Ancient Unexplained Files

Victoria Wood's Nice Cup of Tea

It spans over 5,000 years of history that have shaped the world. It is full of spectacular sites and epic stories and an evolving society of inventors, heroes, heroines, villains, artisans and pioneers. Professor Joann Fletcher reveals the highs and lows of the most beguiling civilisation in humanity’s rich history in this four-part series made for BBC2.

An immersive, action-packed and discovery-led series following International teams of Egyptologists as they unearth the world's richest seam of ancient archaeology - Egypt's Valley of the Kings.

A new "treasure map" of the Maya world is transforming what we thought we knew of one of the world most mysterious ancient civilizations.

Divulges surprising origin stories of the American alcohol, gambling, sex, and tobacco industries and the ambitiously notorious entrepreneurs who built some of history's biggest fortunes on the nation's cravings.

Albert Lin adventures to the ends of the earth, using advanced technology to strip back the layers of time and reveal ancient lost cities.

High-stakes exploits turn deadly — and shake a global church to its core — in this extraordinary true crime story.

The life story of Madalena das Dores Oliveira, the first woman to reach the rank of Brigade Chief of the PIDE (the Estado Novo secret police), who became known by the inhuman way in which she acted.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or IRGC is the protector of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the military arm of the Supreme Leader. Also known as the Pasdaran, this deep-state mafia comprising 120,000 men has extensive powers, ensuring bloody repression of the people. No strangers to smuggling and trafficking, the IRGC’s economic empire is worth hundreds of billions of dollars. The Supreme Leader Khomeini has allowed the organization to infiltrate the state and its members are now mayors, members of parliament and ministers, cultivating their networks at the highest levels. The IRGC is responsible for Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, and cultivates not only the art of deterrence, but also a strategy of asymmetrical warfare via the militias and terrorist organizations they finance, arm, and control across the Middle East.

Examine how ancient civilisations built some of the most magnificent structures on the face of the Earth, many centuries before the industrial revolution.

Martin Clunes: Islands Of Britain

The history of mankind is a never-ending story of change, revolution, and evolution, but surely no span of a hundred years can claim to have changed the world so dramatically as the Twentieth Century. In this series we examine the 101 Events which, in the judgment of experts, including those who contribute to the series, most influentially shaped the century, our world, and our way of life.

Through new discoveries in science and archaeology, explorers take a look at the origins of the Vikings and how they influenced history.

How To Survive the End of the World examines terrifying and scientifically plausible doomsday scenarios by exploring distinct, world-threatening events and the methods by which humanity would fight to survive against grim odds.

Documentary from 1976 about the Indonesian struggle for independence. Unique archive footage and interviews with former vice-president Mahammed Hatta (the only existing interview with him on film), journalist/writer Johan Fabricius, the physician dr. Abu Hafina, the nationalist youth leader Roelan Abgulgani, dr. P. J. Koets, at the time political adviser of the Lt. Governor-General, the Indonesian generals Nasution and Simaupang, and the planter couple Marsman.

For Palestinians, 1948 marks the “Nakba” or “catastrophe”, when hundreds of thousands were forced out of their homes. For Israelis, the same year marks the creation of their own state. This four-part series attempts to present an understanding of the events of the past that are still shaping the present.

The fascinating stories of the families behind the food that built America, those who used brains, muscle, blood, sweat and tears to get to America's heart through its stomach, those who invented new technologies and helped win wars.

The story of the ill-fated ocean liner and the sinking that made it infamous.

For seven decades after its tragic sinking, the Titanic lay undiscovered on the ocean floor. This compelling two-part documentary tracks the search for the wreck across the depths of the Atlantic.

His art changed the way we see the world - now change the way you see the artist. An unflinching look at Picasso's legacy, and the horror and brilliance of what he left behind. Family, friends and experts reassess the tumultuous artistic and personal life of Pablo Picasso, one of the greatest and most provocative artists of all time.