Viasat History

Adolf Hitler was famously against using chemical and biological weapons, but chemistry and biological science still played an incredible role in the Nazis' unquenchable quest for power.

Belzoni uncovered Egypt's ancient wonders while Champollion raced Thomas Young to decipher the Rosetta Stone. His breakthrough gave a civilisation silent for 1,400 years its voice again.

A Canadian family of explorers uncover an inconvenient piece of history and answer the question of whether Vikings made it further inland in North America earlier than history has documented.

The team is testing the gear they will use in their bigger quest. Jo, Johann and David set out for Berens River, a place with potential clues of lost Vikings on the eastern shore of Lake Winnipeg.

The team are near Bloodvein, Manitoba, where a large boulder may hold a mystery of a lost Viking expedition. Meanwhile, Joe tries his hand at metal detecting near a historic fur trading fort.

The search continues, taking them into Minnesota to examine the fabled Kensington Runestone. Is there proof the lost Viking walked these parts 500 years earlier than history states?

Adolf Hitler was famously against using chemical and biological weapons, but chemistry and biological science still played an incredible role in the Nazis' unquenchable quest for power.

Adolf Eichmann, the meticulous bureaucrat behind the mass deportation of Jews, organised genocide from behind a desk. After the war, he vanished - only to be hunted down and tried decades later.

The island of Cyprus lies between the continents of Europe, Asia and Africa; Bettany explores the legacy of these diverse influences on Cyprus through four of its unique treasures.

The rivalry between Calakmul and Tikal reached its climax. Warfare, once a source of strength, became a catalyst for instability. This set the stage for the decline of the Classic Maya world.

Adolf Hitler was famously against using chemical and biological weapons, but chemistry and biological science still played an incredible role in the Nazis' unquenchable quest for power.

Belzoni uncovered Egypt's ancient wonders while Champollion raced Thomas Young to decipher the Rosetta Stone. His breakthrough gave a civilisation silent for 1,400 years its voice again.

We examine key movements in the Pacific Theatre - the Fall of Singapore, the Battle of Midway and the Kokoda Campaign - Rommel's offensives in Africa, and the Allied bombing campaign over Europe.

Nazi Germany's fate was all but sealed by late 1944, but Hitler's manic denial of this impending defeat would lead to his final gamble at the Battle of the Bulge.

Adolf Eichmann, the meticulous bureaucrat behind the mass deportation of Jews, organised genocide from behind a desk. After the war, he vanished - only to be hunted down and tried decades later.

The team ventures further into Minnesota lore as residents offer up theories of what they think happened to the lost Viking. The team is led to sites where remnants may reside.

Wildfires ravage much of Canada's north, throwing a wrench into the crew's expedition plans. With a lack of planes, helicopters, and supplies the group must find ways to overcome these issues.

The final expedition begins as the crew continue the search for physical proof of the lost Viking quest. A trapper's letter and map from 1929 might hold the key to what happened to the Vikings.

The team embarks on their most ambitious mission yet. They come across a site that is unquestionably human made. But is this the site they are looking for? Time is running out to find out.

The Axis forces begin to lose hold on their previous triumphs; between Japan's loosening hold on southeast Asia and Germany's growing defeats in Europe, we begin to see WW2's turning of the tide.

The war in Europe was over, but heavy fighting continued in the East and President Truman was desperate to bring the war to a close in the Pacific.

Bettany explores the artistic and cultural wonders of Jordan; a strategic crossing point for East and West, Jordan has been the centre of great civilisations throughout human history.

The Serpent dynasty's dominance ended. Under Jasaw Chan K'awiil, Tikal briefly led, but instability grew. Political, ecological and social pressures caused the gradual collapse of the age of Classic Maya.

What would it take to bomb the Allies into the ground? This was the question on the minds of top Nazi brass as they mobilised Germany's top scientists to create frightening new bombs.

Champollion travelled up the Nile to test his decipherment of hieroglyphs, bringing forgotten pharaohs back to life. His triumphant expedition came at a devastating cost to his health.

As the Third Reich collapsed, the perpetrators scattered - some dead, some hunted, others attempted to rewrite history. A final look at the unravelling threads of power within the Third Reich.

