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Narrator:
The seven wonders -- the most
spectacular structures
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Of the ancient world.
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Higgs: The seven wonders of the
ancient world
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Were amazing buildings
built by the best architects,
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By the finest sculptors
of the day.
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00:00:16,650 --> 00:00:20,619
Narrator:
These legendary monuments
are shrouded in mystery.
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Today, only one survives.
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What are the wonders?
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Did they ever even exist?
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00:00:29,730 --> 00:00:31,764
What do we know about
the seven wonders of the world?
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00:00:31,766 --> 00:00:35,167
Well, for the most part,
they're just ruins.
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00:00:35,169 --> 00:00:39,471
Narrator:
Today, investigators hunt for
the truth behind the wonders.
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00:00:39,473 --> 00:00:43,075
They use innovative underwater
scanning technology
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00:00:43,077 --> 00:00:47,579
And engineering experiments
to separate fact...
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From fiction.
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These were the einsteins
and the newtons of their day.
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Narrator:
What makes the wonders the
greatest structures ever built,
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And who decides which buildings
make it on to the list?
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To solve these mysteries,
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We'll digitally deconstruct
vanished cities,
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Piece together epic statues
of ancient gods,
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And unearth lost technology
to rebuild the real
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Seven wonders
of the ancient world.
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-- Captions by vitac --
www.Vitac.Com
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Captions paid for by
discovery communications
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Alexandria in egypt -- a vast
metropolis on the shores
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Of the mediterranean sea.
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Just over 2,000 years ago,
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This port is the greatest
city on earth...
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...A greek colony in the land
of the pharaohs.
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In alexandria's famous library,
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Scribes gather knowledge
from all over the known world.
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Tens of thousands of papyrus
scrolls line its shelves.
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They name the most astonishing
structures ever made,
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The seven ancient wonders.
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Higgs: For the greeks, the seven
wonders of the ancient world
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Were a list of must-see
monuments, like a bucket list,
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Something you must not miss
if you were lucky enough
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To go traveling around
the mediterranean.
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Narrator: Like the statue
of liberty today,
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Each wonder is
a legendary landmark,
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The ancient equivalent
of the eiffel tower.
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They include a temple, tombs,
statues, and gardens.
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For 30 short years,
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All seven exist
at the same time.
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From 280 to 250 b.C.,
so ancient sources claim,
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An enthusiastic traveler
can visit every one.
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Today, mystery and romance
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Surrounds the existence
of the seven wonders.
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Almost all are lost or in ruins.
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Allen: :What do we know about
the seven wonders of the world?
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Well, first, there's only one
that still stands,
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That's the great pyramid
in egypt.
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The rest of them,
for the most part,
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If there is anything left,
they're just ruins.
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Naunton:
Before archaeology began,
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What we had to work with
were classical texts,
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Legends, ancient stories,
and so for many archaeologists,
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The job really was to go
and find the evidence
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That these monuments
really existed.
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Narrator:
How much of what we know
about the wonders is true?
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Why do the ancient greeks
consider them
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The greatest buildings
of all time?
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A clue lies in egypt
with the first of the wonders --
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The great pyramid of giza.
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♪
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The pyramid is the tomb
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Of a powerful
egyptian pharaoh called khufu.
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It rises more than 480 feet
into the sky.
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Today, it's one of the most
visited sites in the world,
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00:04:03,877 --> 00:04:06,712
But its construction
remains a mystery.
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Over the years, there have been
countless theories
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About how the
great pyramid was built.
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It's perhaps one of the most
scrutinized monuments
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Anywhere in the ancient world,
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And yet, we still don't know
exactly how the ancients did it.
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♪
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Narrator:
Blowing apart the pyramid
reveals
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The hidden glory
of khufu's magnificent tomb...
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...Made from over two million
solid stone blocks.
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Deep inside, mysterious
narrow tunnels
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Lead to two massive
burial chambers.
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This vast structure is more
than 4,500 years old.
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How did the egyptians create
such a mammoth monument?
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♪
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Adel kelany is an egyptian
archaeologist and stonemason.
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The precision of the
pyramid builders
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Never fails to amaze him.
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Narrator:
The ancient egyptians
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Don't have satellite-positioning
technology,
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But they do have an intimate
knowledge of the night sky.
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Their religion is based around
the movements of the heavens.
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Rah, the sun god,
is their chief deity.
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Adel thinks they used the stars
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To position the base
of the mighty pyramid.
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Narrator:
The construction of
the pyramid's upper levels
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Requires another
ingenious technique.
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Today, engineers have
huge cranes
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To help them build super tall,
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But the pyramid builders
live in an age
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Before the pulley or the winch.
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How do they shift
massive blocks of stone?
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Adel investigates a clue
at a nearby tomb,
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The remains of a 5,000-year-old
construction ramp.
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Narrator: Adel's own experiments
reveal how the workers can slide
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The blocks along shallow ramps
like this one.
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It's a complicated,
dangerous job.
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Narrator:
This ancient technique reveals
how workers drag the massive
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Limestone blocks into position,
but it's just the first step.
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♪
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A single ramp works well
for the lower levels,
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But as the pyramid rises,
the slope gets too steep.
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To keep the ramp shallow,
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It would have to be around
1/2 mile long
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And need as much building
material as the pyramid itself.
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00:08:05,319 --> 00:08:08,520
So one theory is that the
egyptians use a shallow ramp
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Until 2/3 of all blocks
are in the base.
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Then they build a narrow
perimeter ramp
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00:08:16,296 --> 00:08:17,662
Up around the edge
of the pyramid
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00:08:17,664 --> 00:08:21,500
To lift blocks
all the way to the top
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Without making their ramp
too steep.
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The genius of the
pyramid-building program
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Is its simplicity --
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Lots of men working hard doing
exactly what they're told to do.
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Narrator:
The construction of a pyramid
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Is the easiest way to build tall
in the ancient world,
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00:09:06,947 --> 00:09:12,417
But it also requires
vast resources and organization.
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00:09:12,419 --> 00:09:14,653
So how did the pharaohs find
the manpower
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To build the first wonder
of the world?
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00:09:20,727 --> 00:09:22,394
The answer lies with the river
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That brings life
to the desert --
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The mighty nile.
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Every July when the river nile
bursts its banks,
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00:09:31,638 --> 00:09:34,339
It drops silt on
to the nile delta,
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00:09:34,341 --> 00:09:38,343
Transforming it into
a fertile breadbasket,
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00:09:38,345 --> 00:09:41,980
But the floodwaters also prevent
farmers from working their land.
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Narrator:
The nile flood frees up
thousands of fit working-age men
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Who form the construction gangs
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That build
the mighty 481-foot pyramid.
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The greek historian herodotus
is the first to describe
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The great pyramid as a wonder.
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It's already ancient
when he visits egypt
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00:10:16,249 --> 00:10:19,184
In the 5th century b.C.
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00:10:19,186 --> 00:10:22,487
Bennett:
The history of the seven wonders
starts off with herodotus,
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I mean,
the first great world traveler.
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00:10:24,591 --> 00:10:27,892
He saw things like
the egyptian pyramids.
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00:10:27,894 --> 00:10:30,228
He invented the term
hieroglyphs,
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00:10:30,230 --> 00:10:32,731
And he wrote a descriptive
history of the ancient world
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As he knew it at that time.
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Narrator:
The pyramid's sheer size is as
impressive to the ancient greeks
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00:10:38,739 --> 00:10:41,673
As it is to us today.
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00:10:41,675 --> 00:10:43,675
Naunton:
It's no surprise that the
great pyramid of giza
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Would be one of the seven
ancient wonders of the world.
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It was well known throughout
the ancient world for being,
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You know, a massive
awe-inspiring monument.
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Bennett:
The pyramids were admired
because they were big.
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The concept behind the wonders
was very much an idea of,
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"you've got to see this.
It's really big.
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00:11:02,195 --> 00:11:04,362
You can't see anything else
like it."
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Narrator:
The great pyramid is the tallest
building in the world
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At the time of its construction,
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A title it holds onto
for more than 3,500 years.
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00:11:17,844 --> 00:11:22,213
It sets the benchmark
for every wonder that follows.
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00:11:22,215 --> 00:11:25,250
But what do the other
six look like?
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Do they ever exist?
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00:11:27,587 --> 00:11:29,487
The hunt for
the second wonder leads
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To one of the oldest cities
of the ancient world...
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...Babylon,
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00:11:35,862 --> 00:11:39,831
Home to the most romantic
and elusive wonder of all,
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The fabled hanging gardens.
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♪
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Narrator:
2,500 years ago,
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The greek historian herodotus
sets out on an epic voyage.
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00:12:05,892 --> 00:12:08,526
He travels to egypt
where he gazes
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On the great pyramid of giza,
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The first of the seven wonders
of the ancient world.
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These iconic megastructures
are must-see sites
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For the ancient greeks,
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00:12:25,679 --> 00:12:30,381
But how much of what they write
about them is true?
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00:12:30,383 --> 00:12:33,551
A clue lies with one of the
oldest cities in history...
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00:12:35,355 --> 00:12:38,423
Babylon, in mesopotamia,
modern iraq,
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00:12:38,425 --> 00:12:41,226
Home of the mysterious
hanging gardens.
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00:12:44,231 --> 00:12:48,666
The babylonian capital is a city
like no other on earth.
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00:12:48,668 --> 00:12:52,070
Some consider its mighty
ishtar gate
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00:12:52,072 --> 00:12:55,807
As an eighth wonder
of the world,
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00:12:55,809 --> 00:12:58,176
But legend says the fabled
hanging gardens
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Are the city's star attraction,
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00:13:00,947 --> 00:13:05,049
A lofty green oasis
in the desert,
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00:13:05,051 --> 00:13:08,720
Multiple tiers supported
by hundreds of pillars
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00:13:08,722 --> 00:13:13,758
Densely planted with
exotic trees and shrubs.
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00:13:13,760 --> 00:13:18,496
Overlooking it all is
the mighty tower of babel,
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00:13:18,498 --> 00:13:22,667
A temple so tall it supposedly
reaches all the way to heaven.
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♪
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00:13:28,108 --> 00:13:30,275
The hanging gardens are
the most romantic
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00:13:30,277 --> 00:13:33,278
Of babylon's many sites.
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00:13:33,280 --> 00:13:34,412
Legend tells how
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00:13:34,414 --> 00:13:36,414
The ancient king
nebuchadnezzar the second
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00:13:36,416 --> 00:13:38,183
Builds them for his queen
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00:13:38,185 --> 00:13:41,719
To remind her of her
distant homeland,
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00:13:41,721 --> 00:13:43,454
But there's a mystery.
201
00:13:43,456 --> 00:13:46,424
Herodotus never mentions
the hanging gardens.
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00:13:46,426 --> 00:13:50,061
They only appear on lists
written hundreds of years later.
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00:13:50,063 --> 00:13:54,199
So are the stories about
the second wonder true?
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00:13:54,201 --> 00:13:59,070
Allen:
We don't know if the hanging
gardens of babylon existed.
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00:13:59,072 --> 00:14:04,409
It's uncertain because most of
the seven wonders of the world
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00:14:04,411 --> 00:14:09,347
Show remnants or remains
that there was something there,
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00:14:09,349 --> 00:14:13,451
But at babylon,
there are no clues.
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00:14:13,453 --> 00:14:16,921
Narrator:
Jeff allen leads a team
from the world monuments fund
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00:14:16,923 --> 00:14:20,758
Trying to protect
babylon's unique remains.
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00:14:20,760 --> 00:14:22,627
Decades of war and turmoil mean
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00:14:22,629 --> 00:14:25,496
That most of the city
is unexplored.
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00:14:25,498 --> 00:14:27,765
In the 1980s, iraq's dictator,
213
00:14:27,767 --> 00:14:30,768
Saddam hussein,
reconstructs this replica
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00:14:30,770 --> 00:14:34,305
And a private palace
on top of the ancient ruins,
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00:14:34,307 --> 00:14:37,775
But jeff finds traces
of a sophisticated metropolis.
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00:14:39,913 --> 00:14:43,214
Allen: The babylonians were
prolific builders.
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00:14:43,216 --> 00:14:46,551
You can tell that by babylon
itself and other cities,
218
00:14:46,553 --> 00:14:50,455
And part of that was a quest
for irrigation,
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00:14:50,457 --> 00:14:55,226
Water management, control
through structures and buildings
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00:14:55,228 --> 00:14:59,530
That existed at no level similar
in the ancient world.
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00:15:01,902 --> 00:15:04,068
Narrator:
The ancient babylonians
are sophisticated
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00:15:04,070 --> 00:15:06,337
Hydraulic engineers.
223
00:15:06,339 --> 00:15:09,841
Carvings reveal that their kings
create aqueducts
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00:15:09,843 --> 00:15:15,280
And private pleasure gardens,
each one known as a paradise.
225
00:15:15,282 --> 00:15:18,316
Allen: Many have debated
the actual locality
226
00:15:18,318 --> 00:15:19,751
Of the hanging gardens
of babylon,
227
00:15:19,753 --> 00:15:22,186
Whether it was at babylon
or another site.
228
00:15:22,188 --> 00:15:23,621
The answer is inconclusive.
229
00:15:23,623 --> 00:15:27,558
We don't know, but there is
enough documentation to suggest
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00:15:27,560 --> 00:15:30,161
That it could've been
at babylon.
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00:15:32,866 --> 00:15:34,799
Narrator:
The idea of a hanging garden
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00:15:34,801 --> 00:15:39,103
Suspended in midair
may sound outlandish,
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00:15:39,105 --> 00:15:41,539
But a grain of truth
might also lie behind
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00:15:41,541 --> 00:15:45,243
Another of babylon's
fabled buildings.
235
00:15:45,245 --> 00:15:47,478
Jeff believes that
this mound of earth
236
00:15:47,480 --> 00:15:51,883
Is the base of
a giant ziggurat pyramid,
237
00:15:51,885 --> 00:15:54,585
The foundations
for the tower of babel.
238
00:15:56,656 --> 00:16:01,960
Babylon has a long
and well attested description
239
00:16:01,962 --> 00:16:04,896
Of its wonders
through history.
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00:16:04,898 --> 00:16:10,301
If the tower really existed,
it would've been here.
241
00:16:10,303 --> 00:16:14,472
Narrator:
Babylon and its wonders
fascinate greek writers,
242
00:16:14,474 --> 00:16:17,041
But many, like
the historian herodotus
243
00:16:17,043 --> 00:16:19,277
Never visit the city.
244
00:16:19,279 --> 00:16:21,412
They gather their information
from travelers
245
00:16:21,414 --> 00:16:26,417
Who bring back tales
of huge towers and lush gardens.
