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Narrator: A maze of tunnels
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hidden beneath
the world's oldest pyramid.
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A strange wall that surrounds
a remote cliff-top pyramid.
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Cryptic markings carved into a
pyramid hidden in a rain forest.
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These and other
remarkable discoveries
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could help solve the mystery
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of why so many different
cultures around the world
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build these enigmatic
megastructures.
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This here completely rewrites
what we thought we knew
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about the rise of civilization
in the americas.
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♪♪
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today, investigators use
pioneering technology
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to reveal the secrets of
seven legendary pyramids.
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It's kind of scary to think that
there's like hundreds,
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thousands of tons of stone
over our heads right now.
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♪♪
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martin:
This is not a maya hieroglyph.
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This is actually something
completely alien.
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Narrator:
We explore lost labyrinths
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and unearth human remains
to decode the mysteries
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of these iconic
engineering wonders
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that seem to connect cultures
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thousands of miles
and years apart.
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-- Captions by vitac --
www.Vitac.Com
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captions paid for by
discovery communications
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♪♪
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today, ancient pyramids
can be found
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in more than a dozen countries
around the world.
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Their wide bases,
low centers of gravity,
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and solid construction
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allow early civilizations
to build these wonders
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high above
the rain forest canopy
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and visible for miles
in the desert,
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looming over every other
manmade structure.
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♪♪
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for more than 4,000 years,
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diverse cultures
separated by both time and space
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invest in constructing
these enigmatic monuments.
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Why?
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A clue may lie with
the first pyramid ever built,
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the step pyramid of djoser.
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When constructed
4,700 years ago,
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it is the tallest structure
in the world
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and the first large-scale
building made entirely of stone.
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It's the prototype
for the pyramids
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used by pharaohs for centuries,
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forever changing
egypt's landscape.
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It's located in saqqara,
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at the center of an enormous
complex of ancient structures.
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Here, 2,500 acres of sand
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preserve the remains
of funerary monuments
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spanning 3,000 years
of egyptian history.
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Mastabas, huge rectangular
mud brick structures,
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are the giant tombstones
of high officials.
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Alongside them
are small pyramids,
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the final resting place of
later kings and queens of egypt.
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And towering over them all
is the first pyramid ever built,
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the immense step pyramid
of djoser.
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This grand monument would be the
pharaoh's final resting place,
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a structure unlike anything
the world had ever seen before.
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Why does djoser's
final resting place
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take the form of a pyramid?
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Brand-new excavations at
the site might provide a clue.
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Investigators unearth
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hidden underground rooms
near the pyramid,
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which contain objects he needs
in the afterlife.
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Under the sand
around djoser's pyramid
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lies a massive trench
120 feet wide and 60 feet deep.
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♪♪
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it could be just a quarry
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where djoser digs up limestone
to build his tomb.
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♪♪
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but maybe, like the burial
chambers under the pyramid,
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it is meant to help djoser
reach the afterlife.
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♪♪
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both places hold objects
for the dead pharaoh
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like food offerings, treasure,
and weapons.
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♪♪
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this could mean the trench
is more than just a quarry.
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The hidden chambers
that branch from the trench
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suggest it might become
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an important religious feature
itself.
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The ancient egyptians believed
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the pharaoh's spirit will
resurrect inside the pyramid
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and consume any offerings
left for him.
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He then embarks on a journey
filled with challenges
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and obstacles before finally
reaching the underworld.
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♪♪
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investigators believe that
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this trench might symbolize
his perilous journey
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and it might help the pharaoh
overcome any obstacles he faces
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in his path to the afterlife.
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♪♪
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the most important part
of this journey
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starts with the biggest monument
in the center of the complex,
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the first pyramid ever built,
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the step pyramid.
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♪♪
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why does djoser build it
on such a colossal scale?
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A clue lies with a structure
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built more than 300 years
before djoser's pyramid.
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Egyptologist aidan dodson
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has been working at saqqara
for over 30 years.
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♪♪
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what we've got here actually
is the last remains
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of the mastaba
of queen herneith,
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who dates from 2800, 2900 b.C.
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Narrator: In its full glory,
herneith's mastaba
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is 125 feet long,
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53 feet wide, and 10 feet tall.
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Dodson: If a queen
of 200, 300 years earlier
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could have something like this,
a king is going to want
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something really,
really special.
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Narrator: Before the reign
of djoser, egypt is divided
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and rife with social unrest.
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But when he takes the throne
in the 27th century b.C.,
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egypt is at peace, prosperous,
and united into one nation.
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With increased wealth and power,
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djoser can build bigger
than the mastabas of old.
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Djoser needs to make a step
change in size and technology
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to be able to mark himself out
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as the beginning
of a great new era.
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♪♪
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narrator:
The first pyramid ever built
preserves its history within,
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like an immense russian doll.
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First, djoser builds
a square mastaba
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200 feet long and 26 feet tall.
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But he wants more.
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He extends on all sides,
but it's still not enough.
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So instead, it becomes the base
for the first-ever pyramid,
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four stacked mastabas
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towering 140 feet
above the ground.
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He builds around it
and adds two more levels
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completing the iconic
six-step pyramid.
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♪♪
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stacking smaller mastabas
on top of larger ones
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is the most stable way to build
tall on a massive scale.
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Djoser creates
the largest structure
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the world had ever known
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and begins a grand tradition
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that transforms ancient
civilizations around the globe.
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You've got a whole range of new
skill sets which are required.
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A whole lot of people
who probably haven't
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worked together
at that kind of level.
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Narrator: The step pyramid
is djoser's tomb,
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the final resting place
of an almighty pharaoh,
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designed to help him
into the afterlife.
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And the process of constructing
the pyramid helps to unite
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and organize egyptian society
into a powerful nation-state.
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♪♪
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incredibly,
around the same time,
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another civilization
12,000 miles away
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on the other side of the world
constructs its own step pyramid
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at caral.
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Why do ancient south americans
build a massive monument
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in the same style
as the egyptians?
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And is this great pyramid
also a tomb
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00:09:01,375 --> 00:09:04,476
for an almighty ruler?
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Gruesome discoveries inside the
pyramid may hold the answers.
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00:09:10,350 --> 00:09:14,286
And why do later egyptian
pharaohs construct pyramids
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with perfectly smooth sides?
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Narrator:
Djoser's step pyramid in egypt
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is the world's first pyramid.
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But amazingly,
another civilization
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on the other side of the world
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starts constructing a giant
pyramid in the same step style.
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The second wonder is
the greater pyramid at caral.
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In the heart of peru.
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This ancient city is home
to five smaller,
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mysterious pyramids
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that surround the
greater pyramid in the center.
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How do different cultures
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separated by thousands
of miles of ocean
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devise the same
architectural blueprint?
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Just like the ancient egyptians,
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the people of caral
build bigger and taller
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by layering smaller platforms
on top of larger ones.
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This results in the oldest
pyramid in the americas.
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Buried beneath layers of sand,
rock, and rubble
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lies the largest pyramid
of caral,
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abandoned for
thousands of years.
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The pyramid covers an area
of five football fields
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at its base,
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a giant 60-foot-high structure
built from multiple platforms.
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In front of it, a bizarre stone
ring with 10-foot-high walls
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and stairs flanked
by two upright monoliths.
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Nearby, archeologists find five
other pyramid-like buildings.
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♪♪
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why do the people of caral
build their pyramid?
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Is this also a tomb
for an almighty ruler?
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♪♪
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at the top of the structure
lie the crumbled walls
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00:11:31,124 --> 00:11:33,425
of a series
of interconnected rooms.
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00:11:34,528 --> 00:11:37,195
At their heart,
a ceremonial chamber
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of huge significance
to the city's elite.
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When archeologists
excavate this room...
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...They discover
a gruesome secret.
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00:11:50,444 --> 00:11:55,246
In the rubble lies
the skeleton of a man
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not seen for around 4,000 years.
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00:12:00,487 --> 00:12:02,787
Who could it be?
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00:12:02,789 --> 00:12:05,190
Can this discovery
shed new light
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00:12:05,192 --> 00:12:07,659
on the purpose
of these ancient structures?
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00:12:10,330 --> 00:12:13,865
Paleopathologist
guido lombardi examines
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00:12:13,867 --> 00:12:15,700
the bones of ancient skeletons
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00:12:15,702 --> 00:12:18,336
discovered throughout
caral's supe valley.
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00:12:19,673 --> 00:12:23,675
He's trying to work out
who these people really are.
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00:12:35,922 --> 00:12:38,857
Guido examines his spine.
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00:12:38,859 --> 00:12:41,860
He discovers bony growths
on his lower vertebrae.
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00:12:57,310 --> 00:13:00,044
His feet also show
signs of damage.
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00:13:09,990 --> 00:13:14,559
The evidence tells a tale
of incredibly hard labor.
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This worker carries huge loads
over long distances.
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00:13:19,166 --> 00:13:21,566
But skull fractures
lead guido to believe
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00:13:21,568 --> 00:13:24,102
his death is no accident.
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00:13:24,104 --> 00:13:26,237
He suspects the man is attacked,
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00:13:26,239 --> 00:13:29,574
then thrown into a burial pit
while still alive.
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00:13:48,261 --> 00:13:52,530
The skeleton's position
reveals to guido why he died.
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00:14:05,378 --> 00:14:08,313
The man is killed and buried
within the pyramid
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00:14:08,315 --> 00:14:10,915
as a sacrificial offering
to the gods.
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00:14:22,896 --> 00:14:25,697
Archeologists think
the pyramids are the stages
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00:14:25,699 --> 00:14:27,332
on which religious rituals
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00:14:27,334 --> 00:14:29,534
are carried out
to unite the community.
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00:14:43,483 --> 00:14:47,719
♪♪
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00:14:47,721 --> 00:14:50,922
caral's pyramid is
once truly magnificent.
224
00:14:54,327 --> 00:14:56,728
The circular plaza
is painted white.
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00:14:58,265 --> 00:14:59,898
This 10-foot-high ring
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00:14:59,900 --> 00:15:02,901
is a place for ceremonies
and large gatherings.
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00:15:06,406 --> 00:15:09,941
At the top of the vast
main staircase,
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00:15:09,943 --> 00:15:11,776
an altar with
a central fireplace
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00:15:11,778 --> 00:15:15,446
suggests organized religion
is at the heart of society.
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00:15:17,517 --> 00:15:20,451
And to house
the city's population,
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00:15:20,453 --> 00:15:23,788
there are enough buildings
for over 3,000 people.
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00:15:26,192 --> 00:15:28,826
The pyramid is the most
imposing structure
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00:15:28,828 --> 00:15:31,095
in the whole city.
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00:15:31,097 --> 00:15:34,132
It is central to
the organized religion of caral.
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00:15:35,635 --> 00:15:38,236
Just as djoser's gigantic
step pyramid
236
00:15:38,238 --> 00:15:39,871
reflects
the pharaoh's importance
237
00:15:39,873 --> 00:15:44,008
in both life and death,
238
00:15:44,010 --> 00:15:46,577
investigators believe
the people of caral
239
00:15:46,579 --> 00:15:48,046
build the greater pyramid
240
00:15:48,048 --> 00:15:51,249
to host the most important
ceremonies and rituals.
241
00:15:54,287 --> 00:15:57,188
Today, these ruins stand
in the middle of a desert
242
00:15:57,190 --> 00:16:00,992
that gets less rain
than death valley.
243
00:16:00,994 --> 00:16:03,361
How does a civilization
powerful enough
244
00:16:03,363 --> 00:16:05,730
to build such
an incredible monument
245
00:16:05,732 --> 00:16:09,701
survive in such
a hostile environment?
246
00:16:09,703 --> 00:16:13,304
And in egypt,
a new pharaoh experiments
247
00:16:13,306 --> 00:16:15,173
with trailblazing designs
248
00:16:15,175 --> 00:16:18,509
that will change the concept
of a pyramid forever.
249
00:16:27,587 --> 00:16:30,855
Narrator: 5,000 years ago,
at the same time
250
00:16:30,857 --> 00:16:35,360
the ancient egyptians
are building pyramids,
251
00:16:35,362 --> 00:16:37,862
a civilization
in south america
252
00:16:37,864 --> 00:16:40,732
is constructing its own
monumental structures
253
00:16:40,734 --> 00:16:42,333
in the same style.
254
00:16:46,106 --> 00:16:48,773
Building so many
incredible monuments
255
00:16:48,775 --> 00:16:50,742
requires a huge workforce.
256
00:16:54,614 --> 00:16:59,250
Experts believe caral is once
home to more than 3,000 people.
257
00:17:01,287 --> 00:17:05,056
But today, the ruins sit
in a punishing desert
258
00:17:05,058 --> 00:17:07,925
which gets less rainfall
than death valley,
259
00:17:07,927 --> 00:17:10,628
the hottest place on earth.