The team ventures further into Minnesota lore as residents offer up theories of what they think happened to the lost Viking. The team is led to sites where remnants may reside.

Wildfires ravage much of Canada's north, throwing a wrench into the crew's expedition plans. With a lack of planes, helicopters, and supplies the group must find ways to overcome these issues.

The final expedition begins as the crew continue the search for physical proof of the lost Viking quest. A trapper's letter and map from 1929 might hold the key to what happened to the Vikings.

The team embarks on their most ambitious mission yet. They come across a site that is unquestionably human made. But is this the site they are looking for? Time is running out to find out.

What would it take to bomb the Allies into the ground? This was the question on the minds of top Nazi brass as they mobilised Germany's top scientists to create frightening new bombs.

As the Third Reich collapsed, the perpetrators scattered - some dead, some hunted, others attempted to rewrite history. A final look at the unravelling threads of power within the Third Reich.

The Serpent dynasty's dominance ended. Under Jasaw Chan K'awiil, Tikal briefly led, but instability grew. Political, ecological and social pressures caused the gradual collapse of the age of Classic Maya.

What would it take to bomb the Allies into the ground? This was the question on the minds of top Nazi brass as they mobilised Germany's top scientists to create frightening new bombs.

Champollion travelled up the Nile to test his decipherment of hieroglyphs, bringing forgotten pharaohs back to life. His triumphant expedition came at a devastating cost to his health.

The Axis forces begin to lose hold on their previous triumphs; between Japan's loosening hold on southeast Asia and Germany's growing defeats in Europe, we begin to see WW2's turning of the tide.

The war in Europe was over, but heavy fighting continued in the East and President Truman was desperate to bring the war to a close in the Pacific.

As the Third Reich collapsed, the perpetrators scattered - some dead, some hunted, others attempted to rewrite history. A final look at the unravelling threads of power within the Third Reich.

Two sites are emblematic of legionary life in Ancient Roman times: the fort of Vindolanda and the garrison of Lugdunum. Excavations have unearthed objects that shed light on the life of these sites.

Recent excavations in the city of Lyon shed light on the daily lives of Roman soldiers; numerous artefacts have been unearthed such as 1st-century A.D. / C.E. weapons and toiletry and leisure items.

From plantation widow to fearless buccaneer, Marie-Anne Dieu-le-veut takes to the seas alongside her pirate husband. Her boldness inspires Mary Read, who disguises herself as a man to survive.

Disguised as men, Mary Read and Ann Bonny sail with Calico Jack - until capture and a death sentence seal their legend. Decades later, Corsican Louise Antonini charts the same daring course.

This episode explores moments of the war where Allied forces started to push back: the relief of Leningrad, the liberation of Paris, D-Day and the liberation of the Nazi extermination camps.

The emergence of the Cold War wasn't due to one single event; it was born from a series of steps laid by the United States and the Soviet Union, the two main powers of the alliance of WWII.

Located on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, Bettany explores Albania, the hidden gem of the Balkans and a land of epic fortress towns, sparkling seas, and a diverse history and culture.

Archaeologist Zahi Hawass hopes to discover the tomb of Imhotep, the architect of the Step Pyramid of Djoser, and aims to unearth the many secrets of the Egyptian mummies with his team.

Science was a tool to help the war effort for the Nazis; how could a Nazi soldier and its leadership be optimised, and what secret Nazi plans can we glean from a hidden crypt in Thuringia?

Vyse blasted into Giza's pyramids as Lepsius and Prisse d'Avennes competed for Karnak's royal list. Their clash embodied an emerging Egyptology torn between preservation, science and plunder.

A documentary directed by Sam Mendes, reliving the liberation of Bergen-Belsen.

Two sites are emblematic of legionary life in Ancient Roman times: the fort of Vindolanda and the garrison of Lugdunum. Excavations have unearthed objects that shed light on the life of these sites.

Recent excavations in the city of Lyon shed light on the daily lives of Roman soldiers; numerous artefacts have been unearthed such as 1st-century A.D. / C.E. weapons and toiletry and leisure items.

