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- The Incas held lavish banquets for their mummified chiefs, where corpses were dressed in fine clothes, exquisite jewelry and offer the choicest food and drink. This program tries to uncover the secrets of the world's most mysterious death cult.
- The structure of Machu Picchu, originally built by the Incas, is one of the most archaeologically stunning mysteries of the past. However, even today we are still unsure what its purpose was. Was it an observatory? A pleasure retreat? Or a Fortress? This program attempts to uncover the historical and spiritual mysteries of this magical place.
- "The Miraculous Canals of Venice" looks into why - and how - Venetians built their city on 120 islands in the Adriatic.
- Roam the high seas in search of adventure and booty with Blackbeard the pirate and women buccaneers like Anne Bonny. Visit a sunken city once known as "the wickedest place on earth" and learn the facts of the pirates of Port Royal.
- "Black Death" looks at the plague that, beginning in the 6th century, killed millions on three continents.
- In 1799, the breakthrough needed to decipher the hieroglyphs was accidentally discovered. The Rosetta Stone -- a cryptic, black stone tabled -- held the key to knowledge of ancient Egypt.
- One of the holiest relics on earth, the Ark of the Covenant is the symbol of the agreement of faith made between God and the Israelites. The Ark is said to contain the tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's Rod, and manna. But how could such an important artifact disappear without a trace? Did it ever really exist? Meet biblical historians who have dedicated their lives to the search and follow a tangled web of clues that range from Biblical accounts to modern discoveries. Hear fascinating stories of its appearance throughout history and learn of the incredible powers that it allegedly possesses.
- Experience the final days of the Romanov dynasty and penetrate the web of intrigue surrounding the murder of the royal family.
- 1994–199847mTV-147.6 (11)TV EpisodeSince the dawn of time, humankind has looked to the heavens for answers to earthly problems. Do the movements of the stars and planets hold the secrets of human destiny? Can the stars and planets determine one's hidden character? Over 4,000 years ago, astrology was born in the fertile crescent known as modern day Iraq and Iran. The Babylonians created the first zodiac, which basically remains unchanged today. Who were these first sky-watchers? Why did they develop astrology? Today, science denies any validity to astrology. Yet for 4,000 years, millions of people have believed in it. They point to tantalizing evidence from history: Did astrologers predict Hitler's rise to power or foretell the rise of Queen Elizabeth I? Were the three Wise Men astrologers and did they use astrology to follow the Star of Bethlehem? Has the planet-based Mayan calendar predicted the end of the world? Is belief in the power of stars merely a baseless superstition, or one of humankind's oldest truths? Scientists and scholars may be on the verge of answering these age-old questions, as they explore ASTROLOGY: SECRETS IN THE STARS.
- 1994–19987.6 (8)TV EpisodeWho built the Pyramids? Were they designed only as royal tombs? How were they built to such precise measurements? The Great Pyramids of Giza remain the world's most perplexing enigma. For over 4,000 years they have withstood the sands of time, casting a spell that even science cannot break. Through stunning film, interviews with experts and vivid reenactments, you'll witness the actual step-by-step process Egyptian embalmers used in the preparation of mummies to ensure immortality. You'll discover the journey of the Pharaohs into the afterlife and probe the obsessions that led the greatest kings of this powerful ancient civilization to build monuments designed to last for eternity.
- The "Enigma of the Dead Sea Scrolls," which contain most of the books of the Old Testament. Included: the accidental discovery of the scrolls in 1947 and subsequent findings; interviews with archaeologists.
- Ancient Mysteries look at the history of witches from ancient times through the Salem Witch Trials to modern Wiccans. It examines how our perceptions of witches have evolved over time.
- Nearly two thousand years ago, a shadowy group called alchemists embarked on a mysterious dangerous quest. In primitive laboratories they risked their lives trying to make gold. They also searched for divine wisdom - and the secret of immortality. Mysteries abound in alchemy's dark history. Was Sir Isaac Newton, one of history's greater minds, driven mad by his secret obsession with alchemy? Did masters of alchemy possess secret wisdom? What were they really seeking?
- AN EXCITING ADVENTURE INTO THE DARK FORESTS OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST TO FOLLOW THE TRAIL OF THE MOST-SIGHTED, MOST-POPULAR MYSTHICAL BEAST IN THE WORLD.
- The court of King Arthur, Camelot was at the center of a world of magic and honor. But what lies behind this captivating legend?
