History Meets Science
This section features documentaries where history and science come together to re-examine history and perhaps rewrite history. You can use these videos in a history class or a science class. Students will be able to see the scientific method demonstrated through these documentaries.
How One Village Survived the Plague: YouTube (49:10)
Aired as Secrets of the Dead on PBS, scientists and historians come together to figure out how one village survived the Black Death. They look at the family stories and genetics of those families. The historians look at the actions of the villagers to stop the plague from spreading in England. What are the implications of surviving the Black Death today? Could genetics prove that people could survive AIDS? *Highly recommended for a history and science classroom.*
Plague Island: The World's Oldest Research Lab: YouTube (42:26)
In the Baltic Sea, there is a high-security research lab. Its goal is to stop the world's most dangerous viruses. The Frederich Loeffler Institute on the Reims Islands can only be reached by a single bridge. Its isolation is vital because the most dangerous viruses are studied here. Viruses including Ebola, Rabies, Swing Fever, and Crimean-Congo Fever are stored at this research lab. This lab is one of three in the world where dangerous diseases can be studied under high-security conditions. So what goes on in this lab? *Recommended for science and animal science classes.*
*Face of Britain: Episode 1 (46:59) Episode 2 (46:54) Episode 3 (47:35)
Neil Oliver explores the genetic doomsday book geneticists in Britain are creating of Britain to determine where the genetic ancestry of the British come from. Do the British people come from Celts, Vikings, Anglo Saxons, or the Normans? Oliver travels around Britain to talk to the participants of the study. At the end of each episode, they go over the results with the participants of the study. *Highly recommended for a history classroom and a science classroom.*
Lost World of Pompeii - YouTube (48:03)
Scientists, archeologists, and other experts are scanning Pompeii to help unlock its secrets and to help preserve it for the future. Pompeii is falling apart due to the tourists and another eruption from Vesuvius could bury the city again. It is a look at what technology the experts are using to help preserve Pompeii in the future. They talk about what could happen to Pompeii in the future. *Highly recommended for earth science, history, and technology classroom.*
Pompeii's Pyroclastic Flow - YouTube (49:52)
This documentary explores why the Pompeii was buried. What made the Vesuvius eruption so unique? Why were there bodies preserved in the ash? What made Vesuvius ash so different? Why did not people escape? Could the Pompeiians escape? How did the people die? This documentary explains the “why’s” of Vesuvius. *Highly recommended for an earth science and history classroom. This is an excellent look at a Pyroclastic flow.*
George Washington Carver Tech - VIDEO MADE PRIVATE
George Washington Carver is known worldwide for his research into peanuts. He saw infinite uses for the peanut plant and inspired generations on researching the peanut plant. He worked at the Tuskegee institution and worked in agricultural research. His research would revitalize the southern region. Carver was born into slavery and was kidnapped by bushwalkers. He was taken in by a family and raised as their own. He worked in the house and was able to explore nature. Nature would inspire his research. *Highly recommended for history and agricultural classrooms and biography projects.*
Syphilis Enigma - YouTube (47:14)
When Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas in 1492, he brought back diseases that wiped out the native population. In revenge, the legend goes, they sent back syphilis. However, a skeleton in Hull may show that the story is not true. An archeological group surveyed the site for a court. What was found may have been the remains of a medieval church. Many skeletons and artifacts were recovered. However, it was one skeleton that puzzled archeologists. This particular skeleton would rewrite history. *Highly recommended for a science class and recommended for a history class.*
Archeology 2:0: Exploring the Past with Technology - YouTube (42:25)
In this age, archaeology works hand in hand with digital technology. Geophysics offers a range of techniques to further explore the past. Geomagnetism used to have military applications but now has an application in archeology. Digital technology is often employed on shipwreck sites to help create virtual models of shipwrecks. Other forms of digital technology are used to scan ancient sites with the idea to recreate them. *Highly recommended for a science class and recommended for a history class.*
1755: The Lisbon Earthquake - YouTube (49:15)
In 1755 an earthquake struck Lisbon and it would become known as the Great Lisbon Earthquake. It was the first natural disaster to strike the heart of a large European city. The earthquake began on November 1, 1755, at 9:40 AM. It was an estimated 8.5 on the Richter scale and caused widespread destruction throughout Lisbon. It also triggered a tsunami. About 60,000-100,000 people died as a result of the earthquake and tsunami which would impact Portugal as a whole. How does this earthquake continue to resonate with people today? *Highly recommended for a science class and recommended for a history class.*
The Secrets History of the Mummies - YouTube (56:25)
Ancient Egypt continues to inspire historians, scholars, and laypeople alike. It is a civilization still surrounded by mystery with its origins, intricate religious beliefs, and architectural feats. From towering pyramids to magnificent temples, the grandeur of Egypt continues to fascinate and bewilder. One team of archeologists continues to work to find out what lies beneath the bandages. This documentary explores the secret lives of mummies with a team from the National Museum in Madrid, Spain. Who are these mummies? What can the latest in technology tell us about these mummies? *HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for a STEM and History Class.*
Petra: City in Stone - YouTube (49:50)
Petra is nestled in the Jordanian desert. It was built over 2,000 years ago by nomads. It had been forgotten for centuries but was rediscovered by a Swiss explorer. Today, scientists are coming together to study Petra and discover its secrets. Using the latest in technology scientists and archeologists are putting Petra under a microscope. How was it built? What tools were used? The scientists and archeologists are bound and determined to find out. *Highly recommended for a science class.*
The Secret Mummies of Lisbon - YouTube (49:23)