From plantation widow to fearless buccaneer, Marie-Anne Dieu-le-veut takes to the seas alongside her pirate husband. Her boldness inspires Mary Read, who disguises herself as a man to survive.

Disguised as men, Mary Read and Ann Bonny sail with Calico Jack - until capture and a death sentence seal their legend. Decades later, Corsican Louise Antonini charts the same daring course.

Science was a tool to help the war effort for the Nazis; how could a Nazi soldier and its leadership be optimised, and what secret Nazi plans can we glean from a hidden crypt in Thuringia?

The Berlin Olympics of 1936 were innovative, introducing television coverage and the torch relay. We show the highlights, but also how Hitler used the Games as propaganda for his brutal regime.

In this episode, we reveal how Hitler manipulated and played games with the Czechs and the western powers of Britain and France to achieve his ends.

In this episode, we explore how Adolf Hitler dragged the world ever closer to war by attacking Jewish people in his country and launching another military invasion abroad.

In the final episode, we explore how Hitler dragged the world to war; fresh from invading Czechoslovakia, Hitler now turned to his next target - Poland.

Joachim von Ribbentrop, Hitler's foreign minister, became an architect of the Nazi-Soviet Pact; Ribbentrop's loyalty and opportunism placed him at the heart of Nazi Germany's decisions and alliance.

Joseph Goebbels, the ruthless Nazi propaganda minister, weaponised words to deceive a nation and glorify Hitler; he engineered the ideology that fuelled genocide and led to total war.

Albert Speer, Hitler's architect and armaments minister, built the industrial foundations of the Nazi war machine; after the downfall, he crafted a carefully managed myth to escape the gallows.

Hitler's DNA is discovered for the first time in history as experts investigate what it reveals about his heritage and his formative years.

Experts investigating Hitler's DNA uncover psychiatric conditions and find a genetic mutation that disrupts sexual development.

The Berlin Olympics of 1936 were innovative, introducing television coverage and the torch relay. We show the highlights, but also how Hitler used the Games as propaganda for his brutal regime.

In 1798, Napoleon invaded Egypt with soldiers and scholars. As Denon risked his life recording ancient wonders, the Rosetta Stone promised to unlock the mystery of hieroglyphs.

After France's defeat, British and French consuls battled for Egypt's antiquities. Explorer Belzoni joined the race to seize the colossal Young Memnon as their ruthless rivalry intensified.

Belzoni uncovered Egypt's ancient wonders while Champollion raced Thomas Young to decipher the Rosetta Stone. His breakthrough gave a civilisation silent for 1,400 years its voice again.

Champollion travelled up the Nile to test his decipherment of hieroglyphs, bringing forgotten pharaohs back to life. His triumphant expedition came at a devastating cost to his health.

Vyse blasted into Giza's pyramids as Lepsius and Prisse d'Avennes competed for Karnak's royal list. Their clash embodied an emerging Egyptology torn between preservation, science and plunder.

In this episode, we reveal how Hitler manipulated and played games with the Czechs and the western powers of Britain and France to achieve his ends.

In this episode, we explore how Adolf Hitler dragged the world ever closer to war by attacking Jewish people in his country and launching another military invasion abroad.

In the final episode, we explore how Hitler dragged the world to war; fresh from invading Czechoslovakia, Hitler now turned to his next target - Poland.

Series exploring the milestones of World War II, beginning with the events that led to the birth of the conflict.

In this episode, we explore the first few years on the European battlefield, from the invasion of France and the subsequent Dunkirk evacuation to Hitler's betrayal of his pact with Stalin.

We examine key movements in the Pacific Theatre - the Fall of Singapore, the Battle of Midway and the Kokoda Campaign - Rommel's offensives in Africa, and the Allied bombing campaign over Europe.

The Axis forces begin to lose hold on their previous triumphs; between Japan's loosening hold on southeast Asia and Germany's growing defeats in Europe, we begin to see WW2's turning of the tide.

This episode explores moments of the war where Allied forces started to push back: the relief of Leningrad, the liberation of Paris, D-Day and the liberation of the Nazi extermination camps.

Boarding a traditional gullet yacht, Bettany sets sail along the coast of Mediterranean Turkey and visits ancient sites including Halicarnassus, Patara, Myra, Ephesus and the world-famous Troy.

