Forbidden History

In this episode we delve into the mysterious story of the ‘Wow!’ signal. In 1977, a strong narrowband radio signal cut through cosmic noise at Ohio State University’s Big Ear Radio Observatory, causing the astronomer who discovered it to circle the data on the print out and scribble a single word, “Wow!” - could this communication have come from somewhere otherworldly? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://surfshark.com/forbiddenhistory⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or use code FORBIDDENHISTORY at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Go to ⁠nakedwines.co.uk/forbidden⁠ to get a £30 voucher and 6 top-rated wines for just £39.99, with delivery included. Cast List: Guy Walters: Author & Historian Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Halloween special of the Forbidden History podcast we delve into the history of the mysterious werewolf. From Europe's 17th century "werewolf trials" to modern day silver-screen shapeshifters, we trace how the myth of this mystifying creature has evolved throughout centuries of fear and folklore... Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://surfshark.com/forbiddenhistory⁠⁠⁠⁠ or use code FORBIDDENHISTORY at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Go to ⁠nakedwines.co.uk/forbidden⁠ to get a £30 voucher and 6 top-rated wines for just £39.99, with delivery included. Cast List: Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we hear the remarkable story of one of the northernmost railway lines on earth - high in the northern reaches of Scandinavia, this line links the coast of the Norwegian Sea with the rich resources of inland Sweden. But its secret story remains hidden at the bottom of a nearby fjord where the wrecks of Nazi destroyers and Allied ships lay testament to the crucial role it played in WWII… Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://surfshark.com/forbiddenhistory⁠⁠⁠⁠ or use code FORBIDDENHISTORY at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Cast List: Tim Dunn: Railway Historian Guy Walters: Author & Historian Claire Barratt: Industrial Engineer Frank Bang: Underwater Photographer Steingrim Sneve: Local Guide Nigel Jones: Author & Historian Eystein Markusson: Narvik Battle Expert Dominic Selwood: Historian & Journalist Stig Olav Johansen: Local Historian Prof. Steinar Aas: WWII Historian Rasmus Norling: Kiruna New Town Curator Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we pull back the curtain on Area 51 - the secretive military base in Nevada, long rumoured to hide UFOs, alien technology, and government cover-ups… Join historian and author Guy Walters as we explore the mysterious stories behind one of the world’s most famous conspiracy zones. Go to ⁠⁠⁠https://surfshark.com/forbiddenhistory⁠⁠⁠ or use code FORBIDDENHISTORY at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Cast List: Guy Walters: Author & Historian Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

World War Two. For the first time in history, the battlefield has shifted mainly to the skies. Control of airspace now determines victory below, sparking a fierce race to outsmart the enemy. From the invention of radar to Hitler’s so-called “Wonder Weapons,” every innovation becomes a weapon in the struggle to bring the enemy down. Go to ⁠⁠https://surfshark.com/forbiddenhistory⁠⁠ or use code FORBIDDENHISTORY at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Cast List: Guy Walters: Author and Historian Nigel Jones: Author and Historian Katherine Sharp Landdeck: Author and Historian Chris Kolonko: Archaeologist Ben Bishop: LIDAR Operator Victoria Taylor: Aviation Historian Geoffrey Wawro: Military Historian James Corum: Military Historian Robert M. Citino: Senior Historian, The National WWII Museum Stephen Fisher: Historian Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the final instalment of our three-part Vikings special, discoveries and forensic evidence collide to rewrite the Vikings’ story, revealing their everyday lives, vast networks and the surprising legacy they left across Europe. Go to ⁠https://surfshark.com/forbiddenhistory⁠ or use code FORBIDDENHISTORY at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Cast List: Cat Jarman: Archaeologist & Author, River Kings Ragnar Orten Lie: Archaeologist, Kulturarv Vestfold & Telemark Fylkeskommune Petra Schneidhofer: Kulturarv, Vestfold & Telemark Fylkeskommune Sverre Naesheim: Metal Detectorist Terje Gansum: Archaeologist, Seksjonsleder, Kulturary Vestfold & Telemark Fylkeskommune Clare Downham: Professor of Medieval History, Institute of Irish Studies, University of Liverpool Ole Harald Flaten: Oseburg Heritage Foundation Nils Olav Gjone: Nedre Lagen Elvelag Tor Oydvin: Oseburg Heritage Foundation Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part two of our three-part special, the investigation deepens as our team follows the trail of newly uncovered Viking artefacts, revealing surprising connections and challenging what we thought we knew about this