The Catholic Church requested that members of the Royal Archeological and Historical Association excavate 78 mummies. These mummies were found in the crypt beneath the altar of the Sacramento Church in Lisbon, Portugal. While the mummies are being excavated, a handwritten book was discovered and this book seems to have hint that there may be a horde of treasure buried nearby. The documentary also talks about the history of many of the mummies including one known as “The King of the Congo.” *Not recommended for a history classroom or a science classroom.*
Manchu Pichu: City in the Clouds - YouTube (53:01)
This was a city 2430 meters high in the heart of the Peruvian Andes. It is called Machu Pichu and it continues to be one of history’s most breathtaking and enigmatic urban creations. It is surrounded by cliffs and towering mountains. Over 800,000 people visit a year. It was part of the Incan Empire. How did they manage to build it? Why was it built? Now experts are descending on the site, using the latest in technology to help understand the site. *Highly recommended for a science, technology, and history class.*
Magic Moments of the Stone Age - YouTube (51:58)
This documentary tells the journey of mankind starting with the Stone Age. It begins with the discovery of fire and how to use it. The Stone Age enabled humans to survive their environment and shape it according to their needs. The story of the Stone Age begins in a crater in Africa and spreads from there. This documentary talks about the tools that were made and the movement of these ancient men. *Potential list of documentaries to show to a science class.*
Lise Meitner: The Mother of the Atomic Bomb - YouTube (52:08)
Lise Meitner was an Austrian physicist and one of the scientists who helped discover an element. That element is protactinium and she would eventually help discover nuclear fission. She was overlooked in 1946 for a Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Her long-time colleague Otto Hahn was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. She was a brilliant physicist but faced many disadvantages as a woman scientist and this is her story. *HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for a history and science class. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for research purposes.*
The Ingenious Design of Haga Sophia - YouTube (51:51)
Turkey is at the intersection of Europe and Asia. It is home to a wonder of engineering the Haga Sophia. Archeologists using the latest in technology are set to examine the monument. They will use satellite, aerial, and molecular scales to examine Haga Sophia as never before. What will the newest technology reveal about Haga Sophia? What construction secrets are hidden? How were the dome and interiors designed? How does it survive earthquakes? *Recommended for a STEM Class.*
Secrets in the Bones: The Hunt for the Black Death Killer - YouTube (52:51)
Hendrik Poinar is on a research expedition. He is looking for the origins of the Black Death. It was a disease that killed half the European Population and was one of the most lethal killers in history. The Black Death started in the 14th Century, however, its origins are mysterious. This mystery has not been solved in 600 years. The Black Death even impacts people today. Will Poinar and his team solve the mystery of the Black Death? *Recommended for a STEM Class.*
Dinosaur Hunters - YouTube (57:52)
Mary Annie in 1812 near Lyme Regis unearthed the remains of a creature seventeen feet long. It was a backbone with a long tail and a large skull. It was the first skull of that size discovered in Britain. This find sent shockwaves throughout the world. It would trigger an era of Dinosaur Hunting. This dinosaur hunting would set off a decades-long fight and feud as vicious as the dinosaurs itself. So what happened to these early dinosaur hunters? *NOT RECOMMENDED for a science or history class.*
Drain the Oceans
Legend of Atlantis - YouTube (47:22)
The waves hide ancient secrets. New evidence is emerging of grand civilizations that were lost in the seas. There were pyramids off the coast of Japan. Why are there circular stones lying in the Aegean Sea? Is a rock formation just rocks, or are they the remains of a great city? Atlantis may be revealed. There are many other stories that have yet to be revealed. If we drain the waters, we can see what is lying on the sea floor. *Recommended for a science class.*
Deadly Pacific - YouTube (47:19)
This episode looks at the geological forces beneath the Pacific Ocean. The Ring of Fire surrounds the Pacific Ocean and it is here that 95% of the world’s earthquakes take place. Will there be a major disaster on the West Coast of the United States? What does a volcano in the Pacific mean for the future of disasters in the Pacific? Will New Zealand experience another mega disaster in the history of the country? Are millions of people sitting on a geologic time bomb? *Recommended for an earth science class.*
Drain Alcatraz - YouTube (47:21)
Alcatraz would have been considered the perfect prison for the time. Al Capone would have called it home. It was a mile off the coast. Escape would have been impossible. Escapees would have found strong currents. The waters surrounding the prison are icy. There were three men who attempted to escape only to disappear to history. What does the landscape tell us about Alcatraz? Would it be a safe place for when the next earthquake hits? *Recommended for a science and a history class.*
The Villains of the Underworld - YouTube (44:24)
Pirates, gangsters, and villains, the very worst of humanity are swallowed up by the sea. Was this a sign of the wrath of God? Port Royal was known as a pirate haven. It disappeared beneath the seas in a violent earthquake it was through this earthquake it would be known as the “Pompeii of the Caribbean.” What makes Alcatraz so dangerous? Why was it so escape-proof? What does cutting-edge technology reveal about the worst of humanity? *Recommended for an earth science and a history class.*
Gulf of Mexico - YouTube (47:04)
What does the draining of the Gulf of Mexico reveal about its history? Why did a German U-boat end off the coast of New Orleans? How did it end up at the bottom of the gulf? Who was on board a mysterious shipwreck? How did an asteroid impact in the Gulf of Mexico wipe out the dinosaurs? How did drilling for oil cause one of the biggest disasters in US History? What secrets are going to be revealed by draining the Gulf of Mexico? *Recommended for a science and a history class.*
Sunken Treasures - YouTube (47:22)
The sea floor holds many secrets. It also holds a lot of wealth. Where there is treasure, there are treasure hunters. Many ships were wrecked carrying millions of dollars in gold and silver. What happened to these ships? What does draining the ocean reveal about these treasure wrecks? Reefs and rocky shores threatened many a ship. Many of these shipwrecks carried treasure. Thousands of treasure wrecks have yet to be explored while others have yet to be discovered. *Recommended for a history or science fun day.*
Lost World of the Mediterranean - YouTube (47:22)
