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Since the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947, these fragile parchment relics have intrigued scholars, religious leaders, and profiteers alike. The 2,000-year-old scrolls include the oldest-known versions of the Hebrew Bible and hold vital clues about the birth of Christianity. While certain scrolls have survived intact, others have been ravaged by time—burnt, decayed, or torn to pieces—and remain an enigma. Now, scientists are using new technologies to read the unreadable, solve mysteries that have endured for millennia, and even discover million-dollar fakes. (Premiered November 6, 2019)

New technologies unravel the Dead Sea Scrolls’ mysteries and uncover million-dollar fakes.

Dead Sea Scroll Detectives

Rise of the Mammals

Sixty-six million years ago, an asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs in a fiery global catastrophe. But we know little about how their successors, the mammals, recovered and took over the world. Now, hidden inside ordinary-looking rocks, an astonishing trove of fossils reveals a dramatic new picture of how rat-sized creatures ballooned in size and began to evolve into the vast array of species—from cheetahs to bats to whales to humans—that rule our planet today.

Amazing fossils reveal how mammals took over after an asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs.

Look Who's Driving

After years of anticipation, autonomous vehicles are now being tested on public roads around the world. As ambitious innovators race to develop what they see as the next high-tech pot of gold, some experts warn there are still daunting challenges ahead, including how to train artificial intelligence to be better than humans at making life-and-death decisions. How do self-driving cars work? How close are we to large-scale deployment of them? And will we ever be able to trust AI with our lives? (Premiered October 23, 2019)

As self-driving cars take to the streets, investigate how they work, and if they are safe.

The Next Pompeii

In the shadow of Italy’s Vesuvius, a lesser-known volcano rumbles: Campi Flegrei. An eruption could endanger the millions of residents of the city of Naples. Scientists gain new insights into what happened in nearby Pompeii, and dig into the unique geology of Campi Flegrei. How will they know if the ever-shifting ground is reaching a breaking point? And can an innovative eruption warning system prevent Naples becoming the next Pompeii? (Premiered February 20, 2019)

In the shadow of Vesuvius and Pompeii, a lesser-known volcano puts the city of Naples at risk.

Inside the Megafire Image

From the front line of the Camp Fire, the deadliest wildfire in California history, NOVA tells the stories of residents who had to flee for their lives during the 2018 fire season. Scientists racing to understand what’s behind the rise of record-breaking megafires across the American West take to the forest, and even a fire lab, in search of answers. They investigate how forestry practices, climate change, and the physics of fire itself play a role in the dramatic increase in wildfires in recent decades. (Premiered May 8, 2019)

Scientists investigate what was behind the deadly megafires that swept through California in 2018.

Inside the Megafire

Vaccines—Calling the Shots Hero

Diseases that were largely eradicated in the United States a generation ago—whooping cough, measles, mumps—are returning, in part because nervous parents are skipping their children&#x27;s shots. NOVA&#x27;s &quot;Vaccines—Calling the Shots&quot; takes viewers around the world to track epidemics, explore the science behind vaccinations, hear from parents wrestling with vaccine-related questions, and shed light on the risks of opting out.

Examine the science behind vaccinations, the return of preventable diseases, and the risks of opting out.

Vaccines—Calling the Shots

Decoding da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci was a Renaissance genius. Not only did he paint masterpieces of art, but he was an obsessive scientist and inventor, dreaming up complex machines centuries ahead of his time, including parachutes, armored tanks, hang gliders, and robots. On the 500th anniversary of Leonardo’s death, with the help of biographer Walter Isaacson, NOVA investigates the secrets of Leonardo’s success. How did his scientific curiosity, from dissections of cadavers to studies of optics, shape his genius and help him create perhaps the most famous painting of all time, the &quot;Mona Lisa&quot;? (Premiered November 13, 2019)

Discover the science behind Leonardo da Vinci&#x27;s masterpieces—and Mona Lisa&#x27;s iconic smile.

NOVA revolves around a simple premise: the world of science is exciting! For NOVA viewers, science means adventure and exploration--because from ants to aliens, this weekly documentary series probes the far reaches of earth, sea and stars.  NOVA proves that science is neither secret lore nor sacred ritual but rather, at its heart, a lifelong journey of discovery.

How did Leonardo da Vinci Paint the Mona Lisa? Hero

To master Mona Lisa&#x27;s form, da Vinci carefully studied the human eye and mouth—and he dissected at least 30 human bodies.

Learn what inspired da Vinci’s &quot;Mona Lisa.&quot;

How did Leonardo da Vinci Paint the "Mona Lisa"?

