1 00:00:05,390 --> 00:00:07,448 - [dan] warning, what you're about to see 2 00:00:07,450 --> 00:00:10,384 Could be disturbing to some viewers. 3 00:00:10,386 --> 00:00:12,804 (suspenseful music) 4 00:00:17,068 --> 00:00:19,853 Imagine this, a chicken 5 00:00:19,855 --> 00:00:24,307 That spends two years walking around without a head. 6 00:00:24,976 --> 00:00:28,461 - Turns out that you don't need a whole brain 7 00:00:28,463 --> 00:00:29,946 To run a chicken. 8 00:00:31,407 --> 00:00:35,268 - Or a 10-year-old taller than michael jordan. 9 00:00:35,270 --> 00:00:36,636 - He's gigantic. 10 00:00:36,638 --> 00:00:40,581 He never, ever, ever, ever stops growing. 11 00:00:40,583 --> 00:00:42,191 (dramatic music) 12 00:00:42,193 --> 00:00:46,479 - What about a lake believed to turn animals to stone? 13 00:00:46,481 --> 00:00:48,648 - And they basically become petrified. 14 00:00:48,650 --> 00:00:50,342 It's like they looked at medusa. 15 00:00:51,844 --> 00:00:53,744 - These are the bodies so surprising, 16 00:00:53,746 --> 00:00:56,506 They are truly unbelievable. 17 00:00:56,508 --> 00:00:58,892 (dramatic music) 18 00:01:09,037 --> 00:01:13,931 - It's 1918 and proud parents, harold and addie wadlow, 19 00:01:13,933 --> 00:01:17,785 Welcome a new baby boy to their family, little robert. 20 00:01:17,787 --> 00:01:20,530 At first, his size is relatively normal, 21 00:01:20,532 --> 00:01:25,443 But what happens when robert starts growing and never stops? 22 00:01:25,445 --> 00:01:27,629 (suspenseful music) (children chattering) 23 00:01:27,631 --> 00:01:32,192 - So when robert wadlow is born in 1918 in alton, illinois, 24 00:01:32,194 --> 00:01:34,051 By all appearances, he's perfectly normal. 25 00:01:34,053 --> 00:01:38,731 But very quickly, his parents notice that something is off. 26 00:01:38,733 --> 00:01:41,977 He begins to grow at a phenomenal pace. 27 00:01:41,979 --> 00:01:45,296 When he's eight years old, he's 5 foot 11, 28 00:01:45,298 --> 00:01:46,623 As tall as his father. 29 00:01:46,625 --> 00:01:50,635 - By the time he's 10, he's 6 foot, 6 inches tall. 30 00:01:50,637 --> 00:01:54,214 - [dan] the wadlows try to give their boy a typical childhood, 31 00:01:54,216 --> 00:01:57,141 But it's soon clear robert is anything but. 32 00:01:57,143 --> 00:02:00,387 - The average male height in america at this time 33 00:02:00,389 --> 00:02:04,624 Is like, 5'9", and he's not yet done growing. 34 00:02:05,919 --> 00:02:09,078 - Even simple, basic things like going to school 35 00:02:09,080 --> 00:02:11,672 Present a huge challenge to him. 36 00:02:11,674 --> 00:02:14,317 - When he goes to have lunch with his friends, 37 00:02:14,319 --> 00:02:16,285 He can't even sit at the dining tables 38 00:02:16,287 --> 00:02:18,655 Because he's gonna break them when he sits down, 39 00:02:18,657 --> 00:02:21,057 So he has to eat standing up. 40 00:02:21,059 --> 00:02:22,850 He's gigantic compared 41 00:02:22,852 --> 00:02:25,353 To all the other students in his classes. 42 00:02:26,798 --> 00:02:28,431 He can't even fit in the desks 43 00:02:28,433 --> 00:02:30,734 That the regular students sit in. 44 00:02:31,786 --> 00:02:34,196 They try raising them on blocks. 45 00:02:35,615 --> 00:02:38,432 And eventually, he has to stand in the back of the class 46 00:02:38,434 --> 00:02:41,745 Because there's nothing else that can accommodate his height. 47 00:02:42,522 --> 00:02:45,207 Life is a complete challenge for the guy. 48 00:02:45,867 --> 00:02:47,884 - But he joins the basketball team. 49 00:02:47,886 --> 00:02:50,620 He's approximately the same size as michael jordan. 50 00:02:50,622 --> 00:02:53,030 Can you imagine showing up in alton, illinois 51 00:02:53,032 --> 00:02:55,942 To play basketball and there's this 6 foot 6 guy 52 00:02:55,944 --> 00:02:59,930 On the team and he's a legit fifth grader? 53 00:03:01,724 --> 00:03:05,376 - I'm robert wadlow, seven feet tall, 12 years old, 54 00:03:05,378 --> 00:03:06,770 And weigh 240 pounds. 55 00:03:06,772 --> 00:03:08,805 - [dan] when he reaches middle school, 56 00:03:08,807 --> 00:03:11,474 Robert experiences another growth spurt, 57 00:03:11,476 --> 00:03:13,726 But his is extreme. 58 00:03:13,728 --> 00:03:17,113 - At the age of 13, robert's 7 foot, 4 inches tall 59 00:03:17,115 --> 00:03:19,390 And he's the world's tallest boy scout, 60 00:03:19,392 --> 00:03:21,892 Which of course makes the merit badges real tiny 61 00:03:21,894 --> 00:03:23,569 On his chest, I suppose. 62 00:03:23,571 --> 00:03:26,289 - And when you say someone's too big for their britches, 63 00:03:26,291 --> 00:03:27,673 Well, he literally is. 64 00:03:27,675 --> 00:03:30,651 - [james] the shoes, the pants, the shirts, all of it 65 00:03:30,653 --> 00:03:32,512 Has to be made from scratch. 66 00:03:32,514 --> 00:03:35,848 - I wear the largest pair of shoes ever made. 67 00:03:35,850 --> 00:03:38,351 - Obviously, robert wadlow is not gonna be walking 68 00:03:38,353 --> 00:03:41,321 Into a shoe store and asking for a size 37. 69 00:03:41,323 --> 00:03:43,097 It's simply not gonna happen. 70 00:03:43,624 --> 00:03:47,585 - [dan] but what exactly is making young robert so big? 71 00:03:47,587 --> 00:03:51,614 - Robert wadlow has gigantism, which is almost always caused 72 00:03:51,616 --> 00:03:55,435 By the pituitary gland constantly resupplying the body 73 00:03:55,437 --> 00:03:56,786 With growth hormone. 74 00:03:56,788 --> 00:03:59,114 - He never, ever, ever, ever, 75 00:03:59,116 --> 00:04:02,284 Through his whole life, stops growing. 76 00:04:03,387 --> 00:04:04,844 - [dan] by the time he's 22. 77 00:04:04,846 --> 00:04:08,164 Robert reaches an astonishing 8 feet, 11 inches. 78 00:04:08,166 --> 00:04:12,201 That's taller than andre the giant by a foot and a half. 79 00:04:12,203 --> 00:04:14,871 - The tallest players ever to play in the nba 80 00:04:14,873 --> 00:04:16,055 Are 7 foot 7, 81 00:04:16,057 --> 00:04:20,568 So he dwarfs the tallest persons ever to play in the nba. 82 00:04:20,570 --> 00:04:21,711 (car honking) 83 00:04:21,713 --> 00:04:25,064 - [dan] now, that might sound like every short person's dream, 84 00:04:25,066 --> 00:04:28,626 But for robert, it's sometimes a nightmare. 85 00:04:28,628 --> 00:04:31,128 - This world isn't built for robert. 86 00:04:31,130 --> 00:04:32,780 Imagine nothing fitting. 87 00:04:32,782 --> 00:04:35,233 Everything is just too small for him. 88 00:04:35,235 --> 00:04:37,410 - Wadlow hopes to have a full-blown career 89 00:04:37,412 --> 00:04:39,278 Like a lot of people his age in that era, 90 00:04:39,280 --> 00:04:41,489 But it's out of his reach in many ways 91 00:04:41,491 --> 00:04:43,383 Because he is so enormous. 92 00:04:43,385 --> 00:04:47,728 - He wants to be a lawyer and he never achieves that. 93 00:04:47,730 --> 00:04:49,255 How many people in that era 94 00:04:49,257 --> 00:04:52,167 Would've sought out an almost-nine-foot lawyer? 95 00:04:53,478 --> 00:04:58,189 - When robert wadlow would go out in public, people stared. 96 00:04:58,783 --> 00:05:00,933 (camera snapping) but they even went beyond that. 97 00:05:00,935 --> 00:05:03,887 They actually would walk up to him and knock on his legs 98 00:05:03,889 --> 00:05:06,681 Because he appeared to be a person on stilts. 99 00:05:08,769 --> 00:05:13,830 - [dan] his size obviously makes a desk job somewhat challenging. 