246
00:16:26,419 --> 00:16:31,489
Bennett:
Gardens were an important aspect
of mesopotamian royalty,
247
00:16:31,491 --> 00:16:32,824
A kind of pleasure garden,
248
00:16:32,826 --> 00:16:34,659
But some of them could be
really quite large,
249
00:16:34,661 --> 00:16:36,260
So you're creating
a beautiful,
250
00:16:36,262 --> 00:16:40,598
Fertile green space
by the side of the river.
251
00:16:40,600 --> 00:16:43,568
Narrator:
Is it possible that ziggurats,
like the tower of babel,
252
00:16:43,570 --> 00:16:47,805
Inspire the stories
of the hanging gardens?
253
00:16:47,807 --> 00:16:50,808
Bennett:
The whole of mesopotamia,
all the major centers,
254
00:16:50,810 --> 00:16:52,643
Had these ziggurat temples,
255
00:16:52,645 --> 00:16:55,713
Which is basically
like a wedding cake,
256
00:16:55,715 --> 00:16:57,248
A square wedding cake,
257
00:16:57,250 --> 00:17:00,785
And so you've got a base tier,
another tier on top of that,
258
00:17:00,787 --> 00:17:03,454
Another tier on top of that,
a temple on the top,
259
00:17:03,456 --> 00:17:05,656
And then you've got
the stairways coming up to,
260
00:17:05,658 --> 00:17:07,325
So those terraces kind of
261
00:17:07,327 --> 00:17:10,328
Seem to be hanging
in that particular sense.
262
00:17:10,330 --> 00:17:13,798
My own personal idea is
that somebody's confused
263
00:17:13,800 --> 00:17:17,802
A report of a ziggurat temple,
possibly at babylon,
264
00:17:17,804 --> 00:17:21,139
Possibly somewhere else,
with one of these formal gardens
265
00:17:21,141 --> 00:17:23,441
That were laid out
by the persian rulers,
266
00:17:23,443 --> 00:17:27,745
And somehow they,
you know, the story got mixed up
267
00:17:27,747 --> 00:17:31,783
When it came back
to the greek-speaking world.
268
00:17:31,785 --> 00:17:33,451
Narrator: The legend of the
hanging gardens
269
00:17:33,453 --> 00:17:35,853
May be rooted
in reality,
270
00:17:35,855 --> 00:17:37,688
A story that grows
more elaborate
271
00:17:37,690 --> 00:17:40,725
The further it travels.
272
00:17:40,727 --> 00:17:44,328
For the greeks, babylon,
the largest city in the world,
273
00:17:44,330 --> 00:17:46,798
Is a distant exotic legend.
274
00:17:46,800 --> 00:17:51,035
So why does this remote
metropolis and egypt's pyramid
275
00:17:51,037 --> 00:17:55,239
Appear on a greek list
of must-see wonders?
276
00:17:55,241 --> 00:17:58,443
The answer lies with
a momentous event,
277
00:17:58,445 --> 00:18:01,946
One that brings the marvels
of the east closer to greece
278
00:18:01,948 --> 00:18:05,183
Than herodotus
could ever have imagined --
279
00:18:05,185 --> 00:18:08,152
The greek conquest
of the ancient world.
280
00:18:21,935 --> 00:18:24,669
Narrator:
The seven wonders of the world,
281
00:18:24,671 --> 00:18:28,172
The most dazzling structures
known to the ancient greeks.
282
00:18:30,310 --> 00:18:34,078
Egypt's great pyramid and
the hanging gardens of babylon
283
00:18:34,080 --> 00:18:37,982
Are the two oldest wonders.
284
00:18:37,984 --> 00:18:40,451
Why do these treasures
top a list of must-see
285
00:18:40,453 --> 00:18:42,186
Greek monuments?
286
00:18:44,591 --> 00:18:46,991
Historian andrew chug thinks
that a clue
287
00:18:46,993 --> 00:18:50,061
Lies with alexandria
in egypt.
288
00:18:50,063 --> 00:18:52,263
This city owes its existence
to an event
289
00:18:52,265 --> 00:18:54,432
That reshapes
the ancient world.
290
00:18:58,738 --> 00:19:00,671
Chugg:
The three centuries
before christ,
291
00:19:00,673 --> 00:19:03,608
Alexandria was the greatest city
in the world.
292
00:19:03,610 --> 00:19:07,545
It rose to a population
of about half a million people.
293
00:19:07,547 --> 00:19:11,349
Narrator:
Alexandria is a special city.
294
00:19:11,351 --> 00:19:14,318
It stands on the egyptian coast,
295
00:19:14,320 --> 00:19:18,422
But it is founded by the most
famous greek ruler of all time,
296
00:19:18,424 --> 00:19:20,024
Alexander the great.
297
00:19:20,026 --> 00:19:26,764
♪
298
00:19:26,766 --> 00:19:29,233
2,300 years ago, alexander,
299
00:19:29,235 --> 00:19:34,038
The ruler of all greece, invades
the mighty persian empire.
300
00:19:38,912 --> 00:19:42,980
The two sides are bitter enemies
with a history of rivalry
301
00:19:42,982 --> 00:19:45,950
And conflict stretching back
hundreds of years.
302
00:19:50,089 --> 00:19:51,756
A remarkable string of victories
303
00:19:51,758 --> 00:19:55,193
Sees alexander's armies
conquer a vast empire
304
00:19:55,195 --> 00:19:57,628
Stretching from egypt
to mesopotamia
305
00:19:57,630 --> 00:20:00,231
And the indus valley.
306
00:20:00,233 --> 00:20:03,634
As they conquer, the greeks
encounter civilizations
307
00:20:03,636 --> 00:20:06,704
Thousands of years older
than their own.
308
00:20:06,706 --> 00:20:10,341
The marvels of the ancient east
are beyond their imagination.
309
00:20:14,414 --> 00:20:16,814
Chugg:
Babylon was a wondrous city
to the greeks.
310
00:20:16,816 --> 00:20:19,183
It was on a scale
10 times bigger
311
00:20:19,185 --> 00:20:22,153
Than any equivalent
greek city at the time.
312
00:20:22,155 --> 00:20:24,622
Narrator: These exotic wonders
are as mind-blowing
313
00:20:24,624 --> 00:20:27,124
In the 4th century b.C.
314
00:20:27,126 --> 00:20:30,261
As a visit to mars
would be today.
315
00:20:30,263 --> 00:20:32,763
In egypt, the first wonder
is already more
316
00:20:32,765 --> 00:20:36,500
Than 2,000 years old when
alexander and his men see it.
317
00:20:39,872 --> 00:20:42,640
The conquering greeks
tread lightly,
318
00:20:42,642 --> 00:20:46,177
But they still leave behind
a mark wherever they go.
319
00:20:46,179 --> 00:20:51,782
In egypt, they build a dazzling
new metropolis, alexandria.
320
00:20:51,784 --> 00:20:54,485
They intended it to be
their future capital.
321
00:20:54,487 --> 00:20:57,955
It wasn't initially,
but gradually they built it up
322
00:20:57,957 --> 00:21:01,359
Into the most magnificent city
in the world.
323
00:21:03,896 --> 00:21:07,365
Narrator:
The city's rulers construct
an enormous library
324
00:21:07,367 --> 00:21:11,869
And instruct its scribes
to copy every book in existence.
325
00:21:11,871 --> 00:21:14,839
The idea of a list of wonders
is born.
326
00:21:17,977 --> 00:21:20,177
Chugg:
Some of the men who traveled
with alexander
327
00:21:20,179 --> 00:21:24,248
Wrote wondrous accounts
of the journey.
328
00:21:24,250 --> 00:21:26,884
These got to be very popular
in the generation
329
00:21:26,886 --> 00:21:28,419
After alexander's death,
330
00:21:28,421 --> 00:21:31,322
And it's at that time
then we see other greek writers
331
00:21:31,324 --> 00:21:35,159
Starting to compile lists
of wonders around the empire.
332
00:21:37,430 --> 00:21:39,297
Narrator:
Archaeologist penny wilson
thinks
333
00:21:39,299 --> 00:21:43,100
That alexandria reveals
how conquest changes the greeks.
334
00:21:43,102 --> 00:21:47,405
♪
335
00:21:47,407 --> 00:21:50,508
A clue lies beneath
the city's busy streets.
336
00:21:50,510 --> 00:21:57,181
♪
337
00:21:57,183 --> 00:21:59,216
There's something amazing
down here.
338
00:22:02,622 --> 00:22:06,490
Narrator:
Penny investigates a tomb built
during alexandria's heyday.
339
00:22:08,494 --> 00:22:12,730
Fire destroys much of
the old greek city in 47 b.C.,
340
00:22:12,732 --> 00:22:17,568
But it leaves these
extraordinary catacombs in tact.
341
00:22:17,570 --> 00:22:20,204
This burial chamber is
the final resting place
342
00:22:20,206 --> 00:22:23,040
Of one of alexandria's
wealthiest couples.
343
00:22:25,311 --> 00:22:28,446
Their statues are a strange
hybrid of both egyptian
344
00:22:28,448 --> 00:22:30,314
And classical sculpture.
345
00:22:32,685 --> 00:22:36,921
This is probably a statue
of the owner of the tomb.
346
00:22:36,923 --> 00:22:39,457
His body, with his left leg
starting forward
347
00:22:39,459 --> 00:22:42,727
Wearing a short kilt,
is very egyptian in style
348
00:22:42,729 --> 00:22:44,395
Whereas his head
is much more classical,
349
00:22:44,397 --> 00:22:47,331
Its curly hair,
the wrinkles on his forehead
350
00:22:47,333 --> 00:22:49,734
And those
emaciated-looking cheeks.
351
00:22:49,736 --> 00:22:52,036
These signs of realism
are things which very much
352
00:22:52,038 --> 00:22:54,105
Come from classical sculpture.
353
00:22:56,642 --> 00:22:59,176
Narrator:
The protective gods that line
the tomb's walls
354
00:22:59,178 --> 00:23:02,313
Also reveal alexandria's
cultural mix.
355
00:23:04,317 --> 00:23:06,550
So the snake himself is wearing
356
00:23:06,552 --> 00:23:08,552
A double crown
of the king of egypt
357
00:23:08,554 --> 00:23:11,255
To give him extra power
from the egyptian perspective.
358
00:23:11,257 --> 00:23:15,593
He's holding two symbols of
greek protection and well-being,
359
00:23:15,595 --> 00:23:17,294
And his body
is actually in a knot,
360
00:23:17,296 --> 00:23:21,532
Which is a powerful egyptian
magical symbol for protection.
361
00:23:21,534 --> 00:23:24,068
So in this one scene, they're
pulling everything together
362
00:23:24,070 --> 00:23:26,670
To give maximum protection
to the tomb.
363
00:23:26,672 --> 00:23:29,507
It's like the ultimate
in life assurance.
364
00:23:29,509 --> 00:23:36,781
♪
365
00:23:36,783 --> 00:23:40,651
Narrator:
Alexandria is a cultural
melting pot.
366
00:23:40,653 --> 00:23:43,354
Two mighty civilizations fuse
together here
367
00:23:43,356 --> 00:23:45,823
And create a new hybrid culture.
368
00:23:48,795 --> 00:23:50,895
Wilson:
The kinds of fusion that we see
in this tomb
369
00:23:50,897 --> 00:23:53,297
And the linking together
of different ideas
370
00:23:53,299 --> 00:23:55,733
Was probably what you could see
across alexandria
371
00:23:55,735 --> 00:23:57,868
In its buildings,
its architecture.
372
00:24:00,640 --> 00:24:05,242
Narrator:
In the greek imagination,
the wonders of egypt and babylon
373
00:24:05,244 --> 00:24:07,578
Now combine with their own.
374
00:24:09,649 --> 00:24:11,382
Wilson: Alexander the great
kicked off a period
375
00:24:11,384 --> 00:24:13,317
When people saw
what was possible.
376
00:24:13,319 --> 00:24:15,820
That seems to be in the spirit
of alexandria in that
377
00:24:15,822 --> 00:24:18,589
There were no bounds
to what people could do.
378
00:24:22,628 --> 00:24:26,764
Narrator:
Conquest fuses the civilizations
of greece and the east.
379
00:24:28,901 --> 00:24:31,068
In egypt,
the rulers of alexandria
380
00:24:31,070 --> 00:24:33,871
Become the new pharaohs.
381
00:24:33,873 --> 00:24:36,340
In babylon,
alexander's successors
382
00:24:36,342 --> 00:24:39,910
Live like persian kings.
383
00:24:39,912 --> 00:24:44,315
The greeks see themselves
as the new rulers of the world.
384
00:24:44,317 --> 00:24:47,151
The greeks were confronted
with technical wonders
385
00:24:47,153 --> 00:24:49,253
And buildings
they had never seen,
386
00:24:49,255 --> 00:24:53,557
And they were sort of looking
also to their achievements.
387
00:24:53,559 --> 00:24:58,262
It became competitive with all
the exotic wonders of the world,
388
00:24:58,264 --> 00:25:00,364
Which the greeks had seen
in other countries
389
00:25:00,366 --> 00:25:04,735
Like egypt and mesopotamia.
390
00:25:04,737 --> 00:25:06,570
Narrator:
The greeks are determined
to prove
391
00:25:06,572 --> 00:25:10,174
That their existing wonders
match those of the east,
392
00:25:10,176 --> 00:25:14,845
But which ones should
they choose and why?
393
00:25:14,847 --> 00:25:19,016
The list continues with
the third ancient wonder,
394
00:25:19,018 --> 00:25:22,586
An enormous temple said to be
the most beautiful
395
00:25:22,588 --> 00:25:24,522
The world has ever seen.
396
00:25:35,134 --> 00:25:39,570
♪
397
00:25:39,572 --> 00:25:42,373
Narrator:
The seven wonders --
the must-see sites
398
00:25:42,375 --> 00:25:45,142
Of the ancient greek world.
399
00:25:45,144 --> 00:25:48,579
The great pyramid in egypt and
the hanging gardens of babylon
400
00:25:48,581 --> 00:25:50,781
Captivate greek travelers,
401
00:25:50,783 --> 00:25:54,952
But some claim the third wonder
is the greatest of all,
402
00:25:54,954 --> 00:25:59,123
The temple of artemis
at ephesus in turkey.
403
00:25:59,125 --> 00:26:02,960
Archaeologist julian bennett
tracks down this lost wonder.
404
00:26:05,364 --> 00:26:08,265
We're standing in an area is
the main street to the harbor,
405
00:26:08,267 --> 00:26:11,001
So anybody arriving in ephesus
by ship
406
00:26:11,003 --> 00:26:15,105
Would have to come walking
all the way up here.