infamous historical era. Go to ⁠https://surfshark.com/forbiddenhistory⁠ or use code FORBIDDENHISTORY at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Cast List: Cat Jarman: Archaeologist & Author, River Kings Ragnar Orten Lie: Archaeologist, Kulturarv Vestfold & Telemark Fylkeskommune Terje Gansum: Archaeologist, Seksjonsleder, Kulturary Vestfold & Telemark Fylkeskommune Steinar Mandt: Vest-Telemark Museum Eidsborg Sverre Naesheim: Metal Detectorist Dag Rorgemoen: Director, Vest-Telemark Museum Eidsborg Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part one of this three part special, we begin our journey into the world of the Vikings, uncovering groundbreaking discoveries that challenge long-held myths about the so-called Nordic “warrior race.” With exclusive access to a team of Norwegian experts, we explore how cutting-edge research is rewriting Viking history. Go to https://surfshark.com/forbiddenhistory or use code FORBIDDENHISTORY at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Cast List: Cat Jarman: Archaeologist & Author, River Kings Ragnar Orten Lie: Archaeologist, Kulturarv Vestfold & Telemark Fylkeskommune Terje Gansum: Archaeologist, Seksjonsleder, Kulturary Vestfold & Telemark Fylkeskommune Christer Tonning: Archaeologist, Kulturarv Vestfold & Telemark Fylkeskommune Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part two, we uncover Rasputin’s grip on the Romanovs, the chaos his influence sparked across Russia and the many conspiracies surrounding his death... Cast List: Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part one of this two-part Forbidden History special, we trace Rasputin’s mysterious rise from humble Siberian beginnings to the heart of Russia’s royal court. From his rumoured miracles, to his magnetic hold over the royal family, the Romanovs, we take a look at the origins of a legend that blurred the line between holy man and dark mystic... Cast List: Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Once considered the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” the Amber Room was a dazzling golden chamber stolen by the Nazis during World War II and never seen again. In this episode, we examine the history, legends, and many theories behind Russia’s most infamous missing treasure. Cast List: Guy Walters: Author & Historian Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are the great pyramids monuments of human ingenuity… or encoded messages from the stars? In this episode, we’re joined by Tony McMahon as we explore the cosmic code hidden in ancient stone. Cast List: Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Illness and disease were an unavoidable part of medieval life. With short life expectancies and deaths often hastened by infection, sickness shaped everyday existence. In this episode, archaeologists reveal how a skeleton uncovered in York, England offers insights into how people coped with disease in the Middle Ages. Cast List: Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University of York Prof. Charlotte Roberts: Bioarcheologist, University of Durham Prof. Don Brothwell: University of York Dr. Piers D. Mitchell: University of Cambridge Malin Holst: Osteoarcheologist, University of York Dr. Sarah Fiddyment: Bioarcheologist, University of York Dr. Camilla Speller: Bioarcheologist, University of York Helen Goodchild: Archaeologist, University of York Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast we look at how a small stretch of railway changed everything, propelling mankind into the modern world. The Liverpool to Manchester line transformed travel, time itself, and reshaped society. Yet behind the triumph lay plenty of challenges, danger, and even death… Cast List: Claire Barratt: Industrial Heritage Engineer Dr Susan Major: Railway Historian Guy Walters: Author & Historian Tim Dunn: Railway Historian Dominic Selwood: Historian & Journalist Bob Gwynne: Curator, National Railway Museum Paul O’Donnell: Railway Trust, Liverpool to Manchester Anthony Dawson: Railway Historian Nigel Jones: Author & Historian Mark Cozens: Ranger, Risley Moss Dr Michael Bailey: Railway Historian Simon Holroyd: Engineering Manager, National Railway Museum Erin Beester: Researcher, Manchester Science & Industry Museum Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we unravel the chilling legend of the Mothman. Was this winged creature whose creepy sightings shook Point Pleasant, West Virginia in the 1960s really a harbinger of doom, or simply folklore taking flight? Cast List: Guy Walters: Author & Historian Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The fate of the small Mediterranean island of Malta hung by a thread during World War II. In this episode, we speak with experts as they explore the defences of Malta, the intricate underground tunnel network built by the Maltese people to shelter from the relentless bombing, and the incredible story of the vessel that saved the island from starvation. Cast List: Victoria Taylor: Aviation Historian Katherine Sharp Landdeck: Author