In the ancient world it was known as the middle sea. Egyptians, Greece, and Rome would battle for control of this sea. It was the center of commerce. Draining the Mediterranean Sea reveals more secrets. One secret is home to a deadly explosion that may have ended a civilization. Another discovery talks about what would have been traded on the Mediterranean Sea. Another secret reveals the secret to naval power on the Mediterranean Sea. One final secret talks about the sin city of the Roman Empire and why it was abandoned. *Recommended for a history class.*
Mystery of the China Seas - YouTube (47:22)
What secrets do the China Seas hold? It is home to one of the most contested places on earth. The shattered remains of one ship lie on the bottom. It was one of the most powerful and largest battleships ever created. The biggest wartime maritime disaster is also discovered. A treasure fleet is revealed. A network that keeps the world moving is also hidden in the sea. So what mysteries are revealed in the China Seas by draining the oceans? *Recommended for a history class.*
Secrets of New York City - YouTube (47:22)
New York City has a long history. It is the largest city in the United States and has a population of over eight million people. In 400 years, the city has become a global powerhouse. The city only looks to the future. It is a city that has grown out of water. It was founded on two rivers and an island. What discovery was made as a result of 9-11. What does a wreck reveal about the American Revolution? What sank a warship not far off the coast? What sunk a passenger ship off the coast? *Recommended for a science and a history class.*
Lost Nukes of the Cold War - YouTube (47:22)
The Oceans hid many secrets including lost nuclear weapons. A lost submarine is discovered at the bottom shredded into pieces. How did it end up shattered at the bottom? A lost nuke nearly blew up in Europe. Who stole parts from a secret Soviet Submarine? Why were the parts stolen from this wreck? What was a massive wreck doing off the coast at San Francisco? Why was it sent to the bottom? What does the ocean reveal about the Cold War? *Recommended for a science and a history class.*
Secrets of Loch Ness - YouTube (47:22)
It is in the heart of a land of ancient ruins. It is in a land that has traditions of myths and mysteries. Scotland is at the heart of the story. It is home to one of the most famous bodies of water in the world: Loch Ness. It is an ancient lake that is home to Lock Ness. The journey begins on the shores of a Siberian Lake. Marine robots are sent to the bottom to uncover the history of Loch Ness. Was a boat destroyed by Nessie? Using the latest in technology Loch Ness is drained to reveal more of its secrets. *Not recommended for a history or science class.*
Lost Cities with Albert Lin
Ghost City of the Pacific - YouTube (44:24)
Albert Linn travels to Micronesia. It is in the heart of the Pacific Ocean. It is here that he will uncover the ancient city of Nan Madol. It is a wonder of the ancient world. Nan Madol was a series of manmade structures that were built on a coral reef. It was built over 600 years ago and was on the scale of Manchu Pichu. Who built this place? What happened to these people? Why was it abandoned? What can modern technology reveal about the site? *Potential for history class, show to a STEM class.*
Petra's Lost Origin - YouTube (44:24)
Albert Lin travels to Petra to learn about this ancient city. It is one of the most intriguing cities in the world. Petra had been built by the Nabateans and they had carved this city out of the desert rock. They were a nomadic tribe who carved a city out of desert rock. Why did the Nabateans do it? What made them settle for a time? What happened to the Nabateans after they built Petra? What does Albert Lin learn about the Nabateans? How is modern technology continuing our discoveries of the Nabateans? *Potential for history class, show to a STEM class.*
Dive Detectives
Edmund Fitzgerald - YouTube (47:23)
The Edmund Fitzgerald sunk in a terrifying storm in November 1975 on Lake Superior. It took her crew of 29 down to the bottom of Lake Superior. There were no witnesses and no survivors. What caused her to go down? Thirty years later Edmund Fitzgerald’s sinking remains one of the biggest mysteries of the Great Lakes. Was it a freak wave that took down the Fitzgerald? Or were there other forces at play? Will the mystery of the Fitzgerald finally be solved? *Potential for history and a science class.*
Medieval Dead
1352 The Mystery of the Black Death Woman - YouTube (46:00)
During the 14th Century, the Black Death ripped through Europe. It was a pivotal time during the Middle Ages. The town of Tadcaster, England was hit especially hard. It is here where multiple graves were found. There were no grave goods found. Who were these people? How did they die? Who was this person? What can this skeleton tell us about the Black Death in England? *Highly recommended for a science class, recommended for a history class. Highly recommended for independent study students.*
Battle of Agincourt - YouTube (46:58)
Tim Sutherland, an archeologist uncovers some clues that may change our understanding of history. He is digging up the burial sites from the Battle of Agincourt. This battle took place in France between the English and the French. The English army had to fight their way to safety and blocking their way was one of the greatest armies the French had assembled. The English were outnumbered, so how would they survive this battle? The truth is found in the burials. *Not recommended for a history class.*
Richard III's Lost Chapel - YouTube (46:01)
The bloodiest battle in English history took place on Palm Sunday 1461 in a small town in Yorkshire. It took place during the Wars of the Roses. This battle would become known as the Battle of Towton and would see over 28,000 die during the largest snowstorm in British history. The fallen soldiers were buried and their bones are being examined. A team of archeologists is looking at this battle to learn more about why so many people died. What remains of the chapel that was built on-site to remember the dead soldiers of Towton? What does new technology reveal about the Battle of Towton and the Wars of the Roses? *Put on potential list, use for research.*
Last Stand at Visby - YouTube (46:01)
In 1361, the Battle of Visby took place. On Gotland Island in Sweden, 1,800 farmers were suddenly confronted by a Danish army. The farmers were behind fortified walls, waiting for the invading army. What would happen would go down as a bloodbath. The aftermath of the battle left messes of slaughtered soldiers and citizens. What remains is the largest mass grave from the Medieval World. An international team of archeologists is coming together to learn more about the battle. *Recommended for a history class.*
Defender of Masterby - YouTube (46:02)
Tim Sutherland returns to Sweden as a result of a new discovery connected to the Battle of Visby and the conquest of Gotland. There was a pit of crossbow bows discovered in Mästerby. Were these the remains of a forgotten battle at Mästerby? Swedish archeologist Maria Lyngstrom joins Tim to learn more about the conquest of Gotland. Ordinary people tried to defend their Island, but they died trying and their deaths changed the history of Gotland forever. *Recommended for a history class.*
Disease and Pestilence - YouTube (46:01)
In everyday life in the Middle Ages, people faced Illnesses and plagues. Living conditions were unsanitary and you would have expected to live a short life. Leprosy and syphilis were common diseases. However, the Medieval People came up with methods of treating the disease. What were their methods of treating disease without using penicillin? A woman’s body discovered in York may help shed light on those answers. So how did the Medieval world approach disease? *NOT Recommended for a history class.*
Mummy Forensics
Mystery of the Misfit Mummy - YouTube (48:35)
A mummy housed in the Bolton Museum is found in a coffin too small for the body. The coffin was for a woman who was a temple dancer. Over the years, people commented on the beauty of the coffin. However, who was the body inside? What were the circumstances of the mummy’s burial? Could this mummy be a royal mummy? What happened to the original body that was in the coffin? The Mummy Forensics Team Will have their work cut out to solve this mystery! *Highly recommended for a science class and recommended for a history class.*
The Fisherman Mummy - YouTube (42:29)
This time the Mummy Forensics team will be investigating a Peruvian mummy. The mummy has been hidden for one hundred years and is highly unusual for a mummy from Peru. It was found in a crossed-legged position and with a fishing net. Was this mummy a fisherman? Did this mummy come from the Chinchurro culture? How did this mummy end up in London? What can this mummy tell us about the culture of the people of Peru? *Highly recommended for a science class and recommended for an American history class.*
The Sealed Coffin - YouTube (46:33)
Joann Fletcher and her team will examine a mummy that died under mysterious circumstances. This mummy is part of the collection at Segedunum Museum and the mummy’s coffin is beautifully preserved. However, the body inside remains a mystery. The casket was top of the range, hinting that the mummy inside would be from a higher class. The challenge for the team will be to examine the mummy without opening the coffin. Who was this mummy? Why was this mummy sealed into this coffin? The Mummy Forensics Team will have challenges on their hands learning about this mummy. *Highly recommended for a science class and recommended for a history class.*
The Pierced Skull - YouTube (46:55)
Egyptians were not the only ones who mummified their dead. There are many examples of mummies found in South America. Joann Fletcher goes to a museum in Northwest England to learn more about her new case: a mummy with a pierced skull. This mummy was from Peru and may have been linked to one of the early cultures of South America. Where did this mummy come from? Why did it have a pierced skull? What will the Mummy Forensics team learn about this mummy? *Highly recommended for a science class and recommended for a history class.*
The Missing Mummy - YouTube (46:17)
In Ancient Egypt, the Pharaoh could punish crimes in grisly and painful ways. The harshest punishment of all could rob you of your place in the afterlife. Is this mummy that was beheaded? Or was he punished in another way? Who was the mummy? What happened to this mummy’s body? The Mummy forensics team will have a challenge on their hands. Have they bitten off more than they could chew? *Highly recommended for a science class and recommended for a history class.*
Experimental History
A Stitch in Time
Charles II - YouTube (28:55)
Amber Butchart explores the life of King Charles II and his impact on Royal Fashion. The fashion she is having recreated is the three-piece suit in a portrait of him and his gardener. King Charles II was the Restoration King and used fashion to consolidate his power. King Charles had a rival in his cousin King Louis of France and he wanted to use fashion to one-up his cousin as well. *Highly recommended for a history class and a home economics class.*
Arnolfini - YouTube (28:51)
The Arnolfini portrait had a complicated interpretation for decades after it was painted. However, Amber Butchart shows the portrait in a new light: a middle-class couple showing off their wealth. It was considered one of the most complex paintings in Western Art. Capitalism was emerging during this period. Trade was having an impact on what was worn. A merchant class was growing showing social mobility. Amber focuses on the green dress in the portrait. It is a bonus that she loves the color green. *Highly recommended for a history class, Art History, and a home economics class.*
Hedge Cutter - YouTube (29:00)
Amber Butchart explores the world of the Hedgie Cutter recreated in this episode of a Stitch in Time. Amber is taking inspiration from a portrait of a gardener. This is a highly unusual painting because of the low-class birth of the man in the portrait. So why was this portrait painted? Who was he? Who painted the portrait? What will Amber learn about the clothing of everyday people? Ninya prepares to take the challenge of recreating the Hedge Cutter’s coat. *Highly recommended for a history class, Art History, and a home economics class.*
The Black Prince - YouTube (28:56)
The Black Prince was the hero to the English and he died young. He was a warrior. He lies in Canterbury Amber Buchart is going to have his cloth armor remade. This cloth armor identified who he was and was worn over metal armor. What will this cloth armor tell us about the Black Prince? Will Ninya be able to come up with a way to recreate this garment? *Highly recommended for a history class and a home economics class. Highly recommended for independent study students.*
Marie Antoinette - YouTube (28:54)
Amber Buchart examines the wardrobe of Marie Antoinette and she is examining a portrait of Queen Marie Antoinette dressed in a chemise gown. She was painted wearing the dress. It caused a scandal in the French Court. The portrait shows the Queen wearing her underwear! Fashion had played a role in the French Revolution and Amber explores the role that it played in the fall of the French monarchy. What can the recreation of the Chemise tell us about Marie Antoinette? What does Amber learn about the Queen? *Highly recommended for a history class and a home economics class. Highly recommended for independent study students.*
Dido Belle - YouTube (28:55)
Amber Butchart explores the life of Dido Belle and recreates a dress that she wore in a portrait. For 200 years the portrait was described as Lady Elizabeth Murray. The other girl was described as a servant. Later it was discovered that the woman was her cousin Dido Elizabeth Belle. Dido’s story begins in the slave ships of the Mediterranean and ends in the English countryside. Amber has been fascinated by the portrait and wants to explore more about Dido’s life and the portrait. *Highly recommended for a history class and a home economics class. Highly recommended for independent study students.*