- From corpses with pulses to graves where nothing will grow, span the world to unravel the culture of the undead, and examine incredible cases of real-life vampires.
- Two-thousand years ago, Rome was an all-powerful empire and Pompeii was one of its prosperous provincial towns - until Mount Vesuvius exploded in the largest eruption ever recorded. In a matter of hours the thriving city was entombed under a thick layer of ash and debris, undiscovered for 1600 years. This tale recreates the events leading up to the explosion and shows how the ash kept the city and its inhabitants - the only significant discovery of Roman bodies ever - in a unique state of preservation. Wander through the ancient streets of this sophisticated society and witness current excavations.
- 1994–19987.1 (12)TV EpisodeAncient Mysteries takes a look at the history and architecture of the Forbidden City in China. It looks at the lives of the emperors and their families who made it their home.
- Ancient Mysteries examines the wooden castles of England. Although they are less well known today, they were far more common in medieval times than castles of stone.
- 1994–19987.1 (7)TV EpisodeA profile of the Great Library of Alexandria, in Egypt. The largest and most famous library of the ancient world. Established in the Ptolemaic dynasty the library housed an estimated 500,000 volumes at its peak, and functioned as a major center of scholarship,.
- Ancient Mysteries examines the history and myths surrounding the Pacific Northwest creature known as Bigfoot.
- Ancient Mysteries examines the history of human sacrifice. It looks at sacrifices performed in the Middle East, Northern Europe, India, Carthage, and the Aztec Empire.
- It is one of the most puzzling tales to come out of the European Age of Discovery. And yet, the alleged search for the Fountain of Youth by explorer Ponce de Leon was almost certainly influenced by folklore from many centuries before.
- Since the beginning of civilization, humans have explored means of altering their consciousness in search of something "greater" than everyday reality.
- Present day Mexico City sits atop of what was once a great civilization, the Aztec Empire. Drawing on newly discovered artifacts, anthropologists can now give us a more in depth picture and shed new light on what life was like for this ancient civilization. Watch in awe as Ancient Mysteries reveals the Secrets of the Aztec Empire.
- The glorious temples of Athens's Acropolis bear silent witness to the high point of Ancient Greece's legendary civilization.
- Explore the life of the last great pharaoh of Egypt, and uncover mysteries behind the life of the legendary ruler. King of Egypt (1304-1237 BC), whose long and prosperous reign marks the last great peak of Egyptian power.
- It was a myth first told by Plato in the late 4th century B.C. - a dramatic tale of a powerful civilization living on an island that one day mysteriously disappeared underneath the rolling waves of the Atlantic. In the many thousands of years that have passed since Plato's time, questions about the fabled city under the sea have continued to captivate millions across the globe. Did the island of Atlantis really exist, and, if so, where? Throughout the ages, Atlantis has been linked to the island of Bimini, the Canary Islands, Santorini, and Troy, among other places. In this fascinating program, join renowned historians as they examine the many theories surrounding this timeless legend.
- They appear in countless myths and stories from around the world. Could dragons have actually existed, and could they still remain hidden in some remote corner of the earth?
- Ancient Mysteries examines early UFO sightings and and investigates whether human beings are alone in the universe.
- Their courage struck terror in their enemies; their wealth made them the most powerful men in Europe; their rites inspired rumors of blasphemy. Did the Knights Templar find ancient secrets buried beneath Solomon's Temple?
- Ancient Mysteries examines the ancient Nabatean city of Petra which was carved directly into the red-rock cliffs of the Jordanian mountains.
- "The Search for the Abominable Snowman" attempts to determine if the creature, known by such names as Yeti and Temu, is more than a folk tale.
- We know Queen Helen, the Trojan Horse and Achilles as larger-than-life myths. Explore their legends as an expedition visits the city of Troy 3,000 years after its fabled fall to yield another chapter in its timeless tale.
- It has been called the city of miracles - where the blind are made to see, the deaf to hear, and the lame to walk. Could the waters of Lourdes in fact contain mysterious healing properties?
- Tattooing. A form of art in which the canvas is the human skin. This ancient craft is not just a modern phenomenon but has also been practiced by tribal cultures from around the world for thousands of years. How did it originate?
- Palenque was a Maya city state in southern Mexico that flourished in the 7th century.
- A report on the ongoing search for the Loch Ness monster examines eyewitness accounts and scientific evidence. Included: footage of Nessie (maybe); sonar readings; an uncovered hoax.