407
00:26:15,107 --> 00:26:18,609
Narrator:
In ancient times, ephesus is
one of many greek colonies
408
00:26:18,611 --> 00:26:20,377
On the coast of asia minor.
409
00:26:20,379 --> 00:26:25,215
The city straddles a crossroads
between east and west.
410
00:26:25,217 --> 00:26:27,585
Bennett:
It was very much a bustling
metropolis,
411
00:26:27,587 --> 00:26:29,186
A major trading port.
412
00:26:29,188 --> 00:26:31,121
You've got people coming
from all parts
413
00:26:31,123 --> 00:26:34,658
Of the greek-speaking world.
414
00:26:34,660 --> 00:26:37,661
Narrator:
Ephesus is an ancient tourist
trap,
415
00:26:37,663 --> 00:26:39,930
The new york city of its day,
416
00:26:39,932 --> 00:26:43,434
And there's one site every
greek traveler wants to see.
417
00:26:46,138 --> 00:26:48,772
Today, just one pillar
is all that remains
418
00:26:48,774 --> 00:26:51,642
Of the third wonder
of the world,
419
00:26:51,644 --> 00:26:53,677
But legend says
the temple of artemis
420
00:26:53,679 --> 00:26:57,748
Touches on architectural
perfection.
421
00:26:57,750 --> 00:27:01,285
From an ornate base,
more than 100 slender columns
422
00:27:01,287 --> 00:27:07,358
Rise into the sky fluted
like the folds of a robe,
423
00:27:07,360 --> 00:27:11,929
Each one topped
with pearled capitals.
424
00:27:11,931 --> 00:27:18,702
They support a solid roof that
towers 59 feet above the ground.
425
00:27:18,704 --> 00:27:22,573
Is this temple really the
greatest in the ancient world?
426
00:27:22,575 --> 00:27:25,376
How does it measure up
to the wonders of the east?
427
00:27:28,614 --> 00:27:31,615
The greek historian herodotus
says that a local ruler
428
00:27:31,617 --> 00:27:37,054
Called croesus builds the temple
in the 6th century b.C.
429
00:27:37,056 --> 00:27:40,891
The ancient greeks are
immensely proud of his creation,
430
00:27:40,893 --> 00:27:44,528
But today,
almost nothing remains.
431
00:27:44,530 --> 00:27:46,263
Bennett:
This is all that we see today,
432
00:27:46,265 --> 00:27:48,866
But we're walking just inside
a colonnade.
433
00:27:48,868 --> 00:27:52,302
There would've been a row
of 21 columns,
434
00:27:52,304 --> 00:27:54,038
But inside it,
435
00:27:54,040 --> 00:27:57,207
You have the remains
of the earlier cult center.
436
00:27:57,209 --> 00:27:59,610
Now as a visitor,
we would be coming here.
437
00:27:59,612 --> 00:28:03,180
We'd walk around and admire
the height of this structure.
438
00:28:03,182 --> 00:28:05,416
I mean, it's absolutely
enormous.
439
00:28:05,418 --> 00:28:08,152
Just look at the size
of this column.
440
00:28:08,154 --> 00:28:10,621
Narrator:
The temple appears big,
441
00:28:10,623 --> 00:28:14,191
But do ancient writers
exaggerate its size?
442
00:28:14,193 --> 00:28:16,560
Julian's first step is to
compare the ruins
443
00:28:16,562 --> 00:28:18,962
With surviving accounts.
444
00:28:18,964 --> 00:28:20,464
Bennett:
Well, after measuring it,
445
00:28:20,466 --> 00:28:23,333
We can see that what pliny says
about the size of the temple
446
00:28:23,335 --> 00:28:25,803
Is, more or less, correct,
447
00:28:25,805 --> 00:28:29,506
And we can see just how large
a structure this was.
448
00:28:29,508 --> 00:28:30,808
How large?
449
00:28:30,810 --> 00:28:32,843
Well, everybody knows
what the parthenon in athens
450
00:28:32,845 --> 00:28:35,913
Looks like, the parthenon,
a classic greek temple.
451
00:28:35,915 --> 00:28:39,416
Well, the parthenon could fit
inside here with room to spare,
452
00:28:39,418 --> 00:28:40,918
And the columns
of the parthenon
453
00:28:40,920 --> 00:28:44,154
Wouldn't even reach the lower
part of the columns of this one,
454
00:28:44,156 --> 00:28:47,558
This is
a massive temple.
455
00:28:47,560 --> 00:28:51,729
Narrator: Next, julian examines
the building material.
456
00:28:51,731 --> 00:28:55,599
Here we have the footings,
a local blue limestone,
457
00:28:55,601 --> 00:28:57,501
And then on top
of these footings,
458
00:28:57,503 --> 00:29:01,338
What you've got is temple
built of solid marble,
459
00:29:01,340 --> 00:29:05,476
Not just the biggest blocks,
entirely of marble.
460
00:29:05,478 --> 00:29:08,812
It's not marble on the facade
of the structure.
461
00:29:08,814 --> 00:29:12,316
This is marble
all the way through.
462
00:29:12,318 --> 00:29:15,953
Narrator:
The temple is an incredible
feat of technology.
463
00:29:15,955 --> 00:29:19,156
It confirms the sophistication
of greek architecture.
464
00:29:19,158 --> 00:29:25,863
♪
465
00:29:25,865 --> 00:29:29,733
Robert hahn is an expert
on greece's classical temples.
466
00:29:32,772 --> 00:29:37,074
He explores a full-size replica
of one in nashville, tennessee.
467
00:29:39,044 --> 00:29:41,044
The construction of these
ancient buildings
468
00:29:41,046 --> 00:29:44,681
Is a monumental challenge.
469
00:29:44,683 --> 00:29:48,719
Architects had to deal
with enormously heavy objects,
470
00:29:48,721 --> 00:29:51,655
Both to be transported
and installed.
471
00:29:51,657 --> 00:29:55,993
It produced a host
of technical problems.
472
00:29:55,995 --> 00:29:58,829
How in the world were they able
to get the stones
473
00:29:58,831 --> 00:30:04,568
To reach more
than 60 feet off the ground?
474
00:30:04,570 --> 00:30:08,405
Narrator:
The builders at ephesus
are a father-and-son team,
475
00:30:08,407 --> 00:30:10,607
Chersiphron and metagenes.
476
00:30:14,313 --> 00:30:17,014
The sacred ground
is soft and marshy,
477
00:30:17,016 --> 00:30:19,550
So they lay a base
of sheepskins and charcoal
478
00:30:19,552 --> 00:30:21,585
To keep the foundation stable.
479
00:30:21,587 --> 00:30:26,790
♪
480
00:30:26,792 --> 00:30:29,493
To transport massive
marble blocks,
481
00:30:29,495 --> 00:30:31,495
They design
ancient monster trucks
482
00:30:31,497 --> 00:30:34,064
With stone lintels as axles.
483
00:30:37,303 --> 00:30:39,636
And to lift these
huge stone blocks,
484
00:30:39,638 --> 00:30:44,241
They use a new greek
invention -- the crane.
485
00:30:49,014 --> 00:30:53,116
We know that when you erect
a column out of column drums,
486
00:30:53,118 --> 00:30:55,219
They have to be lifted
to a great height,
487
00:30:55,221 --> 00:30:58,121
And they have to be lowered
into place very carefully.
488
00:31:00,192 --> 00:31:01,959
We have surviving examples,
489
00:31:01,961 --> 00:31:04,361
Which shows the existence
of bosses,
490
00:31:04,363 --> 00:31:07,364
And thereby shows
that there were lifting devices
491
00:31:07,366 --> 00:31:10,133
That enabled the drums
to be put in place.
492
00:31:14,273 --> 00:31:16,473
Narrator: The greeks invent
big wooden cranes
493
00:31:16,475 --> 00:31:18,609
That can winch
10-ton marble pieces
494
00:31:18,611 --> 00:31:22,012
Over three stories high.
495
00:31:22,014 --> 00:31:23,747
They leave the drums uncarved
496
00:31:23,749 --> 00:31:27,150
Except for the protrusions
called bosses.
497
00:31:27,152 --> 00:31:30,654
The lifting ropes grip the
bosses and release with ease.
498
00:31:30,656 --> 00:31:33,090
Afterwards, sculptors
chisel them away.
499
00:31:35,160 --> 00:31:38,962
The construction site at ephesus
is like an ancient tech hub,
500
00:31:38,964 --> 00:31:40,864
A hothouse of innovation.
501
00:31:45,437 --> 00:31:48,405
Robert believes that the greeks
continually develop smart,
502
00:31:48,407 --> 00:31:50,440
New engineering techniques.
503
00:31:52,878 --> 00:31:58,248
He thinks the temple builders
are more than just architects.
504
00:31:58,250 --> 00:32:00,884
They are the world's
first scientists.
505
00:32:03,489 --> 00:32:06,857
The monuments were monuments
to their own ability,
506
00:32:06,859 --> 00:32:10,460
Their own ingenuity,
and their own command of nature.
507
00:32:10,462 --> 00:32:14,431
It's a vision that nature's
principles could be discovered
508
00:32:14,433 --> 00:32:16,733
And could be controlled.
509
00:32:20,873 --> 00:32:23,273
Narrator:
The temple of artemis
is a worthy addition
510
00:32:23,275 --> 00:32:25,676
To the list of wonders.
511
00:32:25,678 --> 00:32:28,412
It heralds the dawn
of a new greek age
512
00:32:28,414 --> 00:32:32,282
Bursting with self-confidence.
513
00:32:32,284 --> 00:32:36,653
The ancient greeks admire beauty
as well as size.
514
00:32:36,655 --> 00:32:39,957
The fourth wonder supposedly
combines both --
515
00:32:39,959 --> 00:32:44,661
The giant statue of zeus
at olympia.
516
00:32:44,663 --> 00:32:47,631
But today, it's nowhere
to be seen.
517
00:32:47,633 --> 00:32:49,633
Does it really ever exist?
518
00:33:03,549 --> 00:33:06,316
Narrator:
Ancient descriptions of the
lost seven wonders
519
00:33:06,318 --> 00:33:09,586
Could be far more accurate
than we realize.
520
00:33:09,588 --> 00:33:13,256
In iraq, archaeologists are
discovering that babylon
521
00:33:13,258 --> 00:33:17,794
And its treasures
are more than myth and legend.
522
00:33:17,796 --> 00:33:20,230
At ephesus, the greeks
build a temple
523
00:33:20,232 --> 00:33:22,966
That rivals
the great monuments of egypt.
524
00:33:26,672 --> 00:33:29,973
But size is not
the only criteria for a wonder.
525
00:33:32,011 --> 00:33:33,677
The fourth wonder of the world
526
00:33:33,679 --> 00:33:38,181
Is the supreme example
of greek artistic genius.
527
00:33:38,183 --> 00:33:40,984
It stands at olympia in greece,
528
00:33:40,986 --> 00:33:43,787
Birthplace of the famous
olympic games.
529
00:33:47,126 --> 00:33:49,726
Legend says the statue
of zeus at olympia
530
00:33:49,728 --> 00:33:53,530
Is nearly 42 feet tall with skin
531
00:33:53,532 --> 00:33:57,534
Made from ivory plates
and gold panels.
532
00:33:57,536 --> 00:33:59,469
It sits inside a huge temple
533
00:33:59,471 --> 00:34:02,372
That appears almost too small
to house it.
534
00:34:05,110 --> 00:34:08,412
Is there any evidence
that the statue ever exists?
535
00:34:08,414 --> 00:34:14,117
♪
536
00:34:14,119 --> 00:34:19,423
This is the stadium where
the olympic games originated,
537
00:34:19,425 --> 00:34:24,194
And it had a capacity
for 40,000 visitors.
538
00:34:24,196 --> 00:34:27,664
Narrator:
Archaeologist reinhard senff
has excavated the sanctuary
539
00:34:27,666 --> 00:34:29,666
At olympia
for over a decade.
540
00:34:32,004 --> 00:34:34,971
We are now walking through
the southern colonnade
541
00:34:34,973 --> 00:34:36,940
Of the temple of zeus.
542
00:34:36,942 --> 00:34:40,043
Of course, when the building
was still complete,
543
00:34:40,045 --> 00:34:44,181
There would be a high wall.
544
00:34:44,183 --> 00:34:47,584
Narrator: Today, little remains
at olympia,
545
00:34:47,586 --> 00:34:52,189
But the ruins reveal the outline
of a huge temple
546
00:34:52,191 --> 00:34:56,460
Altered to accommodate
a massive seated figure.
547
00:34:56,462 --> 00:34:57,828
This is exactly the place
548
00:34:57,830 --> 00:35:01,298
Where the giant seated
figure of zeus was set up.
549
00:35:01,300 --> 00:35:04,401
The smaller inner rows
of columns
550
00:35:04,403 --> 00:35:07,104
Were further moved to the walls
551
00:35:07,106 --> 00:35:10,307
In order to enlarge the room
for the giant figure.
552
00:35:10,309 --> 00:35:13,076
One has to imagine
that it stood something
553
00:35:13,078 --> 00:35:14,744
Like 12-meter-50 height,
554
00:35:14,746 --> 00:35:19,950
So the figure itself was even
larger than the columns outside,
555
00:35:19,952 --> 00:35:23,353
And in antiquity,
this led to the remark
556
00:35:23,355 --> 00:35:25,589
That the figure was so big
that he,
557
00:35:25,591 --> 00:35:28,358
Had he risen from his throne,
558
00:35:28,360 --> 00:35:32,796
He would definitely have crushed
the ceiling with his head.
559
00:35:35,567 --> 00:35:37,801
Narrator:
Reinhard is also able
to reconstruct
560
00:35:37,803 --> 00:35:41,204
The appearance of the statue.
561
00:35:41,206 --> 00:35:43,507
He examines fragments found
at the workshop
562
00:35:43,509 --> 00:35:46,476
Where the statue was made.
563
00:35:46,478 --> 00:35:49,513
They match the ancient
descriptions.
564
00:35:49,515 --> 00:35:52,449
They are pieces of ornaments
which were meant to be
565
00:35:52,451 --> 00:35:55,318
Inserted into
the throne of zeus.
566
00:35:55,320 --> 00:35:58,655
For some reason, they were
broken and discarded.
567
00:35:58,657 --> 00:36:02,159
With this material, we can get
as close as possible
568
00:36:02,161 --> 00:36:03,960
To the statue of zeus,
569
00:36:03,962 --> 00:36:07,797
Which was made of the precious
materials gold and ivory.
