Series synopsis
Ancient Megastructures is a Canadian documentary television series that premiered on National Geographic on March 19, 2011. It ended on March 26, 2011. It stars Alisdair Simpson.
Examine how ancient civilisations built some of the most magnificent structures on the face of the Earth, many centuries before the industrial revolution.
Premise
Examine how ancient civilisations built some of the most magnificent structures on the face of the Earth, many centuries before the industrial revolution.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Alisdair Simpson as Self - Narrator (voice)
Guest cast
- Peter Harlowe as Narrator (voice)
- Suleiman Farajat as Self
- Shaher Rababe'h as Self
- Charles R. Ortloff as Self
- Eddie McCann as Self
- Khairieh Amr as Self
- Nicole Douek as Self
Episodes
This series spans 2 seasons with 9 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 3 | March 19, 2011 | May 7, 2011 |
| Season 2 | 6 | January 1, 2008 | January 1, 2008 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Colosseum Follow 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. |
March 19, 2011 |
| 2 |
The Great Pyramid The 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. |
March 26, 2011 |
| 3 |
Chartres Cathedral Building 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. |
March 12, 2011 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Alhambra The 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. |
January 1, 2008 |
| 2 |
Istanbul'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. |
January 1, 2008 |
| 3 |
Petra Carved 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. |
January 1, 2008 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | National Geographic |
|---|---|
| First aired | March 19, 2011 |
| Last aired | March 26, 2011 |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Wednesday |