History

Secrets of the Dead

Secrets of the Dead is part detective story, part true-life drama that unearths evidence from around the world, challenging prevailing ideas and throwing fresh light on unexplained events.

The Princes in the Tower

55m 16s

Find out if one of history’s greatest cold cases—the imprisonment of two princes in the Tower of London—can finally be solved. Their disappearance led to centuries of mystery and speculation. Were the boys murdered by their uncle, the notorious King Richard III? Or was it a massive conspiracy to hide the truth?

Episodes

  • The Caravaggio Heist: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Caravaggio Heist

    S19 E6 - 55m 30s

    Father Marius Zerafa, director of national museums in Malta, risks his life to recover a Caravaggio masterpiece stolen from a cathedral in 1984.

  • A Samurai in the Vatican: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    A Samurai in the Vatican

    S19 E5 - 55m 30s

    In 1613, feudal lord Date Masamune sent a Japanese diplomatic mission to Europe to negotiate with the Pope and the King of Spain in hopes opening a new trade route. Led by samurai Hasekura Tsunenaga and Franciscan monk Luis Sotelo, the expedition spent seven years traveling one-third of the globe.

  • Hindenburg’s Fatal Flaws: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Hindenburg’s Fatal Flaws

    S19 E4 - 55m 30s

    A fresh look at the science and conditions surrounding the Hindenburg explosion reveals ten particular flaws that directly led to the infamous disaster in 1937.

  • The First Circle of Stonehenge: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The First Circle of Stonehenge

    S19 E3 - 55m 30s

    A decade-long archaeological quest reveals that the oldest stones of Stonehenge originally belonged to a much earlier sacred site — a stone circle built on a rugged, remote hillside in west Wales.

  • Lady Sapiens: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Lady Sapiens

    S19 E2 - 55m 25s

    Incredible scientific investigations from across the globe are helping piece together the untold story of prehistoric women. The latest research separates fact from fiction and sheds new light on our ancient foremothers.

  • Magellan’s Crossing: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Magellan’s Crossing

    S19 E1 - 55m 30s

    500 years ago, Ferdinand Magellan and his crew set sail to gain control of the global spice trade. What resulted was the first circumnavigation of the earth, laying the groundwork for colonization and globalization still felt today.

Extras + Features

  • Preview | The Caravaggio Heist: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Preview | The Caravaggio Heist

    S19 E6 - 32s

    Father Marius Zerafa, director of national museums in Malta, risks his life to recover a Caravaggio masterpiece stolen from a cathedral in 1984.

  • Plotting to Recover a Stolen Caravaggio: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Plotting to Recover a Stolen Caravaggio

    S19 E6 - 3m 1s

    Father Marius Zerafa (director of museums in Malta), the Malta Police Force, and the Armed Forces of Malta all work together to recover a priceless Caravaggio painting. Utilizing an established channel of communication with a trio of thieves, Zerafa and a detective negotiate the return of the stolen work of art.

  • Preview | A Samurai in the Vatican: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Preview | A Samurai in the Vatican

    S19 E5 - 32s

    In 1613, feudal lord Date Masamune sent a Japanese diplomatic mission to Europe to negotiate with the Pope and the King of Spain in hopes opening a new trade route. Led by samurai Hasekura Tsunenaga and Franciscan monk Luis Sotelo, the expedition spent seven years traveling one-third of the globe.

  • A Samurai's Christening Affects Global Trade Routes: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    A Samurai's Christening Affects Global Trade Routes

    S19 E5 - 2m 52s

    In Spain, samurai Hasekura Tsunenaga was baptized and christened Felipe Francisco Hasekura. This new identity for the Japanese ambassador would potentially unlock a new trade route between Japan and New Spain. However, King Philip III ultimately passed the responsibility for approving the trade route onto the Vatican, leaving Hasekura to seek the Pope's approval.

  • Recently Discovered Letter Anticipates Hindenburg Problems: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Recently Discovered Letter Anticipates Hindenburg Problems

    S19 E4 - 2m 13s

    A recently discovered letter reveals that Captain Ernst Lehmann, the world's most experienced Zeppelin pilot, knew about the Hindenburg's damaged gas bag and it's crude repairs. Not anticipating catastrophe, these specific problems led Lehmann to fly on the infamous airship's trans-Atlantic flight because he worried there would be a problem that the staff and crew may not be equipped to handle.