570
00:36:10,369 --> 00:36:13,603
Narrator:
Legend says that the golden
statue of zeus dazzles
571
00:36:13,605 --> 00:36:15,238
All who see it.
572
00:36:17,843 --> 00:36:22,212
Herodotus says its sculptor
is a man called phidias,
573
00:36:22,214 --> 00:36:25,315
The same artist responsible
for creating the great statue
574
00:36:25,317 --> 00:36:29,219
At the parthenon in athens.
575
00:36:29,221 --> 00:36:31,821
The fragments here
come from his workshop.
576
00:36:33,759 --> 00:36:37,060
But there's a mystery --
the sanctuary inside
577
00:36:37,062 --> 00:36:39,663
A greek temple
has no windows.
578
00:36:39,665 --> 00:36:43,133
How does phidias make his
wonder of the world shimmer?
579
00:36:45,737 --> 00:36:47,637
Reinhard
uses a piece of marble
580
00:36:47,639 --> 00:36:50,707
To reveal phidias'
lighting masterstroke.
581
00:36:53,078 --> 00:36:57,180
What I have here is a thin
piece of marble,
582
00:36:57,182 --> 00:37:03,053
The same type of marble that
made up the tiles of the roof
583
00:37:03,055 --> 00:37:06,623
Exactly above the statues.
584
00:37:06,625 --> 00:37:11,361
Narrator:
This marble is found in just
a few quarries in all of greece.
585
00:37:11,363 --> 00:37:15,131
Phidias makes use of its special
ability to transmit light
586
00:37:15,133 --> 00:37:19,369
To illuminate
the statue of zeus.
587
00:37:19,371 --> 00:37:22,639
Senff: You can see how the light
virtually pass
588
00:37:22,641 --> 00:37:24,107
Through the marble
589
00:37:24,109 --> 00:37:27,577
And therefore gives this
very special lighting effect,
590
00:37:27,579 --> 00:37:30,447
Also, on the statue of zeus.
591
00:37:30,449 --> 00:37:35,819
Narrator:
Thousands of these marble tiles
formed the temple ceiling.
592
00:37:35,821 --> 00:37:40,123
Each one shines as bright
as a 200-lumens bulb,
593
00:37:40,125 --> 00:37:41,992
Bathing zeus in sunlight.
594
00:37:45,364 --> 00:37:48,632
The incredible effort
with which greek artists
595
00:37:48,634 --> 00:37:51,134
Executed their pieces of work,
596
00:37:51,136 --> 00:37:53,970
The precision of
the architecture
597
00:37:53,972 --> 00:38:01,211
And the beauty of the sculptures
led to completely new horizons
598
00:38:01,213 --> 00:38:05,682
In the art history
of the ancient world.
599
00:38:05,684 --> 00:38:11,821
Narrator:
The statue of zeus at olympia
is the zenith of greek artistry.
600
00:38:11,823 --> 00:38:14,090
The custodians of olympia
build their wonder
601
00:38:14,092 --> 00:38:16,593
To outdo their rivals in athens,
602
00:38:16,595 --> 00:38:22,065
Who have a giant statue
dedicated to the goddess athena.
603
00:38:22,067 --> 00:38:25,468
The whole statue,
a vision of divine majesty,
604
00:38:25,470 --> 00:38:28,004
Shimmers in the bright
greek sunlight.
605
00:38:30,342 --> 00:38:32,909
The statue of zeus is the last
wonder built
606
00:38:32,911 --> 00:38:35,111
In the lifetime of herodotus,
607
00:38:35,113 --> 00:38:38,548
The historian whose work
inspires the list.
608
00:38:38,550 --> 00:38:40,417
He never gets to see
the next wonder
609
00:38:40,419 --> 00:38:43,586
That rises in his home city --
610
00:38:43,588 --> 00:38:46,222
The mausoleum of halicarnassus.
611
00:39:01,239 --> 00:39:03,707
Narrator: In greece,
the historian herodotus
612
00:39:03,709 --> 00:39:07,744
Creates the ultimate travel
guide to the ancient world.
613
00:39:07,746 --> 00:39:12,816
He describes the marvels
of egypt, babylon, and greece,
614
00:39:12,818 --> 00:39:18,755
Must-see sights that become
the seven ancient wonders.
615
00:39:18,757 --> 00:39:22,192
The fifth wonder is
in herodotus' home city.
616
00:39:22,194 --> 00:39:24,160
It lies on the coast of asia
minor,
617
00:39:24,162 --> 00:39:28,298
Now turkey, a gigantic tomb --
618
00:39:28,300 --> 00:39:32,235
The mausoleum of halicarnassus.
619
00:39:32,237 --> 00:39:36,806
Legend says this towering tomb
is a labor of love
620
00:39:36,808 --> 00:39:39,476
Built by a queen
to remember her dead husband,
621
00:39:39,478 --> 00:39:42,379
A king called mausolus.
622
00:39:42,381 --> 00:39:47,283
36 towering pillars stand on top
of a huge plinth crowned
623
00:39:47,285 --> 00:39:52,122
By a horse-drawn chariot
carrying mausolus himself.
624
00:39:52,124 --> 00:39:56,760
It's a wonderful romantic story,
but how much of it is true?
625
00:40:00,532 --> 00:40:02,832
Archaeologist julian bennett
is on a mission
626
00:40:02,834 --> 00:40:05,935
To distinguish fact
from fiction.
627
00:40:05,937 --> 00:40:07,871
He begins by trying to piece
together
628
00:40:07,873 --> 00:40:09,939
The mausoleum's appearance.
629
00:40:09,941 --> 00:40:12,242
Well, here we are,
at the mausoleum,
630
00:40:12,244 --> 00:40:14,144
I mean, one of the wonders,
631
00:40:14,146 --> 00:40:16,813
And what a wonderful
pile of stones
632
00:40:16,815 --> 00:40:21,351
And some beautifully
half-complete columns.
633
00:40:21,353 --> 00:40:25,622
Narrator:
The mausoleum originally stands
in the center of the old city.
634
00:40:25,624 --> 00:40:28,491
Today, only fragments remain,
635
00:40:28,493 --> 00:40:33,696
But a clue to what it looks like
lies in this nearby castle.
636
00:40:33,698 --> 00:40:35,231
In the 15th century,
637
00:40:35,233 --> 00:40:39,736
Crusader knights build a mighty
citadel overlooking the harbor.
638
00:40:39,738 --> 00:40:43,706
The castle appears just as the
mausoleum vanishes from history.
639
00:40:46,645 --> 00:40:48,411
Bennett: If you look closely
at the castle,
640
00:40:48,413 --> 00:40:50,713
There are blocks
of greenstone like this,
641
00:40:50,715 --> 00:40:54,017
Which are cut to uniform
sort of standard
642
00:40:54,019 --> 00:40:57,320
Based on an ionian foot
of 30 centimeters.
643
00:40:57,322 --> 00:41:00,890
Just over there, 90 centimeters,
644
00:41:00,892 --> 00:41:03,059
And then we look
at the height of it --
645
00:41:03,061 --> 00:41:05,061
30 centimeters, also.
646
00:41:05,063 --> 00:41:09,632
Narrator: A standard ionian foot
is just over 11 1/2 inches.
647
00:41:09,634 --> 00:41:11,334
So we can recognize blocks
648
00:41:11,336 --> 00:41:13,636
That could've come
from the mausoleum,
649
00:41:13,638 --> 00:41:16,506
But they aren't cut
to the same standard,
650
00:41:16,508 --> 00:41:19,342
The same measurement
that was used in the mausoleum.
651
00:41:19,344 --> 00:41:21,778
Why wouldn't the knights
who built the castle
652
00:41:21,780 --> 00:41:24,380
Use the mausoleum?
653
00:41:24,382 --> 00:41:28,718
Narrator:
Ancient marble and stone
blocks stud the castle walls.
654
00:41:28,720 --> 00:41:31,054
More pieces lie inside.
655
00:41:34,960 --> 00:41:38,661
What we have here is actually
one of the most important pieces
656
00:41:38,663 --> 00:41:41,631
Of the mausoleum
that's built into the castle.
657
00:41:41,633 --> 00:41:43,266
It's a block of marble,
658
00:41:43,268 --> 00:41:45,768
And it gives us
the spacing of the columns,
659
00:41:45,770 --> 00:41:48,471
And it's exactly
2.99 meters long,
660
00:41:48,473 --> 00:41:51,207
And from that, we can calculate
everything else.
661
00:41:51,209 --> 00:41:53,510
This is a good piece
of clear evidence
662
00:41:53,512 --> 00:41:57,580
That the builders of the castle
in 1522 onward
663
00:41:57,582 --> 00:41:59,716
Were using parts
of the mausoleum.
664
00:41:59,718 --> 00:42:04,120
It's marble, but the dimensions
of this and the size of it
665
00:42:04,122 --> 00:42:08,591
Fit in with what we know
would come from the mausoleum.
666
00:42:08,593 --> 00:42:11,361
Narrator:
The stones from the castle
reveal beyond a doubt
667
00:42:11,363 --> 00:42:14,697
That the mausoleum
is a huge structure,
668
00:42:14,699 --> 00:42:17,400
But it is supposedly
the tomb's marble statues
669
00:42:17,402 --> 00:42:20,370
That make it
a wonder of the world.
670
00:42:20,372 --> 00:42:23,740
Most are now missing --
the medieval knights
671
00:42:23,742 --> 00:42:27,043
Who build the castle
crush them up to make lime.
672
00:42:27,045 --> 00:42:30,079
Could they be the key to solving
the mysterious origins
673
00:42:30,081 --> 00:42:31,681
Of the mausoleum?
674
00:42:31,683 --> 00:42:36,686
♪
675
00:42:36,688 --> 00:42:39,889
Many pieces of the statues
are now here
676
00:42:39,891 --> 00:42:43,459
At the british museum in london.
677
00:42:43,461 --> 00:42:46,095
Curator peter higgs tries
to reconstruct
678
00:42:46,097 --> 00:42:49,332
This lost monument.
679
00:42:49,334 --> 00:42:51,568
He detects the hand
of mausolus himself
680
00:42:51,570 --> 00:42:54,170
Behind his own final
resting place.
681
00:42:57,475 --> 00:42:59,609
I think most people know
the word mausoleum
682
00:42:59,611 --> 00:43:01,611
Is a great, grand tomb
but forget that it was named
683
00:43:01,613 --> 00:43:05,782
After the great
king mausolus from caria.
684
00:43:05,784 --> 00:43:08,351
Narrator:
Some of the statues are huge.
685
00:43:08,353 --> 00:43:10,320
This fragment
of a galloping horse
686
00:43:10,322 --> 00:43:13,823
Is more than 6 1/2 feet high.
687
00:43:13,825 --> 00:43:16,859
One statue may even
represent the king himself.
688
00:43:19,064 --> 00:43:21,931
The statue that we call mausolus
is around 3 meters high,
689
00:43:21,933 --> 00:43:24,200
Which is usually a scale
reserved for the gods,
690
00:43:24,202 --> 00:43:25,401
Not for mortals,
691
00:43:25,403 --> 00:43:27,470
So that just shows
how he thought of himself
692
00:43:27,472 --> 00:43:29,439
In terms of scale and magnitude.
693
00:43:29,441 --> 00:43:32,041
He wanted to be seen like a god.
694
00:43:32,043 --> 00:43:36,079
Narrator:
Everything about this tomb
is larger than life,
695
00:43:36,081 --> 00:43:39,482
But mausolus himself
is a minor ruler.
696
00:43:39,484 --> 00:43:42,085
Why did he need
such a magnificent tomb?
697
00:43:46,191 --> 00:43:50,259
Peter hunts for clues
in the basement of the museum.
698
00:43:50,261 --> 00:43:53,630
Here he keeps the majority
of the fragments.
699
00:43:53,632 --> 00:43:57,300
To his trained eye, these are
works of exquisite beauty.
700
00:43:59,704 --> 00:44:01,571
Higgs:
Mausolus spared no expense
701
00:44:01,573 --> 00:44:03,673
In employing
the best sculptors of the day.
702
00:44:03,675 --> 00:44:06,209
They're extremely fine quality.
703
00:44:06,211 --> 00:44:08,611
As fragments, they are great,
but joined together,
704
00:44:08,613 --> 00:44:12,115
They become much more
of the original sculptural form.
705
00:44:12,117 --> 00:44:15,885
Narrator: Peter spends hours
examining the broken fragments
706
00:44:15,887 --> 00:44:18,921
Trying to join
the pieces back together.
707
00:44:18,923 --> 00:44:21,057
This piece here from
a human cheek
708
00:44:21,059 --> 00:44:24,694
And left eye
may belong to this head.
709
00:44:24,696 --> 00:44:26,496
It's around the right scale.
710
00:44:26,498 --> 00:44:28,531
The weathering pattern
looks very similar,
711
00:44:28,533 --> 00:44:30,466
And we can't prove
that they belong together,
712
00:44:30,468 --> 00:44:32,935
But they would make
a tangible composition.
713
00:44:34,873 --> 00:44:36,973
Narrator:
It's clear that mausolus' tomb
714
00:44:36,975 --> 00:44:40,977
Is a monumental act
of self-promotion.
715
00:44:40,979 --> 00:44:43,012
He obviously built up
great wealth
716
00:44:43,014 --> 00:44:46,282
And was a megalomaniac,
and he wanted to be remembered.
717
00:44:50,822 --> 00:44:52,989
Narrator: The tomb is also
the star attraction
718
00:44:52,991 --> 00:44:56,592
Of a new capital city --
halicarnassus.
719
00:44:56,594 --> 00:44:59,562
Higgs:
Sailors coming into the port
would've seen the mausoleum
720
00:44:59,564 --> 00:45:04,734
Before any other building as it
rose up 40 meters into the sky.
721
00:45:04,736 --> 00:45:07,303
It was a huge spectacle, and the
best way to be remembered
722
00:45:07,305 --> 00:45:11,274
Was by moving his whole
capital into halicarnassus,
723
00:45:11,276 --> 00:45:14,544
A wonderful natural harbor,
and planning from the very start
724
00:45:14,546 --> 00:45:19,549
This huge memorial
to himself and his family.
725
00:45:19,551 --> 00:45:21,851
Narrator:
The ancient stories claim
that the mausoleum
726
00:45:21,853 --> 00:45:25,521
Is the work
of a grieving widow,
727
00:45:25,523 --> 00:45:27,990
But all the evidence
points to the king.
728
00:45:31,062 --> 00:45:34,697
When we look closely at
the plan of halicarnassus,
729
00:45:34,699 --> 00:45:37,834
It's there in the plan
to start off with.