100 00:05:13,832 --> 00:05:15,531 - Robert wadlow and his family 101 00:05:15,533 --> 00:05:17,942 Had spent pretty much his entire life 102 00:05:17,944 --> 00:05:21,529 Desperately avoiding the show business angle. 103 00:05:21,531 --> 00:05:24,532 - [dan] then, ringling brothers and barnum and bailey circus 104 00:05:24,534 --> 00:05:25,791 Come knocking. 105 00:05:25,793 --> 00:05:28,111 - And money's money. 106 00:05:28,113 --> 00:05:30,747 But robert has conditions. 107 00:05:30,749 --> 00:05:34,100 Robert is never pictured in much of anything other 108 00:05:34,102 --> 00:05:35,201 Than a three piece suit 109 00:05:35,203 --> 00:05:37,695 And he will not be presented as a freak. 110 00:05:37,697 --> 00:05:40,590 He's presented as the tallest human being in the world 111 00:05:40,592 --> 00:05:43,292 And in recorded human history. 112 00:05:43,294 --> 00:05:44,702 - Wadlow gets lots of attention 113 00:05:44,704 --> 00:05:46,946 And he does his best to deal with it gracefully. 114 00:05:46,948 --> 00:05:49,482 In one radio interview, the radio interviewer asks him, 115 00:05:49,484 --> 00:05:51,226 "does it bother you that people stare at you?" 116 00:05:51,228 --> 00:05:56,164 And he chuckles and he says, "I just overlook them." 117 00:05:56,166 --> 00:05:58,525 (tense music) 118 00:05:59,819 --> 00:06:02,153 - Eventually, robert grew so tall 119 00:06:04,074 --> 00:06:09,352 That it puts tremendous stress on his body 120 00:06:09,354 --> 00:06:12,997 And particularly on his bones and on his leg muscles. 121 00:06:14,375 --> 00:06:17,210 This causes him to need braces. 122 00:06:18,588 --> 00:06:22,382 - [dan] those braces ultimately do more harm than good. 123 00:06:27,989 --> 00:06:32,675 - In 1940, he's invited to walk in a 4th of July parade. 124 00:06:32,677 --> 00:06:36,696 The metal brackets on his legs start to cut into him 125 00:06:36,698 --> 00:06:39,365 And develop bruises and lesions. 126 00:06:39,367 --> 00:06:42,026 - [dan] the cuts on robert's legs become infected 127 00:06:43,487 --> 00:06:45,488 And he ends up in the hospital. 128 00:06:47,225 --> 00:06:50,677 - After the parade, he developed sepsis, 129 00:06:50,679 --> 00:06:53,680 High fevers, low blood pressure. 130 00:06:53,682 --> 00:06:56,958 - Robert's temperature rises to 104 degrees. 131 00:06:59,570 --> 00:07:01,795 July 15th, 1940, 132 00:07:01,797 --> 00:07:04,799 The world's largest human being passes away. 133 00:07:06,202 --> 00:07:08,969 - [dan] robert is just 22 when he passes, 134 00:07:08,971 --> 00:07:12,849 But the strangeness that marked his life continues in death. 135 00:07:13,918 --> 00:07:16,485 - You can't just have a normal coffin. 136 00:07:16,487 --> 00:07:19,022 Robert needs an extra large coffin 137 00:07:19,024 --> 00:07:21,390 That requires 12 pallbearers 138 00:07:21,392 --> 00:07:23,484 To carry him to his grave site. 139 00:07:23,486 --> 00:07:28,047 - [dan] even after his death, the public remain oddly curious. 140 00:07:28,049 --> 00:07:30,583 - So in the sorrow of losing their son, 141 00:07:30,585 --> 00:07:32,451 The family is informed that they really need 142 00:07:32,453 --> 00:07:35,329 To take some precautions about his body being stolen. 143 00:07:35,331 --> 00:07:37,707 - His parents start to hear rumors 144 00:07:37,709 --> 00:07:42,002 That curiosity seekers may want to exhume his corpse 145 00:07:42,004 --> 00:07:44,096 And put it on display. 146 00:07:44,098 --> 00:07:45,414 - [dan] the rumors are credible enough 147 00:07:45,416 --> 00:07:47,675 That robert's parents take action. 148 00:07:48,253 --> 00:07:51,904 - They pour thousands of pounds of concrete on top 149 00:07:51,906 --> 00:07:54,832 Of his grave so that he can rest in peace. 150 00:07:55,835 --> 00:07:59,229 - [dan] these days, a life-sized statue near robert's grave site 151 00:07:59,231 --> 00:08:03,391 Causes visitors to do what everyone did when he was alive: 152 00:08:03,393 --> 00:08:06,444 Look up. Way, way up. 153 00:08:08,923 --> 00:08:13,117 Record holders like robert are indeed more than strange. 154 00:08:13,119 --> 00:08:15,911 Our next story transports us around the world 155 00:08:15,913 --> 00:08:19,415 To uncover a different kind of astonishing body. 156 00:08:22,687 --> 00:08:27,173 - In a remote village 250 miles away from kathmandu, 157 00:08:29,051 --> 00:08:31,535 A worker is just passing through the village 158 00:08:31,537 --> 00:08:33,863 And sees something moving in the distance 159 00:08:33,865 --> 00:08:35,481 Out of the corner of his eye. 160 00:08:35,483 --> 00:08:37,183 It looks like a child, 161 00:08:37,185 --> 00:08:40,353 But this is someone who's walking much too quickly 162 00:08:40,355 --> 00:08:42,730 And much too confidently to be a child. 163 00:08:42,732 --> 00:08:46,376 - This road worker really is struggling to make sense of it. 164 00:08:46,378 --> 00:08:50,730 This is in fact, a 72-year-old man. 165 00:08:51,366 --> 00:08:56,803 - [dan] chandra bahadur dangi stands a mere 21 inches tall, 166 00:08:56,805 --> 00:08:59,989 Or as he jokes, 21 inches short. 167 00:08:59,991 --> 00:09:04,068 - The worker who discovered him decides this is worthy 168 00:09:04,070 --> 00:09:05,444 Of going to guinness. 169 00:09:06,147 --> 00:09:08,464 This gentleman needs a world's record. 170 00:09:09,834 --> 00:09:12,501 - [dan] calls are made, emails are sent, 171 00:09:12,503 --> 00:09:15,596 And the guinness world records organization is contacted. 172 00:09:15,598 --> 00:09:18,308 When officials see photos, they have lots of questions, 173 00:09:18,310 --> 00:09:21,769 Starting with, who is this guy? 174 00:09:21,771 --> 00:09:23,646 (tense music) 175 00:09:23,648 --> 00:09:27,499 - Chandra is born in 1939, the seventh of eight children. 176 00:09:27,501 --> 00:09:30,260 Some of his siblings are normal size. 177 00:09:30,262 --> 00:09:34,006 Some of his siblings have dwarfism like he does. 178 00:09:34,008 --> 00:09:37,327 The village builds ramps for him and lower shelves 179 00:09:37,329 --> 00:09:39,662 So that he can live a normal life 180 00:09:39,664 --> 00:09:42,623 In this extremely rural village. 181 00:09:42,625 --> 00:09:45,034 - He himself often tells people, jestingly, 182 00:09:45,036 --> 00:09:47,036 "I am taller than the chickens, 183 00:09:47,038 --> 00:09:49,172 But I am shorter than the goats." 184 00:09:50,567 --> 00:09:51,891 - [dan] then in 2012, 185 00:09:51,893 --> 00:09:55,302 Chandra's small world gets much larger. 186 00:09:55,304 --> 00:09:58,230 - At this point, to validate his stature 187 00:09:58,232 --> 00:10:01,642 And his position as the tiniest human on record, 188 00:10:01,644 --> 00:10:05,688 Guinness book of world records, they invite him to kathmandu. 189 00:10:07,058 --> 00:10:11,310 - Kathmandu is a bustling metropolis for chandra compared 190 00:10:11,312 --> 00:10:15,114 To the rural life that he had lived prior. 191 00:10:15,991 --> 00:10:17,249 - For someone who has never 192 00:10:17,251 --> 00:10:18,401 Been out of their village before, 193 00:10:18,403 --> 00:10:20,870 This is a massive sea change. 194 00:10:20,872 --> 00:10:23,506 He is suddenly in a big city. 195 00:10:23,508 --> 00:10:26,042 He is seeing things he never before imagined 196 00:10:26,044 --> 00:10:29,345 In a world that really is not set up to accommodate him, 197 00:10:29,347 --> 00:10:32,190 But he seems pretty game about the whole thing. 