  • Hindenburg’s Fatal Flaws Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Hindenburg’s Fatal Flaws Preview

    S19 E4 - 32s

    A fresh look at the science and conditions surrounding the Hindenburg explosion reveals ten particular flaws that directly led to the infamous disaster in 1937.

  • Modern Geotechnology 'Fingerprints' Stonehenge's Bluestones: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Modern Geotechnology 'Fingerprints' Stonehenge's Bluestones

    S19 E3 - 2m 28s

    Archaeologists, led by Professor Mike Parker Pearson (University College London), use the latest tools of geotechnology in their painstaking search for the evidence that reveals the Stonehenge Bluestones originally came from a specific location in West Wales' remote Preseli Hills.

  • Preview | The First Circle of Stonehenge: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Preview | The First Circle of Stonehenge

    S19 E3 - 32s

    A decade-long archaeological quest reveals that the oldest stones of Stonehenge originally belonged to a much earlier sacred site — a stone circle built on a rugged, remote hillside in west Wales.

  • Preview | Lady Sapiens: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Preview | Lady Sapiens

    S19 E2 - 32s

    Incredible scientific investigations from across the globe are helping piece together the untold story of prehistoric women. The latest research separates fact from fiction and sheds light on our ancient foremothers.

  • Misgendered Skeleton Changes Views on Prehistoric Women: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Misgendered Skeleton Changes Views on Prehistoric Women

    S19 E2 - 2m 24s

    The 1995 discovery that an important Paleolithic skeleton was actually a woman changed how historians perceived the role of our foremothers in ancient societies. No longer relegated solely to the home and hearth, it is now understood that ancient women were also hunter-gatherers and held prominent positions of importance within their communities.

  • Preview | Magellan’s Crossing: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Preview | Magellan’s Crossing

    S19 E1 - 32s

    500 years ago, Ferdinand Magellan and his crew set sail to gain control of the global spice trade. What resulted was the first circumnavigation of the earth, laying the groundwork for colonization and globalization still felt today.

  • Magellan's Unexpected Journey around the Globe: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Magellan's Unexpected Journey around the Globe

    S19 E1 - 2m 31s

    The expedition to the Spice Islands becomes an unexpectedly long, arduous trip for Ferdinand Magellan and his crew. While he believed the Islands to be only 600 nautical miles away from the tip of South America, they were in reality 20,000 nautical miles away, extending the length of the trip by months.

Schedule

  • Image
    Secrets of the Dead: TVSS: Iconic

    Secrets of the Dead

    Archaeology at Althorp

    Thursday
    Apr 25

    1 Hour

    Archaeologists conduct an extensive excavation at the Spencer family estate of Althorp, house of Diana, Princess of Wales.
  • Image
    Secrets of the Dead: The Princes in the Tower: TVSS: Iconic

    Secrets of the Dead

    The Princes in the Tower

    Thursday
    Apr 25

    1 Hour

    Amateur archaeologist Philippa Langley searches for what really happened to Richard III's two nephews, who many believe he had murdered.
  • Image
    Secrets of the Dead: Death in Britannia: TVSS: Banner-L1

    Secrets of the Dead

    Death in Britannia

    Thursday
    Apr 25

    1 Hour

    A skeleton dating back to the Roman occupation of Britain provokes further study after scientists see an iron nail driven through its heel bone, possibly indicating the person was crucified.
  • Image
    Secrets of the Dead: TVSS: Iconic

    Secrets of the Dead

    Archaeology at Althorp

    Thursday
    Apr 25

    1 Hour

    Archaeologists conduct an extensive excavation at the Spencer family estate of Althorp, house of Diana, Princess of Wales.
  • Image
    Secrets of the Dead: The Princes in the Tower: TVSS: Iconic

    Secrets of the Dead

    The Princes in the Tower

    Friday
    Apr 26

    1 Hour

    Amateur archaeologist Philippa Langley searches for what really happened to Richard III's two nephews, who many believe he had murdered.
  • Image
    Secrets of the Dead: Death in Britannia: TVSS: Banner-L1

    Secrets of the Dead

    Death in Britannia

    Friday
    Apr 26

    1 Hour

    A skeleton dating back to the Roman occupation of Britain provokes further study after scientists see an iron nail driven through its heel bone, possibly indicating the person was crucified.
  • Image
    Secrets of the Dead: TVSS: Iconic

