During The Golden Age of Piracy, thousands of buccaneers terrorized the high seas and became legends. Their exploits spawned fantastic stories of larger-than-life characters, billion dollar heists and buried treasure that to this day, has never been found. Are these stories simply tall tales, or is the truth stranger than fiction?

There are stories of advanced technology, from the ancient past, that seem too impossible to be true. Some are spoken of in legends and myths, while others can be seen today with the naked eye. These technologies challenge everything we think we know about the innovation of our ancestors. Is our most cutting-edge modern technology, merely reinventions of those that existed thousands of years ago? And if it is, where did these incredible lost inventions go?

People go missing every day, but throughout history, there have been strange and eerie disappearances that continue to capture the world's attention. Whether it's the missing case of a world famous icon, like Amelia Earhart, or even entire groups of people that seem to vanish without a trace, these mysterious disappearances have spawned countless theories, but no definitive answers.

For thousands of years, mankind has been fascinated by the idea of creating mechanical servants to make our lives easier. Today, those dreams of the past are increasingly becoming our reality.

From 1861-1865, the United States of America found itself in a bloody four-year struggle known as the Civil War. While history often focuses on the politics and battles of this bloody discord, there are fascinating stories of the people and places that played a role in the "War Between the States".

Scattered across the globe lie mysterious ruins that are buried in sand-swept deserts, perched atop towering mountains, and shrouded in the heart of dense jungles. These age-old structures stand as silent sentinels from the past, their true history seemingly erased by time. Can modern archaeology unravel the enigma of how-and why-these wonders were built?

There are many puzzling artifacts from around the world that challenge everything known about the technological capabilities of distant ancestors; some ancient objects are so mysterious they've spawned endless debate and theories.

From the 17th to the early 20th century, America saw an unprecedented era of rapid western expansion. Millions moved west to lay claim to find their fortunes in gold and land for the taking in search of the American Dream.

From the ancient Babylonian's to modern day urban explorers, mankind has always been fascinated by abandoned places. What is the allure that draws us to these post-apocalyptic landscapes? Is it simply morbid curiosity? Or, something harder to define? Could abandoned places actually be places of 'magic'--as the ancients believed? Well, that is what we will try and find out.

There are islands throughout the world that despite their scenic and tranquil beauty, evoke nothing but fear and dread. These islands are riddled with dark histories, unspeakable tragedy, and the belief by locals that they are cursed. Are the misfortunes experienced by the inhabitants of these islands simply a series of tragic coincidences, or is it possible that scattered across the planet there are... Islands of the Damned?

Isolated along the southernmost part of the planet, Antarctica is best known as the frozen continent. Yet, this untouched land has captivated brave explorers for centuries.

A look at whether time travel has already occurred, on purpose or by accident, and scientists who believe it is theoretically possible.

The idea that a handful of shadowy organizations control world events has been around for centuries. Today, the Mafia, Skull & Bones, and the Freemasons are just a few of the mysterious groups said to meet behind closed doors, keeping dangerous secrets. What are the codes and rituals that define their beliefs? And is it possible that secret societies not only shaped the events that defined the 20 th century, but will continue to shape the future?

There's nothing more fascinating than a code that can't be cracked. For centuries, mankind has devised ingenious ways to hide valuable information using everything from enigmatic puzzles, to complex ciphers and secret symbols. If history's unbreakable codes can be deciphered, could we unlock answers to some of the greatest mysteries of both the past and present?

Since the dawn of humanity, tales of monstrous creatures lurking in the shadows of our world have sparked both fascination and fear. Today, we often dismiss these accounts as the stuff of myth and legend, but are we overlooking a potentially terrifying reality? With scientists discovering as many as 18,000 new animal species every year, isn't it conceivable that there could be real-life, flesh and blood monsters living among us?

During the Middle Ages, the Vikings were infamous for being a bloodthirsty band of seafaring warriors; historians are learning surprising new things about this Norse society.

For centuries, archaeologists have tried to unravel the mysteries of how – and why – certain incredible structures like the Great Pyramid at Giza, the staircase at Loretto Chapel, and Coral Castle were built. Will we ever find the answers? Or, might these structures have been intentionally constructed to perpetually mystify us?

Abandoned cities. Ancient cultures nearly erased by time. And colossal empires that simply vanished without a trace. How does a civilization become "lost"' What could cause once-thriving groups of people to just abandon their great cities, never to return' Can modern scientific knowledge help answer the unsolved questions surrounding these lost civilizations, or is there something more mysterious at work'

There are many bizarre tales involving U.S. presidents that defy explanation and are still shrouded in mystery.

Urban legends are modern folklore rooted in mystery where chilling tales merge fact and fiction and blur the line between myth and reality. From the eerie reports of spontaneous human combustion and the hunt for the Highgate Vampire, to the unsettling boogeymen known as the Men in Black appearing after UFO sightings, could these thrilling legends, echoed over generations and believed by many, be more than just stories?

Throughout history, there have been men of science who pushed the boundaries of experimentation to the edge of madness. They were renegades known for bizarre and often unethical experiments involving human-animal hybrids, mind control devices, and even unimaginable torture.

Deadly dances. Masters of manipulation. Mass suicides. Murder. Many of the world's deadliest cults ventured down dark, dangerous rabbit-holes of twisted ideologies, persuading their members to kill--sometimes other people, sometimes themselves. Is there any sense to these sinister groups' Or will the unreckoned forces behind such Deadly Cults remain...UnXplained?

A dog that can detect cancer faster than doctors using sophisticated equipment. A horse that can read your mind. And birds that can sense disaster days before it happens. What gives animals these extraordinary powers? We like to think of ourselves as the peak of evolution--but what if we're wrong?

Some of history's greatest tales are stories of escape, the most incredible of which defy explanation. How did Harry Houdini pull off his daring feats? Was the "Escape from Alcatraz" in fact, successful? And what about the mysterious guidance one man received that allowed him to escape the South Tower of the World Trade Center on 9/11? Are there strange forces these escapees draw upon to beat the odds, where so many others fail? Or, like a great magic trick, will the secrets of how they cheated captivity remain UnXplained?

Throughout history, tales of inexplicable maladies to both the body, and the mind, have stirred morbid curiosity and palpable fear. From mysterious wounds that appear for no apparent reason--to a peculiar madness that compels people to dance themselves to death. Are these bizarre afflictions merely fabrications of the mind? Or could they arise from unseen forces that are beyond our comprehension?