198 00:10:32,192 --> 00:10:33,649 - The guinness book of world records 199 00:10:33,651 --> 00:10:38,754 Measure him multiple times to make sure this is legit. 200 00:10:38,756 --> 00:10:42,358 - He is verified, 21.49 inches. 201 00:10:42,360 --> 00:10:45,277 It's official, chandra bahadur dangi 202 00:10:45,279 --> 00:10:48,113 Is the shortest man alive. 203 00:10:48,115 --> 00:10:49,448 - [dan] and just like that, 204 00:10:49,450 --> 00:10:52,318 Chandra becomes an international celebrity. 205 00:10:53,521 --> 00:10:56,613 - And when he is exposed to the world at large, 206 00:10:56,615 --> 00:10:58,849 He lives this, like, rockstar life. 207 00:10:58,851 --> 00:11:02,120 - Chandra now finds himself flying on jets to places, 208 00:11:02,122 --> 00:11:04,055 He'd never been on a plane before. 209 00:11:04,057 --> 00:11:08,451 He's being limousined around, he's staying in swanky hotels. 210 00:11:08,453 --> 00:11:10,453 - He's going to london, he's going to mumbai, 211 00:11:10,455 --> 00:11:11,987 He's traveling to australia. 212 00:11:11,989 --> 00:11:16,325 - Here at the age of 72, chandra suddenly finds himself 213 00:11:16,327 --> 00:11:18,060 A completely different human being 214 00:11:18,062 --> 00:11:19,462 In a completely different world. 215 00:11:19,464 --> 00:11:22,831 - He gets to meet the current tallest living person 216 00:11:22,833 --> 00:11:26,060 In the world, he also gets to meet the shortest woman 217 00:11:26,062 --> 00:11:27,562 In the world. 218 00:11:28,422 --> 00:11:32,491 - [dan] eventually chandra's new life takes a toll. 219 00:11:32,493 --> 00:11:35,486 - While he's touring, he catches pneumonia. 220 00:11:35,488 --> 00:11:37,204 He's a diminutive individual 221 00:11:37,206 --> 00:11:40,115 And that means that all of his internal organs 222 00:11:40,117 --> 00:11:42,951 Are really packed into a tiny space. 223 00:11:42,953 --> 00:11:44,311 - And one could speculate 224 00:11:44,313 --> 00:11:48,541 That chandra can't bring enough air into and out of his body 225 00:11:48,543 --> 00:11:51,251 And it's a setup for infection. 226 00:11:51,253 --> 00:11:56,665 - [dan] on September 3rd, 2015, he passes away 227 00:11:56,667 --> 00:11:59,602 At the lyndon b. Johnson tropical medical center. 228 00:11:59,604 --> 00:12:01,745 (pensive music) 229 00:12:02,340 --> 00:12:06,158 But it comes after packing a lifetime of experience 230 00:12:06,160 --> 00:12:08,177 Into his final years. 231 00:12:08,179 --> 00:12:10,529 - And what a beautiful capstone 232 00:12:10,531 --> 00:12:13,332 To finally getting your dues at the end 233 00:12:13,334 --> 00:12:15,401 And going out on a high note. 234 00:12:21,042 --> 00:12:23,326 - Eating as much as you want and still losing weight 235 00:12:23,328 --> 00:12:26,545 Sounds great to some of us, but the mysterious case 236 00:12:26,547 --> 00:12:29,773 Of one young boy might make you think twice. 237 00:12:29,775 --> 00:12:32,835 (ominous music) (birds chirping) 238 00:12:34,905 --> 00:12:38,482 - Isaac sprague is a, by all accounts, normal 12-year-old. 239 00:12:38,484 --> 00:12:41,577 In 1853, he goes swimming in a local swimming hole, 240 00:12:41,579 --> 00:12:43,946 But when he comes out, he's not feeling well 241 00:12:43,948 --> 00:12:46,866 And his condition deteriorates very quickly. 242 00:12:46,868 --> 00:12:49,519 He gets feverish, achy, fatigued. 243 00:12:49,521 --> 00:12:51,053 Over time, his parents notice, 244 00:12:51,055 --> 00:12:52,813 Not only is he looking quite poorly, 245 00:12:52,815 --> 00:12:54,648 But he's also losing weight. 246 00:12:55,317 --> 00:12:58,318 - He's losing weight so rapidly that it scares his family. 247 00:12:58,320 --> 00:13:00,112 Obviously, they're worried about his wellbeing, 248 00:13:00,114 --> 00:13:02,572 But it also scares people around him. 249 00:13:02,574 --> 00:13:03,907 People kind of withdraw 250 00:13:03,909 --> 00:13:06,244 'cause they don't know if he has something contagious. 251 00:13:06,246 --> 00:13:08,579 - [dan] even his doctors are mystified. 252 00:13:09,940 --> 00:13:14,093 - He goes from 80-odd-pound adolescent 253 00:13:14,095 --> 00:13:17,129 To a 43-pound human skeleton. 254 00:13:18,775 --> 00:13:20,991 - But his weight levels off at that number. 255 00:13:20,993 --> 00:13:24,011 He stays 43 pounds. 256 00:13:24,013 --> 00:13:27,406 - When you see photos, they are really shocking. 257 00:13:28,100 --> 00:13:30,676 You almost feel like the photograph is a fake. 258 00:13:30,678 --> 00:13:33,220 - You think, oh, that's really weird photoshop. 259 00:13:33,222 --> 00:13:35,523 They are actual photographs of him. 260 00:13:37,860 --> 00:13:40,436 - As he gets older, he is able to work a little bit 261 00:13:40,438 --> 00:13:42,012 For his father, who's a shoemaker, 262 00:13:42,014 --> 00:13:43,347 And also for a local grocer. 263 00:13:43,349 --> 00:13:45,441 But he's constantly fatigued by this work 264 00:13:45,443 --> 00:13:48,619 'cause he doesn't have any real muscle mass to speak of. 265 00:13:48,621 --> 00:13:49,978 - His parents support him, 266 00:13:49,980 --> 00:13:52,522 But eventually his parents pass away 267 00:13:52,524 --> 00:13:54,374 And he has to earn a living. 268 00:13:54,376 --> 00:13:55,634 - [dan] so he asks himself, 269 00:13:55,636 --> 00:13:58,838 Is there a way to turn this condition into cash? 270 00:13:58,840 --> 00:14:02,967 - In 1865, he gets an offer from the circus. 271 00:14:04,370 --> 00:14:06,645 It's unclear whether he wants to do it, but he does it 272 00:14:06,647 --> 00:14:09,039 Because it's really his only option. 273 00:14:09,041 --> 00:14:12,284 Sprague debuts as the living skeleton. 274 00:14:12,286 --> 00:14:16,572 - Isaac sprague eventually catches the eye of p.T. Barnum 275 00:14:16,574 --> 00:14:21,068 And barnum gets sprague to join his company. 276 00:14:21,070 --> 00:14:23,595 He's performing with the four-legged woman, 277 00:14:23,597 --> 00:14:24,964 The lion-faced man. 278 00:14:24,966 --> 00:14:28,000 Zip the "what is it?", who astounds the crown heads 279 00:14:28,002 --> 00:14:30,352 Of europe when barnum had him under contract. 280 00:14:30,354 --> 00:14:31,537 - On the one hand, 281 00:14:31,539 --> 00:14:33,897 He is kind of making lemonade out of lemons, 282 00:14:33,899 --> 00:14:37,476 But it's actually kind of a grueling job to have. 283 00:14:37,478 --> 00:14:41,088 - [dan] sprague dazzles the crowds, but at a cost. 284 00:14:42,758 --> 00:14:46,076 - Isaac sprague has neither fat nor muscle. 285 00:14:46,078 --> 00:14:49,329 So for his body to survive, he has 286 00:14:49,331 --> 00:14:53,358 To be constantly consuming caloric intake. 287 00:14:53,360 --> 00:14:56,328 So he deals with that by having a hip flask 288 00:14:56,330 --> 00:14:58,347 Of sweetened milk, which gives him fat, 289 00:14:58,349 --> 00:15:00,499 Gives him some sugar and keeps him going. 290 00:15:00,501 --> 00:15:02,692 Of course, many sideshow performers had flasks, 291 00:15:02,694 --> 00:15:04,787 But they were filled with alcohol. 292 00:15:05,356 --> 00:15:07,614 - The great part of his story, in my eyes, 293 00:15:07,616 --> 00:15:09,608 Is that he does find love. 294 00:15:09,610 --> 00:15:10,951 He meets a young woman 295 00:15:10,953 --> 00:15:13,120 And he falls in love with her and they get married. 