260
00:17:10,630 --> 00:17:13,264
So how does such
a huge population
261
00:17:13,266 --> 00:17:16,534
survive in such a dry
and hostile environment?
262
00:17:19,439 --> 00:17:23,174
Jeff rose is an expert
in early civilizations
263
00:17:23,176 --> 00:17:26,310
trying to solve this mystery.
264
00:17:26,312 --> 00:17:28,613
The one thing you really need
for a settlement
265
00:17:28,615 --> 00:17:30,481
to flourish is water.
266
00:17:30,483 --> 00:17:31,983
You need a water supply
267
00:17:31,985 --> 00:17:34,352
that's both going to provide
water for the people
268
00:17:34,354 --> 00:17:36,521
and it's also going
to nourish the plants.
269
00:17:36,523 --> 00:17:39,524
So this entire enterprise
is contingent on whether or not
270
00:17:39,526 --> 00:17:41,626
there's a reliable source
of fresh water.
271
00:17:42,929 --> 00:17:44,328
Narrator:
Could the people of caral
272
00:17:44,330 --> 00:17:47,031
rely on such small amounts
of rainfall?
273
00:17:49,402 --> 00:17:52,503
A newly discovered mural
might hold a clue.
274
00:17:53,740 --> 00:17:57,842
The coastal town of vichama
is just outside caral.
275
00:18:00,246 --> 00:18:03,214
Here, archeologists uncover
relief carvings
276
00:18:03,216 --> 00:18:06,984
that appear to show a toad
hovering above a human face.
277
00:18:09,389 --> 00:18:11,989
In traditional andean belief,
278
00:18:11,991 --> 00:18:15,993
toads are known
to represent rain.
279
00:18:15,995 --> 00:18:17,762
The face below could represent
280
00:18:17,764 --> 00:18:19,630
the ancient people
that live here.
281
00:18:21,267 --> 00:18:23,367
Experts believe
this strange image
282
00:18:23,369 --> 00:18:29,774
shows the people of vichama
are waiting and hoping for rain
283
00:18:29,776 --> 00:18:31,342
and might even suggest
284
00:18:31,344 --> 00:18:33,845
a period of drought
or climate change.
285
00:18:35,415 --> 00:18:38,549
Do the people of caral
have a survival secret
286
00:18:38,551 --> 00:18:41,552
which allows them to build
such incredible pyramids?
287
00:18:43,156 --> 00:18:46,691
Jeff joins the archeological
team digging for answers.
288
00:18:48,761 --> 00:18:51,462
Archeologist
aldemar crispín balta
289
00:18:51,464 --> 00:18:54,432
is hunting for answers.
290
00:18:54,434 --> 00:18:57,335
The supe river trickles
through the valley nearby.
291
00:18:58,771 --> 00:19:02,673
Investigators believe they found
evidence the people of caral
292
00:19:02,675 --> 00:19:06,410
have a clever way to channel
this water to their fields.
293
00:19:17,690 --> 00:19:21,192
This faint channel,
barely visible in the rock face,
294
00:19:21,194 --> 00:19:23,995
could be part of one of the
oldest irrigation systems
295
00:19:23,997 --> 00:19:25,897
in the americas,
296
00:19:25,899 --> 00:19:27,498
carved out at the same time
297
00:19:27,500 --> 00:19:30,401
the ancient egyptians
are constructing canals.
298
00:19:31,371 --> 00:19:35,039
A reliable water supply is
crucial for early civilizations
299
00:19:35,041 --> 00:19:36,674
that want to build big.
300
00:19:37,777 --> 00:19:40,011
Aldemar believes
what they discover here
301
00:19:40,013 --> 00:19:41,679
is just a tiny fraction
302
00:19:41,681 --> 00:19:44,115
of a massive system
of waterways.
303
00:19:58,198 --> 00:20:02,400
But for the people of caral,
there is one big problem.
304
00:20:02,402 --> 00:20:06,170
The supe river only flows
for five months of the year
305
00:20:06,172 --> 00:20:08,105
between December and April.
306
00:20:08,107 --> 00:20:10,808
The rest of the year, it's dry.
307
00:20:10,810 --> 00:20:12,977
When the river has no water,
308
00:20:12,979 --> 00:20:16,514
the people face
the deadly threat of drought.
309
00:20:16,516 --> 00:20:19,450
To survive, they have to find
another water source
310
00:20:19,452 --> 00:20:21,085
to feed the canals.
311
00:20:22,322 --> 00:20:24,722
So where is this
lifesaving supply?
312
00:20:26,459 --> 00:20:28,125
When the river dries up,
313
00:20:28,127 --> 00:20:30,695
the supe valley
has a unique advantage.
314
00:20:32,065 --> 00:20:35,399
Water from high in the andes
travels through permeable rock
315
00:20:36,669 --> 00:20:39,704
and emerges in the valley
as freshwater springs.
316
00:20:40,707 --> 00:20:42,206
This underground source
317
00:20:42,208 --> 00:20:45,676
ensures farmers have water
all year round
318
00:20:45,678 --> 00:20:48,479
to irrigate their thirsty crops,
319
00:20:48,481 --> 00:20:50,414
even in the driest of times.
320
00:20:52,151 --> 00:20:55,386
A year-round water supply
makes life possible at caral.
321
00:20:57,190 --> 00:20:59,991
It allows them to irrigate
the fields that support
322
00:20:59,993 --> 00:21:01,692
a thriving population.
323
00:21:03,129 --> 00:21:06,831
But incredibly, experts
discover the people of caral
324
00:21:06,833 --> 00:21:10,134
don't use this precious water
to focus on growing food.
325
00:21:11,537 --> 00:21:13,537
Aldemar's team look for seeds
326
00:21:13,539 --> 00:21:15,606
to uncover
what grows in the valley.
327
00:21:17,043 --> 00:21:20,611
They discover the people
grew a few vegetables and fruit.
328
00:21:28,655 --> 00:21:32,523
But the most common crop of all
comes as a surprise.
329
00:21:38,965 --> 00:21:41,565
Cotton is not a source of food.
330
00:21:42,402 --> 00:21:46,170
The builders of caral's lost
pyramids find ingenious ways
331
00:21:46,172 --> 00:21:49,607
to extract every drop of water
from their harsh environment.
332
00:21:51,077 --> 00:21:54,045
But why are they using it to
grow something they can't eat?
333
00:21:55,048 --> 00:21:58,582
A clue might lie inside
one of the five smaller pyramids
334
00:21:58,584 --> 00:22:00,551
found at caral,
335
00:22:00,553 --> 00:22:04,588
a step pyramid
more than 60 feet tall
336
00:22:04,590 --> 00:22:06,824
known as the gallery pyramid.
337
00:22:09,762 --> 00:22:13,698
When archeologists first uncover
the gallery pyramid,
338
00:22:13,700 --> 00:22:18,235
they discover a treasure trove
of unexpected objects,
339
00:22:18,237 --> 00:22:21,739
including an offering that
contains fragments of a raft.
340
00:22:24,043 --> 00:22:25,776
When they investigate
further,
341
00:22:25,778 --> 00:22:28,245
they unearth something
even more surprising.
342
00:22:30,483 --> 00:22:32,717
In what is once
the ceremonial hall
343
00:22:32,719 --> 00:22:36,020
on top of the pyramid,
344
00:22:36,022 --> 00:22:38,656
they find the trunk of a tree
345
00:22:38,658 --> 00:22:43,427
surrounded by carefully arranged
blue whale vertebrae.
346
00:22:43,429 --> 00:22:47,264
Can these strange relics from
the distant sea help to explain
347
00:22:47,266 --> 00:22:50,835
why the people of caral
grow crops they can't eat?
348
00:22:52,572 --> 00:22:55,840
Gabriel prieto burmester
is an archeologist
349
00:22:55,842 --> 00:22:59,744
who specializes in the marine
history of peru.
350
00:22:59,746 --> 00:23:02,179
In his lab,
he examines artifacts
351
00:23:02,181 --> 00:23:03,848
from an archeological site
352
00:23:03,850 --> 00:23:06,217
near a coastal town
called huanchaco.
353
00:23:07,320 --> 00:23:08,886
The settlement he is studying
354
00:23:08,888 --> 00:23:12,623
is founded about
1,000 years after caral,
355
00:23:12,625 --> 00:23:15,393
but gabriel believes
it can still shine a light
356
00:23:15,395 --> 00:23:19,363
on caral's relationship
to the sea and its crops.
357
00:23:19,365 --> 00:23:23,701
The first fishermen here hunt
sharks with hooks and lines.
358
00:23:23,703 --> 00:23:26,203
Burmester: And we have all these
shark vertebrae,
359
00:23:26,205 --> 00:23:30,808
more than 16,000
that we currently excavated.
360
00:23:30,810 --> 00:23:36,147
And of course, we have
these beautiful shark teeth,
361
00:23:36,149 --> 00:23:42,019
you know, that tell us about
the capacity of these people
362
00:23:42,021 --> 00:23:45,890
to actually hunt
these big and large fish.
363
00:23:46,926 --> 00:23:49,894
Narrator: Even so,
hunting 10-foot-long sharks
364
00:23:49,896 --> 00:23:52,396
is a risky way
to feed their families.
365
00:23:53,699 --> 00:23:56,300
It isn't long before
the people of huanchaco
366
00:23:56,302 --> 00:23:59,069
utilize a new,
more efficient technology.
367
00:24:00,606 --> 00:24:04,341
These are two beautiful
examples of a fishing net.
368
00:24:04,343 --> 00:24:07,077
Narrator: Nets allow them
to catch smaller fish,
369
00:24:07,079 --> 00:24:08,612
but in greater numbers.
370
00:24:08,614 --> 00:24:10,948
Perhaps the most
important thing is that
371
00:24:10,950 --> 00:24:12,583
they were all made of cotton.
372
00:24:13,085 --> 00:24:14,985
Narrator: Today,
the fishermen of huanchaco
373
00:24:14,987 --> 00:24:17,054
still use simple nets
374
00:24:17,056 --> 00:24:20,524
while riding traditional
reed boats,
375
00:24:20,526 --> 00:24:23,327
a way of fishing inherited
from their ancestors.
376
00:24:25,231 --> 00:24:27,731
Gabriel thinks
that by using nets,
377
00:24:27,733 --> 00:24:31,101
these ancient people are able to
catch more food than they need.
378
00:24:32,472 --> 00:24:35,606
What they don't eat,
they exchange or sell.
379
00:24:35,608 --> 00:24:38,776
Burmester: The fact that
they are using fishing nets
380
00:24:38,778 --> 00:24:41,512
to increase their fish catch
381
00:24:41,514 --> 00:24:44,648
tells us about
a more open community
382
00:24:44,650 --> 00:24:49,186
that is using a surplus
in marine products
383
00:24:49,188 --> 00:24:51,755
to exchange for other goods.
384
00:24:53,559 --> 00:24:56,227
Narrator: Experts think
caral grows in size
385
00:24:56,229 --> 00:24:57,862
and wealth through trade.
386
00:24:59,632 --> 00:25:02,666
Trade allows the city
to become so prosperous
387
00:25:02,668 --> 00:25:05,269
they can commit resources
to build on a scale
388
00:25:05,271 --> 00:25:07,404
never before seen
on the continent.
389
00:25:10,776 --> 00:25:14,044
The step pyramids in egypt
and caral
390
00:25:14,046 --> 00:25:16,714
share a similar
step-shaped design
391
00:25:16,716 --> 00:25:18,582
but have very different
purposes.
392
00:25:20,219 --> 00:25:22,152
And why these giant monuments
393
00:25:22,154 --> 00:25:24,255
appear on opposite sides
of the world
394
00:25:24,257 --> 00:25:28,492
around the same time
remains an unsolved mystery.
395
00:25:30,429 --> 00:25:35,332
50 years after djoser completes
the step pyramid in egypt,
396
00:25:35,334 --> 00:25:39,603
a new pharaoh pioneers
a different design
397
00:25:39,605 --> 00:25:42,239
and builds some of
the most unusual pyramids
398
00:25:42,241 --> 00:25:43,874
the world has ever seen.
399
00:25:45,378 --> 00:25:49,213
How do the egyptians develop
perfect, smooth pyramids?
400
00:25:51,217 --> 00:25:54,852
And why do these incredible
structures also appear
401
00:25:54,854 --> 00:25:59,123
in central america thousands
of years later with new designs
402
00:25:59,125 --> 00:26:01,659
that push the limits
of the pyramid shape?