Bettany travels to Azerbaijan, which sits between the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus Mountain range; it was a strategic position on the ancient Silk Roads that left a legacy of diverse cultures.

Archaeologist Zahi Hawass hopes to discover the tomb of Imhotep, the architect of the Step Pyramid of Djoser, and aims to unearth the many secrets of the Egyptian mummies with his team.

Zahi Hawass is excavating an enclosure called Gisr El-Mudir where sarcophagi containing mysterious mummies and rich painted tombs are discovered; will these treasures lead them to Imhotep?

In 1798, Napoleon invaded Egypt with soldiers and scholars. As Denon risked his life recording ancient wonders, the Rosetta Stone promised to unlock the mystery of hieroglyphs.

After France's defeat, British and French consuls battled for Egypt's antiquities. Explorer Belzoni joined the race to seize the colossal Young Memnon as their ruthless rivalry intensified.

Belzoni uncovered Egypt's ancient wonders while Champollion raced Thomas Young to decipher the Rosetta Stone. His breakthrough gave a civilisation silent for 1,400 years its voice again.

Champollion travelled up the Nile to test his decipherment of hieroglyphs, bringing forgotten pharaohs back to life. His triumphant expedition came at a devastating cost to his health.

Vyse blasted into Giza's pyramids as Lepsius and Prisse d'Avennes competed for Karnak's royal list. Their clash embodied an emerging Egyptology torn between preservation, science and plunder.

The inter-war years saw the rise of dictators, appeasement and the policies of the Third Reich until the invasion of Poland, and Japan's 1937 invasion of China escalated into a full-scale conflict.

The invasion of Poland forces even resistant nations into declaring war. Chamberlain is replaced by Winston Churchill. Now hardly-remembered early naval encounters start to shape the war.

War explodes across Western Europe. The Germans' mobile armour, airborne troops and airpower on the battlefield makes their assault unstoppable. France is ready to fall to the Nazis.

A look at the events that lead up to the Second World War using archive footage and eye witnesses.

The war in Europe is transformed when, on 22nd June 1941, Hitler unleashes Operation Barbarossa. The Nazi invasion of The Soviet Union has begun.

Investigating the secret and origin of Stonehenge's six-tonne altar stone.

Documentary following the work of scientists at archaeological marvel the Chauvet cave.

For decades most experts have been convinced that Africa is the cradle of mankind, but researchers have come across more finds in recent years that cast doubt on this well-established theory.

By the end of WWII, the tank had evolved from its trench-crossing beginnings; it had turned into a vision of armoured warfare that carried on through the Cold War and into the present day.

The early years of WWII caused devastation throughout Europe; the 1939 non-aggression pact between the Germans and Russians had promised safety for the Soviet Union, but Hitler was not to be trusted.

Nazi Germany's fate was all but sealed by late 1944, but Hitler's manic denial of this impending defeat would lead to his final gamble at the Battle of the Bulge.

The war in Europe was over, but heavy fighting continued in the East and President Truman was desperate to bring the war to a close in the Pacific.

The emergence of the Cold War wasn't due to one single event; it was born from a series of steps laid by the United States and the Soviet Union, the two main powers of the alliance of WWII.

Archaeologist Zahi Hawass hopes to discover the tomb of Imhotep, the architect of the Step Pyramid of Djoser, and aims to unearth the many secrets of the Egyptian mummies with his team.

Science was a tool to help the war effort for the Nazis; how could a Nazi soldier and its leadership be optimised, and what secret Nazi plans can we glean from a hidden crypt in Thuringia?

Vyse blasted into Giza's pyramids as Lepsius and Prisse d'Avennes competed for Karnak's royal list. Their clash embodied an emerging Egyptology torn between preservation, science and plunder.

This episode explores moments of the war where Allied forces started to push back: the relief of Leningrad, the liberation of Paris, D-Day and the liberation of the Nazi extermination camps.

The emergence of the Cold War wasn't due to one single event; it was born from a series of steps laid by the United States and the Soviet Union, the two main powers of the alliance of WWII.