and Historian Albert Dimech: Local Guide Guy Walters: Author and Historian Geoffrey Wawro: Military Historian Timmy Gambin: Marine Archaeologist James Corum: Military Historian Robert M. Citino: Senior Historian, The National WWII Museum Matthew Balzan: Principal Curator Fortifications Stephen Prince: Military Historian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Often remembered as symbols of divine judgment, the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah remain some of the most haunting stories in the Bible... In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we explore their fall, the lessons they left behind, and the enduring question: what really happened? Cast List: Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we discover how over 100 years ago a remote railroad fought against impossible odds in order to transport the prospectors of the Klondike gold rush. From gangsters and gold miners to Donald Trump's grandfather, this is the story of how a remote railway changed the lives of those who came in search of the American dream. Cast List: Tim Dunn: Railway Historian Karl Gurke: Historian & Archaeologist Fiona Giardino: Parks Canada Ranger Steve Hites: Former Railroad Employee Brittany Masloski: Tour Guide Guy Walters: Author & Historian Dominic Selwood: Historian & Journalist Claire Barratt: Industrial Engineer Jonathan Baldwin: Artistic Director, The Days of ‘98 Carl Mulvihill: Local Historian Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we follow a team of experts as they investigate the life and death of a medieval woman whose skeleton was found at Tadcaster Castle, North Yorkshire. Could her burial be part of a grave of plague victims? Cast List: Simon Richardson: Metal Detectorist Dr Piers Mitchell: Biological Anthropology, University of Cambridge Dr Michelle Mundee: Bioarcheologist, University of York Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University of York Malin Holst: Osteoarcheologist, University of York Eric Meyers: Narrator Episode originally produced in 2013 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During the height of WW1, a ship once nicknamed ‘The Dutch Titanic’ became embroiled in a 24-hour long battle with a pack of German U-Boats. In this episode, we follow a group of underwater explorers as they discover a new wreck in the North Atlantic that could shed a whole new light on the events that took place that fateful day. Cast List: Guy Walters: Author & Historian Michael Barnette: Marine Biologist & Underwater Explorer Dr. Tamas Balogh: Maritime Historian Michael McVeigh: Dive Boat Skipper James Sherwood: Author & Broadcaster Tom McCluskie: Archive Manager at Harland & Wolff Shipping Company Axel Niestle: WW2 Historian Jean Kelly: Daughter of Clifford Young Barry McGill: Diver Gareth O’Neill: Diver Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Battle of the Bulge, or ‘Hitler’s last gamble’ was described by Winston Churchill as “the greatest American battle of the war”. Nearly 20,000 US soldiers were killed in the battle, some of whom were all too often forgotten African American front-line troops. In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we follow a team of conflict archaeologists as they retrace their paths, uncovering the overlooked stories of those who defied racism on two fronts: facing both the deadly advance of Nazi forces and the injustice of serving in a segregated army. Cast List: Dr. Birger Stichelbaut: Conflict Archaeologist Edwin Popken: Military Historian Robert Hudson Jr.: Son of 333rd Field Artillery Battalion Soldier Dr. Peter Caddick-Adams: Author and Historian Dr. Robert M. Citino: Senior Historian, The National WWII Museum Dr. Peter Schrijvers: Military Historian Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For centuries, Oak Island has held its secrets tightly, in the form of hidden chambers, mysterious symbols, and a trail of clues that lead to more questions than answers. In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we dig into the conspiracy theories surrounding the island’s most elusive legends… just who is keeping the treasured secret? Cast List: Guy Walters: Author & Historian Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we follow experts as they investigate the mass graves of those who died at the battle of Visby in 1361, revealing the bravery of the Gutes in their defence against the Danish king's army. Cast List: Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University of York Helen Goodchild: Archaeologist, University of York Sofia Hoas: Gotlands Museum, Visby Thomas Neijman: National Historical Museum, Stockholm Malin Holst: Osteoarcheologist, University of York Petter Akeson: Osteoarcheologist, National Historical Museum, Stockholm The Happiness Experiment: Start your journey to a happier, healthier you today – visit ⁠⁠this link⁠⁠ ⁠to begin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast we follow a team of expert divers on their search to identify a mysterious shipwreck off the coast of Florida. Did