403
00:26:10,236 --> 00:26:12,136
Narrator:
The step pyramid of djoser
404
00:26:12,138 --> 00:26:15,539
stacks traditional mastabas
on top of each other
405
00:26:15,541 --> 00:26:17,841
and starts a tradition
of pyramid building
406
00:26:17,843 --> 00:26:19,109
in ancient egypt.
407
00:26:20,680 --> 00:26:24,748
But 50 years later,
it is another pharaoh, sneferu,
408
00:26:24,750 --> 00:26:26,717
who pushes
engineering boundaries
409
00:26:26,719 --> 00:26:29,053
to create a new pyramid design.
410
00:26:30,122 --> 00:26:33,257
The most unusual
is the third wonder.
411
00:26:34,360 --> 00:26:38,062
The bent pyramid at dahshur.
412
00:26:40,499 --> 00:26:43,400
Like djoser's step pyramid
413
00:26:43,402 --> 00:26:46,503
and the greater pyramid
at caral,
414
00:26:46,505 --> 00:26:50,040
a wide base and a low center
of gravity
415
00:26:50,042 --> 00:26:52,843
allow sneferu to build
a structure
416
00:26:52,845 --> 00:26:54,878
that towers above all others.
417
00:26:57,650 --> 00:27:01,085
So why does sneferu construct
a bent pyramid?
418
00:27:02,388 --> 00:27:05,589
Clues could lie with the other
pyramids he constructs.
419
00:27:07,526 --> 00:27:10,594
Sneferu builds
three different pyramids.
420
00:27:11,197 --> 00:27:14,431
His first, at meidum,
looks like a step pyramid
421
00:27:14,433 --> 00:27:16,100
but now lies in ruins.
422
00:27:18,871 --> 00:27:21,238
His next one,
the bent pyramid,
423
00:27:21,240 --> 00:27:24,475
has a crooked profile
but is in much better condition.
424
00:27:26,579 --> 00:27:29,213
His last, the red pyramid,
425
00:27:29,215 --> 00:27:32,349
is the only one
with perfectly straight sides.
426
00:27:34,353 --> 00:27:38,288
Sneferu builds on
djoser's step pyramid design
427
00:27:38,290 --> 00:27:41,492
and develops the modern idea
of the perfect pyramid.
428
00:27:42,361 --> 00:27:45,162
Is his bent pyramid part
of his master plan?
429
00:27:47,967 --> 00:27:50,801
Clues may lie at meidum
430
00:27:50,803 --> 00:27:53,604
among the ruins
of sneferu's first pyramid.
431
00:27:55,341 --> 00:27:58,375
Its stepped core
is once covered by sides
432
00:27:58,377 --> 00:28:01,245
in a classic pyramid shape,
433
00:28:01,247 --> 00:28:03,914
but these have now gone.
434
00:28:03,916 --> 00:28:06,684
Archeologists believe
construction starts here
435
00:28:06,686 --> 00:28:09,920
just before the bent pyramid.
436
00:28:09,922 --> 00:28:12,222
Engineering geologist
colin reader
437
00:28:12,224 --> 00:28:13,891
thinks it can tell us
438
00:28:13,893 --> 00:28:16,827
why the bent pyramid
is such a strange shape.
439
00:28:20,166 --> 00:28:21,899
That's because both pyramids
440
00:28:21,901 --> 00:28:24,234
used similar
construction techniques.
441
00:28:25,671 --> 00:28:27,638
Reader: What we've got from this
pyramid at meidum
442
00:28:27,640 --> 00:28:29,840
and also at the bent pyramid
is mason's marks,
443
00:28:29,842 --> 00:28:32,076
graffiti that were painted
by the quarry gangs
444
00:28:32,078 --> 00:28:33,944
or the builders
of the pyramids,
445
00:28:33,946 --> 00:28:36,013
and that graffiti
is quite similar.
446
00:28:36,015 --> 00:28:38,649
Some people have suggested
that it's so similar,
447
00:28:38,651 --> 00:28:40,984
that the two pyramids
were built at the same time.
448
00:28:40,986 --> 00:28:46,190
♪♪
449
00:28:46,192 --> 00:28:49,426
narrator: Meidum starts
as a stepped pyramid,
450
00:28:49,428 --> 00:28:51,829
but in the pharaoh's
quest for perfection,
451
00:28:51,831 --> 00:28:56,667
he adds an outer shell
to fill in its huge steps.
452
00:28:56,669 --> 00:28:59,937
It gives the pyramid
straight sides.
453
00:28:59,939 --> 00:29:01,872
But with nothing
locking the steps
454
00:29:01,874 --> 00:29:04,041
and the outer shell together,
455
00:29:04,043 --> 00:29:06,810
the layers begin to split
and slip down.
456
00:29:08,481 --> 00:29:09,913
Reader:
Just as the evidence suggests,
457
00:29:09,915 --> 00:29:11,982
this pyramid collapsed during
the last phase of building,
458
00:29:11,984 --> 00:29:14,017
taking that stepped structure
459
00:29:14,019 --> 00:29:16,820
and converting it
into a smooth-sided pyramid.
460
00:29:19,558 --> 00:29:23,093
Narrator: Sneferu's idea for
smoothing out the steps fails.
461
00:29:25,664 --> 00:29:28,799
But he has already
started work on the bent pyramid
462
00:29:28,801 --> 00:29:30,434
using a similar design.
463
00:29:32,571 --> 00:29:35,906
Colin explores
if its crooked shape
464
00:29:35,908 --> 00:29:39,076
is due to the same
structural weakness at meidum.
465
00:29:41,447 --> 00:29:43,147
Reader: We're here at
the bent pyramid at dahshur,
466
00:29:43,149 --> 00:29:46,483
and we're investigating whether
there's any signs of movement
467
00:29:46,485 --> 00:29:49,086
or settlement
within this pyramid.
468
00:29:50,189 --> 00:29:53,824
Narrator: He starts by examining
the exterior.
469
00:29:53,826 --> 00:29:55,893
Here, the damage looks
superficial.
470
00:29:56,862 --> 00:29:57,961
Reader: There are cracks.
471
00:29:57,963 --> 00:29:59,429
You can see from the casing
around us
472
00:29:59,431 --> 00:30:01,532
that there are cracks
running through it,
473
00:30:01,534 --> 00:30:04,001
but that shouldn't be unusual.
474
00:30:04,003 --> 00:30:06,537
Buildings like this will move
as they're constructed.
475
00:30:06,539 --> 00:30:08,372
The ground will settle.
476
00:30:08,374 --> 00:30:13,243
Narrator: But colin soon spots
something more serious.
477
00:30:13,245 --> 00:30:15,712
As we've come up
to the entrance door,
478
00:30:15,714 --> 00:30:21,084
this seam in the casing seems
to drop around the entrance.
479
00:30:21,086 --> 00:30:22,686
We look over there.
It's flat.
480
00:30:22,688 --> 00:30:25,589
It's horizontal,
as all the joints are.
481
00:30:25,591 --> 00:30:28,292
As we get to this point
over the passageway,
482
00:30:28,294 --> 00:30:31,128
the casing drops down,
runs horizontally,
483
00:30:31,130 --> 00:30:32,863
and then rises up again.
484
00:30:32,865 --> 00:30:34,531
That might be superficial.
485
00:30:34,533 --> 00:30:36,667
We perhaps have to look at
whether that goes
486
00:30:36,669 --> 00:30:38,802
any distance
inside the structure.
487
00:30:41,173 --> 00:30:46,009
Narrator: Colin heads down
a narrow passageway.
488
00:30:46,011 --> 00:30:48,045
Inside the northern entrance,
489
00:30:48,047 --> 00:30:51,248
he finds other stones
have also slipped.
490
00:30:51,250 --> 00:30:52,716
Reader: We're at a point about
491
00:30:52,718 --> 00:30:54,685
10 meters inside
the northern passage,
492
00:30:54,687 --> 00:30:58,155
and at this point, we've got
quite a major movement.
493
00:30:58,157 --> 00:31:03,894
This block here has dropped
about 20, 25 centimeters.
494
00:31:03,896 --> 00:31:06,930
Narrator: This crack, running
right across the passageway,
495
00:31:06,932 --> 00:31:09,633
reveals a critical
structural weakness.
496
00:31:11,337 --> 00:31:15,205
What this big drop tells us
is that,
497
00:31:15,207 --> 00:31:16,840
that dip we saw
on the casing,
498
00:31:16,842 --> 00:31:18,542
just by the entranceway,
isn't superficial.
499
00:31:18,544 --> 00:31:20,944
It runs the full length
of this passageway
500
00:31:20,946 --> 00:31:23,614
for about 10 or 11 meters.
501
00:31:23,616 --> 00:31:27,351
We are undoubtedly looking
at a major dislocation
502
00:31:27,353 --> 00:31:29,753
in the structure
as it was being built.
503
00:31:32,358 --> 00:31:35,025
Narrator: The cracks alert
the pyramid builders here
504
00:31:35,027 --> 00:31:37,995
to the risk of catastrophic
collapse like at meidum.
505
00:31:39,832 --> 00:31:41,932
Reader: What they intended to
build at the bent pyramid
506
00:31:41,934 --> 00:31:45,002
was a true,
straight-sided pyramid,
507
00:31:45,004 --> 00:31:48,171
but with collapses here,
they might have been concerned
508
00:31:48,173 --> 00:31:51,575
something was going to go wrong
at the bent pyramid.
509
00:31:51,577 --> 00:31:53,777
Narrator: The top of the pyramid
is too heavy
510
00:31:53,779 --> 00:31:55,746
for the steep angle
of the sides.
511
00:31:55,748 --> 00:32:00,751
♪♪
512
00:32:00,753 --> 00:32:03,487
at first,
the bent pyramid's cracks
513
00:32:03,489 --> 00:32:06,857
may not look too serious.
514
00:32:06,859 --> 00:32:11,361
Then the meidum pyramid
collapses catastrophically.
515
00:32:11,363 --> 00:32:12,729
Fearing the same fate,
516
00:32:12,731 --> 00:32:14,865
the architect here
designs a much safer,
517
00:32:14,867 --> 00:32:17,167
but shallower summit.
518
00:32:17,169 --> 00:32:20,771
This gives the bent pyramid
its strange shape.
519
00:32:22,541 --> 00:32:26,276
The bent pyramid is the first
pyramid with smooth sides,
520
00:32:26,278 --> 00:32:28,011
an astonishing achievement,
521
00:32:28,013 --> 00:32:30,447
but sneferu is never
entombed here.
522
00:32:31,684 --> 00:32:34,051
He tries again.
523
00:32:34,053 --> 00:32:35,619
He strives for perfection
524
00:32:35,621 --> 00:32:37,821
and puts everything he learns
from the failure
525
00:32:37,823 --> 00:32:41,692
of his first two pyramids
into his final masterpiece.
526
00:32:43,896 --> 00:32:45,529
The red pyramid.
527
00:32:48,968 --> 00:32:51,301
Built just after
the bent pyramid,
528
00:32:51,303 --> 00:32:54,705
sneferu's third mega tomb,
the red pyramid,
529
00:32:54,707 --> 00:32:57,874
is the world's first
true pyramid.
530
00:32:57,876 --> 00:33:01,912
Its straight, geometric sides
are flawless,
531
00:33:01,914 --> 00:33:04,915
something later pharaohs
will copy for generations.
532
00:33:07,119 --> 00:33:10,320
To the ancient egyptians,
this perfect pyramid shape
533
00:33:10,322 --> 00:33:13,290
represents rays of sunlight,
534
00:33:13,292 --> 00:33:15,625
a connection to the sun god
535
00:33:15,627 --> 00:33:18,528
that the buried pharaoh
strives to become.
536
00:33:22,501 --> 00:33:26,370
It takes sneferu three attempts
to build the perfect pyramid.
537
00:33:27,339 --> 00:33:31,942
But his son takes this smooth
design to the extreme
538
00:33:31,944 --> 00:33:35,946
and creates something
the world will never forget,
539
00:33:35,948 --> 00:33:39,249
one of the seven wonders
of the ancient world.
540
00:33:39,251 --> 00:33:43,520
Our fourth wonder,
the great pyramid of giza.
541
00:33:45,157 --> 00:33:48,692
How is it possible to build
such a gigantic pyramid
542
00:33:48,694 --> 00:33:51,595
that stands as
the tallest structure on earth
543
00:33:51,597 --> 00:33:53,997
for more than 4,000 years?
544
00:33:55,734 --> 00:34:00,303
And why do the egyptians
stop building mighty pyramids?
545
00:34:00,305 --> 00:34:03,106
Could clues lie inside
one of the last
546
00:34:03,108 --> 00:34:05,776
and strangest pyramids
ever built?
