"Ancient Superstructures“ reveals the secrets behind the world’s most famous monuments. Some of the ancient marvels which are among the most studied and scrutinized monuments in the world still remain shrouded in mystery. What if the answers were right in front of us… but invisible to the human eye? This ground-breaking series takes a unique approach in delving into engineering mysteries behind the world’s most famous ancient structures, by observing them from different perspectives of scale. From satellite imagery and aerial views right down to macro and microscopic levels, each perspective reveals data that helps shed new light on historical and construction enigmas that have baffled historians for years.
Episodes Season Season 3 · 0/6 Season 2 · 0/4 Season 1 · 0/4 0/6 watched · 2024 S03E01 The Holy Sepulchre - The Sacred Shield 2024-09-24 50m
This episode reveals the secrets of the Holy Sepulchre, the most sacred Christian site in the world. Every year, the site welcomes more than one million pilgrims. Built on the site of the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, it has a unique atmosphere. Defied by time, wars and earthquakes, the Holy Sepulchre was rebuilt many times, and has transformed itself into an architectural labyrinth. Today, thanks to the use of new technologies, the Holy Sepulchre reveals its secrets as never before. more S03E02 The Sphinx of Giza - Carving the Lion King 2024-10-01 50m
The Sphinx is the most monumental ancient sculpture in the world. Half-man, half-lion, this monument arouses the curiosity of the whole world.
Seen from the sky, the location of the Sphinx in relation to the famous pyramids gives us some clues about its possible builder. The Sphinx seems to link the temples of Kephren to its pyramid. The big mystery lies in the construction of the Sphinx: how did they build such a monumental sculpture? This episode sheds new lights on this incredible structure. more S03E03 Tikal - The Jungle City 2024-10-08 50m
This episode sheds light on Tikal, one of the largest archaeological sites and urban centers of pre-Columbian Mayan civilization. Tikal was the capital of the most powerful kingdom built by the Maya. Its immense stepped pyramids and the incredible hydraulic network bear witness to the engineering talents of its people. Today, new technologies, such as LiDar, allows researchers to reveal new secrets about this exceptional place. Secrets that were previously buried in the immense surrounding jungle. more S03E04 Chambord - The Jewel of the Loire 2024-10-15 50m
This episode takes us to the heart of Chambord, the largest and most iconic French castle. Designed on the medieval model of fortified castles with its enclosure and large corner towers, this jewel is inspired by the Gothic style. The ornamentation on the upper sections reaches skywards, with the chimneys. Its silhouette is distinctive, making it one of the architectural masterpieces of the Renaissance: with experts’ testimonies and 3D graphics, we’ll reveal all the secrets of this masterpiece. more S03E05 Chichen Itza - The Mystic Maya City 2024-10-22 50m
This new episode tells the story of the incredible site of Chichen Itza, in Mexico. Considered as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, the Mayan city of Chichen Itza was the capital of a powerful civilization: the Itzas. The site impresses by the Castillo, a central pyramid which culminates at 30 meters – main monument of the episode. But also, by the cenotes, natural wells under the ground which are at the origin of the name of Chichen Itza, which means "at the edge of the Itza pit". more S03E06 Notre Dame - Build To Survive 2024-10-29 50m
In this episode, we discover Notre-Dame de Paris, one of the most popular cathedrals in the world. Notre-Dame attracts 15 million visitors each year. An icon of French culture and history, this monumental masterpiece is testament to the skill of its medieval builders. A superstructure in stone, wood and glass, Notre Dame is notable for its finesse and grandeur. The greatest devastation it ever suffered was the fire in 2019. We’ll see how, after surviving a fire, the cathedral has been rebuilt. more 
