Egypt's Unexplained Files
Channel: Curiosity Channel (DStv 185)
TX Time: 20h00
Genre: Documentary Series, Science, Technology, History
Despite being one of the most studied civilizations, rich in history, culture, science and art, much of Ancient Egypt remains a great mystery.
Many modern-day customs and technologies have their roots in Ancient Egypt, yet the details about their way of life remain a mystery.
In Egypt's Unexplained Files, experts dive deep into the secrets of Ancient Egypt, and use cutting-edge archaeological technology to reveal the hidden truths that could potentially answer questions that have befuddled Egyptologists for generations.
The premiere episode tells the story of the Great Pyramid at Giza and examines the image of Egypt's most famous Queen, Cleopatra, and how experts are literally recreating what she may have looked like using the latest technology.
The episode also investigates the legend of the controversial Pharaoh, Akhenaten, and whether the glorious Utopia that he built was not what it seemed.
Other episodes explore:
The mysteries behind the Ancient Egyptians' obsession with death and the afterlife and unearths new evidence that exposes the complex job of embalming mummies;
The mysteries of Ancient Egypt's Elite, including how Ramesses II battles a biblical drought, searches for the lost tomb of Imhotep, and looks to find out who was Ancient Egypt's first female pharaoh;
The science that is revealing new insights into belief and superstition in the land of the Pharaohs, from finding the long lost 'Land of Punt' to solving the mystery of the Curse of King Tutankhamun;
The brainpower behind ancient Egypt's revolutionary breakthroughs in varied fields, from medicine to engineering.
Examining their colossal cities, their artistic masterpieces and their surgical procedures, this was a culture whose breakthroughs have helped shape the modern world.
The truth and lies behind ancient Egypt's best known and loved icons, including the Great Sphinx, Tutankhamun or the lost city of Tanis.
The Puppet Master: Hunting the Ultimate Conman
Channel: Netflix South Africa
TX Time: 10h00 (all episodes)
Genre: True Crime, Documentary Series
In this harrowing docuseries, a cruel conman masquerading as a British spy manipulates and steals from his victims, leaving ruined families in his wake.
This is the jaw-dropping story of one of the world's most audacious conmen.
Over the course of a decade, Robert Freegard controlled, conned and fleeced at least seven women and one man, stealing close to a million pounds.
His traumatised victims were led to believe they were accomplices in highly elaborate secret service operations and that their families were in grave danger if they did not obey.
Freegard exploited, abused and controlled them with extreme cruelty, confident his victims were too paralysed by fear to escape.
Now, in an incredible twist, the story reaches into the present day, with a family who fear for their mother's safety.
Hitler's American Battleground
Channel: National Geographic Channel (DStv 181 / StarSat 220)
TX Time: 21h00
Genre: Documentary, History, Factual
This two-hour special follows experts as they chart forgotten WWII underwater battlegrounds off America's coasts, revealing the truth about Nazi submarines mercilessly stalking the Atlantic before US forces gained the upper hand.
Within weeks of Pearl Harbor, Nazi U-boats attacked American ships within sight of the North Carolina coast, leaving a trail of death and destruction in their wake.
Documenting this virtually unknown conflict, Hitler's American Battleground follows a team of marine archaeologists on an historic mission as they turn this all-but forgotten graveyard into a protected sanctuary in honour of the fallen.
Australia's Health Revolution with Michael Mosley
Channel: BBC Earth (DStv 184)
TX Time: 19h00
Genre: Documentary Series, Science
Could a radical, science-backed new diet be the key to controlling Australia's diabetes epidemic?
Doctor and medical journalist Michael Mosley is back in Australia to tackle the nation's fastest growing chronic disease: type 2 diabetes.
Working with exercise physiologist Ray Kelly, the pair challenge people living with type 2 diabetes to try a diet which can reduce symptoms of the disease in a matter of days.
Also in this informative series, Mosley puts his own body on the line by taking on a diet of sugary carbs and saturated fats to reveal how processed foods affect our bodies and show just how quickly you can eat your way into, and out of, ill health.
This is Greece
Channel: Curiosity Channel (DStv 185)
TX Time: 21h00
Genre: Documentary Series, Travel
Greece – the home of sun, sand, sea and most recently Mamma Mia!.
It's a place to relax drinking ice-cold super strong and super sweet coffee while playing tavli (aka backgammon).
It's a place to indulge the senses in a history that has spanned thousands of years and upon which much of the Mediterranean world has turned, before throwing yourself into the blissful seas and onto the sandy beaches.
Narrated by actor David Suchet, this five-part series brings modern Greece to life in front of your eyes.
In the series premie re, "Northern and Central Greece": In Thessaloniki, Michael unfolds the history of northern Greece.
A Macedonian princess, the Ottoman Turks, Roman emperors – many have left their mark on this bustling modern city.
We then travel to the ancient port city of Kavala, then Ancient Phillipi and Meteora - home of six Orthodox monasteries.
In the second episode of the weekly double bill, "Athens": No city sums up more the wonderfully textured history of Greece than its modern capital, where now more than half Greece's population lives.
It abounds in ancient ruins, from the marvel of the Acropolis and the Parthenon to the Hadrianic water pipe system.
DOTA: Dragon's Blood 2
Channel: Netflix South Africa
TX Time: 10h00 (all episodes)
Genre: Animation, Fantasy
After encounters with a dragon and princess on her own secret mission, a Dragon Knight becomes embroiled in events larger than he could have ever imagined.
The sweeping fantasy series tells the story of Davion, a renowned Dragon Knight devoted to wiping the scourge from the face of the world.
Following encounters with a powerful, ancient eldwurm as well as the noble Princess Mirana on a secret mission of her own, Davion becomes embroiled in events much larger than he could have ever imagined.
This season: In the aftermath of the battle for the Nightsilver Woods all the characters set off on more adventures, for the Dark Powers, for the Dragons and for all of mankind.