296 00:15:13,122 --> 00:15:15,214 They have three children, completely healthy, 297 00:15:15,216 --> 00:15:17,107 But that also means that he has 298 00:15:17,109 --> 00:15:18,834 To keep performing in the sideshow 299 00:15:18,836 --> 00:15:21,379 Because he now has to support a family. 300 00:15:23,483 --> 00:15:26,759 - He feels the universe owes him something 301 00:15:26,761 --> 00:15:28,910 Because of his problem. 302 00:15:28,912 --> 00:15:31,697 - He believes that a stroke of good luck 303 00:15:31,699 --> 00:15:32,682 Is right around the corner. 304 00:15:32,684 --> 00:15:35,234 And so he develops a problem with gambling. 305 00:15:35,236 --> 00:15:38,086 And so all that great money from the circus 306 00:15:38,088 --> 00:15:40,239 Doesn't get funneled to his family. 307 00:15:40,733 --> 00:15:44,068 - [dan] by late 1886, sprague is too weak to travel 308 00:15:44,070 --> 00:15:47,863 Or work, so he comes up with a bizarre plan 309 00:15:47,865 --> 00:15:51,158 To secure desperately needed cash for his family. 310 00:15:52,503 --> 00:15:55,054 - So he approaches harvard medical school with an idea. 311 00:15:55,056 --> 00:15:57,723 How about when I die, you can get my body, 312 00:15:57,725 --> 00:16:00,042 But you have to pay my family $1,000? 313 00:16:00,819 --> 00:16:05,840 - [dan] just a few weeks later, on January 6th, 1887, 314 00:16:05,842 --> 00:16:07,425 Sprague dies. 315 00:16:09,270 --> 00:16:12,204 It's not clear if harvard ever claims sprague's body 316 00:16:12,206 --> 00:16:13,722 Or pays his heirs, 317 00:16:13,724 --> 00:16:16,583 But allegedly the guy had another trick up his sleeve. 318 00:16:16,585 --> 00:16:19,586 According to friends, he bet someone that he wouldn't live 319 00:16:19,588 --> 00:16:21,446 To the following Saturday. 320 00:16:21,448 --> 00:16:24,792 In fitting fashion, isaac sprague wins 321 00:16:24,794 --> 00:16:26,819 The last bet of his life. 322 00:16:27,846 --> 00:16:30,597 Let's consider another unbelievable tale. 323 00:16:30,599 --> 00:16:33,942 Meet gary turner, the elastic man. 324 00:16:33,944 --> 00:16:36,328 (pensive music) 325 00:16:38,690 --> 00:16:41,042 - Gary turner, he's born in 1971 326 00:16:41,044 --> 00:16:44,469 About 150 miles outside of london. 327 00:16:44,471 --> 00:16:46,455 He plays sports, he goes to school, 328 00:16:46,457 --> 00:16:48,640 He eats his breakfast every morning. 329 00:16:48,642 --> 00:16:49,975 He has a normal childhood. 330 00:16:49,977 --> 00:16:53,112 - [dan] but as gary gets older, he discovers he can do something 331 00:16:53,114 --> 00:16:54,980 That's anything but normal. 332 00:16:55,516 --> 00:16:58,617 - He can pull the skin from his neck up over his face. 333 00:16:58,619 --> 00:17:00,269 He can pull his arm skin out. 334 00:17:00,271 --> 00:17:03,672 - [dan] how is it possible that gary can do this? 335 00:17:03,674 --> 00:17:06,909 - Gary turner has ehlers-danlos syndrome. 336 00:17:06,911 --> 00:17:11,563 The typical form is diagnosed in one in every 5,000 births. 337 00:17:11,565 --> 00:17:15,500 The more extreme examples range in one in every 40,000. 338 00:17:15,502 --> 00:17:20,039 Gary turner is the most extreme of the most extreme. 339 00:17:21,842 --> 00:17:24,292 - Gary turner's an amazing example 340 00:17:24,294 --> 00:17:28,089 Of what used to be called the rubber skin man act. 341 00:17:29,183 --> 00:17:33,593 - So we all have stretchy skin to one degree or another, 342 00:17:33,595 --> 00:17:40,342 But in this case, there is a strange combination of collagen 343 00:17:40,344 --> 00:17:43,521 And elastin in his skin that allows it 344 00:17:43,523 --> 00:17:46,523 To be extremely plastic in nature, 345 00:17:46,525 --> 00:17:49,985 Allowing him to stretch it to an incredible degree. 346 00:17:49,987 --> 00:17:51,536 - Gary's a natural performer. 347 00:17:51,538 --> 00:17:56,024 He loves the spotlight and nature gave him this gift. 348 00:17:56,026 --> 00:17:58,677 He's on movies, he does interviews. 349 00:17:58,679 --> 00:18:00,362 - Have a try yourself? 350 00:18:00,364 --> 00:18:02,881 - [interviewer] (laughs) that's amazing. 351 00:18:02,883 --> 00:18:06,802 - Gary mesmerizes crowds by stretching his abdominal skin 352 00:18:06,804 --> 00:18:08,361 To 6.25 inches. 353 00:18:08,363 --> 00:18:12,541 If you think you can do that, go ahead, try. 354 00:18:12,543 --> 00:18:15,694 - In 1999, he is declared 355 00:18:15,696 --> 00:18:17,729 To have the world's stretchiest skin. 356 00:18:17,731 --> 00:18:20,649 And yes, that is a real category. 357 00:18:20,651 --> 00:18:23,227 - Unlike others who have physical differences, 358 00:18:23,229 --> 00:18:27,306 He doesn't have to worry about being nine feet tall. 359 00:18:27,308 --> 00:18:30,967 He doesn't have to worry about being 21 inches tall. 360 00:18:30,969 --> 00:18:33,970 He can throw on a sweatshirt and be anybody. 361 00:18:33,972 --> 00:18:36,765 - [dan] and there's an additional upside. 362 00:18:36,767 --> 00:18:39,577 - As a silver lining, he doesn't get wrinkles. 363 00:18:42,306 --> 00:18:44,339 - Take a look at this picture. 364 00:18:44,341 --> 00:18:48,076 At first glance, does it seem in any way strange? 365 00:18:48,078 --> 00:18:50,212 What if I told you that a few years 366 00:18:50,214 --> 00:18:51,571 Before this photo was taken, 367 00:18:51,573 --> 00:18:55,801 That iron bar shot straight through this man's head? 368 00:18:56,887 --> 00:18:59,138 (pensive music) 369 00:19:00,774 --> 00:19:05,869 - Phineas gage is a 25-year-old railroad worker in the town 370 00:19:05,871 --> 00:19:07,812 Of cavendish, vermont. 371 00:19:07,814 --> 00:19:12,985 - Phineas is a professional, hardworking, brilliant citizen. 372 00:19:13,787 --> 00:19:16,179 - His specialty is explosives 373 00:19:16,181 --> 00:19:17,773 'cause they need to lay down railroad track, 374 00:19:17,775 --> 00:19:19,283 You have to blow up a lot of rock. 375 00:19:19,285 --> 00:19:22,244 And so he's the guy that sets the charge. 376 00:19:22,246 --> 00:19:24,613 - As part of phineas's job, 377 00:19:24,615 --> 00:19:28,892 He has a 3.5 foot iron bar that he uses 378 00:19:28,894 --> 00:19:30,635 To tamp down the gunpowder. 379 00:19:30,637 --> 00:19:32,229 (metal clinking) 380 00:19:32,231 --> 00:19:34,973 - But it's very, very, very dangerous work 381 00:19:34,975 --> 00:19:36,458 Because it's black powder 382 00:19:36,460 --> 00:19:38,977 And black powder can go off, like that. 383 00:19:38,979 --> 00:19:41,430 (suspenseful music) (metal clinking) 384 00:19:41,432 --> 00:19:46,151 - He strikes the rock just so with his rod, creates a spark. 385 00:19:46,153 --> 00:19:48,062 (explosion booming) 386 00:19:50,232 --> 00:19:52,483 (ominous music) 387 00:19:56,297 --> 00:20:00,199 - That tamping iron essentially became a bullet. 388 00:20:02,954 --> 00:20:04,586 - [edward] it shoots upward 389 00:20:04,588 --> 00:20:06,580 And it goes right into his cheek, 390 00:20:06,582 --> 00:20:07,656 (man screaming) 391 00:20:07,658 --> 00:20:09,808 Passes behind his left eye, 392 00:20:09,810 --> 00:20:13,796 And then out the top of his head through the frontal left lobe. 393 00:20:15,257 --> 00:20:18,092 It flies 80 feet away from the explosion. 394 00:20:19,019 --> 00:20:20,919 (iron clanging) 395 00:20:20,921 --> 00:20:25,407 - Everyone is absolutely certain the man is dead. 396 00:20:25,409 --> 00:20:29,511 To the shock of his crew mates, he stands up, 397 00:20:29,513 --> 00:20:32,922 Starts walking around, asking what happened. 