Earth Shocks

Tony Robinson's Titanic Adventure

Tony Robinson accompanies James Cameron, the Oscar-winning writer, director and producer of the blockbuster film Titanic (1997), on a poignant farewell to the most spectacular shipwreck in history. Nearly 10 years after Cameron's first visit to the wreck, this is his last.

Mysteries of Magic

This fascinating program unravels the mysteries of magic-making by exploring the use and development of emerging technologies to create wholly believable illusions. Through historical footage and interviews with modern masters, you'll learn about some of the earliest special effects -- including light, shadow and incense -- and how magicians harnessed their power to leave audiences breathless.

Extreme Archaeology

A new Channel 4 series takes archaeology to the edge this summer as a team of experts tackles sites across the country that are beyond the reach of normal investigations. In Extreme Archaeology, an eight-part series starting on 20 June, a team of archaeologists with help from top climbers, cavers and divers investigates amazing and unique archaeological sites throughout the UK. Many archaeological locations are beyond the reach of your average archaeologist. They are found in inaccessible caves, on treacherous cliffs, deep under water, or in locations simply too remote or dangerous for normal investigation. Their remoteness often means that their secrets are unique, but they can also be under threat from erosion or other factors and this adds a rescue element to any investigation. Using some of the most advanced scientific equipment available, and high-tech miniature cameras and communication systems to record the action, Extreme Archaeology's experts are dropped into extreme and inaccessible environments under time and other pressures that test their personal and professional skills to the limit.

Code Breakers

Experts in code writing and breaking tell tales of heroic risks and cat-and-mouse secrecy, where science meets deadly adventure and everyone from queens to soldiers to everyday citizens can pay the price.

Lost Gold of the Dark Ages

With exclusive access to one of the most important discoveries of modern times, National Geographic uncovers the secrets of the largest hoard of Saxon Gold ever found. Lost Gold of the Dark Ages chronicles the story of an amateur metal-detecting enthusiast who discovered a gold hoard dating back a millennium and valued at over $5 million. To understand the origins of the hoard, National Geographic travels back to the Dark Ages when Christian and pagan tribes fought for control of the emerging country of England. Where did the gold and garnets come from, why were they buried, and when? And, who were the magnificent Gold Saxon Warriors they once belonged to? Secrets of the Lost Gold takes us on a fascinating quest to reveal the hidden secrets of the 3,500 piece treasure hoard.

Buried Gold: Treasure Hoard

It's a treasure hunter's dream come true? buried gold worth millions, found just inches below the surface. In the past 30 years, three million-dollar treasure hoards were discovered: the Staffordshire hoard and Hoxne hoard in England, and the Saddle Ridge hoard in California. Each was found completely by accident, and changed the lives of the finders forever. Now, experts examine the precious treasures and try to piece together the mysterious and fascinating stories behind them.

Saxon Gold: Finding the Hoard

In July 2009, amateur metal detecting enthusiast Terry Herbert uncovered the largest Anglo Saxon treasure hoard ever found in Britain. Just below the surface of a field near Lichfield, Staffordshire, he unearthed over 200 pieces of jewelled gold and silver treasure, buried, lost and forgotten for over a millennium. Archaeologists later excavated a further 1,400 items. The unprecedented find of Anglo Saxon gold mesmerised archaeologists and historians, making headlines around the world.