Ancient Structures: Secrets Revealed

Thursday 6 August 4pm

Promo

Season 1
00:30

Next transmissions on tv

  1. Thursday 6 August 4pm

    Secrets of the Shrines

  2. Friday 7 August 4pm

    Cosmic Alignment

  3. Wednesday 12 August 4pm

    Battling Giants

Synopsis

Across the globe, ancient civilizations built monuments that continue to inspire awe … and raise enduring questions. How did the Celts construct Newgrange to withstand cataclysmic floods? Do Mayan pyramids like El Castillo encode advanced astronomical knowledge? Could the mesmerizing geometry of Chand Baori hint at influences beyond human understanding? Journey from Rome’s colosseum to Angkor Wat’s shimmering pools, from a fortress atop a Sri Lankan volcano to Easter Island’s colossal moai statues and the Great Wall of China. Through archaeological discoveries and cutting-edge technology, we reveal the secrets hidden within these structures, examining whether their brilliance reflects pure human ingenuity or something far more mysterious.

Clips

Episodes

Season 1
  • Secrets of the Shrines

    +

    From the Pantheon and its seemingly perfect dome to the gravity-defying Mont Saint-Michel and an enduring Roman gate that evolved into a medieval church, the exploration of history's most sacred spaces uncovers how ancient builders channeled faith and ingenuity into architectural marvels.

    Next Showing
    Thursday 6 August 4pm
    On National Geographic
  • Cosmic Alignment

    +

    Around the world, architectural marvels stand as conduits to the cosmos. Angkor Wat is built as a stone replica of the universe, while the ancient Mayan pyramid El Castillo marks a sacred axis connecting earth and sky. Meanwhile, in Ireland, a neolithic structure known as Newgrange harnesses the transformative power of the solstice sun.

    Next Showing
    Friday 7 August 4pm
    On National Geographic
  • Battling Giants

    +

    Throughout history, the colossal monuments of our ancestors have embodied their determination to leave a lasting mark on the world. The Colosseum holds deep secrets of Roman ingenuity. The serpentine expanse of the Great Wall of China conceals clues of its construction. The Malbork Castle showcases the military prowess of the Teutonic Knights.

    Next Showing
    Wednesday 12 August 4pm
    On National Geographic
  • Volcanic Origins

    +

    In Sri Lanka, a fortress rises majestically from volcanic ashes. Mysterious stone heads dot a remote island in the Pacific. In India, an intricate Hindu temple emerges as one of the most astounding examples of rock-cut architecture in the world. How did builders harness the Earth's fiery legacy to create enduring structures that defy comprehension?

    Next Showing
    Thursday 13 August 4pm
    On National Geographic
  • Dealing With the Devil

    +

    Behind the incredible grandeur of Peru's Sacsayhuamán citadel, India's Chand Baori stepwell, and Paris' Notre-Dame Cathedral is incredible architecture that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible. Over the centuries, these feats of design have inspired legends of supernatural intervention and diabolical bargains.

  • Beyond the Tomb

    +

    Humanity's quest for immortality has birthed monuments that seemingly transcend death. From the Taj Mahal's luminous marble that embodies eternal love to the crypt of Salian emperors in Germany’s Speyer Cathedral to the majestic Lycian rock-cut tombs in Turkey, these edifices hold clues to how our ancestors faced death and celebrated life.