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NOVA

These Are the World’s Oldest Mummies

Season 52 | 2m 49s

Across southeastern Asia, researchers have identified dozens of mummies that are between 4,000 and 11,00 years old. After scanning the bones with invisible wavelengths of light, they found that almost all the bodies have been exposed to heat, preserved for millennia by smoke from a fire.

National Corporate funding for NOVA is provided by Carlisle Companies and Viking Cruises. Major funding for NOVA is provided by the NOVA Science Trust, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.
Extras
Watch • 3:05
NOVA
This Is Where the First Alphabet Was Born
It became the basis for most written languages, beginning 4,000 years ago in the Sinai desert.
Clip: S52 E16 | 3:05
Watch • 2:47
NOVA
Göbekli Tepe: The 11,500-Year-Old Mystery That Rewrote History
What archaeologists found here reveals one of the biggest turning points in human history.
Clip: S52 E16 | 2:47
Watch • 4:30
NOVA
How Astronauts Avoided Disaster Building the International Space Station
A dangerous spacewalk, a toxic leak, and a breathtaking view of Earth.
Clip: S52 E19 | 4:30
Watch • 1:24:09
NOVA
Interview: Evolution of New Species, Venom, Wings, and More with Sean B. Carroll
From fruit flies to snake venom, evolutionary biologist Sean Carroll explains what drives evolution.
Special: 1:24:09
Watch • 54:49
NOVA
Interview: De-Extinction, Dire Wolves, and Jurassic Park with Beth Shapiro
Can we really bring extinct species back? Evolutionary biologist Beth Shapiro says yes.
Special: 54:49
Watch • 0:30
NOVA
Operation Space Station: Science and Survival Preview
See how ingenuity and teamwork keep the crew alive and doing science 250 miles above Earth.
Preview: S52 E20 | 0:30
Watch • 0:30
NOVA
Operation Space Station: High-Risk Build Preview
Astronauts and Mission Control relive terrifying moments during construction of the ISS.
Preview: S52 E19 | 0:30
Watch • 1:11:15
NOVA
Interview: Extremophiles, the Deep Sea, and Alien Life with Peter Girguis
Dive into how Earth’s weirdest microbes could help us spot extraterrestrial life.
Special: 1:11:15
Watch • 0:30
NOVA
Superfloods: Preview
Find out why deadly flash floods are on the rise and how we can protect ourselves from them.
Preview: S52 E18 | 0:30
Watch • 0:30
NOVA
Ancient Desert Death Trap: Preview
Explore mysterious 9,000-year-old Stone Age megastructures found in the Arabian Desert.
Preview: S52 E17 | 0:30
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  • NOVA Season 27
  • NOVA Season 23
Watch • 53:41
NOVA
Operation Space Station: Science and Survival
See how ingenuity and teamwork keep the crew alive and doing science 250 miles above Earth.
Episode: S52 E20 | 53:41
Watch • 53:40
NOVA
Operation Space Station: High-Risk Build
Astronauts and Mission Control relive terrifying moments during construction of the ISS.
Episode: S52 E19 | 53:40
Watch • 53:28
NOVA
Superfloods
Find out why deadly flash floods are on the rise and how we can protect ourselves from them.
Episode: S52 E18 | 53:28
Watch • 53:21
NOVA
Ancient Desert Death Trap
Explore mysterious 9,000-year-old Stone Age megastructures found in the Arabian Desert.
Episode: S52 E17 | 53:21
Watch • 53:32
NOVA
Human: Building Empires
Discover how two revolutionary ancient inventions changed the course of humanity forever.
Episode: S52 E16 | 53:32
Watch • 53:25
NOVA
Human: Into the Americas
Follow ancient humans’ journey into an icy and perilous new land.
Episode: S52 E15 | 53:25
Watch • 53:27
NOVA
Human: Neanderthal Encounters
Discover how Homo sapiens outlasted Neanderthals – and how they helped make us who we are today.
Episode: S52 E14 | 53:27
Watch • 53:25
NOVA
Human: Journeys
Follow Homo sapiens as they venture out of Africa and spread farther than any other human species.
Episode: S52 E13 | 53:25
Watch • 53:32
NOVA
Human: Origins
Trace the remarkable origin story of Homo sapiens and the crucial moments that shaped our species.
Episode: S52 E12 | 53:32
Watch • 53:27
NOVA
Ultimate Crash Test: Impact
Forensic science is put to the test after the first-ever staged multi-vehicle pileup.
Episode: S52 E11 | 53:27