This April the HISTORY Channel Africa (DStv 186) will investigate the illegal antiquities trade, explore engineering disasters, dig into treasure quests across the globe and delve into the stories of the people, places and events that shaped our world.
Looting History is an all new series every Wednesday at 19h25 (starting 5 April) which shines a spotlight on how the trade in stolen antiquities and art has become a major source of income for criminal syndicates, gangs, and terrorists across the globe. Precious ancient treasures torn out of the ground. Priceless art ripped from walls. It’s a modern tragedy, as the grandest of mankind’s achievements are reduced to little more than obscene commodities.
Using a different case study, each episode of Looting History uncovers how and why everybody from Islamic State to the Chinese Triad have muscled in on the act, and why international law enforcement agencies are determined to shut it down, but often powerless to act. The series documents among others the pillage of Ancient Egypt, the exploitation of Syria’s precious ancient past and the Nazi looting campaign that saw one in five art objects in Europe stolen.
Then, a brand-new season of Massive Engineering Mistakes on Tuesdays at 20h15 (starting 11 April) investigates what went wrong in some of the world’s biggest engineering disasters. Season 4 will follow on directly from season 3. From a major freeway bridge collapse during peak hour traffic in the United States, to a shipping catastrophe blocking one of the most vital trade routes in the world - the Suez Canal.
Behind History on Sundays at 20h15 (starting 23 April) takes an in depth look at the stories behind some of the most momentous events, remarkable ideas, and extraordinary people the world has ever known.
Each episode of the six-part series focuses on a single theme and delivers a fascinating look into each subject, and in doing so reveals some of its lesser-known facts. Themes include ‘Icons’, which explores the people and places that have become globally recognised symbols, and ‘Breakthrough’, which looks at the political, scientific and medical advances that have shaped our world. Other episodes investigate the themes of ‘War’, ‘Leaders’, ‘Catastrophe’, and ‘Fame’.
From the Berlin Wall to Desert Storm, Pearl Harbor, the Hindenburg disaster and the end of Apartheid, we’ve read the headlines – but how much do we really know about what happened? Behind History offers a unique and fascinating take on key events and characters from our past.
In a History Channel Africa favourite, World’s Greatest Treasure Mysteries season 3 on Saturdays at 19h25 (starting 29 April) is hosted by real-life treasure hunters Rick and Marty Lagina (from Curse of Oak Island fame). The series uncovers the greatest treasure hunts of the past, present and perhaps the future. Great storytelling, compelling interviews with treasure-hunters, historians and experts, and on-location treasure hunts reveal amazing new details and clues, advancing the hunt.
With content that seeks to delve deeper, it is only fitting that the HISTORY Channel Africa logo has recently undergone a refresh. The channel’s new look and identity are part of a global refresh that started with A+E Networks in the US and then rolled out internationally, rolled out throughout EMEA this March.
The new elements communicate the idea of exposing what’s just below the surface: uncovering content hidden in plain sight and encouraging the curious to discover the history around them.
Tune in to the HISTORY Channel Africa, on DStv 186, to unearth the real stories that lie beneath the surface.
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