In the 1840s, Western explorers entered the Amazon rainforest and stumbled upon the ancient ritual of head shrinking. This isolated ceremonial practice soon became an obsession to trophy collectors, setting off a bizarre international trade, and a deadly new chapter in the history of the Shuar tribe. Follow a team of anthropologists, historians, and scientists as they use DNA, forensic science, and computer modeling to examine the ancient craft of head shrinking and the story of a society of victims, who were also perpetrators.

Shrunken Heads

Bog Bodies

Plagues of Egypt

Inside the legendary city of Babylon in modern-day Iraq lie the remains of a vast structure, which ancient records suggest was the Tower of Babel. Is it possible that this biblical stairway to heaven actually existed? Experts think it did, and thanks to satellite technology and new discoveries, they have pinpointed exactly where the legendary tower once stood, and what it looked like. Join us as we revisit the inspiration for one of the strangest stories in the Bible, and then recreate the spectacular skyscraper in all its glory.

Tower of Babel

Over 2,000 years ago, Petra was a flourishing capital city in the Arabian Desert, but at some point, its inhabitants fled the majestic metropolis. Why they abandoned it has remained one of the great mysteries of the ancient world. But now, archaeologists have uncovered incredible new evidence that is unlocking the secrets and rewriting the history of this desert city. Join us as we examine the remarkable history of Petra, how the Nabataeans transformed it into a thriving oasis, and why and when the tribe's luck eventually ran out.

Riddle of Petra

Stonehenge is a marvel of prehistoric architecture. For centuries, archaeologists have been piecing together its history and its meaning, but the reason for its location in a remote corner of England remains one of its biggest mysteries. Now, after years of investigation, a team of experts has discovered an ancient mass grave at the Stonehenge site, a revelation that is overturning and reshaping the 5,000 year history of this massive edifice. Join us as we reveal new secrets about the world's most famous surviving monument from the Stone Age.

Stonehenge Mystery

It remains one of the grisliest finds in ancient archaeology: the skeletons of over 80 battle-scarred men, many of them ritualistically decapitated and then buried nearly 2,000 years ago in York, England. Who were these people? Now, after more than a decade, a team of archaeologists and scientists believe they've finally solved the mystery. Could this site actually be the largest gladiatorial cemetery ever found? Join us as we apply modern day technology to reveal the secrets hidden in these ancient bones and remains of the Roman Empire.

Headless Gladiators of York

It's one of the greatest and strangest stories ever told, the biblical tale of God unleashing 10 plagues on Egypt until its pharaoh released his Hebrew slaves. Scholars have categorized this as a parable, but now, new evidence found in the ruins of an ancient Egyptian temple suggests that an apocalyptic natural disaster rocked the world 3,500 years ago and may be the true cause of the ten plagues. If the experts are right, our understanding of the Bible, and 3,500 years of Egyptian history, will change forever.

In Northern Europe, many ancient bog bodies have been discovered, spread across hundreds of square miles of cold wetlands. These corpses tell a story of brutal death and mysterious rituals during Northern Europe's Iron Age. For decades, there were few explanations as to why these people were so violently killed. Now, using new techniques utilized by police to solve modern murders, archaeologists are cracking these 2,300-year-old cold cases, while discovering new insights into this enigmatic period of world history.

On a hilltop in southeastern Turkey, archaeologists have unearthed a complex of standing stones that pre-dates Stonehenge by more than 6,000 years. This monument has rewritten prehistoric archaeology and fascinated some theologians, who have linked the site to the Garden of Eden. Take an up-close look at Gobekli Tepe and its intricate carvings, which feature a landscape with wildlife, birds, and serpents. Then see how this 11,000-year-old wonder has forced archaeologists to rethink their understanding of the beginnings of human civilization.

Garden of Eden

A monument that may explain why the people of a thriving ancient city vanished from Earth. A tablet that reveals a towering truth about one of the Bible's strangest stories. Evidence that the 10 plagues of Egypt were real natural phenomena. Join us as we follow a team of investigators around the globe, using modern science and technology to uncover ancient mysteries surrounding these and other puzzles from our past. By examining these relics and legends, we hope to gain insights into who we are, where we come from, and where we are going.

Shrunken Heads

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Season 4 Episodes8

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