    Secrets of the Dead

    Archaeology at Althorp

    Friday
    Apr 26

    1 Hour

    Archaeologists conduct an extensive excavation at the Spencer family estate of Althorp, house of Diana, Princess of Wales.
  • Image
    Secrets of the Dead: TVSS: Iconic

    Secrets of the Dead

    Archaeology at Althorp

    Friday
    Apr 26

    1 Hour

    Archaeologists conduct an extensive excavation at the Spencer family estate of Althorp, house of Diana, Princess of Wales.
  • Image
    Secrets of the Dead: The Princes in the Tower: TVSS: Iconic

    Secrets of the Dead

    The Princes in the Tower

    Friday
    Apr 26

    1 Hour

    Amateur archaeologist Philippa Langley searches for what really happened to Richard III's two nephews, who many believe he had murdered.
  • Image
    Secrets of the Dead: Death in Britannia: TVSS: Banner-L1

    Secrets of the Dead

    Death in Britannia

    Friday
    Apr 26

    1 Hour

    A skeleton dating back to the Roman occupation of Britain provokes further study after scientists see an iron nail driven through its heel bone, possibly indicating the person was crucified.
  • Image
    Secrets of the Dead: TVSS: Iconic

    Secrets of the Dead

    Archaeology at Althorp

    Sunday
    Apr 28

    1 Hour

    Archaeologists conduct an extensive excavation at the Spencer family estate of Althorp, house of Diana, Princess of Wales.
  • Image
    Secrets of the Dead: The Princes in the Tower: TVSS: Iconic

    Secrets of the Dead

    The Princes in the Tower

    Sunday
    Apr 28

    1 Hour

    Amateur archaeologist Philippa Langley searches for what really happened to Richard III's two nephews, who many believe he had murdered.
  • Image
    Secrets of the Dead: Death in Britannia: TVSS: Banner-L1

    Secrets of the Dead

    Death in Britannia

    Sunday
    Apr 28

    1 Hour

    A skeleton dating back to the Roman occupation of Britain provokes further study after scientists see an iron nail driven through its heel bone, possibly indicating the person was crucified.
  • Image
    Secrets of the Dead: TVSS: Iconic

    Secrets of the Dead

    Archaeology at Althorp

    Sunday
    Apr 28

    1 Hour

    Archaeologists conduct an extensive excavation at the Spencer family estate of Althorp, house of Diana, Princess of Wales.
  • Image
    Secrets of the Dead: The Princes in the Tower: TVSS: Iconic

    Secrets of the Dead

    The Princes in the Tower

    Sunday
    Apr 28

    1 Hour

    Amateur archaeologist Philippa Langley searches for what really happened to Richard III's two nephews, who many believe he had murdered.
  • Image
    Secrets of the Dead: Death in Britannia: TVSS: Banner-L1

    Secrets of the Dead

    Death in Britannia

    Sunday
    Apr 28

    1 Hour

    A skeleton dating back to the Roman occupation of Britain provokes further study after scientists see an iron nail driven through its heel bone, possibly indicating the person was crucified.
  • Image
    Secrets of the Dead: TVSS: Iconic

    Secrets of the Dead

    Archaeology at Althorp

    Monday
    Apr 29

    1 Hour

    Archaeologists conduct an extensive excavation at the Spencer family estate of Althorp, house of Diana, Princess of Wales.
  • Image
    Secrets of the Dead: The Princes in the Tower: TVSS: Iconic

    Secrets of the Dead

    The Princes in the Tower

    Monday
    Apr 29

    1 Hour

    Amateur archaeologist Philippa Langley searches for what really happened to Richard III's two nephews, who many believe he had murdered.
  • Image
    Secrets of the Dead: Death in Britannia: TVSS: Banner-L1

    Secrets of the Dead

    Death in Britannia

    Monday
    Apr 29

    1 Hour

    A skeleton dating back to the Roman occupation of Britain provokes further study after scientists see an iron nail driven through its heel bone, possibly indicating the person was crucified.
  • Image
    Secrets of the Dead: TVSS: Iconic

    Secrets of the Dead

    Archaeology at Althorp

    Monday
    Apr 29

    1 Hour

    Archaeologists conduct an extensive excavation at the Spencer family estate of Althorp, house of Diana, Princess of Wales.

WETA Passport

Stream tens of thousands of hours of your PBS and local favorites with WETA Passport whenever and wherever you want. Catch up on a single episode or binge-watch full seasons before they air on TV.

Similar Shows