Here's Why These 6 Ancient Civilizations Mysteriously Collapsed

From the Maya to Greenland’s Vikings, these six civilizations seemingly disappeared without a trace.

Ancient Civilizations that Mysteriously Collapsed: Indus

Today's Picks

U.S. Government and Politics

4:04m watch

The Prohibition Agents Who Became Masters of Disguise

The Prohibition Agents Who Became Masters of Disguise

When Prohibition began, two ordinary men thought it would be fun to enforce the new law. They were right.

Who Said It?

You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right.-Rosa Parks
I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance.-Socrates

Now Streaming on HISTORY

Vatican History

Sacred Papal Symbols and Their Significance

The ancient office of the pope is rich in symbols and insignia. Here are some of the most visible and meaningful of the papal symbols.

Pope Francis opens a "Holy Door" at St Peter's basilica to mark the start of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, on December 8, 2015 in Vatican.

Did you know the Vatican is the smallest nation-state in the world? Get all the facts and figures.

1:53m watch

HISTORY Shorts

Colonial America

We love apples! And in the colonial era, we loved them so much, we used hard apple cider as payment.

1:02m watch

Ancient Greece

From naked athletes to foot-only races, these are 10 surprising facts you didn’t know about the ancient Olympics.

9:30m watch

Landmarks

A camping trip in 1903 might be the most influential in history! John Muir and Teddy Roosevelt spent three nights in Yosemite. Muir would convince Roosevelt to protect Yosemite, paving the way for a National Park Service.

1:02m watch

Food

From its bullpen origins to becoming a cultural icon, find out how the shredded bubble gum designed for baseball players changed the candy industry forever.

4:37m watch

Who's Making History

The BRIT Awards 2025 - Show

Teddy Swims

Swims' single “Lose Control” broke the record for longest-running song in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.

2022 Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit

Lucy Guo

The AI Founder is now considered the world's youngest self-made woman billionaire.

WrestleMania 41

John Cena

The wrestler claimed the WWE Championship for a record 17th time, becoming the most decorated in WWE history.

The Last Pope?

Now Streaming

Do 900-year-old prophetic visions by Saint Malachy suggest that Pope Francis is the last in a holy line that stretches back nearly 2,000 years?

History Revealed

Sign up for "Inside History"

Get fascinating history stories twice a week that connect the past with today’s world, plus an in-depth exploration every Friday.

By submitting your information, you agree to receive emails from HISTORY and A+E Global Media. You can opt out at any time. You must be 16 years or older and a resident of the United States.

King Tut's gold mask