The Berlin Olympics of 1936 were innovative, introducing television coverage and the torch relay. We show the highlights, but also how Hitler used the Games as propaganda for his brutal regime.

Investigating the secret and origin of Stonehenge's six-tonne altar stone.

For decades most experts have been convinced that Africa is the cradle of mankind, but researchers have come across more finds in recent years that cast doubt on this well-established theory.

Professor Salima Ikram shows us an extraordinary series of reliefs and inscriptions about Ramses' battles with the "Sea People" at Ramses III's mortuary temple at Medinet Habu in Egypt.

Around 1200 B.C. / B.C.E.: Bronze Age people are on the move across the Eastern Mediterranean and sacking and burning the great centres of civilisation as they go.

We witness the final moments and aftermath of World War II with the establishment of war crime trials - such as the ones in Nuremberg - and move towards peace with the creation of the United Nations.

This episode traces the war in the West and how the geography of Western Europe provided both the Nazis and the Allies with advantages and disadvantages.

Bettany visits Turkey to witness settlements such as Cappadocia and Göbeklitepe up close; she also explores Urfa (Şanlıurfa), one of the most significant pilgrimage cities of the Middle East.

Zahi Hawass is excavating an enclosure called Gisr El-Mudir where sarcophagi containing mysterious mummies and rich painted tombs are discovered; will these treasures lead them to Imhotep?

The Nazis built a number of radar stations and systems harnessing the power of frequencies to help them plot their next move; were they also harnessing the power of the Sun itself?

Auguste Mariette discovered Saqqara's Serapeum and pioneered a more scientific Egyptology. Once a looter, he created Egypt's Antiquities Service and Cairo's first museum to protect its heritage.

What is a tank? From the early concepts to the first tank prototype, we examine how the battlefields of WWI set the scene for the mechanised warfare of WWII.

Investigating the secret and origin of Stonehenge's six-tonne altar stone.

For decades most experts have been convinced that Africa is the cradle of mankind, but researchers have come across more finds in recent years that cast doubt on this well-established theory.

Professor Salima Ikram shows us an extraordinary series of reliefs and inscriptions about Ramses' battles with the "Sea People" at Ramses III's mortuary temple at Medinet Habu in Egypt.

Around 1200 B.C. / B.C.E.: Bronze Age people are on the move across the Eastern Mediterranean and sacking and burning the great centres of civilisation as they go.

The Nazis built a number of radar stations and systems harnessing the power of frequencies to help them plot their next move; were they also harnessing the power of the Sun itself?

Zahi Hawass is excavating an enclosure called Gisr El-Mudir where sarcophagi containing mysterious mummies and rich painted tombs are discovered; will these treasures lead them to Imhotep?

The Nazis built a number of radar stations and systems harnessing the power of frequencies to help them plot their next move; were they also harnessing the power of the Sun itself?

Auguste Mariette discovered Saqqara's Serapeum and pioneered a more scientific Egyptology. Once a looter, he created Egypt's Antiquities Service and Cairo's first museum to protect its heritage.

We witness the final moments and aftermath of World War II with the establishment of war crime trials - such as the ones in Nuremberg - and move towards peace with the creation of the United Nations.

This episode traces the war in the West and how the geography of Western Europe provided both the Nazis and the Allies with advantages and disadvantages.

What is a tank? From the early concepts to the first tank prototype, we examine how the battlefields of WWI set the scene for the mechanised warfare of WWII.

In 1798, Napoleon invaded Egypt with soldiers and scholars. As Denon risked his life recording ancient wonders, the Rosetta Stone promised to unlock the mystery of hieroglyphs.

After France's defeat, British and French consuls battled for Egypt's antiquities. Explorer Belzoni joined the race to seize the colossal Young Memnon as their ruthless rivalry intensified.

Belzoni uncovered Egypt's ancient wonders while Champollion raced Thomas Young to decipher the Rosetta Stone. His breakthrough gave a civilisation silent for 1,400 years its voice again.

Champollion travelled up the Nile to test his decipherment of hieroglyphs, bringing forgotten pharaohs back to life. His triumphant expedition came at a devastating cost to his health.

