Episode list

Since the beginning of civilization, humans have explored means of altering their consciousness in search of something "greater" than everyday reality.

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".

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.

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.

The glorious temples of Athens's Acropolis bear silent witness to the high point of Ancient Greece's legendary civilization.

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.

Ancient Mysteries examines early UFO sightings and and investigates whether human beings are alone in the universe.

Who 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.

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.

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?

A report on the elaborate homes built by Roman emperors, which were designed to reflect their power.

Experience the final days of the Romanov dynasty and penetrate the web of intrigue surrounding the murder of the royal family.

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.

The Neandertals roamed the European continent more than 70, 000 years ago.

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.

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.

Ancient Mysteries examines the history and myths surrounding the Pacific Northwest creature known as Bigfoot.

Explore an exotic world of shimmering beauty and sudden death: the world of the old Japan and their ruthless and honorable warriors: The Samurai.

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 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.

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.

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?

A powerful tribe of headhunters once ruled the jungles of Ecuador.

"Black Death" looks at the plague that, beginning in the 6th century, killed millions on three continents.

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.