History

Secrets of the Dead

Secrets of the Dead is part detective story, part true-life drama that unearths evidence from around the world, challenging prevailing ideas and throwing fresh light on unexplained events.

Lost Treasures of Angkor – King's Gold

55m 15s

The discovery of gold and silver artifacts in Laos, dating to the early days of the Khmer Empire, leads scientists to investigate how the priceless objects were made and where they might have originated. On their journey, they retrace the steps of the ancient kings and explore the sacred landscape around Vat Phou to learn more about this ancient civilization.

Episodes

  • Lost Treasures of Angkor – King's Gold: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Lost Treasures of Angkor – King's Gold

    S22 E4 - 55m 15s

    The discovery of gold and silver artifacts in Laos, dating to the early days of the Khmer Empire, leads scientists to investigate how the priceless objects were made and where they might have originated. On their journey, they retrace the steps of the ancient kings and explore the sacred landscape around Vat Phou to learn more about this ancient civilization.

  • Lost Treasures of Angkor – The Discovery: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Lost Treasures of Angkor – The Discovery

    S22 E3 - 55m 15s

    Angkor was the capital of the Khmer empire, which controlled much of the region between the 9th and 15th centuries. The stunning accomplishments of Angkor’s great kings are clear to see—but the period preceding the foundation of their great city is shrouded in mystery. Now, the discovery of an incredible hoard of stunning artifacts is providing surprising new clues about this early Khmer society.

  • Field of Vampires: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Field of Vampires

    S22 E2 - 55m 15s

    In 2022, a terrifying discovery: a female skeleton dating from 1650, buried with a sickle across her neck and giant padlock on her toe—double protection to keep her from rising from the dead. All the evidence points to her being buried as a vampire... and she’s not alone, with more than 50 deviant burials around her. Who was she and what did these burial rituals mean?

  • The Civil War's Lost Massacre: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Civil War's Lost Massacre

    S22 E1 - 55m 23s

    Originally a supply depot for Union forces in Kentucky, Camp Nelson became the site where 10,000 Black soldiers trained in the Civil War. But in the war’s last months, these soldiers were attacked by bitter Southerners. Their remains have never been found, and a team is dedicated to finding them to memorialize their service and heroism.

Extras + Features

  • Signs of Human Habitation in Kurukshetra: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Signs of Human Habitation in Kurukshetra

    S22 E4 - 2m 11s

    A team of archaeologists led by Christine Hawixbrock is excavating a site in what was the ancient Khmer city of Kurukshetra. And after digging through multiple "cultural layers" of earth, they make a breakthrough -- a clear sign of human occupation of this ancient royal city.

  • Ascending the Summit of Mt. Phu Kao: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Ascending the Summit of Mt. Phu Kao

    S22 E4 - 2m 8s

    The holy temple of Vat Phou sits at the foot of Mt. Phu Kao. Evidence suggests ancient Khmer kings made grand processions to worship at the temple -- and then continued up the mountain, by foot, to pray at the summit. Christophe Pottier and his archaeological team are recreating the challenging ascent, in search of evidence of religious ceremonies from the pre-Angkorian era.

  • Preview | Lost Treasures of Angkor – King's Gold: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Preview | Lost Treasures of Angkor – King's Gold

    S22 E4 - 32s

    The discovery of gold and silver artifacts in Laos, dating to the early days of the Khmer Empire, leads scientists to investigate how the priceless objects were made and where they might have originated. On their journey, they retrace the steps of the ancient kings and explore the sacred landscape around Vat Phou to learn more about this ancient civilization.

  • Preview | Lost Treasures of Angkor – The Discovery: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Preview | Lost Treasures of Angkor – The Discovery

    S22 E3 - 32s

    Angkor was the capital of the Khmer empire, which controlled much of the region between the 9th and 15th centuries. The stunning accomplishments of Angkor’s great kings are clear to see—but the period preceding the foundation of their great city is shrouded in mystery. Now, the discovery of an incredible hoard of stunning artifacts is providing surprising new clues about this early Khmer society.