Scientists Use NASA Tech to Decode Damaged Scrolls Hero

This camera system, developed by NASA engineers, images damaged Dead Sea Scroll fragments in 12 different wavelengths of light—bringing the writing back to life.

Watch how damaged Dead Sea Scrolls become legible once again.

Scientists Use NASA Tech to Decode Damaged Scrolls

Experts Investigate Dead Sea Scroll Forgeries Hero

Some Dead Sea Scroll replicas appear surprisingly authentic. But a thorough examination by scholars reveals some of their features aren&#x27;t quite right.

Not all Dead Sea Scroll fragments are what they claim to be.

Experts Investigate Dead Sea Scroll Forgeries

Mammal Fossils Fill in Missing Piece of the Timeline of Life Hero

Paleontologists analyze concretions—hard orbs of minerals that can collect around material like bone—and discover fossils of mammals that lived on Earth just after an asteroid killed the dinosaurs.

This trove of mammal fossils paints a timeline of life after the dinosaurs died.

Mammal Fossils Fill in Missing Piece of the Timeline of Life

Concretions Hero

Hidden inside ordinary-looking rocks, an astonishing trove of fossils reveals a dramatic new picture of how rat-sized creatures ballooned in size and began to evolve into the vast array of species—from cheetahs to bats to whales to humans—that rule our planet today.

Stunning new mammal fossils were hiding in plain sight.

Paleontologists Discover New Mammal Fossils Hidden in Rocks

Testing Self-Driving Cars in the Real World Hero

To test self-driving cars without putting lives at risk, most companies do a lot of their training in environments they can fully control. But ultimately, the only way to know how a car will perform on public roads is to test it in the real world.

Driverless cars are being tested in private and public spaces.

Testing Self-Driving Cars in the Real World

The Violence Paradox

Despite the constant news of violence, from mass shootings to wars, psychologist Steven Pinker believes we may be living in one of the most peaceful periods in human existence. Could it be true that physical violence has been in decline for centuries? And can it be prevented—or is it simply part of human nature? NOVA takes you on a journey through history and the human mind to explore what triggers violence and how it may have decreased over time. Taking clues from a Kenyan archaeology site, modern laboratory experiments, and even literature, researchers trace the social and neurobiological roots of human violence. They look at how forces like income equality and personal contact may curb violence in modern societies. And in places like Baltimore, where violence “interrupters” treat violence like a contagious disease, NOVA examines evidence-based approaches to making the world more peaceful. (Premiering November 20, 2019 at 9 pm on PBS)

Is violence actually declining? If so, why? And can we build a more peaceful future?

Animal Espionage

How do you study giant armadillos when hardly anyone has ever seen one? Or figure out if a whale is losing weight—without getting too close? Camera and drone technologies are allowing scientists to watch animals more closely than ever before, without disturbing them. Scientists in India are using thousands of camera trap photos to track tigers&#x27; movements. In Canada, caribou outfitted with collar cams show conservationists which habitats they rely on throughout the winter. Capturing everything from the unexpected to the comical, these technologies are giving wildlife managers insights that could ultimately help them fight extinction and habitat loss. (Premiering November 27, 2019 at 9 pm on PBS)

Camera technology is revolutionizing the study of animals—without them even noticing.

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Decoding da Vinci

Upcoming Schedule

The Violence Paradox

Animal Espionage

Episodes

Dead Sea Scroll Detectives

Rise of the Mammals

Look Who's Driving

The Next Pompeii

Inside the Megafire

Vaccines—Calling the Shots

Shorts

How did Leonardo da Vinci Paint the "Mona Lisa"?

Scientists Use NASA Tech to Decode Damaged Scrolls

Experts Investigate Dead Sea Scroll Forgeries

Mammal Fossils Fill in Missing Piece of the Timeline of Life

Paleontologists Discover New Mammal Fossils Hidden in Rocks

Testing Self-Driving Cars in the Real World

Watch Page

Hero Area

Decoding da Vinci

Upcoming Schedule

The Violence Paradox

Animal Espionage

Episodes

Dead Sea Scroll Detectives

Rise of the Mammals

Look Who's Driving

The Next Pompeii

Inside the Megafire

Vaccines—Calling the Shots

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Shorts

How did Leonardo da Vinci Paint the "Mona Lisa"?

Scientists Use NASA Tech to Decode Damaged Scrolls

Experts Investigate Dead Sea Scroll Forgeries

Mammal Fossils Fill in Missing Piece of the Timeline of Life

Paleontologists Discover New Mammal Fossils Hidden in Rocks

Testing Self-Driving Cars in the Real World