- They were fearsome rulers of the ancient world for over a thousand years. Some say their armies were the strongest the world has ever seen. Wherever they went, they conquered. And, wherever they conquered, there sprang another city. As we marvel at the sophistication and beauty of some of our modern cities, we are celebrating a legacy that was literally etched in stone over two thousand years ago by the Romans. ANCIENT ROME AND ITS MYSTERIOUS CITIES explores the hidden treasures of our ancestors as we uncover the secrets of these mysterious ancient cities. In a world of frequent invasions and competition among warring tribes, the cities of the Romans were a stamp of solidity, unifying a multitude of cultures. Across the empire, they provided a secure structure wherein these diverse traditions could flourish, as long as they honored Roman law. Archaeology shows that advanced cultures such as those of the Greeks and the Etruscans preceded the Romans. But they did not survive. Why not? How did the Romans use the wealth of knowledge of these societies and expand upon them? What did they do differently? And, how were they able to keep control of the far reaches of the empire? Explore the answers to these questions. Hear and feel the rhythm of the outrageous and exotic societies of the past...and journey to the heart of civilization in ANCIENT ROME AND ITS MYSTERIOUS CITIES.
- From Central African tribes to American Indians, prophecy has held an esteemed place in various cultures throughout the world.
- Ancient civilizations once used devices which today are considered "modern".
- Hawaii emerged steaming from the sea millennia ago, the product of thousands of years of continual volcanic eruptions that finally broke the sea's surface and gave birth to a tropical paradise famed the world over. Since the very first people settled here, they have revered and feared the volcanoes, and tried to appease their mistress, the fickle goddess Pele. She is one of the most captivating, capricious and enduring of all pagan deities. Even today, her name and power are taken seriously by many Hawaiians, whose lives are subject to the whims of the volcanoes she is said to control. The Curse of the Goddess Pele is a fascinating look at this enigmatic figure. Experts in Hawaiian history and legends trace her origins, and explore the possibility that there is a real person at the heart of this enduring belief. Ancient tales and art help bring her story to life, while footage of modern Hawaiian ceremonies show the very real role Pele continues to play in the islands today.
- It is one of the holiest relics of Christianity and has inspired many a knightly adventure. But does this fabled chalice really exist?
- Leonard Nimoy narrates the story of the Borgias family. The legendary Italian Renaissance political family members included two Popes, and filled with exciting tales of murder, incest, and corruption.
- A tale told through the centuries of a lost, hidden civilization that lives in an euphoric state of peace and harmony enclosed by impassable mountains.
- It is the largest, most famous, and most valuable gemstone in the world. It has been the plaything of kings and sultans and has decorated the necks of many an heiress and empress. But, could this notorious diamond actually be cursed?
- The Shroud of Turin, long thought to be Jesus Christ's burial garment, has inspired the faithful for centuries. But one very important question remains is it authentic, or merely a medieval forgery?
- They mark the joys and sorrows of life. They honor the cycles and mysteries of the natural world and preserve a connection to our past. From the Catholic Sacraments to the tattooing and scarring of some African tribes, rites and rituals have always helped define human experience. As they diminish in the world today are we losing touch with an essential part of humanity? Join a worldwide trek to investigate age-old rites and discover how they enrich the cultures that created them. See incredible footage of a rite of passage ceremony in Papau, New Guinea, where a boy's skin is carved with patterns symbolizing the scales of a crocodile. Visit the Hindu festival of Thaipusam, where devotees pierce themselves with dozens of long aluminum rods. Amazingly, no blood is spilled, and the participants claim to feel no pain. Experts explore the power that these and other rituals seem to have for the participant and the community as a whole, and the possible consequences of their loss in everyday life.
- When the pyramids were being built and Stonehenge was new, the world was a magical and mysterious place. Throughout the world, man built incredible monuments and mysterious buildings to mark the passing of time and kings, to track the movements of the heavens, to glorify their gods and celebrate their victories. SACRED PLACES is a globe-spanning journey to some of the most extraordinary and moving of these famed sites. From the massive temples at Machu Picchu to the impassive statues of Easter Island, this is an up-close look at some of mankind's most impressive achievements, and the allure they have for us today. Learn how and why they were created, and get a behind-the-scenes look with the curators and directors of these magical sites. Discover the latest findings and theories with leading archaeologists and scholars, and see stunning reconstructions of what these fabled sites looked like in their prime. From Jerusalem to Chaco Canyon, this is a spellbinding journey into mankind's magical past.