730
00:45:37,836 --> 00:45:40,903
All ancient greek cities
would have a big monument
731
00:45:40,905 --> 00:45:42,438
Known as a heroon,
732
00:45:42,440 --> 00:45:46,109
Which was the monument
to the founder of the city.
733
00:45:46,111 --> 00:45:48,211
Where mausolus went
one step different
734
00:45:48,213 --> 00:45:51,147
Was to have this
enormous structure
735
00:45:51,149 --> 00:45:54,417
Rising up almost
in the center of the town.
736
00:45:54,419 --> 00:45:55,918
You couldn't miss it.
737
00:45:55,920 --> 00:45:59,856
He wants everybody to know,
"I am mausolus."
738
00:46:02,694 --> 00:46:06,129
Narrator: The mausoleum is
a worthy wonder.
739
00:46:06,131 --> 00:46:11,634
It also has an enticing story
that ensures its lasting fame.
740
00:46:11,636 --> 00:46:13,336
It's so impressive that its name
741
00:46:13,338 --> 00:46:16,606
Becomes a byword
for an aboveground tomb.
742
00:46:18,710 --> 00:46:20,309
But the sixth wonder
of the world
743
00:46:20,311 --> 00:46:24,413
Takes architectural ambition
to even greater heights --
744
00:46:24,415 --> 00:46:27,984
The astonishing
colossus of rhodes.
745
00:46:27,986 --> 00:46:30,353
Why do the people of this tiny
greek island
746
00:46:30,355 --> 00:46:32,855
Build the biggest statue
in the world?
747
00:46:47,405 --> 00:46:49,572
Narrator:
By the reign of alexander
the great,
748
00:46:49,574 --> 00:46:53,176
Five huge monuments dominate
the ancient world --
749
00:46:53,178 --> 00:46:56,012
In egypt, the great pyramid;
750
00:46:56,014 --> 00:46:59,115
Babylon's romantic
hanging gardens;
751
00:46:59,117 --> 00:47:02,685
The temple of artemis
at bustling ephesus;
752
00:47:02,687 --> 00:47:07,256
The statue of zeus in olympia,
home of the famous games;
753
00:47:07,258 --> 00:47:10,593
And the soaring mausoleum
of halicarnassus.
754
00:47:12,664 --> 00:47:14,831
But the sixth wonder is so tall,
755
00:47:14,833 --> 00:47:19,068
It redefines what it means
to build big --
756
00:47:19,070 --> 00:47:23,439
A gigantic statue
on a tiny greek island,
757
00:47:23,441 --> 00:47:26,409
The awe-inspiring
colossus of rhodes.
758
00:47:28,580 --> 00:47:32,648
Legend describes the colossus
as over 100 feet tall.
759
00:47:32,650 --> 00:47:35,651
It towers over the island's
main harbor.
760
00:47:35,653 --> 00:47:38,821
Sheets of bronze made
from melted-down weapons
761
00:47:38,823 --> 00:47:42,658
Create the giant's
shimmering skin.
762
00:47:42,660 --> 00:47:45,361
With a crown of rays
and windswept hair,
763
00:47:45,363 --> 00:47:49,332
His eyes gaze skywards
towards the sun.
764
00:47:49,334 --> 00:47:54,036
The statue is said to represent
helios, the greek sun god.
765
00:47:54,038 --> 00:47:57,807
Why do the citizens of rhodes
build such a remarkable statue?
766
00:47:57,809 --> 00:48:02,945
♪
767
00:48:02,947 --> 00:48:08,050
Ancient writers say it's built
to celebrate a great victory.
768
00:48:08,052 --> 00:48:12,221
In 304 b.C., rhodes becomes
swept up in the civil wars
769
00:48:12,223 --> 00:48:14,090
That tear apart the greek world
770
00:48:14,092 --> 00:48:17,493
After the death
of alexander the great.
771
00:48:17,495 --> 00:48:20,630
Ptolemy, the ruler of alexandria
in egypt,
772
00:48:20,632 --> 00:48:24,000
Rescues the island
from a terrible siege.
773
00:48:24,002 --> 00:48:28,838
In return, the islanders melt
down their enemies' weapons
774
00:48:28,840 --> 00:48:32,642
And build the colossus
to their patron god, helios.
775
00:48:35,480 --> 00:48:39,181
Today, nothing remains
of this mighty bronze statue,
776
00:48:39,183 --> 00:48:42,018
But the popular image of it
straddling rhodes' harbor
777
00:48:42,020 --> 00:48:44,186
Is almost certainly wrong,
778
00:48:44,188 --> 00:48:46,956
A romantic idea
invented centuries later
779
00:48:46,958 --> 00:48:49,625
During the renaissance.
780
00:48:49,627 --> 00:48:53,963
One theory is that the colossus
actually stands above the city,
781
00:48:53,965 --> 00:48:56,933
Perhaps where
the castle is today.
782
00:48:56,935 --> 00:49:00,102
So how much do we really know
about its origins?
783
00:49:00,104 --> 00:49:05,474
♪
784
00:49:05,476 --> 00:49:07,510
Historian andrew chugg thinks
that there
785
00:49:07,512 --> 00:49:10,212
Is a forgotten side
to the colossus.
786
00:49:12,850 --> 00:49:17,019
He believes it's really built
to honor someone else.
787
00:49:17,021 --> 00:49:19,522
The statue hides
a secret identity.
788
00:49:21,526 --> 00:49:24,126
He finds a clue among
the ancient greek statues
789
00:49:24,128 --> 00:49:26,395
At cambridge university
in England.
790
00:49:28,900 --> 00:49:30,933
Chugg:
This statue is particularly
interesting
791
00:49:30,935 --> 00:49:35,538
Because if I look up behind
and look at the band
792
00:49:35,540 --> 00:49:40,543
Around the hair,
I can see holes in there,
793
00:49:40,545 --> 00:49:45,748
And it looks as though they are
the sockets for some rays
794
00:49:45,750 --> 00:49:47,817
That fixed into those sockets
795
00:49:47,819 --> 00:49:54,323
So surrounding the head
like the rays of a sun disk.
796
00:49:54,325 --> 00:49:56,792
Narrator: The sun crown is
a classic representation
797
00:49:56,794 --> 00:49:58,728
Of the god helios.
798
00:49:58,730 --> 00:50:00,563
Ancient writers say
that the colossus
799
00:50:00,565 --> 00:50:04,066
Has a similar headdress,
800
00:50:04,068 --> 00:50:07,770
But the cambridge statue
portrays a human being --
801
00:50:07,772 --> 00:50:09,839
Alexander the great.
802
00:50:09,841 --> 00:50:12,375
Chugg: When we see rays emerging
from the head
803
00:50:12,377 --> 00:50:14,343
Of a male statue like this,
804
00:50:14,345 --> 00:50:17,079
It's a well-known type
in ancient sculpture,
805
00:50:17,081 --> 00:50:20,149
And it refers to the sun god,
helios,
806
00:50:20,151 --> 00:50:24,086
And that means that alexander
is being represented
807
00:50:24,088 --> 00:50:25,654
In the guise of the sun god,
808
00:50:25,656 --> 00:50:31,494
Helios, here as a kind of act
of flattery towards him.
809
00:50:31,496 --> 00:50:35,031
Narrator:
Alexander, the greatest
conqueror of the ancient world,
810
00:50:35,033 --> 00:50:38,234
Is obsessed with his image.
811
00:50:38,236 --> 00:50:39,402
Chugg:
There was no photography,
812
00:50:39,404 --> 00:50:40,703
There were no movies,
813
00:50:40,705 --> 00:50:44,440
And so if you wanted to project
your presence
814
00:50:44,442 --> 00:50:47,043
Amongst your people
across the great empire
815
00:50:47,045 --> 00:50:48,878
Then some kind of
standardization,
816
00:50:48,880 --> 00:50:50,379
To make the portraits
recognizable
817
00:50:50,381 --> 00:50:53,883
Was an urgent necessity.
818
00:50:53,885 --> 00:50:57,119
Narrator:
Andrew believes that alexander
uses his court sculptor
819
00:50:57,121 --> 00:50:59,822
To create an image that
everybody in the ancient world
820
00:50:59,824 --> 00:51:02,558
Can recognize --
821
00:51:02,560 --> 00:51:06,862
A vision of alexander as a god.
822
00:51:06,864 --> 00:51:10,199
Chugg: His family told him
he was descended from zeus
823
00:51:10,201 --> 00:51:12,134
On both his mother's
and father's side.
824
00:51:12,136 --> 00:51:14,136
It was their family tradition.
825
00:51:14,138 --> 00:51:17,139
The most famous helios statue
of all time
826
00:51:17,141 --> 00:51:20,876
Was the colossus of rhodes,
and we know it was sculpted
827
00:51:20,878 --> 00:51:25,614
By a pupil
of alexander's court sculptor.
828
00:51:25,616 --> 00:51:28,751
I believe that the colossus
of rhodes
829
00:51:28,753 --> 00:51:34,090
Was a portrait of alexander
in the guise of the god helios.
830
00:51:34,092 --> 00:51:35,925
Narrator:
But there's a mystery --
831
00:51:35,927 --> 00:51:37,927
Alexander the great is long dead
832
00:51:37,929 --> 00:51:41,197
When the people of rhodes
build their colossus.
833
00:51:41,199 --> 00:51:46,135
Why do they immortalize him
with a supersize statue?
834
00:51:46,137 --> 00:51:49,071
Andrew believes that the answer
lies across the sea
835
00:51:49,073 --> 00:51:51,640
With their allies in egypt.
836
00:51:51,642 --> 00:51:55,144
At the same time as the colossus
is being built at rhodes,
837
00:51:55,146 --> 00:51:58,981
The greeks here embark
on their own wonder,
838
00:51:58,983 --> 00:52:02,351
The lighthouse of alexandria.
839
00:52:02,353 --> 00:52:07,022
This new greek powerhouse honors
alexander the great.
840
00:52:07,024 --> 00:52:09,525
Andrew believes that
a statue of the dead king
841
00:52:09,527 --> 00:52:13,529
Even crowns
the city's new lighthouse.
842
00:52:13,531 --> 00:52:16,866
Any image that shows the statue
on top of the lighthouse
843
00:52:16,868 --> 00:52:20,536
With any definition,
that's extremely rare.
844
00:52:20,538 --> 00:52:22,404
This is my favorite one here,
845
00:52:22,406 --> 00:52:25,808
And this time, we can see
the statue in great definition.
846
00:52:25,810 --> 00:52:30,212
We can see that he's holding in
his hand a great sphere or orb,
847
00:52:30,214 --> 00:52:32,214
And on his head,
he has a crown
848
00:52:32,216 --> 00:52:35,718
That represents
the rays of the sun.
849
00:52:35,720 --> 00:52:37,753
These are unmistakable.
850
00:52:37,755 --> 00:52:40,055
This is the god
alexander helios.
851
00:52:40,057 --> 00:52:42,291
It is a statue
of alexander helios
852
00:52:42,293 --> 00:52:44,894
That we have at the summit
of the lighthouse.
853
00:52:47,265 --> 00:52:49,865
Narrator: The people of rhodes
build the colossus to grab
854
00:52:49,867 --> 00:52:54,837
A little piece of alexander's
legacy for themselves.
855
00:52:54,839 --> 00:52:58,307
Chugg: At the same time as the
lighthouse is being erected,
856
00:52:58,309 --> 00:53:00,276
The citizens of rhodes
are celebrating
857
00:53:00,278 --> 00:53:03,946
Having withstood a great siege
with the help of their allies,
858
00:53:03,948 --> 00:53:05,881
The ptolemies, in alexandria,
859
00:53:05,883 --> 00:53:10,786
And they're building an enormous
colossus of alexander helios
860
00:53:10,788 --> 00:53:13,222
On an even larger scale,
861
00:53:13,224 --> 00:53:15,925
Another wonder
of the ancient world.
862
00:53:18,462 --> 00:53:22,131
Narrator:
The wonders reach new heights
with the colossus of rhodes
863
00:53:22,133 --> 00:53:25,201
And the lighthouse
of alexandria.
864
00:53:25,203 --> 00:53:29,138
Both are built to herald a new
civilization --
865
00:53:29,140 --> 00:53:32,741
The greeks of alexandria.
866
00:53:32,743 --> 00:53:34,777
The scribes who write the list
believe
867
00:53:34,779 --> 00:53:38,480
They are living
in a new golden age.
868
00:53:38,482 --> 00:53:40,416
What is it about this remarkable
city
869
00:53:40,418 --> 00:53:44,687
That reshapes the ancient world
and inspires its citizens
870
00:53:44,689 --> 00:53:47,723
To create the final
ultimate wonder --
871
00:53:47,725 --> 00:53:49,925
The lighthouse of alexandria?
872
00:54:02,373 --> 00:54:06,008
Narrator: In 280 b.C.,
the city of alexandria in egypt
873
00:54:06,010 --> 00:54:09,278
Is at its glorious peak,
874
00:54:09,280 --> 00:54:12,448
A greek metropolis
in the land of the pharaohs.
875
00:54:14,852 --> 00:54:16,485
In its enormous library,
876
00:54:16,487 --> 00:54:20,256
Writers record the ancient
world's greatest wonders.
877
00:54:20,258 --> 00:54:24,627
They catalog the marvels
of greece and persia,
878
00:54:24,629 --> 00:54:26,495
But the final
magnificent monument
879
00:54:26,497 --> 00:54:28,564
Emerges in their own city.
880
00:54:30,801 --> 00:54:32,801
Legend has it that alexandria
is home
881
00:54:32,803 --> 00:54:34,870
To the ultimate wonder...
882
00:54:37,908 --> 00:54:39,742
...A mighty megastructure
883
00:54:39,744 --> 00:54:43,279
That no other ancient city
could build.
884
00:54:43,281 --> 00:54:46,949
At the entrance to alexandria's
harbor
885
00:54:46,951 --> 00:54:49,852
Stands the tallest tower
in the world,
886
00:54:49,854 --> 00:54:53,255
The famous lighthouse.
887
00:54:53,257 --> 00:54:56,492
Immense bronze tritons,
greek gods,
888
00:54:56,494 --> 00:54:58,627
Keep watch over the harbor below
889
00:55:02,166 --> 00:55:05,501
While mirrors that beam
a blazing light across the sea
890
00:55:05,503 --> 00:55:08,304
Supposedly make
alexandria visible to ships
891
00:55:08,306 --> 00:55:11,573
Still a day's sail away.