398 00:20:32,924 --> 00:20:35,334 He doesn't seem particularly alarmed. 399 00:20:35,336 --> 00:20:41,006 Because the tapered end of the bar exits his skull, 400 00:20:41,008 --> 00:20:43,224 He is spared greater brain damage 401 00:20:43,226 --> 00:20:45,410 Than he otherwise would've suffered. 402 00:20:45,412 --> 00:20:47,937 - [dan] doctors managed to stop the bleeding, 403 00:20:47,939 --> 00:20:52,609 But they wonder, what are the long term consequences? 404 00:20:52,611 --> 00:20:56,288 - Phineas was known as an easygoing, 405 00:20:56,290 --> 00:20:58,798 Likable guy before his injury. 406 00:20:58,800 --> 00:21:03,286 The person who returns to the railroad crew 407 00:21:03,288 --> 00:21:06,381 Is argumentative, abrasive. 408 00:21:06,383 --> 00:21:09,309 - He's irritable, short-tempered, impulsive, 409 00:21:09,311 --> 00:21:12,312 And he's kind of a jerk to everybody around him. 410 00:21:12,314 --> 00:21:15,607 - He's prone to alcoholism and violence 411 00:21:15,609 --> 00:21:19,144 And we could say definitively, these are two different people. 412 00:21:19,864 --> 00:21:22,397 - Gage becomes kind of a medical curiosity 413 00:21:22,399 --> 00:21:25,250 And people are wondering how on earth he survives 414 00:21:25,252 --> 00:21:28,137 And also what is it that has changed his personality? 415 00:21:28,139 --> 00:21:31,582 And it's really, in some ways, the beginning of neuroscience. 416 00:21:31,584 --> 00:21:35,077 - The way the rod goes through his brain, it pierces an area 417 00:21:35,079 --> 00:21:39,339 Of the brain that controls emotional responses. 418 00:21:39,341 --> 00:21:40,698 - The frontal lobes, 419 00:21:40,700 --> 00:21:43,302 Frontal lobes are really super important 420 00:21:43,304 --> 00:21:45,179 For behavioral control. 421 00:21:45,181 --> 00:21:48,590 When phineas severely damages his frontal lobes, 422 00:21:48,592 --> 00:21:51,076 It's like a brake has been taken off 423 00:21:51,078 --> 00:21:53,336 Of his behavioral regulator 424 00:21:53,338 --> 00:21:56,081 And it is not uncommon with patients 425 00:21:56,083 --> 00:21:59,618 That have frontal lobe damage that they act impulsively. 426 00:21:59,620 --> 00:22:01,694 They can act aggressively. 427 00:22:01,696 --> 00:22:03,196 - Prior to this, people thought personality 428 00:22:03,198 --> 00:22:04,848 Was sort of like an extension of your soul. 429 00:22:04,850 --> 00:22:06,942 It was some sort of ethereal part of you 430 00:22:06,944 --> 00:22:10,079 That, you know, you had to work on all the time as opposed 431 00:22:10,081 --> 00:22:12,297 To something that literally came out of synapses 432 00:22:12,299 --> 00:22:14,799 And cells and things in your brain. 433 00:22:14,801 --> 00:22:16,034 - [dan] however, temper tantrums 434 00:22:16,036 --> 00:22:19,362 Are just one possible side effect of a brain injury. 435 00:22:19,990 --> 00:22:22,758 - One of the consequences of certain types 436 00:22:22,760 --> 00:22:25,885 Of head injury is pseudobulbar affect. 437 00:22:25,887 --> 00:22:29,531 Essentially, that results in inappropriate laughter 438 00:22:29,533 --> 00:22:33,468 Or crying without any sort of emotional context. 439 00:22:33,470 --> 00:22:35,804 - [dan] in hollywood, we call this Tuesday, 440 00:22:35,806 --> 00:22:38,123 But there's an even more unusual medical condition 441 00:22:38,125 --> 00:22:42,494 Brought on by a brain injury, foreign accent syndrome. 442 00:22:42,496 --> 00:22:45,797 - I woke up this morning, I didn't do anything different. 443 00:22:45,799 --> 00:22:49,468 Then all of a sudden I was talking in an irish accent. 444 00:22:49,470 --> 00:22:53,838 - A victim of brain trauma in australia recovers, 445 00:22:53,840 --> 00:22:56,416 Retains the ability of speech 446 00:22:56,418 --> 00:23:00,011 But starts to speak in an irish brogue. 447 00:23:00,013 --> 00:23:01,630 - I can't shake it. 448 00:23:02,341 --> 00:23:03,823 - It's a bizarre phenomenon 449 00:23:03,825 --> 00:23:06,935 And just one of the many strange secrets the curious case 450 00:23:06,937 --> 00:23:09,346 Of phineas gage begins to unlock. 451 00:23:10,407 --> 00:23:14,083 - What I find fascinating about the phineas gage case 452 00:23:14,085 --> 00:23:17,345 Is that 175 years later, 453 00:23:17,347 --> 00:23:20,515 Scientists are still studying his case. 454 00:23:20,517 --> 00:23:24,286 He is that important in the history 455 00:23:24,288 --> 00:23:27,780 Of our understanding of the human brain. 456 00:23:27,782 --> 00:23:30,542 - [dan] what eventually becomes of phineas gage? 457 00:23:30,544 --> 00:23:33,528 - Because of the change in character 458 00:23:33,530 --> 00:23:35,880 That transpires in phineas, 459 00:23:35,882 --> 00:23:39,284 He can no longer get along on crew work 460 00:23:39,286 --> 00:23:42,295 And he actually finds work driving a stagecoach 461 00:23:42,297 --> 00:23:45,382 In south america in the nation of chile. 462 00:23:47,653 --> 00:23:49,861 - Phineas gage's skull and tamping iron 463 00:23:49,863 --> 00:23:52,972 Are on display in the countway library of medicine 464 00:23:52,974 --> 00:23:54,733 At harvard university. 465 00:23:54,735 --> 00:23:56,310 The relics serve as a reminder 466 00:23:56,312 --> 00:23:59,771 Of how remarkably resilient the human body can be, 467 00:23:59,773 --> 00:24:05,360 But it's nothing compared to the resilience of chickens. 468 00:24:08,282 --> 00:24:11,366 1945, fruita, colorado. 469 00:24:11,368 --> 00:24:13,918 Farmer lloyd olson is ready for dinner. 470 00:24:13,920 --> 00:24:18,498 The main course, a chicken named mike. 471 00:24:18,500 --> 00:24:20,626 (suspenseful music) 472 00:24:20,628 --> 00:24:22,794 (chicken clucking) 473 00:24:26,767 --> 00:24:29,801 - So olson walks out, hatchet in hand. 474 00:24:31,438 --> 00:24:33,179 He performs the act 475 00:24:33,181 --> 00:24:34,923 That he has performed countless times 476 00:24:34,925 --> 00:24:36,624 With many other chickens. 477 00:24:36,626 --> 00:24:40,020 (suspenseful music) (chicken squawking) 478 00:24:41,248 --> 00:24:43,339 - Something's different. 479 00:24:43,341 --> 00:24:46,084 The chicken is still alive, 480 00:24:46,086 --> 00:24:49,178 Still walking and acting like a chicken, 481 00:24:49,180 --> 00:24:51,990 But lloyd is holding his head in his hand. 482 00:24:53,543 --> 00:24:55,284 - [dan] how is this possible? 483 00:24:55,286 --> 00:24:58,021 The answer has a lot to do with the unique attributes 484 00:24:58,023 --> 00:25:00,131 Of the gallus gallus domesticuss, 485 00:25:00,133 --> 00:25:03,109 Also known as the common chicken. 486 00:25:03,111 --> 00:25:06,371 - Chickens are descended from the dinosaurs 487 00:25:06,373 --> 00:25:10,100 From a group called the theropods, 488 00:25:10,102 --> 00:25:13,545 Which include all of those famous meat eaters 489 00:25:13,547 --> 00:25:17,632 Like velociraptor and tyrannosaurus rex. 490 00:25:18,652 --> 00:25:21,787 - Chickens have over 30 different kinds of vocalizations 491 00:25:21,789 --> 00:25:23,805 That they use to communicate with other chickens. 492 00:25:23,807 --> 00:25:26,458 They can remember up to a hundred different faces, 493 00:25:26,460 --> 00:25:27,967 Human or chicken or otherwise. 494 00:25:27,969 --> 00:25:30,112 They actually experience rem sleep 495 00:25:30,114 --> 00:25:33,323 Because we can measure their eye movements. 496 00:25:34,134 --> 00:25:35,409 These are pretty smart birds. 