547
00:34:14,686 --> 00:34:18,155
Narrator: After centuries of
bigger and bigger monuments,
548
00:34:18,157 --> 00:34:23,260
the largest pyramid the world
has ever known rises in egypt,
549
00:34:23,262 --> 00:34:25,028
a new pharaoh, khufu,
550
00:34:25,030 --> 00:34:28,698
builds on the success
of his father, sneferu,
551
00:34:28,700 --> 00:34:32,335
but surpasses him
in scale and ambition
552
00:34:32,337 --> 00:34:35,539
to build the fourth
pyramid wonder --
553
00:34:35,541 --> 00:34:38,175
the great pyramid at giza.
554
00:34:40,112 --> 00:34:43,013
The oldest of the seven
ancient wonders of the world,
555
00:34:43,015 --> 00:34:45,449
it towers over
all of its predecessors,
556
00:34:45,451 --> 00:34:48,118
more than 450 feet tall.
557
00:34:52,091 --> 00:34:57,260
A structure made from over
two million solid stone blocks
558
00:34:57,262 --> 00:35:00,230
assembled
with breathtaking precision,
559
00:35:00,232 --> 00:35:03,967
many weighing more than a car.
560
00:35:03,969 --> 00:35:08,038
A building with narrow,
mysterious tunnels
561
00:35:08,040 --> 00:35:13,143
leading to two massive chambers
562
00:35:13,145 --> 00:35:16,480
built from blocks
of the strongest red granite.
563
00:35:18,951 --> 00:35:22,185
The ultimate resting place
for a pharaoh's body.
564
00:35:26,625 --> 00:35:28,925
How does khufu build
on a scale
565
00:35:28,927 --> 00:35:31,761
that isn't matched
for thousands of years?
566
00:35:34,166 --> 00:35:38,034
More than six and a half million
tons of solid stone
567
00:35:38,036 --> 00:35:41,138
make up this
extraordinary monument.
568
00:35:41,140 --> 00:35:43,773
Huge quantities of
a special red granite
569
00:35:43,775 --> 00:35:47,410
form the chambers
inside the pyramid.
570
00:35:47,412 --> 00:35:52,716
This stone comes from quarries
more than 550 miles away.
571
00:35:52,718 --> 00:35:54,351
How do the ancient egyptians
572
00:35:54,353 --> 00:35:57,754
shift these massive blocks
right across their kingdom?
573
00:35:57,756 --> 00:36:05,462
♪♪
574
00:36:05,464 --> 00:36:09,766
there's a clue hidden at
the foot of the great pyramid.
575
00:36:09,768 --> 00:36:11,701
Under limestone slabs,
576
00:36:11,703 --> 00:36:15,805
archeologists make
a startling discovery --
577
00:36:15,807 --> 00:36:20,844
a deep pit filled with pieces
of ancient lebanese cedar wood.
578
00:36:21,880 --> 00:36:23,880
Some look like simple planks.
579
00:36:23,882 --> 00:36:26,883
Others have more
elaborate shapes.
580
00:36:26,885 --> 00:36:29,486
What are these ancient
bits of wood
581
00:36:29,488 --> 00:36:34,090
and what are they doing
under the pyramid?
582
00:36:34,092 --> 00:36:37,327
Scientists think they are parts
of a sacred contraption
583
00:36:37,329 --> 00:36:41,531
buried alongside the pharaoh
584
00:36:41,533 --> 00:36:44,100
designed to help him
in the afterlife.
585
00:36:44,102 --> 00:36:48,505
♪♪
586
00:36:48,507 --> 00:36:51,508
at the nearby
conservation center,
587
00:36:51,510 --> 00:36:54,978
director of restoration
essa zidan heads up a team
588
00:36:54,980 --> 00:36:58,915
that stores the wooden pieces
as they come out of the pit.
589
00:37:05,691 --> 00:37:07,991
Essa keeps the ancient
wooden pieces
590
00:37:07,993 --> 00:37:10,794
safely locked and wrapped up.
591
00:37:10,796 --> 00:37:13,196
He is the first person
to touch them
592
00:37:13,198 --> 00:37:14,831
since the ancient egyptians.
593
00:37:25,143 --> 00:37:28,812
Essa hopes this find will be
as spectacular as similar pieces
594
00:37:28,814 --> 00:37:32,148
found in a neighboring pit
over 60 years ago.
595
00:37:34,186 --> 00:37:37,487
In a museum built directly
over the earlier pit,
596
00:37:37,489 --> 00:37:39,956
craftsmen assemble
the wooden pieces.
597
00:37:43,128 --> 00:37:48,131
They form a boat buried
alongside the pharaoh khufu,
598
00:37:48,133 --> 00:37:52,168
a vessel designed to transport
the king in the afterlife.
599
00:37:52,170 --> 00:37:57,107
♪♪
600
00:38:08,053 --> 00:38:12,322
restorers take almost 20 years
to carefully preserve
601
00:38:12,324 --> 00:38:14,824
and rebuild this ancient vessel.
602
00:38:21,967 --> 00:38:25,935
Archeologists discover this boat
has a very special design,
603
00:38:25,937 --> 00:38:28,171
a design that helps
the pyramid builders
604
00:38:28,173 --> 00:38:30,974
transport goods far and wide.
605
00:38:30,976 --> 00:38:35,578
♪♪
606
00:38:35,580 --> 00:38:41,351
khufu's royal boat comes in
neatly laid out pieces.
607
00:38:41,353 --> 00:38:46,122
It's an ancient egyptian
flat pack design.
608
00:38:46,124 --> 00:38:51,728
Each plank has holes so they
can tie together into a ship
609
00:38:51,730 --> 00:38:56,433
which the crew can easily
take apart and rebuild.
610
00:38:56,435 --> 00:38:59,235
Archeologists think
similar flat pack boats
611
00:38:59,237 --> 00:39:01,638
are carried overland
in pieces
612
00:39:01,640 --> 00:39:04,941
and reassembled
on the banks of the red sea
613
00:39:04,943 --> 00:39:08,678
to ship in copper
from the sinai.
614
00:39:08,680 --> 00:39:11,848
And on the nile,
they carry heavy cargo,
615
00:39:11,850 --> 00:39:14,851
precious building blocks
for the great pyramid.
616
00:39:18,824 --> 00:39:22,192
Boats turn egypt's river nile
into a superhighway
617
00:39:22,194 --> 00:39:27,163
for construction materials
and supplies
618
00:39:27,165 --> 00:39:29,666
so builders can transport
the red granite
619
00:39:29,668 --> 00:39:34,571
of the king's chamber more than
500 miles in less than a month.
620
00:39:36,208 --> 00:39:38,808
Khufu's society is
entirely organized
621
00:39:38,810 --> 00:39:41,311
around pyramid building
622
00:39:41,313 --> 00:39:43,580
with a trained,
experienced workforce
623
00:39:43,582 --> 00:39:47,884
and integrated infrastructure
that spans the kingdom.
624
00:39:47,886 --> 00:39:53,022
So why do later egyptians
never surpass khufu's pyramid?
625
00:39:53,024 --> 00:39:54,958
And why do they
eventually stop
626
00:39:54,960 --> 00:39:57,894
building pyramids altogether?
627
00:39:57,896 --> 00:40:01,431
A clue might lie
with the next wonder --
628
00:40:01,433 --> 00:40:05,935
the black pyramid.
629
00:40:05,937 --> 00:40:09,773
And can hidden passageways
beneath a manmade mountain
630
00:40:09,775 --> 00:40:13,576
in mexico reveal why
a new generation of pyramids
631
00:40:13,578 --> 00:40:17,914
appear in central america
thousands of years later?
632
00:40:26,425 --> 00:40:29,459
Narrator: The great pyramid of
giza is the culmination
633
00:40:29,461 --> 00:40:33,997
of around 100 years
of pyramid building in egypt.
634
00:40:33,999 --> 00:40:36,533
But why is this great feat
of engineering
635
00:40:36,535 --> 00:40:39,636
never surpassed in scale?
636
00:40:39,638 --> 00:40:44,140
Why do the ancient egyptians
stop building pyramids?
637
00:40:44,142 --> 00:40:47,110
A clue may lie with
one of the most unusual
638
00:40:47,112 --> 00:40:51,948
and mysterious pyramids of all,
639
00:40:51,950 --> 00:40:57,854
the fifth wonder,
the black pyramid.
640
00:40:57,856 --> 00:40:59,789
More than 500 years after
641
00:40:59,791 --> 00:41:02,859
khufu builds the great pyramid
at giza,
642
00:41:02,861 --> 00:41:06,896
the black pyramid is one of
the final pyramids ever made.
643
00:41:06,898 --> 00:41:09,032
The pharaoh amenemhat iii
644
00:41:09,034 --> 00:41:11,901
constructs this giant pyramid
645
00:41:11,903 --> 00:41:14,204
as his final resting place.
646
00:41:17,275 --> 00:41:20,743
This crumbling ruin
is once a magnificent pyramid
647
00:41:20,745 --> 00:41:25,448
that towers 250 feet
above the desert,
648
00:41:25,450 --> 00:41:29,385
its entire surface clad
in gleaming white limestone
649
00:41:29,387 --> 00:41:31,855
that reflects the sun's rays.
650
00:41:31,857 --> 00:41:34,357
At its base,
651
00:41:34,359 --> 00:41:39,662
a temple where the pharaoh
can be worshiped for eternity.
652
00:41:39,664 --> 00:41:41,030
And in front of it,
653
00:41:41,032 --> 00:41:44,901
a courtyard complete with
18 stone pillars.
654
00:41:46,171 --> 00:41:48,705
A walkway flanked
by two high walls
655
00:41:48,707 --> 00:41:51,174
leads up to the pyramid.
656
00:41:51,176 --> 00:41:54,210
What causes this masterpiece
of ancient engineering
657
00:41:54,212 --> 00:41:58,181
to collapse?
658
00:41:58,183 --> 00:42:02,118
The black pyramid is different
to the great pyramids at giza.
659
00:42:02,120 --> 00:42:05,355
Its exterior
is not made of stone.
660
00:42:05,357 --> 00:42:08,191
It's made from mud bricks.
661
00:42:08,193 --> 00:42:10,426
Is this evolution
in pyramid building
662
00:42:10,428 --> 00:42:13,763
the reason for
the catastrophic failure?
663
00:42:13,765 --> 00:42:16,733
I'm so thrilled
that I actually get to go into
664
00:42:16,735 --> 00:42:18,535
amenemhat iii's pyramid
665
00:42:18,537 --> 00:42:21,004
because I've been into
lots of pyramids and tombs
666
00:42:21,006 --> 00:42:22,405
all over egypt,
667
00:42:22,407 --> 00:42:25,341
but this is the first time
I'll go into this one.
668
00:42:25,343 --> 00:42:26,876
I hope I don't get lost.
669
00:42:26,878 --> 00:42:31,247
Narrator:
Archeologist salima ikram
670
00:42:31,249 --> 00:42:35,518
investigates his decision
to build a pyramid in mud brick.
671
00:42:36,888 --> 00:42:39,255
Sealed 4,000 years ago,
672
00:42:39,257 --> 00:42:41,391
secret tunnels
inside the pyramid
673
00:42:41,393 --> 00:42:44,761
have only recently been opened
to archeologists.
674
00:42:47,198 --> 00:42:51,067
Salima has unique access
to explore this hidden treasure.
675
00:42:51,069 --> 00:42:56,739
♪♪
676
00:42:56,741 --> 00:43:00,410
ikram: Outside, it looks like
this pile of rubble.
677
00:43:00,412 --> 00:43:01,978
But when you get inside,
678
00:43:01,980 --> 00:43:05,048
it's this extraordinarily
well finished
679
00:43:05,050 --> 00:43:08,551
beautiful interior
with tura limestone
680
00:43:08,553 --> 00:43:11,354
that is beautifully polished
and so smooth.
681
00:43:11,356 --> 00:43:13,456
They put a huge amount
of effort here.
682
00:43:13,458 --> 00:43:15,892
And these joints are terrific
683
00:43:15,894 --> 00:43:18,061
because here you can just --
look at that.
684
00:43:18,063 --> 00:43:21,464
Amazing.
685
00:43:21,466 --> 00:43:22,665
Narrator: The tunnels are made
686
00:43:22,667 --> 00:43:26,235
from the highest quality
limestone,
687
00:43:26,237 --> 00:43:28,504
very different to
the mud and straw bricks
688
00:43:28,506 --> 00:43:30,373
in the pyramid above.
689
00:43:34,546 --> 00:43:37,647
It is a complete
and utter maze here.
690
00:43:37,649 --> 00:43:40,116
One could get lost so easily.
691
00:43:40,118 --> 00:43:45,188
The deeper I go, the more hot
and humid and sticky it becomes.
692
00:43:47,158 --> 00:43:51,861
Oh, my god,
that is a huge crack.