this ship sink as the result of a WW2 targeted attack or is something more mysterious to blame, like the Bermuda Triangle? Cast List: Chuck Meide: Maritime Archaeologist Michael Barnette: Marine Biologist and Underwater Explorer Brendan Burke: Maritime Archaeologist Joe Citelli: Diver Axel Niestle: WW2 Historian Robert Tyler Eric Meyers: Narrator The Happiness Experiment: Start your journey to a happier, healthier you today – visit ⁠this link⁠ ⁠to begin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Perched high above the Peak District moorlands, Carl Wark is a mysterious ancient hillfort that has puzzled archaeologists and historians for centuries. In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we explore its possible origins and why this mysterious outcrop continues to captivate the imagination... Cast List: Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University of York Prof. Andrew Reynolds: Institute of Archaeology, London Bill Bevan: Archaeologist & Author Zac Nellist: Archaeological Records Officer, South Yorkshire Archaeology Service Paul Oldfield: Author & Battlefield Guide Mick Savage: Author, ‘Carl Wark; Peak District Fortress or Folly?’ Eric Meyers: Narrator The Happiness Experiment: Start your journey to a happier, healthier you today – visit ⁠this link⁠ to begin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A mysterious shipwreck at the bottom of Lake Erie could be the oldest wreck in America's most notorious ship graveyard. In this episode, we follow experts as they investigate new leads in this 200-year-old cold case. Cast List: Tom Kowalczk: Underwater Explorer David Van Zandt: Underwater Explorer Carrie Sowden: Marine Archaeologist Brent Gardner: Lake Erie Diver Eric Meyers: Narrator The Happiness Experiment: Start your journey to a happier, healthier you today – visit this link to begin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we're joined by Tony McMahon to delve into the mystery and grandeur of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. It's one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, but its existence remains a subject of fierce debate... Cast List: Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we take a closer look at the Battle of Agincourt through the eyes of archaeologists. While the battle is often remembered through legend and literature, the evidence beneath the soil reveals what really happened in 1415. Cast List: Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University of York Prof. Anne Curry: University of Southampton Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1916, two great fleets met in the cold, grey waters of the North Sea in what became the largest naval battle of the First World War. This episode of the Forbidden History podcast explores the conflicting legacy of the Battle of Jutland - a clash as shadowed by fog as it was by uncertainty. Cast List: Chuck Meide: Maritime Archaeologist Brendan Burke: Maritime Archaeologist Nicholas Jellicoe: Author, Jutland the Unfinished Battle Guy Walters: Author & Historian Andrew Choong: Curator, National Maritime Museum Nick Hewitt: Head of Exhibitions & Collections, The National Museum of The Royal Navy Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we explore the dramatic 1244 siege of Montségur, the last stronghold of the Cathars, a heretical Christian sect hunted by the Catholic Church… Cast List: Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University of York Dr Marie-Elise Gardel: Archaeologist, Site Medieval De Cabaret a Lastours Frederic Loppe: Archaeologist, Site Medieval De Cabaret a Lastours Fabrice Chambon: Cultural Ambassador, Chateau & Musee De Montsegur Andre Czeski: Archaeologist, Musee De Montsegur Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1947, a strange crash in the New Mexico desert sparked rumours of alien contact and a military cover-up. In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we explore the conflicting reports, declassified documents, and enduring questions surrounding the Roswell incident. Cast List: Guy Walters: Author & Historian Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1925, the SS Cotopaxi vanished without a trace while sailing through the infamous Bermuda Triangle, leaving behind no clear explanation. In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we dive into the mysterious theories, and join experts on their hunt for the shipwreck... will they find what they're looking for? Cast List: Chuck Meide: Maritime Archaeologist Michael Barnette: Marine Biologist and Underwater Explorer Douglas Myers: Captain William Myers’s Grandson Guy Walters: Historian & Author Al Perkins: Avid Diver Brendan Burke: Maritime Archaeologist Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happened to Jesus between ages of 12 and 30? In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast we explore the mystery of Jesus Christ's "missing years" from ancient legends to modern theories, and what they reveal about faith, history, and the