892
00:55:11,575 --> 00:55:13,609
The lighthouse builders top off
the tower
893
00:55:13,611 --> 00:55:17,513
With a statue of alexander
as the god helios,
894
00:55:17,515 --> 00:55:20,416
And rumors even tell of
a deadly death ray weapon
895
00:55:20,418 --> 00:55:22,051
At the tower's summit.
896
00:55:25,990 --> 00:55:30,759
Modern high-rise buildings now
dominate alexandria's skyline,
897
00:55:30,761 --> 00:55:33,028
But the lost lighthouse
is one of the most written
898
00:55:33,030 --> 00:55:34,997
About of all the wonders.
899
00:55:39,036 --> 00:55:42,938
Its reputation casts a spell
over those who hunt for it.
900
00:55:45,476 --> 00:55:47,109
Em ad hall is a marine
901
00:55:47,111 --> 00:55:50,679
Archaeologist at
alexandria university.
902
00:55:50,681 --> 00:55:53,415
He's spent the last 25 years
tracking down
903
00:55:53,417 --> 00:55:56,385
This city's lost wonder.
904
00:55:56,387 --> 00:55:59,254
In the 1990s,
emad is part of a team
905
00:55:59,256 --> 00:56:02,358
That investigates
mysterious ruins on the seabed.
906
00:56:03,894 --> 00:56:07,396
What they discover stuns the
world --
907
00:56:07,398 --> 00:56:11,967
Thousands of ancient
stone blocks.
908
00:56:11,969 --> 00:56:14,370
Khalil: We didn't really know
what we're going to find there.
909
00:56:14,372 --> 00:56:17,106
We knew that there are artifacts
there,
910
00:56:17,108 --> 00:56:20,175
But what exactly is going on,
we didn't really know.
911
00:56:20,177 --> 00:56:23,379
Seeing sphinxes underwater
was something
912
00:56:23,381 --> 00:56:25,714
That none of us
have ever seen before.
913
00:56:25,716 --> 00:56:28,484
Seeing pieces of obelisks
underwater with hieroglyphics
914
00:56:28,486 --> 00:56:32,087
Written on it,
huge blocks like this one,
915
00:56:32,089 --> 00:56:34,990
This is something that none
of us have experienced before.
916
00:56:37,027 --> 00:56:39,628
Narrator:
Archaeologists think these
sunken stone blocks
917
00:56:39,630 --> 00:56:43,565
Could be the remains
of the fallen lighthouse,
918
00:56:43,567 --> 00:56:47,169
But they can't be sure.
919
00:56:47,171 --> 00:56:50,939
Only a few precious images
of the lighthouse survive.
920
00:56:50,941 --> 00:56:54,643
It's a huge puzzle, basically,
and you want to put it back
921
00:56:54,645 --> 00:56:59,548
Together without a picture
to base your reconstruction on,
922
00:56:59,550 --> 00:57:01,850
And this is where digital
imaging
923
00:57:01,852 --> 00:57:03,485
And computer simulation came in,
924
00:57:03,487 --> 00:57:06,021
And this is being done
until the present.
925
00:57:09,460 --> 00:57:11,293
Narrator:
Today, emad continues his hunt
926
00:57:11,295 --> 00:57:13,962
For the lost lighthouse
above water.
927
00:57:13,964 --> 00:57:18,333
This is the ideal place to start
hunting for the lighthouse
928
00:57:18,335 --> 00:57:22,771
Mainly because
of the material we have here.
929
00:57:22,773 --> 00:57:25,574
Narrator:
Emad explores the citadel
of qaitbay
930
00:57:25,576 --> 00:57:27,576
On alexandria's waterfront.
931
00:57:40,324 --> 00:57:42,424
Narrator:
Emad believes these
ancient stones
932
00:57:42,426 --> 00:57:44,793
Match the blocks
found underwater.
933
00:57:46,864 --> 00:57:52,067
Parts of alexandria's
fabled lighthouse still survive,
934
00:57:52,069 --> 00:57:54,102
Standing on the spot
where legends say
935
00:57:54,104 --> 00:57:57,406
The ancient structure
once stands.
936
00:57:57,408 --> 00:57:59,875
The fortress of qaitbay
was built using
937
00:57:59,877 --> 00:58:03,111
Some of the blocks
that existed in the lighthouse.
938
00:58:03,113 --> 00:58:05,380
Narrator:
So what does the lighthouse
look like?
939
00:58:07,685 --> 00:58:10,786
Beneath the blocks lies a clue.
940
00:58:10,788 --> 00:58:15,290
Inside the fort stands
a sacred mosque.
941
00:58:15,292 --> 00:58:18,694
It should be facing mecca
to the southeast,
942
00:58:18,696 --> 00:58:22,798
But this mosque faces north
towards the sea,
943
00:58:22,800 --> 00:58:28,604
More proof that it stands on
the old lighthouse foundations.
944
00:58:28,606 --> 00:58:33,542
On the roof of the mosque
is a strange octagonal opening.
945
00:58:33,544 --> 00:58:35,244
Could this help emad work out
946
00:58:35,246 --> 00:58:37,412
What the ancient lighthouse
looks like?
947
00:58:37,414 --> 00:58:44,419
♪
948
00:58:44,421 --> 00:58:47,456
The structure of this mosque
is quite typical
949
00:58:47,458 --> 00:58:50,826
Until you start looking up,
and this is very unusual.
950
00:58:50,828 --> 00:58:54,029
It's very unusual to have
a square minaret, basically,
951
00:58:54,031 --> 00:58:55,931
And part of it is octagonal,
952
00:58:55,933 --> 00:58:57,466
And then another part
is cylindrical.
953
00:58:57,468 --> 00:59:00,636
That doesn't happen in
islamic architecture.
954
00:59:02,907 --> 00:59:06,275
Narrator:
Emad is convinced the
mosque's distinctive design,
955
00:59:06,277 --> 00:59:09,978
A square base topped
with an octagon and a circle,
956
00:59:09,980 --> 00:59:14,182
Copies the shape
of the original lighthouse.
957
00:59:14,184 --> 00:59:17,519
That's because 30 miles
west of alexandria,
958
00:59:17,521 --> 00:59:21,356
There's an ancient structure
that follows this blueprint,
959
00:59:21,358 --> 00:59:24,192
Abusir lighthouse.
960
00:59:24,194 --> 00:59:27,296
It stands guard over
an ancient necropolis.
961
00:59:30,367 --> 00:59:35,771
What we have here, basically,
is a typical hellenistic tomb,
962
00:59:35,773 --> 00:59:37,706
An altar in the middle
and couches,
963
00:59:37,708 --> 00:59:41,143
Two couches, one on each side
to be used by the visitors,
964
00:59:41,145 --> 00:59:44,413
And then we have
the burial chamber.
965
00:59:44,415 --> 00:59:46,181
You can still see the remains
and the bones
966
00:59:46,183 --> 00:59:50,252
And the remains of the deceased.
967
00:59:50,254 --> 00:59:53,322
Narrator: On some of the walls,
snake carvings offer protection
968
00:59:53,324 --> 00:59:58,427
To the spirits of the dead,
typical of a greek-style burial.
969
01:00:01,599 --> 01:00:03,198
Khalil: All around us,
there are plenty of them.
970
01:00:03,200 --> 01:00:06,368
There are, I think, over 13 of
them, very much the same design,
971
01:00:06,370 --> 01:00:08,270
Greek tombs,
and this is a building
972
01:00:08,272 --> 01:00:10,505
Which was built
during the same period,
973
01:00:10,507 --> 01:00:13,742
During the same era,
in the shape of a lighthouse.
974
01:00:16,313 --> 01:00:19,481
Narrator:
Emad thinks the builders
of this tomb take inspiration
975
01:00:19,483 --> 01:00:22,951
From the lighthouse
of alexandria.
976
01:00:22,953 --> 01:00:24,152
Khalil: It's an evidence.
977
01:00:24,154 --> 01:00:26,254
It gives us indication
that this is the shape
978
01:00:26,256 --> 01:00:29,658
Of the original lighthouse
of alexandria.
979
01:00:29,660 --> 01:00:32,628
Narrator:
Abusir lighthouse is a miniature
copy of the lighthouse
980
01:00:32,630 --> 01:00:35,998
At alexandria.
981
01:00:36,000 --> 01:00:37,899
It confirms that ancient images
982
01:00:37,901 --> 01:00:40,869
Offer a true glimpse
of the lost wonder.
983
01:00:44,975 --> 01:00:47,743
So the builders of this
were actually able to see
984
01:00:47,745 --> 01:00:49,678
The original
lighthouse of alexandria
985
01:00:49,680 --> 01:00:52,581
And copy the design
into this structure.
986
01:00:54,618 --> 01:00:57,185
The ancient alexandria
lighthouse had three levels --
987
01:00:57,187 --> 01:01:00,188
A square one, an octagonal one,
and a cylindrical one very much
988
01:01:00,190 --> 01:01:03,825
Similar to this monument
we have here.
989
01:01:03,827 --> 01:01:07,996
Narrator:
The lighthouse of abusir
is a crucial piece of evidence.
990
01:01:07,998 --> 01:01:09,297
It shines new light
991
01:01:09,299 --> 01:01:13,235
On the lighthouse
of alexandria's appearance.
992
01:01:13,237 --> 01:01:15,837
It affirms that the lighthouse
is an immense building
993
01:01:15,839 --> 01:01:18,273
With a distinctive
three-level design...
994
01:01:21,512 --> 01:01:26,181
A square base with
an octagonal central section
995
01:01:26,183 --> 01:01:27,816
And a cylindrical turret.
996
01:01:32,723 --> 01:01:36,958
The final wonder is perhaps
the greatest of them all,
997
01:01:36,960 --> 01:01:41,763
An ancient skyscraper not
matched until the modern age,
998
01:01:41,765 --> 01:01:44,399
But the lighthouse
is a curiosity.
999
01:01:44,401 --> 01:01:46,568
Why does this city need
such an elaborate
1000
01:01:46,570 --> 01:01:49,838
And oversized warning beacon,
1001
01:01:49,840 --> 01:01:53,041
And why is it the last wonder
of the ancient world?
1002
01:02:07,991 --> 01:02:09,658
Narrator:
The lighthouse of alexandria
1003
01:02:09,660 --> 01:02:14,096
Is the last of the seven wonders
of the ancient world.
1004
01:02:14,098 --> 01:02:17,866
Why do the people of this city
build a stone skyscraper taller
1005
01:02:17,868 --> 01:02:20,068
Than any in history?
1006
01:02:20,070 --> 01:02:22,337
A lighthouse is supposed
to guide ships
1007
01:02:22,339 --> 01:02:25,807
And warn them
of approaching danger,
1008
01:02:25,809 --> 01:02:28,443
But the most perilous waters
in ancient alexandria
1009
01:02:28,445 --> 01:02:30,712
Lie inside the harbor.
1010
01:02:33,250 --> 01:02:36,017
A clue lies nearly 125 miles
1011
01:02:36,019 --> 01:02:40,021
Along the alexandrian coastline
at marsa bagoush.
1012
01:02:44,561 --> 01:02:47,229
Beneath the calm surface
lurk deadly rocks
1013
01:02:47,231 --> 01:02:49,197
And shifting sand bars.
1014
01:02:51,435 --> 01:02:54,035
Half buried in the sand
lie the shattered remains
1015
01:02:54,037 --> 01:02:57,038
Of countless amphorae,
1016
01:02:57,040 --> 01:03:00,242
Ancient clay pots
for carrying wine and oil.
1017
01:03:02,379 --> 01:03:05,580
These shards span
900 years of history
1018
01:03:05,582 --> 01:03:09,785
And hint that this bay
is a ship's graveyard.
1019
01:03:09,787 --> 01:03:12,921
How treacherous
is the egyptian coast?
1020
01:03:12,923 --> 01:03:14,890
Is the purpose of this
colossal lighthouse
1021
01:03:14,892 --> 01:03:17,559
Simply to prevent
endless shipwrecks?
1022
01:03:21,565 --> 01:03:25,367
Archaeologist emad khalil
and his team dive the site.
1023
01:03:25,369 --> 01:03:31,039
♪
1024
01:03:31,041 --> 01:03:34,976
They find undisturbed jars
on each descent to the seafloor.
1025
01:03:34,978 --> 01:03:41,850
♪
1026
01:03:41,852 --> 01:03:44,853
During diving, we just came
across some shards of pottery
1027
01:03:44,855 --> 01:03:47,989
Inside the bay,
and the further we look,
1028
01:03:47,991 --> 01:03:51,593
We discover more pottery,
more ceramic,
1029
01:03:51,595 --> 01:03:56,698
And then we started discovering
single amphora, intact amphora.
1030
01:03:56,700 --> 01:04:00,602
Narrator:
The sheer number of amphorae
on the seabed is a surprise.
1031
01:04:03,640 --> 01:04:05,907
Are they all from wrecked ships?
1032
01:04:07,911 --> 01:04:10,412
Khalil: Finding an amphora
or a few amphoras
1033
01:04:10,414 --> 01:04:13,849
Does not definitely indicate
an existence of a shipwreck
1034
01:04:13,851 --> 01:04:16,017
Because amphoras
could have fallen off a ship,
1035
01:04:16,019 --> 01:04:18,620
Thrown over the ship.
1036
01:04:18,622 --> 01:04:20,722
Narrator:
Emad must investigate further.
1037
01:04:22,826 --> 01:04:25,727
The team takes thousands
of high-resolution photos
1038
01:04:25,729 --> 01:04:28,597
To build a digital model
of the seabed.
1039
01:04:28,599 --> 01:04:32,100
The scan reveals a surprising
clue --
1040
01:04:32,102 --> 01:04:36,504
The distinct forms
of anchors from ancient ships.
1041
01:04:36,506 --> 01:04:39,774
The team discovers a total
of 14 in the bay.
1042
01:04:42,880 --> 01:04:45,614
Khalil:
Finding more than one anchor
in the same place
1043
01:04:45,616 --> 01:04:48,483
Means that this had been
used frequently by ships.
1044
01:04:50,587 --> 01:04:54,022
Narrator: This coastline is not
without danger,
1045
01:04:54,024 --> 01:04:56,491
But the concentration
of anchors here suggests
1046
01:04:56,493 --> 01:05:00,028
That ancient ships traveled
to marsa bagoush on purpose.
1047
01:05:02,232 --> 01:05:05,333
Marsa bagoush is an ideal
example for a safe haven
1048
01:05:05,335 --> 01:05:07,102
Or a safe natural anchor.
1049
01:05:07,104 --> 01:05:09,504
First of all, it's deep enough
for ships to come in.
