n December 1872, the merchant ship The Mary Celeste was found drifting deserted in the mid Atlantic Ocean. She was a ghost ship with no sign of her captain or the eight crew aboard, but mysteriously, her cargo of 1700 barrels of pure alcohol was intact in her hull. The mystery of her plight has stood for 135 years, baffling scientists, historians and mariners. Now a descendant of the ship's captain has a look at evidence that throws some fascinating new light on what really happened.
Historical documentary examining Britain's ancient Druids, as new archaeological discoveries suggest that they engaged in barbaric killings, ritual sacrifice and even cannibalism. The programme also explores the Druids' revered status amongst ancient Celts, and tells the story of their bloody last stand against Rome's conquering legions.
From the 1950s, the Queen's younger sister was the glamorous face of the Royal Family, but interest in her life gave rise to the paparazzi and destroyed historic deferential attitudes forever. This documentary examines the tabloid intrusion into Princess Margaret's private life and its effects on her and subsequent high profile figures such as Princess Diana.
Henry VIII's flagship, the Mary Rose, sank in 1545 when its gun ports flooded during an engagement with the French. Because silt preserved the wreck, it became Britain's Pompeii - an historical moment frozen in time. Some 10,000 human bones from the 400 men on board were recovered, which are now giving up their secrets. The captain had described his crew as a bunch of unruly knaves; forensic examination of the enamel from their teeth shows that up to two thirds of these knaves were likely to have been mercenaries from southern Europe. In the chaos of battle, there may have been a language problem over “shut that bloody gun port!”
In Central Europe, 38,000 years ago a man lies dead in a cave - who is he? How did he die? Today, all that's left of him is a fragment of leg bone and this bone has a story to tell.
Are new remains in Russia those of the two children missing from the grave of the Russian Royal Family assassinated in 1918?
Historical documentary exploring a network of Nazi bunkers in Berlin. Historian Antony Beevor returns to the German capital to uncover this lost world, hidden from view since 1945.
Mrs Alice Keppel - the long term mistress of King Edward VII. Alice was hailed as one of the great beauties of the Naughty Nineties, renowned for her narrow waist and ample bosom. She was the perfect royal mistress; charming, intelligent, gorgeous and above all else, discrete. Set against a scintillating background of aristocratic adultery, historian Kate Williams uncovers Alice’s incredible story – investigating the magical childhood in Scotland that honed her ambition and the marriage to George Keppel that actually thrived on infidelity.
Dr Crippen was hanged for the murder of his wife, but new DNA evidence suggests the body parts found in his kitchen may have belonged to a man
The historical documentary series continues with this fascinating investigation into the origins of the world-famous crystal skulls. Since the 19th century, a number of lifelike quartz skulls have been discovered and displayed in museums. These relics, allegedly dating from Aztec and Mayan civilisations, are believed to have psychic powers. Now, for the first time ever, scientists are given access to the most famous skull of all, the so-called ‘Skull of Doom’.
Historical documentary focusing on the famous Second World War Dambusters raid. George Johnson - a bomb aimer in one of the raid's Lancasters and one of only two British Dambusters alive today - sets off on a final mission to rediscover his past. He finds and digs up his old Dambuster bomber, before travelling back to the giant German dams that he once attacked.
