Ancient Megastructures

Superstructures of Antiquity

TV-G

Ancient builders created the Colosseum, Great Pyramid, and Chartres Cathedral. Through CGI and reenactments, discover their origins, lives, and construction methods in an era before modern tools.

Where to Watch Superstructures of Antiquity

14 Episodes

Chartres Cathedral
E1
Chartres CathedralBuilding the Chartres Cathedral pushed construction techniques to the limit, but behind this engineering triumph lies a dark story of violence, political double-dealing and destruction.
The Colosseum
E2
The ColosseumFollow the dramatic story behind the building of the Colosseum in Ancient Rome. The Romans used innovative technology that we still use today, but the money to pay for the project enslaved the nation.
The Great Pyramid
E3
The Great PyramidThe Great Pyramid of Giza is 4,500 years old. It's the only ancient wonder of the world still standing. To cut and move the 2 million stones needed to build it would involve the whole Egyptian state.
Sagrada Familia
E4
Sagrada Familia
The Alhambra
E5
The AlhambraThe Alhambra is the greatest example of Islamic military architecture in Europe. Sultan Muhammad I constructed this ingenious, impregnable fortress in 1238 amid treacherous political betrayals.
Petra
E6
PetraCarved into the side of a narrow gorge in the unforgiving deserts of Petra in modern day Jordan, the ancient Nabataeans turned engineering on its head to create their glorious royal city, Khazneh.
Machu Picchu
E7
Machu PicchuMachu Picchu Built using techniques that surpass modern ones, the temples, altars and residences of Machu Picchu have resisted torrential rains, landslides and earth tremors since being abandoned by the Incas.
Angkor Wat
E8
Angkor WatHidden deep in Cambodia's jungles, the temple of Angkor Wat is a towering monument to the Hindu god Vishnu, belying its origins as the mausoleum for a usurper king who murdered his great uncle.
Istanbul's Hagia Sophia
E9
Istanbul's Hagia SophiaIstanbul's Hagia Sophia Fiery Roman Emperor Justinian ordered the rebuilding of the great church of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul almost 1500 years ago. Modern science now uncovers the secret to this vast golden dome's longevity.
Teotihuacan
E10
Teotihuacan
Taj Mahal
E11
Taj Mahal
Suez Canal
E12
Suez Canal
St. Peter's Basilica
E13
St. Peter's Basilica
Acropolis of Athens
E14
Acropolis of Athens