unknown... Cast List: Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who was the St. Bees Man? In this episode, we continue exploring the incredible story of the Cumbrian Knight who was discovered in a lead shroud in 1981. This second instalment to the story has us trying to figure out exactly who this man was... Cast List: Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University of York Chris Robson: Local Expert Dr Robin Darwall-Smith: Magdalen College Archivist Ian McAndrew: Local GP Tim Guard: Author, Chivalry, Kingship and Crusade David Nicolle: Author & Historian Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who was the St. Bees Man? In part one of this episode, we explore the incredible story of the Cumbrian Knight who was discovered in a lead shroud in 1981. With his body coated in beeswax, the man was found in a near perfect state of preservation... but how? Cast List: Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University of York Chris Robson: Local Expert Deirdre O’Sullivan: Archaeologist, University of Leicester Ian McAndrew: Local GP Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During World War II, Nazi Germany launched a secretive program to harness the power of the atom - but just how close did they really get to building a nuclear weapon? In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we explore the science, the scientists, and the sabotage behind Hitler’s atomic ambitions. Was the world closer to a Nazi bomb than we realise, or was it doomed from the start? Cast List: Guy Walters: Author, historian and journalist Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we journey to Portugal to uncover the secrets of the 1385 Battle of Aljubarrotta, where Portuguese forces and their English allies triumphed against the Castilians and French. Could an ancient ossuary filled with the battle’s fallen unlock new insights into medieval warfare in Europe? Cast List: Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University of York Manuel Joao Matias: Dryas Octopetala Archaeological Services Professor Joao Gouveia Monteiro: Universidade De Coimbra Simon Richardson: Metal Detectorist Nuno Barraca: Geophysicist, Dryas Octopetala Archaeological Services Professor Eugenia Cunha: Forensic Anthropologist, Universidade De Coimbra Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we explore the ancient biblical story of the Exodus, tracing the Israelites' journey from Egyptian slavery to the Promised Land. Join us as we uncover the historical, cultural, and spiritual significance of this legendary migration that has inspired countless generations. Cast List: Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast we explore the surprisingly private and complex life of Henry VIII beyond his public image. From his refined tastes and athletic pursuits, this episode reveals a lesser-known side of the Tudor monarch. Cast List: Tracy Borman: Chief Curator, Historic Royal Palaces Tony McMahon: Author & Journalist Hallie Rubenhold: Author, ‘The Scandalous Lady W’ Dominic Selwood: Author & Journalist Rebecca Rideal: Author, ‘Plague, War & Hellfire’ Dr. Matt Green: Historian Lesley Ronaldson: Guide Lecturer, Hampton Court Palace Eleri Lynn: Chief Curator, Historic Royal Palaces Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we investigate a medieval skeleton found near Lewes, Sussex, initially suspected to be a casualty of the Battle of Lewes in the 12th century. But with radiocarbon dating revealing an even older origin, possibly the Norman era, the research team delves into whether this could be the first skeletal link to the Battle of Hastings... Cast List: Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University Of York Malin Holst: Osteoarcheologist, University Of York Chris Whittick: Senior Archivist, East Sussex County Council Luke Barber: Research Officer, Sussex Archaeology Society John Bleach: Sussex Archaeological Society Greg Chuter: Assistant County Archaeologist, East Sussex County Council Edwina Livesey: Sussex Archaeological Society Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we uncover the true origins of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a story born from scientific curiosity and the eerie promise of reanimation. Over 200 years later, its questions about creation, responsibility, and the limits of human ambition are more prominent than ever in the age of artificial intelligence... Cast List: Guy Walters: Author, historian and journalist Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive into the extravagant reign of King Louis XIV, the "Sun King" who ruled France for over 70 years. Discover how his obsession with absolute power and the lavish court life at Versailles transformed the French monarchy and left a lasting legacy on European culture. Cast List: Tracy Borman: Chief Curator, Historic Royal Palaces Tony McMahon: Author & Journalist Hallie Rubenhold: Author, ‘The Scandalous Lady W’ Dominic Selwood: Author & Journalist Rebecca Rideal: Author, ‘Plague, War & Hellfire’ Dr. Matt