- An examination of the Kamasutra, the Hindu text that details "the delights of the human sexual experience," focuses on its religious origins and whether it is sacred or profane. Included: comments from author Deepak Chopra.
- Before Columbus's epic 1492 voyage to the Americas, it was believed he was beaten by the Vikings. Is this legend true?
- The mysterious gravesite of an ancient Chinese emperor, who had an "army" of 7000 terra cotta statues built around the tomb to guard it against intruders.
- They are the oldest continual culture on earth. Enshrined in oral traditions stretching back perhaps 100,000 years are secrets which are memorized by initiates but strictly forbidden any outsiders. Their ancient chants and rites may bring fertility to the land, health to the sick and death to their enemies. Dreamtime of the Aborigines is a spellbinding journey into the mysteries of this ancient culture. Join host Leonard Nimoy as he investigates the astonishing philosophy that appears to bind the present, past and future into one and give these people stunning power. Can their doctors perform surgery without entering the body? Do the spirits of their ancestors really guide their steps today? Incredible evidence, revealing interviews and stunning footage of the Aborigines' life in their beautiful, harsh land makes this a memorable inquiry into the myths and realities of one of the world's most enigmatic people.
- A visit to the ruins of the imperial city of Angkor in Cambodia, built over 75 square miles between the 9th and 12th centuries. Angkor's landmark was Angkor Wat, a temple to the Hindu god Vishnu.
- Few modern authors have not been influenced by The Arabian Nights, but what is the origin of these mesmeric stories? Journey back in time to an era long veiled in mystery, to a timeless world of myth and legend as this fascinating program aims to uncover the origins and truths behind stories such as Aladdin, Sinbad and Ali Baba.
- An examination of the Celts, whose culture reached its zenith in Europe between the 5th and 1st centuries B.C. Included: their artwork, religious practices and fighting tactics.
- Explore some of the most intriguing archaeological sites on earth--the puzzling pre-historic mounds built by the ancient residents of North America. Narrated by Leonard Nimoy.
- A report on the mystery surrounding the Shroud of Turin, thought by many to be the burial cloth of Jesus. Scientists in three countries investigating the shroud's authenticity are observed using carbon dating and other techniques.
- An examination of the Catholic Church's orthodoxy court asserts that it was a victim of a Protestant "propaganda campaign."
- A 1980 documentary on Pharaoh Akhenaten and the archaeological detective work that shed light on his reign. Akhenaten ruled for 17 years in the 14th century B.C.; his successor was his son-in-law, King Tut.
- Tracing the rise and fall of Knights Templars, a religious-military order that fought for Christ during the 12th and 13th centuries, according to narrator Henry Lincoln.
- "The Northern Lights," a documentary exploring scientific findings on the aurora borealis. Also, how an auroral display can affect power lines and radio waves; past theories on the phenomenon.
- A look at the making of "Rapa Nui," which speculates on the native inhabitants of Easter Island, who built strange giant statues before the Dutch arrived in 1722.
- Examining the Upuaut project, in which robotic cameras explored the Great Pyramid of Cheops. Included: comments from writers Robert Bauval and Adrian Gilbert ("The Orion Project"), and Emma Freud.
- Is death the ultimate end, or merely a stop on a continuing journey? From the Dalai Lama to claims of past lives, probe the riddles of reincarnation and examine real cases.
- A chronicle of Charles Fellows' travels through Turkey and Greece includes marble ruins he found at Xanthos.
- They stand today as testaments to the glory and grandeur of ancient Rome. But what brutal and murderous price was paid to build and maintain these imperial monuments?
- A Roman soldier takes his spear and pierces the side of Christ as he hangs on a crucifix. Thus, the legend of the Holy Lance is born. Relics associated with the life of Christ have inspired awe and obsession throughout the ages. Giants of history ranging from Attila the Hun, Charlamagne and Adolf Hitler desired possession of this artifact that supposedly contains the power of God. What is the true story of the Holy Lance, and does it exist today?
- A powerful tribe of headhunters once ruled the jungles of Ecuador.
- "Easter Island: The Secrets" offers theories concerning the origin of the ancient stone statues that populate the island, who carved them, and why.
- The history of the timber castles that once populated medieval England, but are only mounds of earth today.
- An investigation of the origins of Stonehenge, the prehistoric megaliths on the Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England, believed to have been erected during the Neolithic period (circa 2000 B.C.).