693
00:43:53,832 --> 00:43:55,465
I can get my whole hand
in there.
694
00:43:55,467 --> 00:43:57,634
It's really frightening.
695
00:44:00,171 --> 00:44:01,971
Narrator: Deep underground,
696
00:44:01,973 --> 00:44:06,209
the tunnels show dangerous signs
of deterioration.
697
00:44:06,211 --> 00:44:08,277
Salima believes
the damage starts
698
00:44:08,279 --> 00:44:10,046
even as the pharaoh's workers
699
00:44:10,048 --> 00:44:13,916
are building
his final resting place.
700
00:44:13,918 --> 00:44:16,653
Maybe the king's builders
thought that it would be
701
00:44:16,655 --> 00:44:19,155
much better
to build in mud brick
702
00:44:19,157 --> 00:44:21,124
because they have all of
these passages,
703
00:44:21,126 --> 00:44:23,593
and mud brick
is not as heavy as stone.
704
00:44:23,595 --> 00:44:27,730
So maybe they chose
mud brick deliberately.
705
00:44:27,732 --> 00:44:30,066
Narrator:
But the plan doesn't work.
706
00:44:30,068 --> 00:44:34,070
So many tunnels make the pyramid
hollow like swiss cheese.
707
00:44:36,174 --> 00:44:38,441
And even with
a lighter brick exterior,
708
00:44:38,443 --> 00:44:41,577
the pyramid collapses.
709
00:44:41,579 --> 00:44:44,313
Pharaoh amenemhat's plan
to improve the design
710
00:44:44,315 --> 00:44:47,116
of the pyramid ends in failure.
711
00:44:49,721 --> 00:44:53,222
If the enormous maze of tunnels
contributes to the collapse,
712
00:44:53,224 --> 00:44:54,757
why does he need them?
713
00:44:54,759 --> 00:44:57,894
Salima believes he has
a very practical reason.
714
00:44:59,230 --> 00:45:02,265
Amenemhat iii
must have built so many tunnels
715
00:45:02,267 --> 00:45:05,168
because he wanted to make sure
that no tomb robber
716
00:45:05,170 --> 00:45:08,271
found his way to the tomb.
717
00:45:08,273 --> 00:45:10,106
Narrator: In the egyptian
belief system,
718
00:45:10,108 --> 00:45:13,242
the pharaoh lives
forever in eternity.
719
00:45:13,244 --> 00:45:17,947
But he can only do that if
his earthly body remains intact.
720
00:45:17,949 --> 00:45:21,150
This huge maze of tunnels
is designed to thwart
721
00:45:21,152 --> 00:45:24,387
even the most determined
tomb raider.
722
00:45:24,389 --> 00:45:26,122
Ikram:
Once the pharaoh was buried
723
00:45:26,124 --> 00:45:28,291
and all of this was filled up,
724
00:45:28,293 --> 00:45:31,160
no one was meant to be here
except for the king
725
00:45:31,162 --> 00:45:33,463
because this was
his eternal realm.
726
00:45:35,533 --> 00:45:39,736
Narrator: A pyramid is
a monumental grave marker.
727
00:45:39,738 --> 00:45:43,206
It towers above the pharaoh's
subterranean burial chamber,
728
00:45:43,208 --> 00:45:46,943
where his body
will lie for eternity.
729
00:45:46,945 --> 00:45:51,080
The royal burial includes
offerings of food and drink,
730
00:45:51,082 --> 00:45:53,783
even mummified bundles
of fine cuts of meat
731
00:45:53,785 --> 00:45:57,787
for the pharaoh
to enjoy in the afterlife.
732
00:45:57,789 --> 00:46:01,324
The pharaoh is also buried
with unimaginable riches --
733
00:46:01,326 --> 00:46:05,328
precious stone amulets,
fine gold and jewelry,
734
00:46:05,330 --> 00:46:09,932
and pottery
embellished with jewels.
735
00:46:09,934 --> 00:46:13,436
But if robbers break in
and disturb the tomb,
736
00:46:13,438 --> 00:46:16,405
the pharaoh will no longer
be immortal.
737
00:46:19,611 --> 00:46:24,480
Amenemhat hopes his maze
of tunnels is the solution.
738
00:46:24,482 --> 00:46:29,152
But it helps to cause
a catastrophic collapse.
739
00:46:29,154 --> 00:46:33,523
He builds another pyramid more
than 50 miles away at hawara
740
00:46:33,525 --> 00:46:36,292
and is entombed there
when he dies.
741
00:46:36,294 --> 00:46:42,431
But this, too, is raided,
his body desecrated.
742
00:46:42,433 --> 00:46:46,102
500 years later, the rulers
of egypt's new kingdom
743
00:46:46,104 --> 00:46:48,738
develop a new strategy
to stay safe
744
00:46:48,740 --> 00:46:50,907
and secure in the afterlife
745
00:46:50,909 --> 00:46:53,476
at the valley of the kings.
746
00:46:57,048 --> 00:46:58,981
They construct secret tunnels
747
00:46:58,983 --> 00:47:01,551
hidden inside
the sacred mountains --
748
00:47:01,553 --> 00:47:05,254
natural pyramids.
749
00:47:05,256 --> 00:47:06,989
Here, the pharaohs hope
their tombs
750
00:47:06,991 --> 00:47:11,194
will remain hidden
from grave robbers.
751
00:47:11,196 --> 00:47:13,663
And the famous tomb
of tutankhamun
752
00:47:13,665 --> 00:47:18,734
does survive untouched
into the modern era.
753
00:47:18,736 --> 00:47:22,505
The age of pyramid building
in egypt is over.
754
00:47:24,242 --> 00:47:26,275
But across the atlantic ocean,
755
00:47:26,277 --> 00:47:28,845
the desire to build
on a gigantic scale
756
00:47:28,847 --> 00:47:33,382
leads another ancient culture
to enter its own pyramid age.
757
00:47:35,486 --> 00:47:38,387
They construct a monument
that rivals the scale
758
00:47:38,389 --> 00:47:42,091
of the great pyramid of giza
at its base.
759
00:47:42,093 --> 00:47:45,127
Why does the same pyramid shape
appear again
760
00:47:45,129 --> 00:47:50,333
thousands of years later
on the other side of the world?
761
00:47:50,335 --> 00:47:53,636
And how do so many
independent cities
762
00:47:53,638 --> 00:47:57,640
grow wealthy enough to construct
such incredible monuments?
763
00:48:04,716 --> 00:48:06,015
Narrator: Thousands of years
764
00:48:06,017 --> 00:48:08,284
after caral succumbs
to the desert
765
00:48:08,286 --> 00:48:12,255
and the last pyramid
of egypt is built,
766
00:48:12,257 --> 00:48:14,757
a new generation
of enormous pyramids
767
00:48:14,759 --> 00:48:18,194
rise in central america,
768
00:48:18,196 --> 00:48:21,964
unlike anything the world
has seen before --
769
00:48:21,966 --> 00:48:25,201
the sixth pyramid wonder,
770
00:48:25,203 --> 00:48:28,938
the pyramid of the sun
at teotihuacan
771
00:48:28,940 --> 00:48:33,809
in modern-day mexico.
772
00:48:33,811 --> 00:48:38,881
Its base rivals the size
of the great pyramid of giza,
773
00:48:38,883 --> 00:48:42,485
covering an area of more
than nine football fields.
774
00:48:44,822 --> 00:48:48,658
Each platform is a sturdy
foundation for the next,
775
00:48:48,660 --> 00:48:52,361
rising more than 216 feet tall.
776
00:48:53,865 --> 00:48:58,034
It sits at the center
of an elaborate plaza
777
00:48:58,036 --> 00:49:02,672
which contains more than
2,000 ancient structures,
778
00:49:02,674 --> 00:49:05,174
including another
giant pyramid,
779
00:49:05,176 --> 00:49:09,946
the highly decorative pyramid
of the feathered serpent.
780
00:49:09,948 --> 00:49:12,548
Why do the people
of teotihuacan build
781
00:49:12,550 --> 00:49:15,051
these enormous monuments
across their city?
782
00:49:15,053 --> 00:49:18,821
Archeologist sergio gomez chavez
783
00:49:18,823 --> 00:49:22,358
searches the city's
giant pyramid for clues.
784
00:49:22,360 --> 00:49:24,560
He believes the key
is to understand
785
00:49:24,562 --> 00:49:27,129
how the pyramid of the sun
is used.
786
00:49:41,346 --> 00:49:43,779
The largest pyramid
in teotihuacan
787
00:49:43,781 --> 00:49:46,415
hides a surprising secret.
788
00:49:48,820 --> 00:49:51,287
Directly beneath
the pyramid of the sun,
789
00:49:51,289 --> 00:49:54,991
archeologists unearth a tunnel
in the bedrock.
790
00:49:56,728 --> 00:49:59,628
First, they think
it's a natural cave
791
00:49:59,630 --> 00:50:03,432
until they hit
a carved-out chamber.
792
00:50:03,434 --> 00:50:08,170
And beyond it, the remnants
of 17 thick manmade walls
793
00:50:08,172 --> 00:50:11,107
built to block access
to the tunnel.
794
00:50:11,109 --> 00:50:12,541
At the very end of the tunnel,
795
00:50:12,543 --> 00:50:18,948
they find an elaborate chamber
carved in the shape of a clover.
796
00:50:18,950 --> 00:50:22,818
Whatever this subterranean vault
is designed to hold,
797
00:50:22,820 --> 00:50:25,921
it's meant to be
locked away for eternity,
798
00:50:25,923 --> 00:50:29,792
buried under millions
of tons of rock.
799
00:50:31,596 --> 00:50:34,630
Did the people of teotihuacan
create this pyramid
800
00:50:34,632 --> 00:50:37,867
as a burial chamber
for an almighty ruler
801
00:50:37,869 --> 00:50:40,903
like the pyramid tombs of egypt?
802
00:50:40,905 --> 00:50:43,072
Clues might lie
with new excavations
803
00:50:43,074 --> 00:50:46,275
at the nearby pyramid
of the feathered serpent.
804
00:50:49,247 --> 00:50:53,349
Today, sergio explores a tunnel
he's recently uncovered here.
805
00:50:56,054 --> 00:51:00,956
He hopes this tunnel will reveal
more of teotihuacan's secrets.
806
00:51:00,958 --> 00:51:05,127
♪♪
807
00:51:05,129 --> 00:51:06,829
the first section of the tunnel
808
00:51:06,831 --> 00:51:10,132
runs nearly 50 feet
under the pyramid
809
00:51:10,134 --> 00:51:14,703
to a cross-shaped chamber
beneath the steps.
810
00:51:14,705 --> 00:51:17,940
But then it cuts down again
into the bedrock
811
00:51:17,942 --> 00:51:20,709
towards the center
of the pyramid
812
00:51:20,711 --> 00:51:24,713
and opens out into
a second much deeper chamber.
813
00:51:35,493 --> 00:51:42,031
Today, the team carefully remove
soil from two ancient pots.
814
00:51:56,080 --> 00:51:59,081
After 2,000 years in soil,
815
00:51:59,083 --> 00:52:02,618
the ceramic is
incredibly fragile.
816
00:52:07,458 --> 00:52:11,527
Sergio uncovers thousands
of artifacts like this one.
817
00:52:13,931 --> 00:52:16,699
Marks on the pots offer
tantalizing hints
818
00:52:16,701 --> 00:52:18,567
of how they are carried.
819
00:52:28,679 --> 00:52:31,580
Sergio believes that
all these rare objects
820
00:52:31,582 --> 00:52:35,284
are offerings to the gods.
821
00:52:35,286 --> 00:52:37,987
But does this tunnel
lead to a tomb
822
00:52:37,989 --> 00:52:42,558
like those inside
the ancient egyptian pyramids?
823
00:52:42,560 --> 00:52:47,530
So far, sergio finds
no evidence of human burials.
824
00:52:47,532 --> 00:52:49,732
And dark marks at the very end
of the tunnel
825
00:52:49,734 --> 00:52:53,736
suggest this dead end looks
very different in the past.
826
00:52:56,140 --> 00:52:59,141
Sergio believes the marks
reveal this chamber
827
00:52:59,143 --> 00:53:04,013
is once filled with water,
making it a religious shrine,
828
00:53:04,015 --> 00:53:06,849
a gateway to the gods
of the underworld.
829
00:53:24,001 --> 00:53:27,903
Today, the water table
is over 50 feet below ground.
830
00:53:27,905 --> 00:53:32,074
2,000 years ago,
it is much higher,
831
00:53:32,076 --> 00:53:33,976
filling the final chamber
832
00:53:33,978 --> 00:53:38,214
with water
to form a subterranean lake,
833
00:53:38,216 --> 00:53:40,316
a replica of
the mythical underworld
834
00:53:40,318 --> 00:53:44,753
where the people of teotihuacan
make offerings to the gods.