Green: Historian Emmanuel Frossard: Master Perfumier Christine Baltay: Historian Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2013, a team of metal detectorists in Janakkala, Finland, stumbled upon something astonishing - a mysterious grave dating back over a thousand years. Buried with two swords, the extraordinary find suggests a link between Christians and Pagans. Cast List: Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist Simo Vanhatalo: Archaeological Field Services, Museuivirasto Paul Macdonald: Sword maker, MacDonald Armouries Rachel Wood: University of York Raila Altonen: Landowner Mikko Mäkelä: Metal Detectorist Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we journey into one of the most enduring conspiracy theories of the 20th century: Did NASA really land astronauts on the Moon in 1969, or was it an elaborate hoax filmed on a Hollywood soundstage? We explore the origins of the Apollo moon landing conspiracy theory, discuss the most common claims made by skeptics, and examine how science, photography, and cold war politics fuelled both belief and doubt. Cast List: Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian Guy Walters: Author, historian and journalist Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we unpack the life of King George III, his battles with mental illness and how they forced his son, the Prince Regent, into power. As the king faded from public life, the prince indulged in grand architectural dreams and lavish tastes, ushering in a new era shaped by crisis, culture, and conflict. Cast List: Tracy Borman: Chief Curator, Historic Royal Palaces Tony McMahon: Author & Journalist Hallie Rubenhold: Author, ‘The Scandalous Lady W’ Dominic Selwood: Author & Journalist Rebecca Rideal: Author, ‘Plague, War & Hellfire’ Dr. Matt Green: Historian Dr Jane Desborough: Curator of Scientific Instruments at the Science Museum, London Professor Peter Garrard: Professor of Neurology at St George's University of London Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we’re joined by Tony McMahon to explore the life and legacy of James, the so-called “brother” of Jesus. Was James an early leader in the Jerusalem church whose influence shaped the foundation of Christianity, and a truly a devoted follower of Jesus? Or are there hidden texts or Gnostic writings that reveal a different James than the one we’re told about... Cast List: Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we explore the Nazi regime’s radical urban planning ambitions, from Hitler’s vision for “Germania” - a colossal, totalitarian capital meant to eclipse all others, to the destruction of Warsaw. Cast List: Guy Walters: A British author, historian, and journalist who has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press. Nicholas O’Shaughnessy: Professor of Communication at Queen Mary, University of London Terry Charman: Historian & Author Frank McDonough: Author & Historian of the Third Reich Nigel Jones: Author & Historian Wolfgang Schlecker: Historian Alexander Kropp: Berlin Journalist & Historian Dr. Alexander Schmidt: German Historian & Nuremberg resident Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we’re joined by historian and author, Guy Walters, as we explore the mysterious world of the Freemasons - their origins, symbols, rituals, and the conspiracy theories that swirl around them. From medieval stonemasons to modern lodges, discover what’s fact, what’s fiction, and why they’ve fascinated the public for centuries. Cast List: Guy Walters: Author & Historian Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How did Hermann Göring, Hitler’s second-in-command, cheat the hangman at Nuremberg? This episode unpacks the mysterious circumstances of his death, his manipulative charm, and the unsettling bond he formed with U.S. Army psychiatrist Lt. Colonel Douglas M. Kelley. Cast List: Dr. Linda Papadopoulos: Psychologist Nigel Jones: Author & Historian Jack El-Hai: Author, 'The Nazi and the Psychiatrist' Frank McDonough: Author & Historian of the Third Reich Douglas Kelley Jr.: Son of Dr. Douglas Kelley Andreas Mix: Memorium Nuremberg Trials Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Behind the image of a stern monarch, Queen Victoria lived a deeply emotional life marked by personal tragedies, private struggles with grief and the quiet use of laudanum. This episode explores Victoria’s intense relationships, from her devotion to Prince Albert to her rumoured bond with John Brown - alongside the assassination attempts and hidden vulnerabilities that shaped the woman beneath the crown. Cast List: Tracy Borman: Chief Curator, Historic Royal Palaces Dr. Rosemary Leonard: General Practitioner & Journalist Tony McMahon: Author & Journalist Hallie Rubenhold: Author, ‘The Scandalous Lady W’ Dominic Selwood: Author & Journalist Rebecca Rideal: Author, ‘Plague, War & Hellfire’ Dai Davies: Retired Chief Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police Dr. Matt Green: Historian Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices