About 30 kilometers from Cairo, the necropolis of Saqqara holds one of Egypt’s most fascinating treasures: the pyramid of Pharaoh Pepi II. Although closed to the public, it holds the largest collection of texts ever discovered in a pyramid.
Everyone loves the beach! To us, it’s one giant playground, but for wildlife, it’s so much more.
Mangroves are one of the most important habitats on Earth, vital to many of the planet’s most extraordinary, wonderful, and endangered species. Everything from shorebirds and sharks to monkeys and manatees relies on mangroves for their survival.
We live on an ever-moving planet, and as landscapes are altered, wildlife must march to its rhythm. Driven by instinct, they follow the maps hardwired into their DNA. Some run, some fly, but most swim.
Migration is one of the great phenomena of the natural world. When it’s time to move some take to the skies or the oceans, but the migrants we know best are found in the awe-inspiring herds running across our planet.
In Southern France, the entrance to a decorated cave hides 35 meters under sea level. Discovered 20 years ago, the paintings date back 30,000 years—and are threatened by rising waters. Follow a group of prehistorians and craftsmen as they construct a full-sized replica of the cave to preserve them.
Nothing shouts northern wilderness more than a magnificent moose, the undisputed king of the forest. But moose don’t start out big and burly; for two twins born into a forest glade, a challenging life lies ahead.
Pearls are the only gems created by a living creature, and perfect specimens are priceless. The most valuable are born inside black-lipped oysters in the South Pacific. Known as Tahitian black pearls, for some, they become an obsession.
Every year, millions of people celebrate St. Patrick's Day. But few are aware of the enormous impact he actually had on the history of civilization. Author Thomas Cahill reveals the little known story of how St. Patrick helped preserve Western culture while Europe was being overrun by barbarians.
In our hectic world so much seems to pass us by. All around us dramas are playing out, but they often happen so fast that we don’t even see it: blink and you’ll miss it. But when you slow down the action a whole new world is revealed.
What makes the Earth such a kaleidoscope of color? Take a journey around the globe and discover a host of creatures, large and small—from giant blue humpback whales to pink flamingos to glasswing butterflies—that make our world so spectacularly diverse…and colorful.
Every year, there are 2 million visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. People come from all over the world to catch a glimpse of the blue haze that gives the park its name or a black bear scurrying into the woods. Most people don’t realize that there is a whole world to be discovered.
Half of all bird species undertake annual migrations, everything from heavy-bodied swans to delicate hummingbirds. Migration is one of the most remarkable phenomena on the planet, hosts of animals of all shapes and sizes demonstrating incredible feats of endurance.
Follow the days and minutes leading to the 2019 White Island volcanic eruption, which killed 22 people and left 26 more with life-changing injuries. Eyewitnesses recount the disaster–showcasing the unpredictability and danger of nature–and scientists investigate whether this tragedy was avoidable.
Countless animals from across the globe currently face extinction; if we are to stem the tide we must understand the lifestyles and habitats of the awe-inspiring creatures currently in danger.
With 318 hairpin curves packed into just 11 miles of twisting scenic highway, this stretch of U.S. Highway 129 continues to regularly claim the lives of motorcyclists drawn here by the riding challenge and vivid fall color, and we recount some of the most harrowing crashes on this stretch.
Can AI enable us to live forever? Explore the latest advancements in AI, robotics and biotech with visionaries who foresee a new age of “post-biological” life. As scientists point toward a world where humans and machines merge, we have to ask: “Will AI be the best, or the last thing we ever do?”
We may not always be able to see them, but trust us, they're there. This is the story of the wildlife that may as well be our roommates. From the first cockroaches who shared our caves to the not so “sterile” homes of those living on the international space station.
We like to think we can control everything: changing the course of water, reclaiming land, replanting deserts. But there’s one thing we can’t control: the passing of time. But we can change how we see things; using cameras we can start to see the world in different time frames.
What can the animal kingdom teach us about love? Whether it's dancing, making bouquets, or running baths, there's a lot we can learn about romance.
Few things are more wondrous than the gift of flight, but some birds have chosen to give it up – the question is, why? Whether it is to save energy, tap into new food resources, or invest in other skills, they all have their reasons.
As the last of the Century series fighters, the XF-109 was far from conventional. Designed for Mach 2 flight, it was to be the world's first vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) fighter. Unfortunately for Bell, it would take them out of the fighter business forever.
Take a look back at many of the most fascinating science stories of 2018. Discover how a young woman who fell into a cave 3.7 million years ago is rewriting our understanding of early human history. Learn how space missions are unraveling the mysteries of our universe. See the year in a new light!
Follow two otter pups as they strike out on their own and begin fending for themselves after being cared for by their mother for a year.