497 00:25:35,411 --> 00:25:37,344 - [dan] unfortunately, mike loses every one 498 00:25:37,346 --> 00:25:40,989 Of these attributes once lloyd olson brings the ax down 499 00:25:40,991 --> 00:25:42,340 On his feathery neck. 500 00:25:42,342 --> 00:25:44,041 (suspenseful music) (ax thumping) 501 00:25:44,043 --> 00:25:45,577 - When farmer olson heads out 502 00:25:45,579 --> 00:25:48,297 For the traditional ax and stump routine 503 00:25:48,299 --> 00:25:52,600 With mike the chicken, he ends up conducting what amounts 504 00:25:52,602 --> 00:25:56,254 To a complicated form of brain surgery. 505 00:25:56,256 --> 00:25:59,924 His ax cleaves the skull in such a way 506 00:25:59,926 --> 00:26:03,586 That it leaves the stem of the brain. 507 00:26:03,588 --> 00:26:07,924 If you have that brain stem, the circulatory functions, 508 00:26:07,926 --> 00:26:12,170 The respiratory functions, the motor skills are left intact 509 00:26:12,172 --> 00:26:18,159 And he is left with this living, essentially headless chicken. 510 00:26:18,161 --> 00:26:20,528 Turns out that you don't need a whole brain 511 00:26:20,530 --> 00:26:21,913 To run a chicken. 512 00:26:21,915 --> 00:26:22,789 (chicken clucking) 513 00:26:22,791 --> 00:26:26,626 - Now, he has to feed it very peculiarly. 514 00:26:26,628 --> 00:26:29,212 - So mike, being headless, has no mouth 515 00:26:29,214 --> 00:26:31,506 And so can't eat in the traditional way. 516 00:26:31,508 --> 00:26:34,042 But after the beheading, there's a little opening 517 00:26:34,044 --> 00:26:36,561 To the esophagus exposed right there. 518 00:26:36,563 --> 00:26:39,573 Lloyd is able to keep mike the headless chicken alive 519 00:26:39,575 --> 00:26:42,959 By feeding food with an eyedropper through that opening, 520 00:26:43,753 --> 00:26:45,503 - [dan] pretty soon, farmer olson's chicken 521 00:26:45,505 --> 00:26:47,539 Becomes the talk of the town. 522 00:26:47,541 --> 00:26:49,641 - He starts to show it around the neighbors, like, 523 00:26:49,643 --> 00:26:51,467 "look, I've got a headless chicken." 524 00:26:51,469 --> 00:26:52,527 I would show it off. 525 00:26:52,529 --> 00:26:55,046 - Lloyd olson realizes pretty quickly 526 00:26:55,048 --> 00:26:58,033 That a headless chicken which is still alive 527 00:26:58,035 --> 00:27:00,159 Is an amazing attraction 528 00:27:00,161 --> 00:27:03,663 And he takes that animal on the road. 529 00:27:03,665 --> 00:27:07,091 So lloyd's doing everything he can with mike. 530 00:27:07,093 --> 00:27:11,003 He's featured in "life magazine" and he plays a world's fair 531 00:27:11,005 --> 00:27:13,114 And he's going to carnivals and circuses. 532 00:27:13,116 --> 00:27:14,674 They're staying in hotels, 533 00:27:14,676 --> 00:27:17,010 And lloyd and mike are living large, 534 00:27:17,012 --> 00:27:20,513 And he's making the equivalent of like, 60,000 bucks a month 535 00:27:20,515 --> 00:27:24,333 Off this bird that's headless, but still alive. 536 00:27:24,335 --> 00:27:28,254 At long last though, things do come to an end. 537 00:27:28,899 --> 00:27:32,358 - After 18 months of touring on the road, 538 00:27:32,360 --> 00:27:36,697 Mike unfortunately chokes to death on a kernel of corn. 539 00:27:39,426 --> 00:27:43,537 - [dan] but mike's short life makes a lasting impact. 540 00:27:44,998 --> 00:27:47,949 - Fruita, colorado still does celebrate 541 00:27:47,951 --> 00:27:50,359 Their most famous citizen, 542 00:27:50,361 --> 00:27:53,696 Mike the headless chicken, with an annual festival, 543 00:27:53,698 --> 00:27:55,123 The catch line for which is, 544 00:27:55,125 --> 00:27:58,218 "keeping an open mind since 1945." 545 00:27:59,555 --> 00:28:03,281 - Mike's unbelievable tale raises an obvious question. 546 00:28:03,283 --> 00:28:07,728 If a headless chicken can survive, can a headless human? 547 00:28:09,055 --> 00:28:13,341 - In 1905, a french doctor is present at the guillotine. 548 00:28:13,343 --> 00:28:17,028 He's waiting for the guillotine to slice a criminal's head off 549 00:28:17,030 --> 00:28:20,340 And after the head has been decapitated, 550 00:28:20,342 --> 00:28:22,926 The doctor calls out the criminal's name 551 00:28:22,928 --> 00:28:26,245 And apparently the criminal looks at the doctor. 552 00:28:26,247 --> 00:28:27,472 And then looks back, 553 00:28:27,474 --> 00:28:30,141 And the doctor calls out the name again and looks back, 554 00:28:30,143 --> 00:28:31,509 And then the doctor calls out 555 00:28:31,511 --> 00:28:34,070 The criminal's name a third time and there's no response. 556 00:28:34,072 --> 00:28:36,697 So based on that, this french doctor estimates 557 00:28:36,699 --> 00:28:41,136 That the human brain is able to stay conscious and awake 558 00:28:41,138 --> 00:28:44,580 And present for up to 30 seconds after death. 559 00:28:45,225 --> 00:28:47,416 - [dan] sometimes, the line between life 560 00:28:47,418 --> 00:28:51,521 And death isn't as clear as we think. 561 00:28:54,434 --> 00:28:56,434 - Not all astonishing bodies are bodies 562 00:28:56,436 --> 00:28:58,103 In the conventional sense. 563 00:28:58,105 --> 00:29:02,157 Consider one mysterious salt lake on the border 564 00:29:02,159 --> 00:29:04,192 Of tanzania and kenya. 565 00:29:04,194 --> 00:29:06,536 (tense music) 566 00:29:07,831 --> 00:29:10,281 - As soon as you see pictures of lake natron, 567 00:29:10,283 --> 00:29:13,834 You know that something strange is happening here. 568 00:29:13,836 --> 00:29:18,614 It seems eerie, dead, and otherworldly. 569 00:29:18,616 --> 00:29:21,860 - It's 13 miles away from a volcano. 570 00:29:21,862 --> 00:29:24,554 The locals call it the mountain of god 571 00:29:24,556 --> 00:29:27,456 And it spits out carbonatite lava. 572 00:29:27,458 --> 00:29:29,534 And that stuff is pretty extraordinary 573 00:29:29,536 --> 00:29:33,538 Because it's calcium, sodium, and carbon dioxide 574 00:29:33,540 --> 00:29:35,941 And that's what makes it so corrosive. 575 00:29:38,545 --> 00:29:41,212 - [dan] this is currently the only place on earth 576 00:29:41,214 --> 00:29:44,232 Spewing this particularly nasty kind of lava 577 00:29:44,234 --> 00:29:46,993 And much of it makes its way into lake natron. 578 00:29:48,088 --> 00:29:51,255 - So water is constantly flowing into the lake, 579 00:29:51,257 --> 00:29:53,091 Carrying with it minerals, 580 00:29:53,093 --> 00:29:55,660 And then the water evaporates off the surface 581 00:29:55,662 --> 00:29:58,913 And it leaves behind a high concentration 582 00:29:58,915 --> 00:30:00,865 Of sodium carbonates. 583 00:30:00,867 --> 00:30:03,944 These are molecules made of sodium and carbon. 584 00:30:03,946 --> 00:30:06,129 You are very familiar with a certain kind 585 00:30:06,131 --> 00:30:11,017 Of sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, aka baking soda. 586 00:30:11,019 --> 00:30:15,338 This makes the lake extremely alkaline. 587 00:30:15,340 --> 00:30:19,150 It has similar ph to straight ammonia. 588 00:30:20,587 --> 00:30:23,238 - Alkaline is the opposite of acidic, 589 00:30:23,240 --> 00:30:25,514 But the effects that it'll have on you 590 00:30:25,516 --> 00:30:27,200 Are equally corrosive. 