Secrets of the Dead poster

TV series

Secrets of the Dead

2000NR23 seasons6.4 / 10

Unearthing History

Part detective story, part true-life drama, long-running series explores some of the most iconic moments in history to debunk myths and shed new light on past events. Using the latest investigative techniques, forensic science and historical examination, it shatters accepted wisdom, challenges prevailing ideas, overturns existing hypotheses, spotlights forgotten mysteries, and ultimately rewrites history.

Availability

Not streaming in United States

Secrets of the Dead premiered May 15, 2000. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.

Synopsis

Part detective story, part true-life drama, long-running series explores some of the most iconic moments in history to debunk myths and shed new light on past events. Using the latest investigative techniques, forensic science and historical examination, it shatters accepted wisdom, challenges prevailing ideas, overturns existing hypotheses, spotlights forgotten mysteries, and ultimately rewrites history.

Season 18 episodes

Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.

← Season 17

Episode 1

Galileo's Moon

When it was published in 1610, Galileo’s Sidereus Nuncius (Starry Messenger) set in motion a scientific revolution. Using observations he made of both the earth’s moon and Jupiter’s moons, Galileo proved earth is not the center of the universe. Five hundred and fifty copies of the original treatise were originally printed and roughly 150 are known to exist today. When an original copy with Galileo’s signature and seemingly original watercolor paintings of the phases of the moon believed to be done by Galileo himself came on the market in 2005, Sidereus Nuncius caused a worldwide sensation 400 years after its creation… and again in 2012 when it was proved a fake.

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Episode 2

Bombing Auschwitz

On December 3, 1944, The Washington Post published an editorial on the atrocities in Auschwitz with the headline “Genocide,” marking the first time the word appeared in a national newspaper.

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Episode 3

Building Notre Dame

56m

Follow an investigation into the centuries-long construction of Notre Dame de Paris, uncovering the vast architectural, technical and human challenges experienced throughout the turbulent history of one of the world’s most celebrated buildings.

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Episode 4

Viking Warrior Queen

Join a team of archaeologists as they examine one of the most significant Viking graves ever found and test the DNA of the remains of the female warrior buried inside, rewriting our understanding of Viking society.

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Episode 5

Abandoning The Titanic

Join a team of investigators as they search for the identity of the captain of a “mystery ship” that turned away from the “unsinkable” Titanic in its darkest hour, abandoning thousands of lives to the icy waters and their deaths.

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Episode 6

Gangster's Gold

finale

Join three groups of treasure hunters, armed with modern technology and newly uncovered clues, as they set out to find the lost treasure of notorious Prohibition-era gangster Dutch Schultz and solve an 85-year-old mystery.

Episode credits

Guest stars Frank Lopergolo, Steve Zazulyk

Where to watch Secrets of the Dead

Episode information updated Jul 24, 2026

More about Secrets of the Dead

Cast

Liev SchreiberNarrator
Roy ScheiderNarrator
Georgi Markov
Ian KnightHimself - Historian
Tony PollardHimself - Archaeologist
Dr. Jeannine Davis-Kimballherself
Linnda R. Caporaelherself
Addison Bainhimself

Credits

Written by
Ken Chowder

Production details

Status
Returning Series
Series type
Documentary
Episodes
123
Original language
English

Networks & production

  • PBSUnited States
  • ThirteenUnited States

Themes

archaeologyexaminationresearch