How One Village Survived the Plague: YouTube (49:10)
Aired as Secrets of the Dead on PBS, scientists and historians come together to figure out how one village survived the Black Death. They look at the family stories and genetics of those families. The historians look at the actions of the villagers to stop the plague from spreading in England. What are the implications of surviving the Black Death today? Could genetics prove that people could survive AIDS? *Highly recommended for a history and science classroom.*
Plague Island: The World's Oldest Research Lab: YouTube (42:26)
In the Baltic Sea, there is a high-security research lab. Its goal is to stop the world's most dangerous viruses. The Frederich Loeffler Institute on the Reims Islands can only be reached by a single bridge. Its isolation is vital because the most dangerous viruses are studied here. Viruses including Ebola, Rabies, Swing Fever, and Crimean-Congo Fever are stored at this research lab. This lab is one of three in the world where dangerous diseases can be studied under high-security conditions. So what goes on in this lab? *Recommended for science and animal science classes.*
*Face of Britain: Episode 1 (46:59) Episode 2 (46:54) Episode 3 (47:35)
Neil Oliver explores the genetic doomsday book geneticists in Britain are creating of Britain to determine where the genetic ancestry of the British come from. Do the British people come from Celts, Vikings, Anglo Saxons, or the Normans? Oliver travels around Britain to talk to the participants of the study. At the end of each episode, they go over the results with the participants of the study. *Highly recommended for a history classroom and a science classroom.*
Lost World of Pompeii - YouTube (48:03)
Scientists, archeologists, and other experts are scanning Pompeii to help unlock its secrets and to help preserve it for the future. Pompeii is falling apart due to the tourists and another eruption from Vesuvius could bury the city again. It is a look at what technology the experts are using to help preserve Pompeii in the future. They talk about what could happen to Pompeii in the future. *Highly recommended for earth science, history, and technology classroom.*
Pompeii's Pyroclastic Flow - YouTube (49:52)
This documentary explores why the Pompeii was buried. What made the Vesuvius eruption so unique? Why were there bodies preserved in the ash? What made Vesuvius ash so different? Why did not people escape? Could the Pompeiians escape? How did the people die? This documentary explains the “why’s” of Vesuvius. *Highly recommended for an earth science and history classroom. This is an excellent look at a Pyroclastic flow.*
George Washington Carver Tech - VIDEO MADE PRIVATE
George Washington Carver is known worldwide for his research into peanuts. He saw infinite uses for the peanut plant and inspired generations on researching the peanut plant. He worked at the Tuskegee institution and worked in agricultural research. His research would revitalize the southern region. Carver was born into slavery and was kidnapped by bushwalkers. He was taken in by a family and raised as their own. He worked in the house and was able to explore nature. Nature would inspire his research. *Highly recommended for history and agricultural classrooms and biography projects.*
Syphilis Enigma - YouTube (47:14)
When Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas in 1492, he brought back diseases that wiped out the native population. In revenge, the legend goes, they sent back syphilis. However, a skeleton in Hull may show that the story is not true. An archeological group surveyed the site for a court. What was found may have been the remains of a medieval church. Many skeletons and artifacts were recovered. However, it was one skeleton that puzzled archeologists. This particular skeleton would rewrite history. *Highly recommended for a science class and recommended for a history class.*
Archeology 2:0: Exploring the Past with Technology - YouTube (42:25)
In this age, archaeology works hand in hand with digital technology. Geophysics offers a range of techniques to further explore the past. Geomagnetism used to have military applications but now has an application in archeology. Digital technology is often employed on shipwreck sites to help create virtual models of shipwrecks. Other forms of digital technology are used to scan ancient sites with the idea to recreate them. *Highly recommended for a science class and recommended for a history class.*
1755: The Lisbon Earthquake - YouTube (49:15)
In 1755 an earthquake struck Lisbon and it would become known as the Great Lisbon Earthquake. It was the first natural disaster to strike the heart of a large European city. The earthquake began on November 1, 1755, at 9:40 AM. It was an estimated 8.5 on the Richter scale and caused widespread destruction throughout Lisbon. It also triggered a tsunami. About 60,000-100,000 people died as a result of the earthquake and tsunami which would impact Portugal as a whole. How does this earthquake continue to resonate with people today? *Highly recommended for a science class and recommended for a history class.*
The Secrets History of the Mummies - YouTube (56:25)
Ancient Egypt continues to inspire historians, scholars, and laypeople alike. It is a civilization still surrounded by mystery with its origins, intricate religious beliefs, and architectural feats. From towering pyramids to magnificent temples, the grandeur of Egypt continues to fascinate and bewilder. One team of archeologists continues to work to find out what lies beneath the bandages. This documentary explores the secret lives of mummies with a team from the National Museum in Madrid, Spain. Who are these mummies? What can the latest in technology tell us about these mummies? *HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for a STEM and History Class.*
Petra: City in Stone - YouTube (49:50)
Petra is nestled in the Jordanian desert. It was built over 2,000 years ago by nomads. It had been forgotten for centuries but was rediscovered by a Swiss explorer. Today, scientists are coming together to study Petra and discover its secrets. Using the latest in technology scientists and archeologists are putting Petra under a microscope. How was it built? What tools were used? The scientists and archeologists are bound and determined to find out. *Highly recommended for a science class.*
The Secret Mummies of Lisbon - YouTube (49:23)
The Catholic Church requested that members of the Royal Archeological and Historical Association excavate 78 mummies. These mummies were found in the crypt beneath the altar of the Sacramento Church in Lisbon, Portugal. While the mummies are being excavated, a handwritten book was discovered and this book seems to have hint that there may be a horde of treasure buried nearby. The documentary also talks about the history of many of the mummies including one known as “The King of the Congo.” *Not recommended for a history classroom or a science classroom.*