1050
01:05:09,506 --> 01:05:13,108
Secondly, the entire bay
is protected from both sides
1051
01:05:13,110 --> 01:05:14,576
By reefs,
1052
01:05:14,578 --> 01:05:18,680
So wherever the wind comes from,
it's still protected.
1053
01:05:18,682 --> 01:05:21,516
Narrator: Marsa bagoush is not
a ship's graveyard
1054
01:05:21,518 --> 01:05:25,720
But a refueling stop
on the way to alexandria.
1055
01:05:25,722 --> 01:05:29,858
This discovery transforms emad's
view of the lighthouse.
1056
01:05:29,860 --> 01:05:32,127
Ancient sailors do not need
a megatower
1057
01:05:32,129 --> 01:05:34,896
To warn them
of hidden dangers.
1058
01:05:34,898 --> 01:05:36,665
The alexandrians build
the lighthouse
1059
01:05:36,667 --> 01:05:39,434
To capture lucrative trade.
1060
01:05:39,436 --> 01:05:43,805
The seventh wonder exists
to draw sailors into a new city.
1061
01:05:43,807 --> 01:05:46,141
It's visible
from many miles away.
1062
01:05:46,143 --> 01:05:52,981
♪
1063
01:05:52,983 --> 01:05:57,185
It would be a banner basically
to draw the attention of ships
1064
01:05:57,187 --> 01:06:00,555
And sailors coming into egypt.
1065
01:06:00,557 --> 01:06:02,490
They would head
for this new town,
1066
01:06:02,492 --> 01:06:05,994
The new town with this big,
huge monument, alexandria.
1067
01:06:05,996 --> 01:06:12,000
♪
1068
01:06:12,002 --> 01:06:14,936
Narrator:
Historian andrew chugg
thinks the lighthouse is really
1069
01:06:14,938 --> 01:06:20,976
A deliberate attempt to promote
a new city and a new ruler,
1070
01:06:20,978 --> 01:06:24,779
A greek general called ptolemy.
1071
01:06:24,781 --> 01:06:26,781
Ptolemy is one of alexander
the great's
1072
01:06:26,783 --> 01:06:29,617
Most trusted companions.
1073
01:06:29,619 --> 01:06:31,853
He emerges victorious
in the civil wars
1074
01:06:31,855 --> 01:06:33,688
That follow alexander's death.
1075
01:06:36,193 --> 01:06:38,660
Ptolemy declares himself
to be king of egypt
1076
01:06:38,662 --> 01:06:41,696
And founds
a new dynasty of pharaohs,
1077
01:06:41,698 --> 01:06:45,300
And they last for 300 years.
1078
01:06:45,302 --> 01:06:48,570
Narrator:
Ptolemy has big plans
for his new metropolis.
1079
01:06:48,572 --> 01:06:51,806
He builds a city larger
than any in greece.
1080
01:06:51,808 --> 01:06:56,511
So here's a massive
ancient fragment of wall.
1081
01:06:56,513 --> 01:06:58,646
It's made out of immense blocks.
1082
01:06:58,648 --> 01:07:03,585
They're 1 1/2 meters
long and 3/4 of a meter tall.
1083
01:07:03,587 --> 01:07:08,523
They have drafted margins
where the edges of the block
1084
01:07:08,525 --> 01:07:11,426
Are cut smoother
all the way around.
1085
01:07:11,428 --> 01:07:16,231
This is highly characteristic
of masonry from the period
1086
01:07:16,233 --> 01:07:18,767
Just after the death
of alexander the great.
1087
01:07:20,804 --> 01:07:24,906
Narrator:
Ptolemy even steals alexander's
body and brings it here.
1088
01:07:24,908 --> 01:07:27,409
About 30 years after
alexander's death,
1089
01:07:27,411 --> 01:07:31,679
Ptolemy's son moves the tomb
of alexander himself
1090
01:07:31,681 --> 01:07:34,349
To lie
at the heart of alexandria.
1091
01:07:34,351 --> 01:07:37,919
The ancient sources place
an enclosure
1092
01:07:37,921 --> 01:07:43,458
In which alexander's tomb lay in
exactly this part of the city.
1093
01:07:43,460 --> 01:07:47,262
Narrator:
Alexandria is meant to be
an entire city of wonders.
1094
01:07:50,167 --> 01:07:52,867
Chugg:
It's clear that the ptolemies
had similar aspirations
1095
01:07:52,869 --> 01:07:56,304
For alexandria as alexander
had had for babylon.
1096
01:07:56,306 --> 01:07:59,040
He builds immense buildings
like the lighthouse,
1097
01:07:59,042 --> 01:08:01,309
And he builds the walls
of alexandria
1098
01:08:01,311 --> 01:08:06,014
On a scale comparable
with the walls of babylon.
1099
01:08:06,016 --> 01:08:10,185
Narrator:
But ptolemy's ambitions
go beyond stone and mortar.
1100
01:08:10,187 --> 01:08:12,654
He wants his city to be
the intellectual capital
1101
01:08:12,656 --> 01:08:14,255
Of the known world.
1102
01:08:16,660 --> 01:08:20,161
So here we are in one of the
classrooms of what
1103
01:08:20,163 --> 01:08:24,866
Was effectively a university
in 4th century a.D. Alexandria.
1104
01:08:24,868 --> 01:08:27,202
Alexandria has been a place
of learning,
1105
01:08:27,204 --> 01:08:29,337
A center of scholarship
in the world
1106
01:08:29,339 --> 01:08:32,140
For nearly 7 centuries
at this point.
1107
01:08:32,142 --> 01:08:35,844
It's a really embedded part
of the culture of the place.
1108
01:08:38,248 --> 01:08:42,450
Narrator:
The center of alexandria's
learning is the great library
1109
01:08:42,452 --> 01:08:45,053
Where scholars make copies
of every manuscript
1110
01:08:45,055 --> 01:08:46,654
Entering the city's port.
1111
01:08:49,493 --> 01:08:51,659
This vast store of ancient
knowledge
1112
01:08:51,661 --> 01:08:54,963
Attracts the greatest minds
from across the ancient world.
1113
01:08:54,965 --> 01:09:01,369
♪
1114
01:09:01,371 --> 01:09:03,905
It's here that the philosopher
eratosthenes
1115
01:09:03,907 --> 01:09:06,474
First calculates the
circumference of the earth...
1116
01:09:06,476 --> 01:09:12,247
♪
1117
01:09:12,249 --> 01:09:13,915
...And the celebrated
mathematician
1118
01:09:13,917 --> 01:09:15,316
Euclid first sets out
1119
01:09:15,318 --> 01:09:18,019
The fundamental principles
of geometry.
1120
01:09:21,491 --> 01:09:25,260
Chugg:
The scholars from the library
were the einsteins
1121
01:09:25,262 --> 01:09:27,295
And the newtons of their day.
1122
01:09:27,297 --> 01:09:29,464
They were making dramatic
breakthroughs,
1123
01:09:29,466 --> 01:09:32,000
Which are remembered now
1124
01:09:32,002 --> 01:09:35,737
As the foundations
of much of the scholarship
1125
01:09:35,739 --> 01:09:38,439
And the way
that we approach science,
1126
01:09:38,441 --> 01:09:42,410
Technology in the modern world.
1127
01:09:42,412 --> 01:09:44,179
Narrator:
2,300 years ago,
1128
01:09:44,181 --> 01:09:46,781
Alexandria is the most
sophisticated city
1129
01:09:46,783 --> 01:09:49,350
In the mediterranean.
1130
01:09:49,352 --> 01:09:51,519
Andrew believes its scholars
are responsible
1131
01:09:51,521 --> 01:09:54,789
For the incredible feats of
engineering at the lighthouse.
1132
01:09:57,794 --> 01:10:00,762
There's a link, I think, between
the magnificent buildings
1133
01:10:00,764 --> 01:10:05,466
And the spirit of alexandria as
a place of study and learning.
1134
01:10:05,468 --> 01:10:09,504
Many of the principles that
were being explored and advanced
1135
01:10:09,506 --> 01:10:13,074
At the library
were feeding the architecture
1136
01:10:13,076 --> 01:10:14,776
And the engineering principles
1137
01:10:14,778 --> 01:10:18,213
On which great buildings
like the lighthouse were based.
1138
01:10:18,215 --> 01:10:25,920
♪
1139
01:10:25,922 --> 01:10:28,556
Narrator:
The scholars of alexandria
have access to vast
1140
01:10:28,558 --> 01:10:31,693
Swaths of ancient knowledge
from egypt,
1141
01:10:31,695 --> 01:10:36,164
Greece, and every other corner
of the known world.
1142
01:10:36,166 --> 01:10:39,634
The greeks of egypt build
the lighthouse so high
1143
01:10:39,636 --> 01:10:43,204
Simply because they now
have the technical expertise.
1144
01:10:45,575 --> 01:10:47,709
Alexandria's lighthouse
proclaims it
1145
01:10:47,711 --> 01:10:50,878
As the greatest city on earth.
1146
01:10:50,880 --> 01:10:54,716
It's an extraordinary
statement of power.
1147
01:10:54,718 --> 01:10:59,187
Each one of the wonders
glorifies its creator --
1148
01:10:59,189 --> 01:11:01,289
The pharaoh khufu of egypt,
1149
01:11:01,291 --> 01:11:04,425
The mighty king nebuchadnezzar,
1150
01:11:04,427 --> 01:11:06,594
And the megalomaniacal
king mausolus
1151
01:11:06,596 --> 01:11:13,101
With ideas above his station,
but there's a surprise.
1152
01:11:13,103 --> 01:11:16,271
Alexandria's own wonder,
the lighthouse,
1153
01:11:16,273 --> 01:11:20,208
Is not on
the original list of seven.
1154
01:11:20,210 --> 01:11:24,779
Why does it join them
only centuries later,
1155
01:11:24,781 --> 01:11:27,815
And is there a forgotten
eighth wonder of the world?
1156
01:11:41,698 --> 01:11:46,100
Narrator:
The lighthouse of alexandria is
the last of the seven wonders,
1157
01:11:46,102 --> 01:11:49,070
But it only receives this title
more than 900 years
1158
01:11:49,072 --> 01:11:50,705
After its construction.
1159
01:11:53,910 --> 01:11:55,343
So what else do the ancients
1160
01:11:55,345 --> 01:11:59,447
Consider to be
a wonder of the world?
1161
01:11:59,449 --> 01:12:02,317
The notion of a wonder
as a must-see site
1162
01:12:02,319 --> 01:12:05,420
Stretches back
to the days of herodotus.
1163
01:12:05,422 --> 01:12:09,223
The scholars of alexandria's
great library continue his work,
1164
01:12:09,225 --> 01:12:11,459
But the oldest list
that survives dates
1165
01:12:11,461 --> 01:12:15,763
To the 2nd century b.C.
When the city is past its prime.
1166
01:12:18,301 --> 01:12:22,270
A greek poet called antipater
of sidon writes it.
1167
01:12:22,272 --> 01:12:26,808
He selects the walls of babylon
as his seventh wonder.
1168
01:12:26,810 --> 01:12:28,843
Chugg:
Babylon was an immense city.
1169
01:12:28,845 --> 01:12:32,180
It had huge walls made out
of baked brick,
1170
01:12:32,182 --> 01:12:35,350
Which were glazed with brightly
colored images of animals,
1171
01:12:35,352 --> 01:12:40,254
Animals that the babylonians
regarded as gods.
1172
01:12:40,256 --> 01:12:42,957
Narrator:
Today, the only walls
that survive at babylon
1173
01:12:42,959 --> 01:12:45,326
Are modern replicas,
1174
01:12:45,328 --> 01:12:48,496
But the most impressive section
of the city's defenses
1175
01:12:48,498 --> 01:12:54,035
Is the ishtar gate,
now kept at a berlin museum.
1176
01:12:54,037 --> 01:12:55,436
Chugg:
We have its walls.
1177
01:12:55,438 --> 01:12:58,106
They're accounted a wonder
in themselves sometimes.
1178
01:12:58,108 --> 01:13:02,443
They are on a huge scale,
tens of kilometers of circuit
1179
01:13:02,445 --> 01:13:05,346
And 100 feet tall
or of that order.
1180
01:13:05,348 --> 01:13:08,683
They were covered with colored,
glazed tiles
1181
01:13:08,685 --> 01:13:12,053
And decorated with images
of animals and gods.
1182
01:13:14,023 --> 01:13:18,426
Narrator:
The list of wonders changes
many times over the centuries.
1183
01:13:18,428 --> 01:13:20,128
The greek historian herodotus
1184
01:13:20,130 --> 01:13:23,097
Originally includes
the lost maze at hawara
1185
01:13:23,099 --> 01:13:26,000
As one of his must-see sites.
1186
01:13:26,002 --> 01:13:27,935
He visits
this remarkable structure
1187
01:13:27,937 --> 01:13:31,806
In egypt 2,500 years ago.
1188
01:13:31,808 --> 01:13:34,008
The maze is actually
an elaborate temple
1189
01:13:34,010 --> 01:13:36,878
Next to a pyramid.
1190
01:13:36,880 --> 01:13:41,282
Today, almost nothing remains,
but herodotus says
1191
01:13:41,284 --> 01:13:44,085
That it contains
3,000 interconnected rooms
1192
01:13:44,087 --> 01:13:48,689
And courtyards giving it
the appearance of a labyrinth.
1193
01:13:50,794 --> 01:13:53,394
Later writers select other
ancient monuments
1194
01:13:53,396 --> 01:13:55,296
As their wonders.
1195
01:13:55,298 --> 01:13:58,833
They include the colosseum,
rome's huge amphitheater
1196
01:13:58,835 --> 01:14:02,303
Where gladiators fight
to the death,
1197
01:14:02,305 --> 01:14:05,373
And the ancient egyptian
city of thebes,
1198
01:14:05,375 --> 01:14:09,010
Home to the mighty
karnak temple.
1199
01:14:09,012 --> 01:14:10,578
At olympia,
1200
01:14:10,580 --> 01:14:13,581
The temple that houses
the statue of zeus,
1201
01:14:13,583 --> 01:14:15,716
Is itself seen as a wonder.
1202
01:14:18,188 --> 01:14:21,222
I personally think that
this idea of seven wonders
1203
01:14:21,224 --> 01:14:24,425
Fitted in with the idea
of the universe at that time,
1204
01:14:24,427 --> 01:14:28,029
You've got the seven planets
including the sun and the moon.
1205
01:14:28,031 --> 01:14:30,965
Seven has always been
a mystical number.
1206
01:14:30,967 --> 01:14:34,101
Narrator:
Surprisingly, the list of
wonders that we know today
1207
01:14:34,103 --> 01:14:37,171
Isn't fixed
until the middle ages.
