Synopsis: Combining age-old mysteries with cutting-edge archaeology, Ancient Bodies: Secrets Revealed calls on the world’s leading experts to crack thousand-year-old puzzles where the cause of death could be accident, murder, suicide—and even ritual sacrifice. Complete with hair, skin, clothes and all, perfectly-preserved prehistoric bodies emerge from glaciers and peat bogs—as if frozen in time. And, as these time-capsule corpses reveal their secrets, the mystery gradually unravels.
With a dramatic story lineup that includes an Irish king murdered by his subjects, the oldest ice mummy ever found, and a group of children discovered ‘sleeping’ on an Argentinian mountaintop, every episode covers a single in-depth investigation and features competing theories, dramatic recreations, and an unforgettable glimpse into everyday life—before recorded history. (Courtesy NatGeo, 2024)
The Cast:
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The Episodes:
Season One Episode Guide (NatGeo)
1-01 Otzi: World's Oldest Cold Case--10/24/2024
In the mountains of Northern Italy, a grisly discovery is made by a couple of mountaineers. In a nearly unreachable part of the world, human remains are found sticking out from a glacier. These remains turn out to be those of the oldest ice mummy ever found. Researchers are shocked by the man’s cause of death and realize they are investigating a homicide that is thousands of years old.
1-02 Old Croghan Man: Murder Most Royal--10/31/2024
Human remains are discovered near Croghan Hill, Ireland—a place where ancient kings were once crowned. The investigation takes a turn when authorities realize the body is not a current missing person or murder victim, but rather one that is thousands of years old. As archeologists examine the remains, a story unfolds that reveals the gruesome murder of a King by his followers.
1-03 Weerdinge Couple: Mysterious Double Murder--11/07/2024
Two bodies are discovered near the town of Weerdinge, Netherlands as locals jump to conclusions that the bodies belong to a man and woman likely united in life and death. But as scientists dive deeper into the mystery of these humans, more details are uncovered along with a surprising twist—the bodies are of two unrelated males. Who were these men and why were they murdered?
1-04 Haraldskr Woman: Mummy Identity--11/14/2024
When the human remains of a female are uncovered near Vejle, Denmark, an archeologist begins detailing a fantastic tale of who she was and why she was murdered, linking her to ancient sagas and even King Harald Bluetooth! But as the archeology study evolves, a rival archeologist has another theory on whose body this is and why her death occurred in the first place.
1-05 Tollund Man: Peaceful in the Peat--11/21/2024
Near Silkeborg, Denmark, peat diggers uncover a human head and authorities quickly work to identify who it is, possibly relating it to a missing boy in the area. But a keen police officer reveals the body is much older than the current missing person and calls the museum to investigate. What is discovered during the excavation is a perfectly preserved person, posed most interestingly and peacefully. Could this positioning be a clue to how and why he was murdered?
1-06 Yde Girl: Murder On The Edge Of Town--11/28/2024
Human remains are pulled up from the depths of a peat bog near Yde, Netherlands. Some locals believe it is the work of the devil—strands of shocking fire-red hair stream from the ground, sending them fleeing in fear. But as archeologists study the human remains further, they realize they belong to a young woman whose death is more chilling than they ever imagined.
1-07 Dätgen Man: Revenant Revealed?--12/05/2024
A German town is shocked when mutilated beyond recognition human remains are unearthed. The stabbed, beaten, and decapitated body is found with its head three meters from the rest of the remains. As archeologists investigate further, they uncover and dispel stories of revenants, and instead reveal pieces of human history and proof of ancient human sacrifice.
1-08 La Doncella: On The Mountaintop--12/12/2024
An archeologist makes the 22,000-foot journey to the peak of an Argentinian mountain near an active volcano and discovers tiny bundles hidden in the earth. These are the remains of children, perfectly preserved as though they are asleep. Who are these children and how did they perish so far away from home?