Manchu Pichu: City in the Clouds - YouTube (53:01)
This was a city 2430 meters high in the heart of the Peruvian Andes. It is called Machu Pichu and it continues to be one of history’s most breathtaking and enigmatic urban creations. It is surrounded by cliffs and towering mountains. Over 800,000 people visit a year. It was part of the Incan Empire. How did they manage to build it? Why was it built? Now experts are descending on the site, using the latest in technology to help understand the site. *Highly recommended for a science, technology, and history class.*
Magic Moments of the Stone Age - YouTube (51:58)
This documentary tells the journey of mankind starting with the Stone Age. It begins with the discovery of fire and how to use it. The Stone Age enabled humans to survive their environment and shape it according to their needs. The story of the Stone Age begins in a crater in Africa and spreads from there. This documentary talks about the tools that were made and the movement of these ancient men. *Potential list of documentaries to show to a science class.*
Lise Meitner: The Mother of the Atomic Bomb - YouTube (52:08)
Lise Meitner was an Austrian physicist and one of the scientists who helped discover an element. That element is protactinium and she would eventually help discover nuclear fission. She was overlooked in 1946 for a Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Her long-time colleague Otto Hahn was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. She was a brilliant physicist but faced many disadvantages as a woman scientist and this is her story. *HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for a history and science class. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for research purposes.*
The Ingenious Design of Haga Sophia - YouTube (51:51)
Turkey is at the intersection of Europe and Asia. It is home to a wonder of engineering the Haga Sophia. Archeologists using the latest in technology are set to examine the monument. They will use satellite, aerial, and molecular scales to examine Haga Sophia as never before. What will the newest technology reveal about Haga Sophia? What construction secrets are hidden? How were the dome and interiors designed? How does it survive earthquakes? *Recommended for a STEM Class.*
Secrets in the Bones: The Hunt for the Black Death Killer - YouTube (52:51)
Hendrik Poinar is on a research expedition. He is looking for the origins of the Black Death. It was a disease that killed half the European Population and was one of the most lethal killers in history. The Black Death started in the 14th Century, however, its origins are mysterious. This mystery has not been solved in 600 years. The Black Death even impacts people today. Will Poinar and his team solve the mystery of the Black Death? *Recommended for a STEM Class.*
Dinosaur Hunters - YouTube (57:52)
Mary Annie in 1812 near Lyme Regis unearthed the remains of a creature seventeen feet long. It was a backbone with a long tail and a large skull. It was the first skull of that size discovered in Britain. This find sent shockwaves throughout the world. It would trigger an era of Dinosaur Hunting. This dinosaur hunting would set off a decades-long fight and feud as vicious as the dinosaurs itself. So what happened to these early dinosaur hunters? *NOT RECOMMENDED for a science or history class.*
Drain the Oceans
Legend of Atlantis - YouTube (47:22)
The waves hide ancient secrets. New evidence is emerging of grand civilizations that were lost in the seas. There were pyramids off the coast of Japan. Why are there circular stones lying in the Aegean Sea? Is a rock formation just rocks, or are they the remains of a great city? Atlantis may be revealed. There are many other stories that have yet to be revealed. If we drain the waters, we can see what is lying on the sea floor. *Recommended for a science class.*
Deadly Pacific - YouTube (47:19)
This episode looks at the geological forces beneath the Pacific Ocean. The Ring of Fire surrounds the Pacific Ocean and it is here that 95% of the world’s earthquakes take place. Will there be a major disaster on the West Coast of the United States? What does a volcano in the Pacific mean for the future of disasters in the Pacific? Will New Zealand experience another mega disaster in the history of the country? Are millions of people sitting on a geologic time bomb? *Recommended for an earth science class.*
Drain Alcatraz - YouTube (47:21)
Alcatraz would have been considered the perfect prison for the time. Al Capone would have called it home. It was a mile off the coast. Escape would have been impossible. Escapees would have found strong currents. The waters surrounding the prison are icy. There were three men who attempted to escape only to disappear to history. What does the landscape tell us about Alcatraz? Would it be a safe place for when the next earthquake hits? *Recommended for a science and a history class.*
The Villains of the Underworld - YouTube (44:24)
Pirates, gangsters, and villains, the very worst of humanity are swallowed up by the sea. Was this a sign of the wrath of God? Port Royal was known as a pirate haven. It disappeared beneath the seas in a violent earthquake it was through this earthquake it would be known as the “Pompeii of the Caribbean.” What makes Alcatraz so dangerous? Why was it so escape-proof? What does cutting-edge technology reveal about the worst of humanity? *Recommended for an earth science and a history class.*
Gulf of Mexico - YouTube (47:04)
What does the draining of the Gulf of Mexico reveal about its history? Why did a German U-boat end off the coast of New Orleans? How did it end up at the bottom of the gulf? Who was on board a mysterious shipwreck? How did an asteroid impact in the Gulf of Mexico wipe out the dinosaurs? How did drilling for oil cause one of the biggest disasters in US History? What secrets are going to be revealed by draining the Gulf of Mexico? *Recommended for a science and a history class.*
Sunken Treasures - YouTube (47:22)
The sea floor holds many secrets. It also holds a lot of wealth. Where there is treasure, there are treasure hunters. Many ships were wrecked carrying millions of dollars in gold and silver. What happened to these ships? What does draining the ocean reveal about these treasure wrecks? Reefs and rocky shores threatened many a ship. Many of these shipwrecks carried treasure. Thousands of treasure wrecks have yet to be explored while others have yet to be discovered. *Recommended for a history or science fun day.*
Lost World of the Mediterranean - YouTube (47:22)
In the ancient world it was known as the middle sea. Egyptians, Greece, and Rome would battle for control of this sea. It was the center of commerce. Draining the Mediterranean Sea reveals more secrets. One secret is home to a deadly explosion that may have ended a civilization. Another discovery talks about what would have been traded on the Mediterranean Sea. Another secret reveals the secret to naval power on the Mediterranean Sea. One final secret talks about the sin city of the Roman Empire and why it was abandoned. *Recommended for a history class.*
