Secrets of the Dead

Angkor was the capital of the Khmer Empire, which controlled much of the region between the 9th and 15th centuries. The stunning accomplishments of Angkor's great kings are evident, but the period preceding the foundation of their great city is shrouded in mystery. The discovery of an incredible hoard of stunning artifacts provides surprising new clues about this early Khmer society.

The discovery of gold and silver artifacts in Laos, dating to the early days of the Khmer Empire, leads scientists to investigate how the priceless objects were made and where they might have originated. On their journey, they retrace the steps of the ancient kings and explore the sacred landscape around Vat Phou to learn more about this ancient civilization.

Historian Jonathan Petropoulos investigates the life of former Nazi art dealer Bruno Lohse and his role in the Nazi looting operation, interviewing Lohse himself, as well as curators, art investigators, Lohse's associates, and descendants of the victims of Nazi art theft. He became Hermann Göring's personal collector in Paris, tasked with finding the most desirable works of art the Nazis stole from Jews. Post-war, Lohse spent a brief time in prison but then returned to Munich and resumed his career as a dealer, more often than not trading in art looted during World War II. With a look at stunning masterpieces and a deep archive of personal letters, Plunderer reveals the dark underbelly of the international art world.

Historian Jonathan Petropoulos investigates former Nazi art dealer Bruno Lohse's role in post-war America. Lohse established relationships with curators at some of the nation's most important cultural institutions and became an invisible hand, dealing in looted art – even as the families of the original owners pursued the restitution of works rightfully theirs.