835
00:54:11,849 --> 00:54:14,383
The pyramid of the sun
may look similar
836
00:54:14,385 --> 00:54:18,020
to the great pyramids of egypt
and the pyramid at caral,
837
00:54:18,022 --> 00:54:21,290
but it serves
a completely different purpose.
838
00:54:23,294 --> 00:54:26,929
Archeologists believe ancient
priests climbed the tall pyramid
839
00:54:26,931 --> 00:54:29,431
at key times
in the celestial calendar
840
00:54:29,433 --> 00:54:34,236
to be closer
to their sun god.
841
00:54:34,238 --> 00:54:36,772
But this powerful
pyramid-building culture
842
00:54:36,774 --> 00:54:40,609
mysteriously vanishes
in the sixth century a.D.,
843
00:54:40,611 --> 00:54:45,147
leaving only their
giant monuments behind.
844
00:54:45,149 --> 00:54:48,284
How does teotihuacan's
society function?
845
00:54:51,389 --> 00:54:55,324
Shocking discoveries
inside the pyramids themselves
846
00:54:55,326 --> 00:54:58,327
offer evidence
of a bloodthirsty society
847
00:54:58,329 --> 00:55:02,164
that builds tall
on the bones of their enemies
848
00:55:03,868 --> 00:55:07,036
and another civilization
in the americas
849
00:55:07,038 --> 00:55:11,173
pushes the boundaries
of pyramid design even further,
850
00:55:11,175 --> 00:55:15,177
building far steeper
than any pyramid built before.
851
00:55:22,653 --> 00:55:24,687
Narrator: Today, pyramids are
found
852
00:55:24,689 --> 00:55:26,422
across multiple continents,
853
00:55:26,424 --> 00:55:28,457
separated by oceans.
854
00:55:28,459 --> 00:55:31,327
Although they look very similar,
855
00:55:31,329 --> 00:55:33,796
they are all built
for different reasons
856
00:55:33,798 --> 00:55:36,298
and reveal secrets
of the civilizations
857
00:55:36,300 --> 00:55:40,235
that construct them.
858
00:55:40,237 --> 00:55:43,472
Today, teotihuacan
stands abandoned.
859
00:55:43,474 --> 00:55:47,743
♪♪
860
00:55:47,745 --> 00:55:49,878
the once-powerful
civilization
861
00:55:49,880 --> 00:55:52,548
that builds the giant
pyramid of the sun
862
00:55:52,550 --> 00:55:56,585
and the pyramid of the
feathered serpent disappears.
863
00:55:56,587 --> 00:56:00,456
They leave little evidence of
who they are and how they live.
864
00:56:02,326 --> 00:56:08,397
Archeologists at mexico's
largest ancient city
865
00:56:08,399 --> 00:56:11,967
are slowly assembling
the pieces of a monster puzzle.
866
00:56:14,705 --> 00:56:18,707
Anthropologist
saburo sugiyama examines bones
867
00:56:18,709 --> 00:56:22,945
unearthed from the ancient city
of teotihuacan.
868
00:56:34,425 --> 00:56:36,392
Archeologists discover
the bones
869
00:56:36,394 --> 00:56:38,494
while tunneling deep
inside the body
870
00:56:38,496 --> 00:56:41,063
of the feathered serpent
pyramid.
871
00:56:41,065 --> 00:56:44,900
♪♪
872
00:56:44,902 --> 00:56:51,039
inside the central cell
is a dark secret --
873
00:56:51,041 --> 00:56:55,511
20 skeletons almost
completely intact,
874
00:56:55,513 --> 00:57:00,883
carefully arranged in what
looks like a symbolic pattern.
875
00:57:00,885 --> 00:57:03,786
And they're not alone.
876
00:57:03,788 --> 00:57:07,022
In total, over 260 bodies
877
00:57:07,024 --> 00:57:11,727
are built into the fabric
and foundation of the building.
878
00:57:11,729 --> 00:57:14,229
The pyramid is a mass grave.
879
00:57:14,231 --> 00:57:18,767
A truly gruesome find.
880
00:57:18,769 --> 00:57:21,370
But the dead can yield
valuable clues
881
00:57:21,372 --> 00:57:25,007
to the civilization
that lives here 2,000 years ago.
882
00:57:25,009 --> 00:57:30,779
♪♪
883
00:57:30,781 --> 00:57:36,785
who are the people
built into the pyramid?
884
00:57:36,787 --> 00:57:39,021
The 20 carefully
arranged bodies
885
00:57:39,023 --> 00:57:41,957
lie at the center
of the pyramid.
886
00:57:41,959 --> 00:57:44,293
They are surrounded
by precious possessions,
887
00:57:44,295 --> 00:57:48,297
suggesting they are members
of a social elite.
888
00:57:48,299 --> 00:57:50,399
In long trenches
on either side
889
00:57:50,401 --> 00:57:53,235
lie two rows of 18 soldiers
890
00:57:53,237 --> 00:57:56,071
flanked by rows of eight women.
891
00:57:58,876 --> 00:58:03,178
The pattern repeats around
the edge of the pyramid --
892
00:58:03,180 --> 00:58:08,050
rows of necklaced soldiers
bordered by rows of women.
893
00:58:08,052 --> 00:58:10,152
A cross section of society
894
00:58:10,154 --> 00:58:14,156
entombed in what looks like
a sacred symmetry.
895
00:58:14,158 --> 00:58:16,458
But is this an ornate graveyard
896
00:58:16,460 --> 00:58:19,895
or is it gruesome evidence
of ceremonial murder?
897
00:58:21,465 --> 00:58:23,164
Saburo searches the bones
898
00:58:23,166 --> 00:58:26,969
for evidence of human sacrifice
at teotihuacan.
899
00:58:37,114 --> 00:58:40,048
Incisions on the jaw show
that an executioner
900
00:58:40,050 --> 00:58:42,551
has slit the throat
of this victim.
901
00:58:42,553 --> 00:58:48,156
♪♪
902
00:58:48,158 --> 00:58:51,593
260 people in total
are sacrificed
903
00:58:51,595 --> 00:58:54,630
inside the feathered serpent
pyramid,
904
00:58:54,632 --> 00:58:58,500
but who are they?
905
00:58:58,502 --> 00:59:02,838
Saburo finds answers by
analyzing the bones of the dead.
906
00:59:05,109 --> 00:59:07,442
Throughout our lives,
the water we drink
907
00:59:07,444 --> 00:59:11,780
is locked inside the chemistry
of our growing teeth and bones,
908
00:59:11,782 --> 00:59:15,584
and because water alters
from place to place,
909
00:59:15,586 --> 00:59:18,053
saburo can extract
the ancient chemicals
910
00:59:18,055 --> 00:59:22,124
to work out exactly where
these people grow up and live.
911
00:59:44,048 --> 00:59:46,181
Some of
the high-status skeletons
912
00:59:46,183 --> 00:59:51,386
seem to be from michoacán
250 miles away.
913
00:59:51,388 --> 00:59:53,922
And some of the soldiers come
from guatemala,
914
00:59:53,924 --> 00:59:57,526
900 miles away.
915
00:59:57,528 --> 01:00:00,262
Saburo believes
these sacrificial victims
916
01:00:00,264 --> 01:00:04,266
are conquered
and captured people.
917
01:00:04,268 --> 01:00:08,637
This is evidence the people
of teotihuacan are aggressive
918
01:00:08,639 --> 01:00:12,140
and fight their neighbors
using the riches of conquest
919
01:00:12,142 --> 01:00:15,811
to fund the construction
of enormous ritual pyramids.
920
01:00:18,148 --> 01:00:21,450
One of their neighbors
to the east are the maya.
921
01:00:21,452 --> 01:00:23,919
The maya are
a rival civilization
922
01:00:23,921 --> 01:00:26,688
that constructs
their own monuments
923
01:00:26,690 --> 01:00:31,426
which push pyramid design
further than anyone in history.
924
01:00:31,428 --> 01:00:33,862
Archeologists
uncover what happens
925
01:00:33,864 --> 01:00:38,066
when two pyramid-building
cultures clash head on.
926
01:00:44,942 --> 01:00:49,478
♪♪
927
01:00:49,480 --> 01:00:51,246
narrator: There are hundreds
of pyramids
928
01:00:51,248 --> 01:00:54,950
found all around the world.
929
01:00:54,952 --> 01:00:57,052
The great pyramid of the sun
930
01:00:57,054 --> 01:01:02,491
is the centerpiece of
teotihuacan in central america.
931
01:01:02,493 --> 01:01:06,828
But even more pyramids
can be found 600 miles away.
932
01:01:09,566 --> 01:01:12,668
Deep inside guatemala's
dense rain forest
933
01:01:12,670 --> 01:01:16,905
lie the ruins of
a mysterious metropolis --
934
01:01:16,907 --> 01:01:21,209
nearly 3,000 structures
hidden in the trees,
935
01:01:21,211 --> 01:01:26,348
including the seventh wonder,
936
01:01:26,350 --> 01:01:30,419
the pyramids of tikal.
937
01:01:30,421 --> 01:01:33,021
The largest pyramid,
temple iv,
938
01:01:33,023 --> 01:01:36,858
rises more than 200 feet
to pierce through the canopy.
939
01:01:36,860 --> 01:01:41,530
♪♪
940
01:01:41,532 --> 01:01:45,333
it's the largest of
the city's six major buildings,
941
01:01:45,335 --> 01:01:48,103
constructed
in the 8th century a.D.,
942
01:01:48,105 --> 01:01:52,040
and is the tallest structure
ever built by the maya.
943
01:01:52,042 --> 01:01:55,711
It's tikal's greatest
architectural achievement
944
01:01:55,713 --> 01:01:59,047
and also its greatest mystery.
945
01:01:59,049 --> 01:02:01,283
Hidden in the thick jungle,
946
01:02:01,285 --> 01:02:03,285
the sides of
this incredible pyramid
947
01:02:03,287 --> 01:02:05,420
are far steeper
than any pyramid
948
01:02:05,422 --> 01:02:08,523
that has ever been built before
anywhere in the world.
949
01:02:08,525 --> 01:02:16,665
♪♪
950
01:02:16,667 --> 01:02:20,102
temple iv is
a wonder of engineering.
951
01:02:22,072 --> 01:02:25,073
Constructed of seven platforms
952
01:02:25,075 --> 01:02:27,809
ascended by incredible
steep steps,
953
01:02:27,811 --> 01:02:31,079
climbing over 200 feet.
954
01:02:31,081 --> 01:02:34,716
At its top,
a shrine to the gods
955
01:02:34,718 --> 01:02:39,054
topped by
a distinctive roof comb.
956
01:02:39,056 --> 01:02:44,192
But how this engineering marvel
still stands is a mystery.
957
01:02:44,194 --> 01:02:48,530
Constructing such a steep
pyramid should be impossible.
958
01:02:48,532 --> 01:02:50,499
So how do the maya do it?
959
01:02:55,305 --> 01:03:00,108
Archeologist arthur demarest
is on a quest to find answers.
960
01:03:00,110 --> 01:03:06,248
♪♪
961
01:03:06,250 --> 01:03:10,619
what is most impressive about
this pyramid is the steepness.
962
01:03:10,621 --> 01:03:13,054
I mean, you look at the pyramids
in egypt and other places,
963
01:03:13,056 --> 01:03:14,289
they're sort of like this.
964
01:03:14,291 --> 01:03:16,958
To make something this steep
965
01:03:16,960 --> 01:03:19,161
without reinforced
steel girders
966
01:03:19,163 --> 01:03:21,830
then is incredible.
967
01:03:21,832 --> 01:03:23,799
And it's amazing
it's still standing.
968
01:03:23,801 --> 01:03:25,667
It's in pretty good shape.
969
01:03:29,339 --> 01:03:31,006
Narrator:
Arthur believes the secret
970
01:03:31,008 --> 01:03:32,974
to how the maya build
this pyramid
971
01:03:32,976 --> 01:03:36,878
with such steep sides
lies hidden deep inside it.
972
01:03:39,283 --> 01:03:42,851
Going in here now to look
at the tunneling excavations
973
01:03:42,853 --> 01:03:46,154
to try to figure out
how they pulled this off.
974
01:03:48,959 --> 01:03:52,894
It's kind of scary to think
that there's, like, hundreds,
975
01:03:52,896 --> 01:03:56,097
thousands of tons of stone
over our heads right now.
976
01:03:56,099 --> 01:03:58,066
You can just hope it's stable.
977
01:04:01,605 --> 01:04:04,272
Narrator: Site director
leopoldo gonzalez
978
01:04:04,274 --> 01:04:08,777
helps arthur
with the investigation.