  • Cymbal Found at Ancient Khmer Temple Site: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Cymbal Found at Ancient Khmer Temple Site

    S22 E3 - 1m 30s

    Archaeologist Christine Hawixbrock and her team discover a small cymbal during the excavation of an ancient Khmer temple complex. Artifacts like this would have been used as part of a religious ceremony, and suggest the presence of a royal elite here during the pre-Angkorian period.

  • Preview | Field of Vampires: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Preview | Field of Vampires

    S22 E2 - 32s

    In 2022, a terrifying discovery: a female skeleton dating from 1650, buried with a sickle across her neck and giant padlock on her toe — double protection to keep her from rising from the dead. All the evidence points to her being buried as a vampire... and she’s not alone, with more than 50 deviant burials around her. Who was she and what did these burial rituals mean?

  • A Gruesome Discovery in Rural Poland: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    A Gruesome Discovery in Rural Poland

    S22 E2 - 2m 50s

    Residents of the rural Polish town of Pień have long avoided a particular hill in the village – and in 2022, a team of archaeologists led by Dariusz Poliński and Magdalena Zagrodzka learned why. They discovered the body of a woman buried with a sickle across her neck, and a triangular padlock attached to her toe. Had they dug up a gruesome crime scene – or evidence of the supernatural?

  • Reconstructing the Face of a 17-Century Woman: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Reconstructing the Face of a 17-Century Woman

    S22 E2 - 1m 44s

    Forensic artist Oscar Nilsson has worked alongside Swedish police forces for decades, modelling the faces of crime scene victims. Now, he is tasked with reconstructing the face of “Zosia,” a woman buried as a vampire in 17-century Poland – and hopes to restore her human dignity in the process.

  • Preview | The Civil War's Lost Massacre: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Preview | The Civil War's Lost Massacre

    S22 E1 - 31s

    Originally a supply depot for Union forces in Kentucky, Camp Nelson became the site where 10,000 Black soldiers trained in the Civil War. But in the war’s last months, these soldiers were attacked by bitter Southerners. Their remains have never been found, and a team is dedicated to finding them to memorialize their service and heroism.

  • Radar Technologies Aid in Search for Civil War Burial Site: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Radar Technologies Aid in Search for Civil War Burial Site

    S22 E1 - 2m 48s

    Aided by University of Kentucky archaeologist Dr. Philip Mink and the university’s EduceLab Mobile Team, researchers examine the land around where the Simpsonville Massacre occurred, hoping to find the lost burial grounds of the slain soldiers.

Schedule

  • Image
    Secrets of the Dead: Eiffel's Race to the Top: TVSS: Banner-L1

    Secrets of the Dead

    Eiffel's Race to the Top

    Tuesday
    Dec 24

    1 Hour

    The untold story behind Paris' most famous landmark and the race to build a monument that stands 1,000 feet high.
  • Image
    Secrets of the Dead: TVSS: Banner-L1

    Secrets of the Dead

    Decoding Hieroglyphics

    Tuesday
    Dec 24

    1 Hour

    How ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics were first translated 200 years ago and the archaeological work being done in Egypt to understand one of the most important scribes.
  • Image
    Secrets of the Dead: Eiffel's Race to the Top: TVSS: Banner-L1

    Secrets of the Dead

    Eiffel's Race to the Top

    Wednesday
    Dec 25

    1 Hour

    The untold story behind Paris' most famous landmark and the race to build a monument that stands 1,000 feet high.
  • Image
    Secrets of the Dead: TVSS: Banner-L1

    Secrets of the Dead

    Decoding Hieroglyphics

    Wednesday
    Dec 25

    1 Hour

    How ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics were first translated 200 years ago and the archaeological work being done in Egypt to understand one of the most important scribes.
  • Image
    Secrets of the Dead: Eiffel's Race to the Top: TVSS: Banner-L1

    Secrets of the Dead

    Eiffel's Race to the Top

    Wednesday
    Dec 25

    1 Hour

    The untold story behind Paris' most famous landmark and the race to build a monument that stands 1,000 feet high.
  • Image
    Secrets of the Dead: TVSS: Banner-L1

    Secrets of the Dead

    Decoding Hieroglyphics

    Wednesday
    Dec 25

    1 Hour

    How ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics were first translated 200 years ago and the archaeological work being done in Egypt to understand one of the most important scribes.

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