1208
01:14:37,173 --> 01:14:39,740
A french bishop called
gregory of tours
1209
01:14:39,742 --> 01:14:42,743
Is the first to name
the lighthouse as a wonder.
1210
01:14:42,745 --> 01:14:45,713
When we look at the history of
the seven wonders of the world,
1211
01:14:45,715 --> 01:14:47,715
We see different ones included.
1212
01:14:47,717 --> 01:14:49,817
It's sort of like
they're the seven hills of rome,
1213
01:14:49,819 --> 01:14:53,521
And romans couldn't agree which
were the seven hills of rome.
1214
01:14:53,523 --> 01:14:55,523
In the ancient world,
they couldn't agree
1215
01:14:55,525 --> 01:14:57,558
Which were the seven
main wonders.
1216
01:14:57,560 --> 01:14:59,961
We've inherited the tradition
that the monks
1217
01:14:59,963 --> 01:15:01,462
Of the medieval period,
1218
01:15:01,464 --> 01:15:04,732
That's what they thought
from their reading
1219
01:15:04,734 --> 01:15:06,534
Were the seven main wonders.
1220
01:15:10,240 --> 01:15:13,140
Narrator:
So why do later generations
choose the lighthouse
1221
01:15:13,142 --> 01:15:15,610
As the seventh wonder?
1222
01:15:15,612 --> 01:15:19,614
The tower's remarkable
construction holds a clue.
1223
01:15:19,616 --> 01:15:21,916
The lighthouse builders
lock thousands of stone
1224
01:15:21,918 --> 01:15:24,318
Blocks together.
1225
01:15:24,320 --> 01:15:28,089
They carefully shape the stones
for a perfect fit,
1226
01:15:28,091 --> 01:15:30,124
Chiseling holes
into neighboring blocks
1227
01:15:30,126 --> 01:15:33,227
And connecting them with dowels.
1228
01:15:33,229 --> 01:15:36,330
Metal clamps lock the blocks
together,
1229
01:15:36,332 --> 01:15:40,368
And a special lead mortar fills
any remaining gaps to seal
1230
01:15:40,370 --> 01:15:43,804
The walls against the pounding
waves of alexandria's harbor.
1231
01:15:46,743 --> 01:15:49,810
Could this clever engineering
explain why the lighthouse
1232
01:15:49,812 --> 01:15:52,847
Claims the final spot
on the list of wonders?
1233
01:15:52,849 --> 01:16:00,087
♪
1234
01:16:00,089 --> 01:16:01,822
At the university of memphis,
1235
01:16:01,824 --> 01:16:04,125
Structural engineer
adel abdelnaby
1236
01:16:04,127 --> 01:16:06,627
Investigates
its unique construction.
1237
01:16:11,034 --> 01:16:14,068
He wants to know how a stone
tower is able to survive
1238
01:16:14,070 --> 01:16:16,537
For nearly 1,500 years.
1239
01:16:19,042 --> 01:16:23,778
If you ask an engineer if he
or she can build a skyscraper
1240
01:16:23,780 --> 01:16:25,980
From stone,
they would think you're crazy.
1241
01:16:25,982 --> 01:16:29,150
You know, we don't do that.
1242
01:16:29,152 --> 01:16:32,553
Narrator:
Stone is heavy, expensive,
and hard to work...
1243
01:16:34,591 --> 01:16:36,757
...And the higher you build,
the greater the risk
1244
01:16:36,759 --> 01:16:39,427
The building will collapse
under its own weight.
1245
01:16:44,300 --> 01:16:46,567
Adel uses a powerful vice
in his lab
1246
01:16:46,569 --> 01:16:48,536
To test which type
of egyptian stone
1247
01:16:48,538 --> 01:16:53,941
Is tough enough to support
a 330-foot-tall lighthouse.
1248
01:16:53,943 --> 01:16:57,378
So what this does, it applies
a compression force
1249
01:16:57,380 --> 01:17:00,314
Until it crushes the sandstone.
1250
01:17:02,452 --> 01:17:05,186
Narrator:
At first, sandstone holds
strong...
1251
01:17:09,292 --> 01:17:12,660
...Only to shatter
at 57,000 pounds.
1252
01:17:12,662 --> 01:17:15,796
We're going to do a crush test
for the limestone.
1253
01:17:15,798 --> 01:17:19,233
-Limestone is stronger.
-And we're good to go...
1254
01:17:19,235 --> 01:17:24,305
♪
1255
01:17:24,307 --> 01:17:28,042
Narrator: But it still fails
at 134,000 pounds.
1256
01:17:28,044 --> 01:17:33,881
♪
1257
01:17:33,883 --> 01:17:37,652
The only material that's up
to the job is pink granite.
1258
01:17:39,822 --> 01:17:41,689
This is the stone that
egyptian masons
1259
01:17:41,691 --> 01:17:44,325
Used to carve out huge obelisks.
1260
01:17:49,165 --> 01:17:53,000
The vice maxes out at over
a 1/4 of a million pounds...
1261
01:17:55,271 --> 01:17:57,638
...And the granite
is still going strong.
1262
01:18:00,209 --> 01:18:01,976
So you don't have a choice.
1263
01:18:01,978 --> 01:18:04,311
The best material to use
is granite.
1264
01:18:04,313 --> 01:18:07,815
That's the only type of masonry
or blocks
1265
01:18:07,817 --> 01:18:10,451
That can survive
these conditions.
1266
01:18:12,889 --> 01:18:15,956
Narrator:
Superhard granite allows
the lighthouse of alexandria
1267
01:18:15,958 --> 01:18:19,193
To survive for centuries.
1268
01:18:19,195 --> 01:18:21,796
It is still going strong
more than 1,000 years
1269
01:18:21,798 --> 01:18:25,366
After its construction.
1270
01:18:25,368 --> 01:18:28,736
Medieval writers who finalized
the list are in no doubt
1271
01:18:28,738 --> 01:18:32,640
That the lighthouse should be
judged a wonder of the world.
1272
01:18:32,642 --> 01:18:36,644
They can see the proof
with their own eyes.
1273
01:18:36,646 --> 01:18:38,312
The fame of the lighthouse rests
1274
01:18:38,314 --> 01:18:41,082
With its extraordinary
longevity.
1275
01:18:41,084 --> 01:18:43,584
So why does this golden age
of the seven wonders
1276
01:18:43,586 --> 01:18:46,320
Of the world come to an end,
1277
01:18:46,322 --> 01:18:48,889
And what are the wonders
of the modern era?
1278
01:19:03,039 --> 01:19:05,172
Narrator:
The seven wonders are
the greatest sites
1279
01:19:05,174 --> 01:19:07,575
Of the ancient greek world,
1280
01:19:07,577 --> 01:19:09,777
A group
of extraordinary monuments,
1281
01:19:09,779 --> 01:19:13,514
Each one huge and unique.
1282
01:19:13,516 --> 01:19:16,484
Today, our list of ancient
wonders is far broader
1283
01:19:16,486 --> 01:19:18,252
Than that of the greeks.
1284
01:19:20,456 --> 01:19:21,889
In the 15th century,
1285
01:19:21,891 --> 01:19:24,825
European explorers
head out across the globe.
1286
01:19:27,063 --> 01:19:30,164
They reach the americas, where
they encounter civilizations
1287
01:19:30,166 --> 01:19:35,302
That are the equal of ancient
egypt and babylon --
1288
01:19:35,304 --> 01:19:42,109
The maya, the incas,
and the aztecs.
1289
01:19:42,111 --> 01:19:45,012
They admire the stepped
pyramid of cichen itza
1290
01:19:45,014 --> 01:19:48,449
And the mountainous
machu picchu,
1291
01:19:48,451 --> 01:19:50,451
And on the other side
of the planet,
1292
01:19:50,453 --> 01:19:54,155
Later travelers gaze in awe
at the great wall of china.
1293
01:19:56,559 --> 01:19:59,393
But the original seven continue
to cast a spell
1294
01:19:59,395 --> 01:20:02,530
Over archaeologists
and historians.
1295
01:20:02,532 --> 01:20:05,065
Only one remains --
1296
01:20:05,067 --> 01:20:07,368
The great pyramid at giza.
1297
01:20:07,370 --> 01:20:09,804
How do the other six
come to an end?
1298
01:20:11,841 --> 01:20:13,407
In the 5th century a.D.,
1299
01:20:13,409 --> 01:20:17,545
Christians move the statue
of zeus to constantinople
1300
01:20:17,547 --> 01:20:21,081
Where it's consumed by fire
in the year 462.
1301
01:20:24,220 --> 01:20:28,189
Babylon falls into ruin
following alexander's death,
1302
01:20:28,191 --> 01:20:31,926
Its hanging gardens left
to rot and disappear,
1303
01:20:31,928 --> 01:20:35,429
While christians shut down
the temple of artemis.
1304
01:20:35,431 --> 01:20:38,432
Earthquakes claim the colossus
of rhodes 56 years
1305
01:20:38,434 --> 01:20:41,135
After its completion,
1306
01:20:41,137 --> 01:20:44,471
And the mausoleum is lost
to tremors centuries later.
1307
01:20:47,844 --> 01:20:50,644
Engineering brilliance keeps
the lighthouse of alexandria
1308
01:20:50,646 --> 01:20:55,115
Standing for more than 15
centuries,
1309
01:20:55,117 --> 01:20:57,418
But it can't stand forever.
1310
01:20:57,420 --> 01:20:59,787
A series of earthquakes
hits the ancient wonder
1311
01:20:59,789 --> 01:21:02,156
During the middle ages.
1312
01:21:02,158 --> 01:21:07,728
In 1303, the stone skyscraper
finally topples over.
1313
01:21:07,730 --> 01:21:10,898
The great blocks of granite
plunge into the harbor,
1314
01:21:10,900 --> 01:21:14,001
Sinking to the seabed
where most still lie today.
1315
01:21:16,806 --> 01:21:19,173
Egypt's rulers reuse
the foundations
1316
01:21:19,175 --> 01:21:21,775
To build qaitbay fort
and mosque.
1317
01:21:25,281 --> 01:21:28,115
The destruction of the
lighthouse of alexandria
1318
01:21:28,117 --> 01:21:31,619
Is the final chapter
of a lost age,
1319
01:21:31,621 --> 01:21:35,756
The age of the seven wonders
of the ancient world,
1320
01:21:35,758 --> 01:21:38,058
An astonishing era
of new discoveries
1321
01:21:38,060 --> 01:21:41,462
That flourishes in the great
metropolis of alexandria.
1322
01:21:44,267 --> 01:21:47,167
I think there's little doubt
that alexandria at its peak
1323
01:21:47,169 --> 01:21:49,670
Was probably the greatest city
in the world.
1324
01:21:52,708 --> 01:21:53,941
Narrator:
Each wonder of the world
1325
01:21:53,943 --> 01:21:57,111
Expresses humankind's urge
to greatness...
1326
01:22:00,349 --> 01:22:05,185
...A quest to control the world
through artistry and stone.
1327
01:22:07,256 --> 01:22:11,892
All of the seven wonders could
be seen as attempts by mankind,
1328
01:22:11,894 --> 01:22:14,295
By groups of men and women,
1329
01:22:14,297 --> 01:22:20,301
To go a bit further
than anyone has gone before.
1330
01:22:20,303 --> 01:22:22,303
Narrator:
The construction of the seven
wonders is
1331
01:22:22,305 --> 01:22:24,605
The start
of a 2,000-year journey
1332
01:22:24,607 --> 01:22:27,308
That begins with
the great pyramid of giza...
1333
01:22:29,779 --> 01:22:31,946
...And the hanging gardens
of babylon.
1334
01:22:34,016 --> 01:22:38,185
The ancient greeks take on the
baton with the temple of artemis
1335
01:22:38,187 --> 01:22:42,289
And the statue of zeus
at olympia.
1336
01:22:42,291 --> 01:22:45,859
The massive mausoleum
at halicarnassus
1337
01:22:45,861 --> 01:22:47,861
And the colossus of rhodes
1338
01:22:47,863 --> 01:22:49,830
Take ancient engineering
and sculpture
1339
01:22:49,832 --> 01:22:52,866
To even greater heights.
1340
01:22:52,868 --> 01:22:55,602
Finally, the wonders are
complete with the construction
1341
01:22:55,604 --> 01:22:58,439
Of the astonishing lighthouse
of alexandria.
1342
01:23:02,445 --> 01:23:05,546
The great pyramid of giza
might be the only survivor
1343
01:23:05,548 --> 01:23:07,781
Of the original seven wonders,
1344
01:23:07,783 --> 01:23:11,318
But each one casts
a long shadow.
1345
01:23:11,320 --> 01:23:13,554
They inspire the architects
and engineers
1346
01:23:13,556 --> 01:23:17,291
Who build the modern world.
1347
01:23:17,293 --> 01:23:20,160
The great cathedrals of europe
surpassed the pyramid
1348
01:23:20,162 --> 01:23:22,896
In the middle ages,
1349
01:23:22,898 --> 01:23:25,632
But the race to build the
tallest structure on the planet
1350
01:23:25,634 --> 01:23:29,737
Continues with the eiffel tower,
1351
01:23:29,739 --> 01:23:34,942
The empire state building,
and the burj khalifa.
1352
01:23:37,246 --> 01:23:39,813
The mausoleum of halicarnassus
influences
1353
01:23:39,815 --> 01:23:42,950
The design of landmark
buildings across america...
1354
01:23:42,952 --> 01:23:48,255
♪
1355
01:23:48,257 --> 01:23:50,991
...And the designer of the
statue of liberty in new york
1356
01:23:50,993 --> 01:23:54,361
Takes inspiration from the lost
colossus of rhodes.
1357
01:23:54,363 --> 01:23:58,332
He even gives lady liberty
a sun crown just like the one
1358
01:23:58,334 --> 01:24:01,502
Worn by the awe-inspiring
statue in greece.
1359
01:24:04,707 --> 01:24:07,541
The idea of the seven wonders
endures
1360
01:24:07,543 --> 01:24:12,579
As a vision of the heights
humankind can reach.
1361
01:24:12,581 --> 01:24:16,550
Today, we continue to compile
our own new lists
1362
01:24:16,552 --> 01:24:21,121
Just like the alexandrians,
convinced that our own age
1363
01:24:21,123 --> 01:24:26,427
Will outlive that age of wonders
as the greatest of them all.
1364
01:24:26,429 --> 01:24:34,001
♪
1365
01:24:34,003 --> 01:24:41,575
♪
1366
01:24:41,577 --> 01:24:49,149
♪
1367
01:24:49,151 --> 01:24:56,690
♪
126414
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