591 00:30:27,202 --> 00:30:29,619 If you were to drink some of that water, 592 00:30:30,313 --> 00:30:32,889 You're gonna feel it immediately on your lips 593 00:30:32,891 --> 00:30:36,333 As it goes down your tongue and into your esophagus, 594 00:30:36,335 --> 00:30:40,463 All along the way, nothing but horror and pain. 595 00:30:41,950 --> 00:30:44,467 Even though most of the animals avoid it, 596 00:30:44,469 --> 00:30:47,045 Sometimes animals do get in the lake 597 00:30:47,781 --> 00:30:49,881 And they basically become petrified. 598 00:30:49,883 --> 00:30:52,133 It's like they looked at medusa. 599 00:30:52,135 --> 00:30:54,152 - Creatures that perish in lake natron 600 00:30:54,154 --> 00:30:55,604 Don't actually turn to stone. 601 00:30:55,606 --> 00:30:58,039 They become calcified, meaning, 602 00:30:58,041 --> 00:31:01,909 They are encrusted in these mineral salts 603 00:31:01,911 --> 00:31:05,880 In such a way that preserves their bodies. 604 00:31:05,882 --> 00:31:08,516 - There are these pictures of these birds that are dead. 605 00:31:08,518 --> 00:31:11,243 They look like they're still alive, 606 00:31:11,245 --> 00:31:14,338 But alive like a zombie is alive. 607 00:31:14,340 --> 00:31:16,541 (eerie music) 608 00:31:17,443 --> 00:31:22,680 - [dan] but not everything that touches this strange lake dies. 609 00:31:22,682 --> 00:31:24,849 - Perhaps most marvelous of all, 610 00:31:24,851 --> 00:31:29,487 You have two and a half million lesser flamingos 611 00:31:29,489 --> 00:31:32,991 Who don't just live at this lake, 612 00:31:32,993 --> 00:31:34,767 But they actually nest there. 613 00:31:35,436 --> 00:31:40,047 - The flamingos are specially adapted to this environment. 614 00:31:40,049 --> 00:31:44,268 They have thick scales on their legs that allow them 615 00:31:44,270 --> 00:31:47,538 To withstand this highly corrosive environment. 616 00:31:47,540 --> 00:31:51,284 And then, all the salts that they're constantly ingesting, 617 00:31:51,286 --> 00:31:54,304 They have special salt glands near their beaks 618 00:31:54,306 --> 00:31:58,208 That pull salt out of their bloodstream and expel it. 619 00:31:59,452 --> 00:32:02,611 - [dan] the algae they eat are also peculiar. 620 00:32:02,613 --> 00:32:04,355 - There's a special kind of algae 621 00:32:04,357 --> 00:32:07,041 That thrives in these conditions 622 00:32:07,043 --> 00:32:09,377 And occasionally has seasonal blooms 623 00:32:09,379 --> 00:32:11,287 That turn it a very red color, 624 00:32:11,289 --> 00:32:14,148 Which actually provides the pigment 625 00:32:14,150 --> 00:32:16,184 That makes those flamingos pink. 626 00:32:17,104 --> 00:32:19,403 - [dan] it's astounding that this body of water 627 00:32:19,405 --> 00:32:23,215 Produces such visions of beauty and horror. 628 00:32:23,910 --> 00:32:25,660 - Because the lake water is so clear, 629 00:32:25,662 --> 00:32:27,962 You can't really tell where the horizon is, 630 00:32:27,964 --> 00:32:30,898 Where the lake stops and the ground begins. 631 00:32:30,900 --> 00:32:34,810 - [dan] in 2007, a news crew flying over lake natron 632 00:32:34,812 --> 00:32:36,955 Experiences that firsthand. 633 00:32:38,241 --> 00:32:40,074 - This lake is very, very shallow, 634 00:32:40,076 --> 00:32:44,679 No more than 10 feet deep, and it's incredibly reflective 635 00:32:44,681 --> 00:32:47,248 And so it's hard to tell where the surface is. 636 00:32:47,250 --> 00:32:49,008 And there was an accident. 637 00:32:49,010 --> 00:32:50,719 (suspenseful music) 638 00:32:50,721 --> 00:32:53,805 - The helicopter crashed into the lake. 639 00:32:55,133 --> 00:32:57,775 What happens is, the people have enough time, 640 00:32:57,777 --> 00:33:00,729 They can survive long enough to swim to the shore. 641 00:33:01,690 --> 00:33:04,365 But the helicopter, it's made of metals 642 00:33:04,367 --> 00:33:07,777 And this thing immediately begins to corrode. 643 00:33:10,273 --> 00:33:12,198 - [dan] despite its lethal waters, 644 00:33:12,200 --> 00:33:14,125 Lake natron is a paradise 645 00:33:14,127 --> 00:33:16,427 Compared to our next bizarre body. 646 00:33:16,429 --> 00:33:18,245 Anyone who says, "beam me up, scotty," 647 00:33:18,247 --> 00:33:21,332 To this place probably shouldn't. 648 00:33:21,334 --> 00:33:23,418 (tense music) 649 00:33:23,420 --> 00:33:29,390 - Planet hd 189733b is 63 light years away, 650 00:33:29,392 --> 00:33:32,868 Which in the cosmic scheme of things, is relatively close. 651 00:33:32,870 --> 00:33:36,372 - Now, this celestial body, it is amazing. 652 00:33:36,374 --> 00:33:38,116 We're talking about a planet 653 00:33:38,118 --> 00:33:42,420 That is even bigger than our jupiter in our solar system. 654 00:33:42,422 --> 00:33:45,773 - It does look to be blue and we kind of have this idea 655 00:33:45,775 --> 00:33:47,609 That you know, we are the pale blue dot. 656 00:33:47,611 --> 00:33:48,810 So another pale blue dot 657 00:33:48,812 --> 00:33:52,238 Is therefore going to be the best place for us to go. 658 00:33:52,240 --> 00:33:54,449 - No, this is a hell world. 659 00:33:55,143 --> 00:33:57,168 - It's a little hot and a little windy. 660 00:33:57,170 --> 00:33:58,986 The temperature is 1,000 degrees fahrenheit 661 00:33:58,988 --> 00:34:04,008 At the surface and the winds blow at 5,400 miles per hour. 662 00:34:04,010 --> 00:34:08,179 - If you were to go to this planet, you would boil and burn 663 00:34:08,181 --> 00:34:12,575 And then the wind would whip you around like a leaf on fire. 664 00:34:12,577 --> 00:34:14,152 Then there's the rain. 665 00:34:14,845 --> 00:34:17,521 It is actually silicate particles that are so hot, 666 00:34:17,523 --> 00:34:21,025 It's kind of like raining molten glass. 667 00:34:21,027 --> 00:34:24,871 - So if you could imagine being sand blasted, right, 668 00:34:24,873 --> 00:34:28,199 You would be reduced to a skeleton in minutes, 669 00:34:28,201 --> 00:34:30,485 If not seconds, on this planet. 670 00:34:31,570 --> 00:34:33,296 - [dan] with conditions like this, 671 00:34:33,298 --> 00:34:39,177 It's doubtful we'll be visiting hd189733b anytime soon. 672 00:34:39,179 --> 00:34:40,178 - If you're asking me 673 00:34:40,180 --> 00:34:42,046 Where to find the most astonishing bodies, 674 00:34:42,048 --> 00:34:42,997 I'm looking to the sky 675 00:34:42,999 --> 00:34:45,283 And I'm looking out into the universe. 676 00:34:45,919 --> 00:34:49,378 This planet is not what I would call hospitable, 677 00:34:49,380 --> 00:34:52,573 But I want to know if there are any other astonishing worlds 678 00:34:52,575 --> 00:34:56,469 That we are gonna find in our galaxy of 400 billion stars. 679 00:35:01,058 --> 00:35:03,977 - We've all heard the phrase, "two heads are better than one," 680 00:35:03,979 --> 00:35:05,995 But what about 2,000? 681 00:35:05,997 --> 00:35:08,398 (tense music) 682 00:35:14,414 --> 00:35:16,172 - The ancient city of abydos 683 00:35:16,174 --> 00:35:18,974 Is one of the most significant locations 684 00:35:18,976 --> 00:35:20,568 Of all ancient egypt. 685 00:35:20,570 --> 00:35:26,665 The first things we find in abydos dates back to 3,500 bc, 686 00:35:26,667 --> 00:35:29,919 That's over 5,500 years ago. 687 00:35:31,505 --> 00:35:35,550 - It's a massive, sprawling temple compound. 688 00:35:35,552 --> 00:35:38,827 It is used in part for burial, 689 00:35:38,829 --> 00:35:42,423 Including of first dynasty rulers, 690 00:35:42,425 --> 00:35:45,243 But there's all kinds of symbology 691 00:35:45,245 --> 00:35:47,111 That run through the complex 692 00:35:47,113 --> 00:35:50,273 That we modern westerners do not understand. 