The inter-war years saw the rise of dictators, appeasement and the policies of the Third Reich until the invasion of Poland, and Japan's 1937 invasion of China escalated into a full-scale conflict.

For 2,000 years, whoever controlled the Mediterranean controlled the resources of the known world. In WWII, this area was in control of the British Empire, and Mussolini wanted it back.

Bettany explores the Sultanate of Oman, a land full of surprises and contrasts that is wedged between the vast sands of the Arabian Desert and the glistening waves of the Indian Ocean.

Founded the legend of the most warlike of pharaohs, Thutmose III, who reinvented warfare for millennia to come.

The Nazis went to great lengths to warp the natural world to their whims as they believed that ruins that could prove the Aryans to be the superior race lay buried in the soil.

Archaeologists go deep inside the spectacular burial chamber of Ramses III, unearthing burial goods and evidence of his assassination.

WWII has begun; new tank strategies take the world by storm and completely change the way wars are fought. As war engulfs Europe, each country learns to adapt to mechanised warfare in its own way.

In 1798, Napoleon invaded Egypt with soldiers and scholars. As Denon risked his life recording ancient wonders, the Rosetta Stone promised to unlock the mystery of hieroglyphs.

After France's defeat, British and French consuls battled for Egypt's antiquities. Explorer Belzoni joined the race to seize the colossal Young Memnon as their ruthless rivalry intensified.

Belzoni uncovered Egypt's ancient wonders while Champollion raced Thomas Young to decipher the Rosetta Stone. His breakthrough gave a civilisation silent for 1,400 years its voice again.

Champollion travelled up the Nile to test his decipherment of hieroglyphs, bringing forgotten pharaohs back to life. His triumphant expedition came at a devastating cost to his health.

The Nazis went to great lengths to warp the natural world to their whims as they believed that ruins that could prove the Aryans to be the superior race lay buried in the soil.

The location of King Solomon's Mines has been a mystery for hundreds of years; new evidence has led to an amazing discovery. Might Solomon's wealth have come from the copper mines of southern Israel?

Founded the legend of the most warlike of pharaohs, Thutmose III, who reinvented warfare for millennia to come.

The Nazis went to great lengths to warp the natural world to their whims as they believed that ruins that could prove the Aryans to be the superior race lay buried in the soil.

Archaeologists go deep inside the spectacular burial chamber of Ramses III, unearthing burial goods and evidence of his assassination.

The inter-war years saw the rise of dictators, appeasement and the policies of the Third Reich until the invasion of Poland, and Japan's 1937 invasion of China escalated into a full-scale conflict.

For 2,000 years, whoever controlled the Mediterranean controlled the resources of the known world. In WWII, this area was in control of the British Empire, and Mussolini wanted it back.

WWII has begun; new tank strategies take the world by storm and completely change the way wars are fought. As war engulfs Europe, each country learns to adapt to mechanised warfare in its own way.

Vyse blasted into Giza's pyramids as Lepsius and Prisse d'Avennes competed for Karnak's royal list. Their clash embodied an emerging Egyptology torn between preservation, science and plunder.

Auguste Mariette discovered Saqqara's Serapeum and pioneered a more scientific Egyptology. Once a looter, he created Egypt's Antiquities Service and Cairo's first museum to protect its heritage.

Archaeologist Zahi Hawass hopes to discover the tomb of Imhotep, the architect of the Step Pyramid of Djoser, and aims to unearth the many secrets of the Egyptian mummies with his team.

Zahi Hawass is excavating an enclosure called Gisr El-Mudir where sarcophagi containing mysterious mummies and rich painted tombs are discovered; will these treasures lead them to Imhotep?

The invasion of Poland forces even resistant nations into declaring war. Chamberlain is replaced by Winston Churchill. Now hardly-remembered early naval encounters start to shape the war.

The Eastern Front saw Hitler's most brutal WWII campaigns, but it is also where the Soviets, with mastery of the ground on which they lived, beat him all the way back to Berlin.

Bettany returns to Azerbaijan for more adventures on the Silk Roads; she explores its most remote and hidden corners to find out the cultural impact of a history of isolation and influence.

A battle worthy of Hollywood that founded the glory of Ramses II when he faces the king Muwatalli II at Qadesh.