979
01:04:08,779 --> 01:04:11,346
Inside each of
the temple's platforms,
980
01:04:11,348 --> 01:04:14,549
they find a number
of mysterious chambers,
981
01:04:14,551 --> 01:04:18,119
giant box-like compartments
with stone walls.
982
01:04:27,197 --> 01:04:29,998
Leopoldo discovers
temple iv's builders
983
01:04:30,000 --> 01:04:32,534
pack these box chambers
with rubble.
984
01:04:35,005 --> 01:04:39,140
The maya know filling these
walled compartments with rock
985
01:04:39,142 --> 01:04:41,009
makes each platform stronger
986
01:04:41,011 --> 01:04:45,680
than if they are made of stones
held together with only mortar.
987
01:04:45,682 --> 01:04:48,149
But with so many
of them stacked up,
988
01:04:48,151 --> 01:04:49,918
how do the mayan engineers
989
01:04:49,920 --> 01:04:54,322
prevent the entire building
from crashing down?
990
01:04:54,324 --> 01:04:57,392
Leopoldo finds
a special structure
991
01:04:57,394 --> 01:05:01,429
which he believes makes this
particular temple super stable.
992
01:05:18,916 --> 01:05:22,751
Temple iv starts
as a rectangular stone platform
993
01:05:22,753 --> 01:05:24,953
made of smaller box rooms
994
01:05:24,955 --> 01:05:28,924
surrounding a stone core
that gives the temple strength.
995
01:05:31,528 --> 01:05:36,531
Builders add platforms
one on top of the next.
996
01:05:36,533 --> 01:05:41,002
On the last platform,
they place a shrine.
997
01:05:41,004 --> 01:05:43,505
The central core's strength
makes it possible
998
01:05:43,507 --> 01:05:46,841
to position thousands
of tons of cut stone
999
01:05:46,843 --> 01:05:48,310
to make large spaces
1000
01:05:48,312 --> 01:05:51,947
for the veneration
of gods and ancestors.
1001
01:05:51,949 --> 01:05:54,849
The finishing touch
is an elaborate roof comb,
1002
01:05:54,851 --> 01:05:59,020
43 feet tall, intricately carved
with hieroglyphs
1003
01:05:59,022 --> 01:06:01,189
and mythical scenes.
1004
01:06:05,162 --> 01:06:07,796
Tikal's rulers build
the mega temples
1005
01:06:07,798 --> 01:06:11,866
as mighty stages
for huge rituals.
1006
01:06:11,868 --> 01:06:13,468
Arthur thinks these ceremonies
1007
01:06:13,470 --> 01:06:18,773
help increase the size
and population of tikal.
1008
01:06:18,775 --> 01:06:21,109
Demarest: Tikal's power
during this period
1009
01:06:21,111 --> 01:06:25,246
came from all of
the monumental architecture.
1010
01:06:25,248 --> 01:06:29,651
These buildings are settings
for gigantic rituals,
1011
01:06:29,653 --> 01:06:31,987
and that also brings
in followers.
1012
01:06:31,989 --> 01:06:35,824
And so you just have
all of it coming together
1013
01:06:35,826 --> 01:06:39,661
to create this magnificence.
1014
01:06:39,663 --> 01:06:43,098
Narrator: But how do the people
of tikal grow so powerful
1015
01:06:43,100 --> 01:06:47,302
they could build pyramids that
rivaled those of teotihuacan?
1016
01:06:49,740 --> 01:06:51,406
Could these two separate
1017
01:06:51,408 --> 01:06:54,743
pyramid-building cultures
be linked?
1018
01:07:04,521 --> 01:07:08,056
Narrator: Tikal, guatemala.
1019
01:07:10,027 --> 01:07:14,129
1,200 years ago,
this is a mighty mayan city.
1020
01:07:15,365 --> 01:07:19,701
Tikal's rulers build a great
pyramid to honor the gods
1021
01:07:19,703 --> 01:07:24,906
and draw in devoted citizens
to grow their power base.
1022
01:07:24,908 --> 01:07:27,308
But how does tikal
become powerful enough
1023
01:07:27,310 --> 01:07:31,613
to build this monumental pyramid
in the first place?
1024
01:07:31,615 --> 01:07:35,350
What is the spark that
ignites tikal's transformation
1025
01:07:35,352 --> 01:07:37,585
into a mayan superpower?
1026
01:07:41,091 --> 01:07:45,260
Hieroglyphic expert
simon martin hunts for clues.
1027
01:07:48,265 --> 01:07:49,764
Martin: When tikal started,
1028
01:07:49,766 --> 01:07:52,033
it really wasn't anything
particularly special.
1029
01:07:52,035 --> 01:07:54,002
There are lots
of places like it.
1030
01:07:54,004 --> 01:07:56,071
But then something changed.
1031
01:07:56,073 --> 01:07:58,940
It began to become a much more
dynamic and exciting place.
1032
01:07:58,942 --> 01:08:01,810
Narrator: Simon's quest
for answers leads him away
1033
01:08:01,812 --> 01:08:07,282
from the city's largest temples
to one of its smallest.
1034
01:08:07,284 --> 01:08:10,485
He believes this building holds
the key to understanding
1035
01:08:10,487 --> 01:08:15,457
tikal's mysterious rise.
1036
01:08:15,459 --> 01:08:19,327
This structure is unlike
anything else in the city.
1037
01:08:19,329 --> 01:08:23,131
It's a king's palace built
just before tikal takes off
1038
01:08:23,133 --> 01:08:26,401
in the 4th century a.D.
1039
01:08:26,403 --> 01:08:32,941
It has two stories accessed
via grand stairways.
1040
01:08:32,943 --> 01:08:36,644
Most of tikal's temples
and palaces from this time
1041
01:08:36,646 --> 01:08:39,047
are enlarged over the years.
1042
01:08:39,049 --> 01:08:41,449
New kings add layers
1043
01:08:41,451 --> 01:08:46,521
to create some of the towering
pyramids we see today.
1044
01:08:46,523 --> 01:08:49,791
But this palace
is never enlarged.
1045
01:08:49,793 --> 01:08:51,493
Why is it preserved?
1046
01:08:51,495 --> 01:08:53,461
And can the story of its builder
1047
01:08:53,463 --> 01:08:57,332
unlock the answer to
tikal's spectacular rise?
1048
01:08:57,334 --> 01:09:01,069
♪♪
1049
01:09:01,071 --> 01:09:06,007
archeologists know the name
of the man who built it --
1050
01:09:06,009 --> 01:09:11,179
jaguar paw,
14th king of tikal.
1051
01:09:11,181 --> 01:09:17,485
Why is his palace the only one
preserved in its original size?
1052
01:09:17,487 --> 01:09:20,822
Giant stone inscriptions
hold the clues.
1053
01:09:22,659 --> 01:09:27,829
But first, simon must decode
their information
1054
01:09:27,831 --> 01:09:30,365
from ancient mayan.
1055
01:09:32,169 --> 01:09:36,271
So, this is the hieroglyphic
name of jaguar paw.
1056
01:09:38,775 --> 01:09:42,143
And down here in 378,
1057
01:09:42,145 --> 01:09:44,445
he enters the water,
1058
01:09:44,447 --> 01:09:47,248
which is a metaphor for death.
1059
01:09:47,250 --> 01:09:49,717
Narrator: Simon spots something
unusual chiseled
1060
01:09:49,719 --> 01:09:54,255
close to the date
jaguar paw dies,
1061
01:09:54,257 --> 01:10:00,061
a strange symbol
unlike any other on the stone.
1062
01:10:00,063 --> 01:10:02,363
This is not a mayan hieroglyph.
1063
01:10:02,365 --> 01:10:04,933
This is actually something
completely alien.
1064
01:10:06,269 --> 01:10:08,870
It depicts a spear thrower.
1065
01:10:08,872 --> 01:10:10,872
Underneath is
a phonetic spelling.
1066
01:10:10,874 --> 01:10:12,740
And essentially
what it tells us here
1067
01:10:12,742 --> 01:10:15,376
is the name spear thrower owl.
1068
01:10:15,378 --> 01:10:17,011
Narrator:
The different language reveals
1069
01:10:17,013 --> 01:10:20,248
that outsiders arrive
and take over.
1070
01:10:20,250 --> 01:10:23,818
But who are they?
1071
01:10:23,820 --> 01:10:26,221
Spear thrower owl --
this is something
1072
01:10:26,223 --> 01:10:30,792
that we see represented
on murals in central mexico
1073
01:10:30,794 --> 01:10:33,528
and more particularly
at the city of teotihuacan.
1074
01:10:36,866 --> 01:10:38,800
Narrator:
Teotihuacan is the capital
1075
01:10:38,802 --> 01:10:41,936
of a powerful rival civilization
1076
01:10:41,938 --> 01:10:45,273
600 miles west of tikal.
1077
01:10:45,275 --> 01:10:50,411
Teotihuacan is ruled
by spear thrower owl.
1078
01:10:50,413 --> 01:10:53,815
It's possible to see him
as the guiding authority.
1079
01:10:53,817 --> 01:10:55,984
This is the person
who everyone who works for.
1080
01:10:55,986 --> 01:10:58,219
This is the person
who is directing events
1081
01:10:58,221 --> 01:11:01,356
way up at teotihuacan.
1082
01:11:01,358 --> 01:11:03,858
Narrator:
Connecting jaguar paw's death
1083
01:11:03,860 --> 01:11:06,327
with spear thrower owl's symbol
1084
01:11:06,329 --> 01:11:10,632
reveals an invasion is behind
tikal's meteoric rise.
1085
01:11:10,634 --> 01:11:15,903
♪♪
1086
01:11:15,905 --> 01:11:18,172
through the third century a.D.,
1087
01:11:18,174 --> 01:11:23,111
tikal in the east is trading
with teotihuacan in the west,
1088
01:11:23,113 --> 01:11:27,682
importing ceramics and borrowing
its architectural styles.
1089
01:11:27,684 --> 01:11:29,951
But in 378 a.D.,
1090
01:11:29,953 --> 01:11:32,620
their relationship
dramatically changes.
1091
01:11:32,622 --> 01:11:37,859
Spear thrower owl sends an army
to March on tikal.
1092
01:11:37,861 --> 01:11:40,962
The rulers of tikal
are overthrown and its king,
1093
01:11:40,964 --> 01:11:45,266
jaguar paw, is executed
1094
01:11:45,268 --> 01:11:49,871
and replaced with
a king from teotihuacan.
1095
01:11:49,873 --> 01:11:53,908
With access to teotihuacan's
larger resources,
1096
01:11:53,910 --> 01:11:55,710
a succession of new dynasties
1097
01:11:55,712 --> 01:11:59,647
plot tikal's domination
of the mayan world.
1098
01:12:01,284 --> 01:12:06,421
Martin: The date in 378 is the
most celebrated in maya history.
1099
01:12:06,423 --> 01:12:08,189
It's recorded multiple times.
1100
01:12:08,191 --> 01:12:11,125
They saw it as being
a pivotal moment
1101
01:12:11,127 --> 01:12:12,560
which influenced not just tikal
1102
01:12:12,562 --> 01:12:15,563
but the whole of
maya civilization.
1103
01:12:15,565 --> 01:12:17,699
Narrator: The new rulers
from teotihuacan
1104
01:12:17,701 --> 01:12:23,104
invest in growing tikal's
power and prestige.
1105
01:12:23,106 --> 01:12:26,674
New architectural influences
1106
01:12:26,676 --> 01:12:29,210
lead to grander palaces
and pyramids
1107
01:12:29,212 --> 01:12:32,480
that transform
the city's skyline.
1108
01:12:32,482 --> 01:12:36,284
Except for one building.
1109
01:12:36,286 --> 01:12:39,654
Martin:
So even after all these changes
1110
01:12:39,656 --> 01:12:42,223
and there was
a new regime in place,
1111
01:12:42,225 --> 01:12:45,393
they nonetheless left
jaguar paw's palace
1112
01:12:45,395 --> 01:12:48,496
entirely intact,
1113
01:12:48,498 --> 01:12:51,099
which is obviously a message
of some kind.
1114
01:12:51,101 --> 01:12:53,468
It's certainly symbolic.
1115
01:12:53,470 --> 01:12:55,303
Whatever it is,
1116
01:12:55,305 --> 01:12:57,872
it's certainly
the end of one era
1117
01:12:57,874 --> 01:12:59,340
and the beginning of the next.
1118
01:12:59,342 --> 01:13:05,880
♪♪
1119
01:13:05,882 --> 01:13:10,017
narrator: In the great clash of
pyramid-building cultures,
1120
01:13:10,019 --> 01:13:14,422
the rulers of teotihuacan
take over tikal.
