ZDFE, ZDFinfo investigate ancient crimes

German public broadcaster ZDF’s ZDFinfo channel and its commercial and distribution arm ZDF Enterprises (ZDFE) are coproducing a criminal forensic series that investigates unsolved crimes in the distant past.

Ralf Rueckauer

Produced by Taglicht Media, Crime Scene Antiquity (5×50’) uses cutting-edge forensic techniques, elaborate CGI and experimental archaeology to shed new light on ancient crimes dating back hundreds and even thousands of years.

The crimes include the mass death of children in ancient Athens, the Great Fire of Rome, the destruction of temples in ancient Egypt and the conspiracy against pharaoh Ramses III.

Experts helping to identify the perpetrators include Salima Ikram, a university professor of Egyptology at The American University in Cairo, and Mike Loades, a historical weapons specialist, military historian and author who also directs and writes documentaries.

Ralf Rueckauer, VP of ZDFE.unscripted, said: “The combination of crime and ancient history makes for a fascinating subject. By using top experts, elaborate re-enactments and high-quality computer animations, Crime Scene Antiquity will take viewers back in time and give them an incredible insight into some of history’s most notorious cases.”