Raiders

SERIES THREE: 1 x 60’ bbc two / iplayer

On the 100th anniversary of the discovery of Tutankhamun's treasure-packed tomb, Dr Janina Ramirez turns detective and heads to Egypt to uncover the real story of how a Briton called Howard Carter unearthed a pharaoh’s tomb when everyone else believed there were no more great Egyptian finds to be made. 

She discovers that some of Tutankhamun’s treasures are missing and reveals the name of the person responsible. She delves into the origins of the supposed pharaoh’s curse, finds the surprising truth about the young king’s brutal injuries and digs out fresh evidence that Tutankhamun wasn’t the delicate, powerless boy king of legend but was instead a powerful statesman

SERIES TWO: 3 x 60’ BBC TWO / iplayer

In series 2, Janina travels to Crete, Turkey and Norway in the footsteps of three men who made some of the most exciting discoveries of all time. The treasures they found – the real palace behind the myth of the Minotaur, a Viking ship lost for a thousand years, and the world’s first city - rewrote our human story.

But these finds are not what they seem - Janina uncovers the forces of nationalism, colonialism and ego that drove the explorers as they competed to stamp their mark on our shared past.  

“It’s not often a documentary with a blockbuster baiting title actually lives up to the excitement it generates for itself, but this series has an uncanny knack for picking out the extraordinary moments from history.” -Herald

“…Raiders of the Lost Past emphasises how very much easier it was to do these sorts of things when you were a very, very rich white man.  Ramirez' unforced enthusiasm comes to the fore as the art unearthed suggests Minoan society was – and if this remains hard to believe now, it was inconceivable then – one that considered women to be perhaps wholly equal to men. I know. Excavate THAT.”  - Guardian

“…another thoroughly engaging hour of Friday night entertainment.”  -Telegraph 

Series one: 3 X 60’ BBC4

In the summer of 1939, on the cusp of World War II, explorers discovered three astonishing ancient treasures that would transform our understanding of the origins of civilisation.

The series sells to 60 territories internationally under the title Lost Worlds & Hidden Treasures.

“Glorious TV to see you through the End Times…” -The Guardian

“The sort of documentary you’ll rave about to you friends for weeks to come…” -The Daily Mail

“The BBC's pretty damn fascinating series...” -The Times