A compelling documentary that explores the possibility that the fall of ancient civilizations around the globe and the rise of modern civilization might be related to our Sun's motion around a companion star.

Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious World investigates the Mitchell-Hedges Crystal Skull (further instalments at Youtube).

Giorgio Tsoukalos of Legendary Times gives his thoughts on 'ancient astronaut' theories and mysteries of the past.

The BBC's Horizon investigates the claims of Michael Drosnin in The Bible Code.

A documentary on the Knights of Malta, whose history and mythology is littered with tales of mysterious characters and relics, from the Holy Grail to King Solomon's riches, Freemasons, and the Barbary Pirates.

A tribute to five hundred years of female portraits in Western art - morphing in sequence to give a real feel for the changes.

A documentary on Graham Hancock's search for the Ark of the Covenant. For a full account in Graham's wonderful writing style, see his book The Sign and the Seal (Amazon US and UK).

In the late 1980's, perfectly preserved 3000-year-old mummies began appearing in a remote Chinese desert. They had long reddish-blond hair, European features and didn't appear to be the ancestors of modern-day Chinese people. Archaeologists now think they may have been the citizens of an ancient civilization that existed at the crossroads between China and Europe. (53min 13sec)

Wally Wallington has demonstrated that he can lift a Stonehenge-sized pillar weighing 22,000 lbs and moved a barn over 300 ft. What makes this so special is that he does it using only himself, gravity, and his incredible ingenuity. (6min 12sec)

The First Emperor: The Man Who Made China follows the rise and fall of Qin Shi Huang, China’s legendary first emperor. The documentary features exclusive access to Emperor Chin’s underground burial complex, and also features 3d reconstructions of the tomb as historians have described it.