- The ancient Italian civilization of the Etruscans, which flourished in the 6th century B.C. Included is a study of the society's cult of death.
- A report on the elaborate homes built by Roman emperors, which were designed to reflect their power.
- The Neandertals roamed the European continent more than 70, 000 years ago.
- Explore an exotic world of shimmering beauty and sudden death: the world of the old Japan and their ruthless and honorable warriors: The Samurai.
- It is one of ancient Egypt's most recognizable and enduring icons. Situated on the west bank of the Nile River, this great creature has watched over the Giza Plateau for an untold number of years.
- An examination of the 19 Pueblo towns located in New Mexico's Chaco Canyon, believed to be some of the earliest dwellings in North America.
- The ancient city of Ostia, Italy, used at one time as the port of Rome, from its founding by Ancus Marcius (641-616 B.C.) to its eventual decline and abandonment over a 1600-year period.
- A survey of voodoo, an amalgam of African religions and Christianity, which is still practiced in the Caribbean, South America and the U.S.
- A look at the first Olympic competitions in Greece, circa 776 B.C.
- A grave robbery in 1987 leads to the discovery of the Royal Tombs of Sipan, Peru, and the richest burial site ever found in the Western Hemisphere. Soon afterwards, the art market was flooded with ancient artifacts made of solid gold and silver. Art historians identified the treasure as belonging to the Moche, a pre-Columbian civilization in Peru, but were unable to locate its source. Where were these riches found? Soon the looters themselves provided the answer. One thief, unhappy with his share of the take, confessed to the police in Peru and implicated his partners. Investigators captured the looters and many remaining artifacts, but most importantly, they convinced the thieves to reveal the location of their treasure chest, hidden in eroded pyramids along the outskirts of the small village of Sipan, Peru.
- Speculation on why the Roman emperor Hadrian constructed a wall along the empire's British frontier in the 2nd century.
- An examination of the pyramids in the Mexican city of Teotihuacan. Also: the Temple of the Feathered Spirit and the Avenue of the Dead.
- No other religion is as misunderstood, vilified, or viewed with as much hatred and racism. The common impression is that Voodoo is a garbled mix of black magic, witchcraft and zombies! But the truth is that Voodoo is one of the greatest achievements of people of African descent. Travel to Africa to uncover the origins of this vibrant, enigmatic practice. Voodoo roots are in the ancient religions of Yorubaland, Dahomey and Kongo. Infused with a major dose of Roman Catholicism, and tempered by the arduous experiences of the slaves, it is widely practiced in Haiti, Cuba, the West Indies, Brazil, and the U.S. Get an intimate look at its colorful celebrations, deep-rooted beliefs and modern practice at the Le Peristyle Haitian Sanctuary, one of the world centers of Voodoo. And explore the misconceptions and reality of Voodoo with Wade Davis, author of The Serpent and The Rainbow.
- Egyptian temples are explored, including Karnak and Luxor.
- "Lost Legions of Rome" explores the efficacy and the legacy of Rome's military machine, which was sometimes more powerful than the emperors it was supposed to serve. Examined: the Roman army's conquests, tactics and weapons.
- Beneath the former capital of the Roman Empire hides a maze of secret passages and chambers. It is the underground cemetery used by the Christian and Jewish communities in ancient Rome, a labyrinth of more than 60 miles of burial chambers.
- How did the Egyptians create mummies that lasted for 4,000 years? Why did Hindu widows throw themselves into their husbands' funeral pyres? The program travels the world to find the answers to these and other riddles about ancient burial rituals.
- Delphi is an Ancient Greek site shrouded in legend. Dedicated to Apollo, god of sunlight, arts and prophecy, it was home to a priestess who, 2500 years ago, allegedly could communicate with the gods on Olympus.
- Efforts to locate the remains of Alexander the Great. Included: the discovery of treasures in northern Greece that appear to have belonged to his father, Phillip II of Macedonia.
- The Maya temple city of Palenque in Chiapas, Mexico, abandoned by the Mayans around 835 A.D., is explored. Included: the Temple of Inscriptions, a sarcophagus, and the great Palace.
- Examination of the sophisticated system of housing built by the Pueblo Indians in New Mexico's Chaco Canyon over 1,000 years ago.
- A look at British theater in the Elizabethan age.
- Thousands of years ago, the ancient Greeks believed that Mount Olympus was the home of their powerful gods, ruled over by Zeus. However, what is the truth behind these legends.