693 00:35:52,752 --> 00:35:55,019 - [dan] much of the site remains a mystery 694 00:35:55,021 --> 00:35:59,123 Until an unbelievable discovery is made in 2023 695 00:35:59,125 --> 00:36:01,350 By a team from new york university. 696 00:36:02,186 --> 00:36:06,522 - So this team is digging, gingerly brushing away at sand, 697 00:36:06,524 --> 00:36:08,440 And they find these pieces 698 00:36:08,442 --> 00:36:11,252 Of what ends up becoming the skull of a ram. 699 00:36:11,254 --> 00:36:14,305 - [dan] curiously, the ram skull has been mummified 700 00:36:14,307 --> 00:36:16,966 And deliberately placed here for burial. 701 00:36:18,929 --> 00:36:22,947 - This is very, very promising, so they keep going, 702 00:36:22,949 --> 00:36:26,100 Thinking, like, we could find an intact ram. 703 00:36:26,102 --> 00:36:30,788 - This team from nyu comes across not one, not two, 704 00:36:30,790 --> 00:36:33,149 Not 5, not 10, not 20. 705 00:36:34,210 --> 00:36:38,212 - They find 2,000 ram heads, 706 00:36:38,214 --> 00:36:41,407 All specifically stacked next to each other. 707 00:36:42,235 --> 00:36:45,278 - These are not just skulls straight out 708 00:36:45,280 --> 00:36:46,412 Of the butcher shop. 709 00:36:46,414 --> 00:36:50,149 These are treated like sacred objects. 710 00:36:50,151 --> 00:36:52,710 - This is not a cumulative scenario. 711 00:36:52,712 --> 00:36:56,580 All of these skulls got put there at the same time. 712 00:36:56,582 --> 00:37:01,052 - [dan] but why would anyone mummify 2,000 rams? 713 00:37:01,880 --> 00:37:04,263 - Ramses ii, or ramses the great, 714 00:37:04,265 --> 00:37:05,523 Is the pharaoh that's alive 715 00:37:05,525 --> 00:37:08,351 When the abydos temple complex is completed. 716 00:37:08,353 --> 00:37:11,562 However, we also know that these rams were placed 717 00:37:11,564 --> 00:37:13,498 Into the skull room 2,000 years ago, 718 00:37:13,500 --> 00:37:17,801 Which is 1,000 years after ramses ii died. 719 00:37:17,803 --> 00:37:20,438 The theory is that he's still being worshiped 720 00:37:20,440 --> 00:37:22,657 One millennium after he passes. 721 00:37:23,793 --> 00:37:25,760 - Another question raises itself. 722 00:37:25,762 --> 00:37:27,711 What happened to the rest of the bull? 723 00:37:27,713 --> 00:37:32,791 It's only mummified heads of the rams, not the whole body, 724 00:37:32,793 --> 00:37:33,868 Which is significant 725 00:37:33,870 --> 00:37:36,804 Because we have mummified animals in ancient egypt 726 00:37:36,806 --> 00:37:40,591 And the whole body is mummified, not just the skull. 727 00:37:41,644 --> 00:37:44,895 It's very likely that that was done on purpose. 728 00:37:44,897 --> 00:37:46,630 - [dan] that part is still a mystery 729 00:37:46,632 --> 00:37:49,516 And certainly not the first we encounter in egypt. 730 00:37:50,153 --> 00:37:54,705 Over 150 years ago, an even stranger collection of bodies, 731 00:37:54,707 --> 00:37:56,490 Whole ones, is unearthed 732 00:37:56,492 --> 00:37:59,510 By french archeologist auguste mariette. 733 00:37:59,512 --> 00:38:01,712 (tense music) 734 00:38:01,714 --> 00:38:04,782 - In 1851, there is a pretty interesting discovery 735 00:38:04,784 --> 00:38:07,535 That you could say is somewhat similar. 736 00:38:08,263 --> 00:38:11,922 Auguste mariette has a huge team out at saqqara. 737 00:38:11,924 --> 00:38:13,724 - And he is searching for a place 738 00:38:13,726 --> 00:38:18,095 That local bedouin lore says is a burial ground 739 00:38:18,097 --> 00:38:19,922 That's a bit weird. 740 00:38:21,350 --> 00:38:23,468 - It is about 10 miles to the south 741 00:38:23,470 --> 00:38:25,244 Of the great pyramids of giza. 742 00:38:25,246 --> 00:38:29,431 I have to also mention, before mariette's discovery, 743 00:38:29,433 --> 00:38:34,378 The bedouins of egypt name this "the monsters' cage," 744 00:38:34,380 --> 00:38:37,047 The place that keeps monsters in. 745 00:38:37,850 --> 00:38:40,400 - Local bedouin tribes tell the team 746 00:38:40,402 --> 00:38:45,623 Of excavators something unique exists in this area. 747 00:38:45,625 --> 00:38:49,369 - They come upon a thing that is startling. 748 00:38:50,472 --> 00:38:53,164 - He finds this boulevard of stairs. 749 00:38:54,967 --> 00:38:56,951 - He takes his torch, he enters, 750 00:38:56,953 --> 00:38:59,770 And as he walks through, he finds one room 751 00:38:59,772 --> 00:39:03,257 After the other of massive sarcophagi. 752 00:39:04,544 --> 00:39:07,595 - There's 24 and they're giant. 753 00:39:07,597 --> 00:39:13,384 12 feet, by 6 feet, by 6 feet, 40,000 pound lids. 754 00:39:13,386 --> 00:39:16,562 Why are these coffins so massive? 755 00:39:16,564 --> 00:39:17,555 What are they containing 756 00:39:17,557 --> 00:39:19,640 And what are they trying to keep contained? 757 00:39:19,642 --> 00:39:21,049 - And you have to understand, 758 00:39:21,051 --> 00:39:26,280 Mariette now thinks he's walking into the cage for monsters. 759 00:39:26,282 --> 00:39:28,649 The bedouins are very upset 760 00:39:28,651 --> 00:39:32,936 Because they think mariette is bringing those monsters out. 761 00:39:32,938 --> 00:39:34,062 - [dan] mariette and his team manage 762 00:39:34,064 --> 00:39:37,625 To remove one of these giant lids and peer inside. 763 00:39:38,486 --> 00:39:43,147 - They find a full mummy of an apis bull. 764 00:39:43,149 --> 00:39:48,102 We're talking a 1,300 pound bull, massive animal. 765 00:39:48,104 --> 00:39:51,772 - Bulls are extremely important to the ancient egyptians. 766 00:39:51,774 --> 00:39:56,268 They are understood as mediators between the individual 767 00:39:56,270 --> 00:40:01,106 And the gods, in the same way some westerners today 768 00:40:01,108 --> 00:40:05,278 Understand saints as mediators to the holy. 769 00:40:05,280 --> 00:40:08,614 - [dan] these apis bulls are sacrificed starting 770 00:40:08,616 --> 00:40:11,099 About 3,000 bce. 771 00:40:11,101 --> 00:40:13,952 It's part of an elaborate religious ritual that 772 00:40:13,954 --> 00:40:18,391 Takes place at key astrological times across centuries. 773 00:40:19,051 --> 00:40:22,127 - Each of these sarcophagi has a inscription on the side 774 00:40:22,129 --> 00:40:25,964 That specifically reads, in ancient egyptian hieroglyphs, 775 00:40:25,966 --> 00:40:29,952 "this is where the apis bull stays," 776 00:40:29,954 --> 00:40:34,265 Hence the bedouins calling it the monsters' cage. 777 00:40:35,134 --> 00:40:36,984 - [dan] to mariette's surprise, 778 00:40:36,986 --> 00:40:40,128 Not all the bulls are left to rest in peace. 779 00:40:40,130 --> 00:40:43,791 - Mariette finds one sarcophagus that is broken through. 780 00:40:43,793 --> 00:40:46,727 It's unclear, is it the monster that broke out 781 00:40:46,729 --> 00:40:51,990 Or someone broke in to steal what's inside the sarcophagus? 782 00:40:51,992 --> 00:40:53,417 It is another mystery. 783 00:40:53,419 --> 00:40:55,703 So you dug yourself into another mystery 784 00:40:55,705 --> 00:40:58,389 While trying to solve your first one. 785 00:40:58,391 --> 00:41:01,209 That's the life of an archeologist. 786 00:41:04,063 --> 00:41:08,716 - Whether human, animal, or literally out of this world, 787 00:41:08,718 --> 00:41:10,735 These tales of astonishing bodies 788 00:41:10,737 --> 00:41:15,931 Leave us asking one simple question, what else is out there 789 00:41:15,933 --> 00:41:19,352 That could be even more unbelievable?