Mystery of the China Seas - YouTube (47:22)
What secrets do the China Seas hold? It is home to one of the most contested places on earth. The shattered remains of one ship lie on the bottom. It was one of the most powerful and largest battleships ever created. The biggest wartime maritime disaster is also discovered. A treasure fleet is revealed. A network that keeps the world moving is also hidden in the sea. So what mysteries are revealed in the China Seas by draining the oceans? *Recommended for a history class.*
Secrets of New York City - YouTube (47:22)
New York City has a long history. It is the largest city in the United States and has a population of over eight million people. In 400 years, the city has become a global powerhouse. The city only looks to the future. It is a city that has grown out of water. It was founded on two rivers and an island. What discovery was made as a result of 9-11. What does a wreck reveal about the American Revolution? What sank a warship not far off the coast? What sunk a passenger ship off the coast? *Recommended for a science and a history class.*
Lost Nukes of the Cold War - YouTube (47:22)
The Oceans hid many secrets including lost nuclear weapons. A lost submarine is discovered at the bottom shredded into pieces. How did it end up shattered at the bottom? A lost nuke nearly blew up in Europe. Who stole parts from a secret Soviet Submarine? Why were the parts stolen from this wreck? What was a massive wreck doing off the coast at San Francisco? Why was it sent to the bottom? What does the ocean reveal about the Cold War? *Recommended for a science and a history class.*
Secrets of Loch Ness - YouTube (47:22)
It is in the heart of a land of ancient ruins. It is in a land that has traditions of myths and mysteries. Scotland is at the heart of the story. It is home to one of the most famous bodies of water in the world: Loch Ness. It is an ancient lake that is home to Lock Ness. The journey begins on the shores of a Siberian Lake. Marine robots are sent to the bottom to uncover the history of Loch Ness. Was a boat destroyed by Nessie? Using the latest in technology Loch Ness is drained to reveal more of its secrets. *Not recommended for a history or science class.*
Lost Cities with Albert Lin
Ghost City of the Pacific - YouTube (44:24)
Albert Linn travels to Micronesia. It is in the heart of the Pacific Ocean. It is here that he will uncover the ancient city of Nan Madol. It is a wonder of the ancient world. Nan Madol was a series of manmade structures that were built on a coral reef. It was built over 600 years ago and was on the scale of Manchu Pichu. Who built this place? What happened to these people? Why was it abandoned? What can modern technology reveal about the site? *Potential for history class, show to a STEM class.*
Petra's Lost Origin - YouTube (44:24)
Albert Lin travels to Petra to learn about this ancient city. It is one of the most intriguing cities in the world. Petra had been built by the Nabateans and they had carved this city out of the desert rock. They were a nomadic tribe who carved a city out of desert rock. Why did the Nabateans do it? What made them settle for a time? What happened to the Nabateans after they built Petra? What does Albert Lin learn about the Nabateans? How is modern technology continuing our discoveries of the Nabateans? *Potential for history class, show to a STEM class.*
Dive Detectives
Edmund Fitzgerald - YouTube (47:23)
The Edmund Fitzgerald sunk in a terrifying storm in November 1975 on Lake Superior. It took her crew of 29 down to the bottom of Lake Superior. There were no witnesses and no survivors. What caused her to go down? Thirty years later Edmund Fitzgerald’s sinking remains one of the biggest mysteries of the Great Lakes. Was it a freak wave that took down the Fitzgerald? Or were there other forces at play? Will the mystery of the Fitzgerald finally be solved? *Potential for history and a science class.*
Medieval Dead
1352 The Mystery of the Black Death Woman - YouTube (46:00)
During the 14th Century, the Black Death ripped through Europe. It was a pivotal time during the Middle Ages. The town of Tadcaster, England was hit especially hard. It is here where multiple graves were found. There were no grave goods found. Who were these people? How did they die? Who was this person? What can this skeleton tell us about the Black Death in England? *Highly recommended for a science class, recommended for a history class. Highly recommended for independent study students.*
Battle of Agincourt - YouTube (46:58)
Tim Sutherland, an archeologist uncovers some clues that may change our understanding of history. He is digging up the burial sites from the Battle of Agincourt. This battle took place in France between the English and the French. The English army had to fight their way to safety and blocking their way was one of the greatest armies the French had assembled. The English were outnumbered, so how would they survive this battle? The truth is found in the burials. *Not recommended for a history class.*
Richard III's Lost Chapel - YouTube (46:01)
The bloodiest battle in English history took place on Palm Sunday 1461 in a small town in Yorkshire. It took place during the Wars of the Roses. This battle would become known as the Battle of Towton and would see over 28,000 die during the largest snowstorm in British history. The fallen soldiers were buried and their bones are being examined. A team of archeologists is looking at this battle to learn more about why so many people died. What remains of the chapel that was built on-site to remember the dead soldiers of Towton? What does new technology reveal about the Battle of Towton and the Wars of the Roses? *Put on potential list, use for research.*
Last Stand at Visby - YouTube (46:01)
In 1361, the Battle of Visby took place. On Gotland Island in Sweden, 1,800 farmers were suddenly confronted by a Danish army. The farmers were behind fortified walls, waiting for the invading army. What would happen would go down as a bloodbath. The aftermath of the battle left messes of slaughtered soldiers and citizens. What remains is the largest mass grave from the Medieval World. An international team of archeologists is coming together to learn more about the battle. *Recommended for a history class.*
Defender of Masterby - YouTube (46:02)
Tim Sutherland returns to Sweden as a result of a new discovery connected to the Battle of Visby and the conquest of Gotland. There was a pit of crossbow bows discovered in Mästerby. Were these the remains of a forgotten battle at Mästerby? Swedish archeologist Maria Lyngstrom joins Tim to learn more about the conquest of Gotland. Ordinary people tried to defend their Island, but they died trying and their deaths changed the history of Gotland forever. *Recommended for a history class.*
