Ancient Superstructures

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.

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 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.

Hidden in the tropical jungle of Cambodia is the largest religious structure ever built - the majestic temple of Angkor Wat. It was built in the 12th century by the powerful Khmer Empire. Now archaeologists are using new technology to examine the monument at the satellite, aerial and molecular scales, to unravel the mysteries of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. How was this iconic temple built? What are the secrets of its longevity? What remains to be discovered of the legendary lost city alongside? Using drones and 3D laser scanning techniques, teams of investigators are discovering long lost structures, looking for clues about whether the temple was used for a tomb, and unravelling the area’s hidden secrets. History, science, engineering, exposed as never before, the temple of Angkor Wat finally reveals itself, on every scale.

In Turkey, at the intersection of Europe and Asia, lies a remarkable wonder of ancient engineering – the Hagia Sophia of Istanbul. Now archaeologists are using new technology to examine this monument at the satellite, aerial and molecular scales to unravel the mysteries of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. What incredible construction secrets are hidden in the heart of this monument? How was its gigantic dome and lavish interior designed? How was this immense puzzle pieced together over the centuries? Scientists are exploring water filled tunnels hidden deep under the building and are investigating its remarkable ability to remain standing even though builders constructed the monument on an active seismic fault. History, science, engineering, exposed as never before, Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia finally reveals itself, on every scale.

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.

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.

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.