Secrets of Lost Empires
Experimental series on ancient construction without modern machinery.
Secrets of Lost Empires is a television program split into two series, produced by PBS Nova in Boston (WGBH). The show takes an experimental approach to understanding how ancient peoples built impressive structures without modern tools or techniques. In each episode, invited specialists are given the task of figuring out and trying out possible methods the ancients might have used. The first series was a collaboration with the BBC and was fully assembled in 1997, though some episodes had been made earlier. The second series was produced with Channel Four of the UK and was completed in 2000.
- producer
- PBS Nova, Boston (WGBH)
- first_series_year
- 1997
- second_series_year
- 2000
- co_producers
- BBC (Series I), Channel Four of the UK (Series II)
- format
- Two-part television series
- subject
- Experimental archaeology of ancient construction methods
Lore & Background
The original series, Secrets of Lost Empires, was produced with the BBC and fully compiled in 1997, although some episodes had been produced much earlier. Episodes include This Old Pyramid (1992), Stonehenge, Incas (1994), Obelisk, and Colosseum. The second series, Secrets of Lost Empires II, was produced with Channel Four of the UK and fully compiled in 2000, with episodes including Medieval Siege, Pharaoh's Obelisk (1999), Easter Island (1998), Roman Bath, and China Bridge (1999).
Reader's Guide
Secrets of Lost Empires is significant as a documentary series that tests hypotheses about ancient engineering through hands-on experimentation. By challenging guest experts to recreate possible methods, the series provides a practical lens for understanding how structures like pyramids, Stonehenge, and Roman baths might have been built without modern tools. The series spans two compilations, with the first series co-produced by the BBC and the second by Channel Four of the UK. Its legacy lies in its experimental approach, which offers viewers a tangible connection to ancient technologies and encourages critical thinking about historical construction techniques. The series remains a reference for those interested in experimental archaeology and the ingenuity of ancient civilizations.
Did You Know?
- The first series was produced with the BBC and fully compiled in 1997, though some episodes were produced earlier.
- The second series was produced with Channel Four of the UK and fully compiled in 2000.
- The episode 'Pharaoh's Obelisk' (1999) is a re-examination of findings from the first series.
- The episode 'China Bridge' (1999) examines the bridge in the renowned painting Along the River During the Qingming Festival.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Secrets of Lost Empires?
It is a two-part PBS Nova television series that investigates how ancient civilizations erected their monumental architecture without modern machinery. Rather than simply narrating history, the show hands the problem to specialists who physically attempt to recreate the building techniques those people likely employed.
Who produced Secrets of Lost Empires?
The series was produced by PBS Nova out of WGBH in Boston. The first series was a joint effort with the BBC, while the second series was made in partnership with Channel Four in the United Kingdom.
How does Secrets of Lost Empires differ from typical history documentaries?
Instead of relying on narration and stock footage, the show invites experts to figure out and test plausible construction methods on camera. This hands-on, experimental format is the core of its identity and sets it apart from standard historical programming.
When were the two series of Secrets of Lost Empires completed?
The first series was fully assembled in 1997, though some individual episodes had been produced in earlier years. The second series was completed in 2000.
Why do fans consider Secrets of Lost Empires a standout in the Nova catalog?
It brought a practical, do-it-yourself spirit to understanding ancient engineering by having specialists actually try out building methods without modern tools. That experimental-archaeology angle gave viewers a tangible sense of how feats like the pyramids or Roman aqueducts were achieved.
More in Nova episodes 1-19
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record