Disease and Pestilence - YouTube (46:01)
In everyday life in the Middle Ages, people faced Illnesses and plagues. Living conditions were unsanitary and you would have expected to live a short life. Leprosy and syphilis were common diseases. However, the Medieval People came up with methods of treating the disease. What were their methods of treating disease without using penicillin? A woman’s body discovered in York may help shed light on those answers. So how did the Medieval world approach disease? *NOT Recommended for a history class.*
Mummy Forensics
Mystery of the Misfit Mummy - YouTube (48:35)
A mummy housed in the Bolton Museum is found in a coffin too small for the body. The coffin was for a woman who was a temple dancer. Over the years, people commented on the beauty of the coffin. However, who was the body inside? What were the circumstances of the mummy’s burial? Could this mummy be a royal mummy? What happened to the original body that was in the coffin? The Mummy Forensics Team Will have their work cut out to solve this mystery! *Highly recommended for a science class and recommended for a history class.*
The Fisherman Mummy - YouTube (42:29)
This time the Mummy Forensics team will be investigating a Peruvian mummy. The mummy has been hidden for one hundred years and is highly unusual for a mummy from Peru. It was found in a crossed-legged position and with a fishing net. Was this mummy a fisherman? Did this mummy come from the Chinchurro culture? How did this mummy end up in London? What can this mummy tell us about the culture of the people of Peru? *Highly recommended for a science class and recommended for an American history class.*
The Sealed Coffin - YouTube (46:33)
Joann Fletcher and her team will examine a mummy that died under mysterious circumstances. This mummy is part of the collection at Segedunum Museum and the mummy’s coffin is beautifully preserved. However, the body inside remains a mystery. The casket was top of the range, hinting that the mummy inside would be from a higher class. The challenge for the team will be to examine the mummy without opening the coffin. Who was this mummy? Why was this mummy sealed into this coffin? The Mummy Forensics Team will have challenges on their hands learning about this mummy. *Highly recommended for a science class and recommended for a history class.*
The Pierced Skull - YouTube (46:55)
Egyptians were not the only ones who mummified their dead. There are many examples of mummies found in South America. Joann Fletcher goes to a museum in Northwest England to learn more about her new case: a mummy with a pierced skull. This mummy was from Peru and may have been linked to one of the early cultures of South America. Where did this mummy come from? Why did it have a pierced skull? What will the Mummy Forensics team learn about this mummy? *Highly recommended for a science class and recommended for a history class.*
The Missing Mummy - YouTube (46:17)
In Ancient Egypt, the Pharaoh could punish crimes in grisly and painful ways. The harshest punishment of all could rob you of your place in the afterlife. Is this mummy that was beheaded? Or was he punished in another way? Who was the mummy? What happened to this mummy’s body? The Mummy forensics team will have a challenge on their hands. Have they bitten off more than they could chew? *Highly recommended for a science class and recommended for a history class.*
Experimental History
A Stitch in Time
Charles II - YouTube (28:55)
Amber Butchart explores the life of King Charles II and his impact on Royal Fashion. The fashion she is having recreated is the three-piece suit in a portrait of him and his gardener. King Charles II was the Restoration King and used fashion to consolidate his power. King Charles had a rival in his cousin King Louis of France and he wanted to use fashion to one-up his cousin as well. *Highly recommended for a history class and a home economics class.*
Arnolfini - YouTube (28:51)
The Arnolfini portrait had a complicated interpretation for decades after it was painted. However, Amber Butchart shows the portrait in a new light: a middle-class couple showing off their wealth. It was considered one of the most complex paintings in Western Art. Capitalism was emerging during this period. Trade was having an impact on what was worn. A merchant class was growing showing social mobility. Amber focuses on the green dress in the portrait. It is a bonus that she loves the color green. *Highly recommended for a history class, Art History, and a home economics class.*
Hedge Cutter - YouTube (29:00)
Amber Butchart explores the world of the Hedgie Cutter recreated in this episode of a Stitch in Time. Amber is taking inspiration from a portrait of a gardener. This is a highly unusual painting because of the low-class birth of the man in the portrait. So why was this portrait painted? Who was he? Who painted the portrait? What will Amber learn about the clothing of everyday people? Ninya prepares to take the challenge of recreating the Hedge Cutter’s coat. *Highly recommended for a history class, Art History, and a home economics class.*
The Black Prince - YouTube (28:56)
The Black Prince was the hero to the English and he died young. He was a warrior. He lies in Canterbury Amber Buchart is going to have his cloth armor remade. This cloth armor identified who he was and was worn over metal armor. What will this cloth armor tell us about the Black Prince? Will Ninya be able to come up with a way to recreate this garment? *Highly recommended for a history class and a home economics class. Highly recommended for independent study students.*
Marie Antoinette - YouTube (28:54)
Amber Buchart examines the wardrobe of Marie Antoinette and she is examining a portrait of Queen Marie Antoinette dressed in a chemise gown. She was painted wearing the dress. It caused a scandal in the French Court. The portrait shows the Queen wearing her underwear! Fashion had played a role in the French Revolution and Amber explores the role that it played in the fall of the French monarchy. What can the recreation of the Chemise tell us about Marie Antoinette? What does Amber learn about the Queen? *Highly recommended for a history class and a home economics class. Highly recommended for independent study students.*
Dido Belle - YouTube (28:55)
Amber Butchart explores the life of Dido Belle and recreates a dress that she wore in a portrait. For 200 years the portrait was described as Lady Elizabeth Murray. The other girl was described as a servant. Later it was discovered that the woman was her cousin Dido Elizabeth Belle. Dido’s story begins in the slave ships of the Mediterranean and ends in the English countryside. Amber has been fascinated by the portrait and wants to explore more about Dido’s life and the portrait. *Highly recommended for a history class and a home economics class. Highly recommended for independent study students.*
List Updated on March 25, 2025
