Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

Arts & Culture

SECRETS OF THE DEAD: Resurrecting Richard III

Medieval combat expert in armor.
Courtesy of Gary Johnstone © Darlow Smithson Productions
Medieval combat expert in armor.

Airs Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at 10 p.m. on KPBS TV

Medieval warfare re-enactment.
Courtesy of Gary Johnstone © Darlow Smithson Productions
Medieval warfare re-enactment.
Medieval warfare re-enactment.
Courtesy of © Darlow Smithson Productions
Medieval warfare re-enactment.

Explore some iconic historical moments while debunking long-held myths and shining new light on past events in the series SECRETS OF THE DEAD. Advances in investigative techniques, forensic science and historical scholarship offer new evidence on forgotten mysteries.

"Resurrecting Richard III" - In 2011, a group of amateur historians made an incredible archaeological find: the bones of King Richard III, hunchbacked, with an arrow through the spine. Richard is considered the most evil king to have ruled England — and a fearsome warrior as well, despite the extreme curvature of his spine.

Now, scientists are testing the bones to find out more about the king and also conducting experiments to determine whether Richard could have fought so ferociously in battle with such a severe deformity.

Advertisement

11 Things You May Not Know About Richard III

SECRETS OF THE DEAD is on Facebook, and you can follow @SecretsPBS on Twitter.