end, exploited his vulnerability.
Join host Adam Mastrelli as he brings us face-to-face with the puzzling treasures of remarkable relics that are full of secrets, written in stone, gold, and blood. Explore hidden corners of the world, decipher ancient documents, and apply groundbreaking research and forensic techniques in our quest to discover the truth about these fabled cities, monuments, and remnants.
Join Elizabeth McGovern as she takes an in-depth look at the young American heiresses whose real life stories inspired the acclaimed TV drama Downton Abbey. This series explores the time between the 1870s and the outbreak of World War One, when more than 200 daughters of America's new industrial millionaires marry into the money-strapped British aristocracy. They use their affluence, allure and ingenuity to their advantage, and they bring dramatic changes to the English ruling class and eventually the world.
Buddhists, Hindus, and hundreds of thousands of travelers from around the globe flock to Cambodia every year to experience the grandeur of Angkor. Its famous temples were built over the span of five centuries by the rulers of the Khmer Empire, and endure today as one of Earth's greatest archaeological wonders. We peel away the myth and legend to uncover the hidden story behind the creation of this ancient city.
The European Union has been beset by a series of comings and goings over the last few years, each triggering its own brand of crisis. The civil war in Syria created the biggest wave of refugees to hit Europe since World War II, sparking contested debates on how to divvy up tens of thousands of refugees across E.U. countries. Meanwhile, in the U.K., Britain's vote in favor of Brexit added to the turmoil. Go behind the scenes with firsthand accounts of Europe's tumultuous last decade and its impact around the globe.
How did the world we call home come to be? Combining the latest scientific discoveries and theories with CGI, we journey through eons of fire and ice to detail how Earth evolved into a habitable planet and how humanity's success is putting us and our environment in peril.