Ancient Superstructures Episode Rating Graph

Nestled in the Jordanian desert, Petra is regarded as the Eighth Wonder Of The World. Forgotten for centuries, this city was erected 2000 years ago by Nabataeans, a civilization of Arab merchants. It was rediscovered during the 20th century by a Swiss explorer. Even today, scientists are still fascinated by its monumental facades carved into the rock and its unique hydraulic system. Using the latest technology, experts can go beyond what the eye can see, and are on a mission to unravel Petra’s mysteries.

On the planet’s largest continent, in Asia, the Great Wall of China spans the country from East to West: but this enigmatic monument is still shrouded in mystery. Thanks to the latest digital technology, today's experts now have the means to scrutinize this UNESCO World Heritage site from all perspectives and scales, from the infinitely far to the infinitely close. History, science, construction… they dissect the work of ancient builders to try to reveal secrets kept for millennia.

In France, on the coast of Normandy, in a vast bay swept by the most powerful tide in Europe, stands the Mont-Saint-Michel. Both a masterful abbey and an impregnable fortress, this silhouette is known around the world and attracts nearly 3 million visitors each year. Yet the Mont Saint-Michel is far from having revealed all its secrets. Today, with the help of the latest technology, experts now have the means to scrutinize this site on all scales and try to fill in the gaps of its fascinating history. By viewing this monument from different points of view, using satellite images and microscopic details, archaeologists, scientists and historians are making groundbreaking discoveries about the history of this amazing structure. It was already built in the Middle Ages, but there are still many questions around.

In the very centre of Paris stands a remarkable wonder of engineering - the Louvre. This super-sized structure is today the largest museum in the world, attracting more than 10 million people every year. Now investigators are using new technology, including technical drones for the first time, to examine this monument at the satellite, aerial and molecular scales and unravel the astonishing past life of the Louvre. Known today for its Pyramid, a monumental and modern glass and steel structure that rises to a height of 21 meters, the Louvre has been the cradle of exceptional technological challenges since the beginning of its construction. Eight centuries of architectural innovation that started with a small medieval castle. History, science, engineering, exposed as never before, the Louvre finally reveals itself, on every scale.

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.

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.

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".

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.