1121
01:13:14,424 --> 01:13:16,691
With the added power
of teotihuacan,
1122
01:13:16,693 --> 01:13:20,628
the mayan city of tikal
can flourish into a superpower
1123
01:13:20,630 --> 01:13:23,398
and build some of
the most impressive pyramids
1124
01:13:23,400 --> 01:13:25,266
on the continent.
1125
01:13:25,268 --> 01:13:29,337
This merger makes tikal
one of the largest mayan cities,
1126
01:13:29,339 --> 01:13:31,873
but it isn't the only one.
1127
01:13:31,875 --> 01:13:36,144
The maya built 40 cities
across central america,
1128
01:13:36,146 --> 01:13:38,713
many with their own pyramids.
1129
01:13:42,485 --> 01:13:46,687
Each mayan city
is completely independent.
1130
01:13:46,689 --> 01:13:50,258
So how do other competitive
mayan cities grow wealthy enough
1131
01:13:50,260 --> 01:13:52,427
to build their giant pyramids
1132
01:13:52,429 --> 01:13:56,998
without the resources
of teotihuacan?
1133
01:13:57,000 --> 01:13:59,801
A clue might lie
with other mayan sites
1134
01:13:59,803 --> 01:14:01,636
on the yucatán peninsula,
1135
01:14:01,638 --> 01:14:03,971
tulum and chichen itza.
1136
01:14:15,518 --> 01:14:18,052
Narrator: The great mayan
pyramids of tikal
1137
01:14:18,054 --> 01:14:22,290
stand tall above the rain forest
canopy in guatemala,
1138
01:14:22,292 --> 01:14:24,659
massive monuments
that can only be built
1139
01:14:24,661 --> 01:14:27,295
with great wealth and power.
1140
01:14:27,297 --> 01:14:32,667
But like all mayan cities,
tikal is completely independent.
1141
01:14:32,669 --> 01:14:37,238
Each mayan city has a rival
ruler jostling for supremacy.
1142
01:14:37,240 --> 01:14:41,676
They never form an empire.
1143
01:14:41,678 --> 01:14:44,645
So how does each mayan city
grow wealthy enough
1144
01:14:44,647 --> 01:14:47,181
to build their own
incredible pyramids
1145
01:14:47,183 --> 01:14:49,283
without an empire behind them?
1146
01:14:51,254 --> 01:14:55,990
A clue might lie
in the coastal ruins of tulum.
1147
01:14:55,992 --> 01:14:59,861
Tulum is one of the last cities
built and inhabited by the maya,
1148
01:14:59,863 --> 01:15:03,798
surviving for more than 70 years
after the spanish conquest
1149
01:15:03,800 --> 01:15:07,768
in the 16th century a.D.
1150
01:15:07,770 --> 01:15:10,972
The temple and structures here
are on a smaller scale
1151
01:15:10,974 --> 01:15:12,707
than other mayan sites
1152
01:15:12,709 --> 01:15:17,678
but appear to be
no less important.
1153
01:15:17,680 --> 01:15:21,782
A unique defensive wall
surrounds tulum.
1154
01:15:21,784 --> 01:15:23,951
This feature is not seen
anywhere else
1155
01:15:23,953 --> 01:15:25,720
in the mayan world.
1156
01:15:25,722 --> 01:15:30,424
Why is this place
so important to the maya?
1157
01:15:30,426 --> 01:15:34,529
The temple now known as
el castillo may hold a clue.
1158
01:15:35,899 --> 01:15:39,300
The largest structure at tulum
is three stories tall,
1159
01:15:39,302 --> 01:15:43,671
designed in layers
like other mayan pyramids.
1160
01:15:43,673 --> 01:15:46,107
A shrine on the top
looks out over the ocean
1161
01:15:46,109 --> 01:15:49,710
from two distinct windows.
1162
01:15:49,712 --> 01:15:51,979
These openings appear
to mark a break
1163
01:15:51,981 --> 01:15:57,919
in a treacherous barrier reef
that surrounds the coastline.
1164
01:15:57,921 --> 01:16:00,855
The shrine points to a break
in the sea cliffs
1165
01:16:00,857 --> 01:16:04,292
and a shallow cove that acts
as a perfect landing beach
1166
01:16:04,294 --> 01:16:06,394
for trading canoes.
1167
01:16:06,396 --> 01:16:12,199
♪♪
1168
01:16:12,201 --> 01:16:17,071
tulum is a cliff-top fort
sheltered behind 16-feet-tall
1169
01:16:17,073 --> 01:16:19,674
and 20-feet-thick walls.
1170
01:16:22,579 --> 01:16:25,913
It is the center of a cult
that builds a temple
1171
01:16:25,915 --> 01:16:28,049
to the descending god
1172
01:16:28,051 --> 01:16:30,785
and worships the god of the bee.
1173
01:16:33,089 --> 01:16:35,856
In the city square, el castillo,
1174
01:16:35,858 --> 01:16:37,925
the tallest building
in tulum,
1175
01:16:37,927 --> 01:16:40,428
stands on the edge of a cliff.
1176
01:16:44,701 --> 01:16:47,435
Connected to both land and sea,
1177
01:16:47,437 --> 01:16:49,937
tulum is a trading hub
for the maya.
1178
01:16:49,939 --> 01:16:55,009
♪♪
1179
01:16:55,011 --> 01:17:00,648
the evidence at tulum suggests
that the maya here are trading.
1180
01:17:00,650 --> 01:17:03,150
Could this be the key
to their wealth
1181
01:17:03,152 --> 01:17:06,220
which allows them
to build giant pyramids?
1182
01:17:08,558 --> 01:17:13,127
The answer may lie at one of
the most famous mayan sites,
1183
01:17:13,129 --> 01:17:16,831
chichen itza.
1184
01:17:16,833 --> 01:17:18,666
Chichen itza is centered
1185
01:17:18,668 --> 01:17:21,802
on the astonishing
temple of kukulcan.
1186
01:17:24,807 --> 01:17:28,209
Memo de anda investigates
a complex road network
1187
01:17:28,211 --> 01:17:32,213
surrounding the city,
which might contain clues
1188
01:17:32,215 --> 01:17:35,383
to how the maya transport
goods for trade.
1189
01:17:35,385 --> 01:17:39,286
This amazing road
we're working on now,
1190
01:17:39,288 --> 01:17:42,556
it's one of the sacbes,
or white roads.
1191
01:17:42,558 --> 01:17:45,760
You can see it's pretty wide
and it's high.
1192
01:17:45,762 --> 01:17:48,095
I think they had a lot
of functions.
1193
01:17:48,097 --> 01:17:50,698
Communicating,
that's for sure one of them.
1194
01:17:50,700 --> 01:17:56,704
That's the main use of roads
is like umbilical cord.
1195
01:17:56,706 --> 01:17:59,273
You're just putting
the site together.
1196
01:17:59,275 --> 01:18:05,346
But there were a lot of reasons
just practically or symbolically
1197
01:18:05,348 --> 01:18:08,182
or to extend
the political boundaries.
1198
01:18:08,184 --> 01:18:11,786
Narrator: Archeologists are
constantly finding new causeways
1199
01:18:11,788 --> 01:18:14,488
called sacbes.
1200
01:18:14,490 --> 01:18:18,726
The scale of sacbes they find
at chichen itza is vast.
1201
01:18:20,730 --> 01:18:23,931
These sacbes
crisscross over the city,
1202
01:18:23,933 --> 01:18:26,033
connecting the main temples
with quarries
1203
01:18:26,035 --> 01:18:27,968
and outlying communities.
1204
01:18:31,040 --> 01:18:33,874
One leads to
a sacred water source
1205
01:18:33,876 --> 01:18:37,178
nearly 1,000 feet away
through the jungle.
1206
01:18:37,180 --> 01:18:38,846
Others stretch
out of chichen itza
1207
01:18:38,848 --> 01:18:42,383
to distant settlements
nearly five miles away.
1208
01:18:44,053 --> 01:18:47,121
More than 90 of these
white roads are discovered
1209
01:18:47,123 --> 01:18:50,991
revealing the complex network
of this great metropolis.
1210
01:18:53,629 --> 01:18:56,697
They all lead back to the center
of chichen itza,
1211
01:18:56,699 --> 01:18:58,799
in its prime, a bustling city
1212
01:18:58,801 --> 01:19:03,904
with a population of
more than 30,000.
1213
01:19:03,906 --> 01:19:06,941
These sacbes were
really important.
1214
01:19:06,943 --> 01:19:10,177
They really helped
the cities to thrive.
1215
01:19:10,179 --> 01:19:11,779
Narrator: But the causeways
on their own
1216
01:19:11,781 --> 01:19:13,981
do not make chichen itza
powerful enough
1217
01:19:13,983 --> 01:19:16,350
to build giant pyramids.
1218
01:19:16,352 --> 01:19:19,320
There are no nearby rivers
for transport.
1219
01:19:19,322 --> 01:19:21,822
It is hundreds of years
before the first horses
1220
01:19:21,824 --> 01:19:26,694
arrive in mexico,
and the maya do not use wheels.
1221
01:19:26,696 --> 01:19:29,029
How can people travel
longer distances
1222
01:19:29,031 --> 01:19:30,631
or shift goods quickly?
1223
01:19:30,633 --> 01:19:36,070
♪♪
1224
01:19:36,072 --> 01:19:39,840
125 miles northwest
of chichen itza,
1225
01:19:39,842 --> 01:19:43,811
archeologist jeffrey glover
and his team search for clues.
1226
01:19:43,813 --> 01:19:47,515
♪♪
1227
01:19:47,517 --> 01:19:50,151
water became the highway,
you know?
1228
01:19:50,153 --> 01:19:52,720
You would have hundreds,
thousands of these canoes
1229
01:19:52,722 --> 01:19:57,458
annually traveling up
and down the coast.
1230
01:19:57,460 --> 01:19:59,560
Home sweet home.
1231
01:19:59,562 --> 01:20:01,729
Narrator: This is vista alegre,
1232
01:20:01,731 --> 01:20:03,130
the site of a mysterious,
1233
01:20:03,132 --> 01:20:06,567
long-abandoned
coastal settlement.
1234
01:20:06,569 --> 01:20:10,538
Jeffrey believes vista alegre
is once a seaport like tulum
1235
01:20:10,540 --> 01:20:13,541
with connections
to chichen itza.
1236
01:20:13,543 --> 01:20:18,913
He's trying to find evidence
to link the two sites.
1237
01:20:18,915 --> 01:20:22,716
Jeffrey and his team find the
remains of ancient structures,
1238
01:20:22,718 --> 01:20:25,352
shards of obsidian,
a glasslike rock
1239
01:20:25,354 --> 01:20:30,024
used to carved stone,
and fragments of pottery.
1240
01:20:30,026 --> 01:20:33,961
But a key clue comes from
a particular variety of pottery
1241
01:20:33,963 --> 01:20:36,530
known as
balantun black-on-slate.
1242
01:20:39,168 --> 01:20:45,039
So this is
balantun black-on-slate.
1243
01:20:45,041 --> 01:20:48,242
It has that lovely trickle
design that was really popular
1244
01:20:48,244 --> 01:20:51,078
across the yucatán
from the classic period.
1245
01:20:51,080 --> 01:20:52,680
You know, the cool thing
about this, right,
1246
01:20:52,682 --> 01:20:58,586
is that it's a domestic ware
that's very common at chichen.
1247
01:20:58,588 --> 01:21:01,088
It's what you typically
would find in households
1248
01:21:01,090 --> 01:21:02,356
at chichen.
1249
01:21:02,358 --> 01:21:05,492
The pottery evidence shows
this settlement is linked
1250
01:21:05,494 --> 01:21:07,528
to chichen itza.
1251
01:21:07,530 --> 01:21:12,366
Vista alegre is one cog in a
highly efficient trading machine
1252
01:21:12,368 --> 01:21:15,536
that serves the great city.
1253
01:21:15,538 --> 01:21:20,140
Long-distance trade
is based on the mayan canoe
1254
01:21:20,142 --> 01:21:22,276
and conducted by sea.
1255
01:21:22,278 --> 01:21:26,280
Each canoe
is up to 60 feet long
1256
01:21:26,282 --> 01:21:32,152
and carries several tons
of cargo.
1257
01:21:32,154 --> 01:21:36,390
Each port is about 25 miles
from the next,
1258
01:21:36,392 --> 01:21:42,830
the distance that can be
traveled by canoe in one day.
1259
01:21:42,832 --> 01:21:46,834
This powerful trade network
stretches all around the coast,
1260
01:21:46,836 --> 01:21:49,737
stepping stones to
chichen itza's main port,
1261
01:21:49,739 --> 01:21:52,072
isla cerritos.
1262
01:21:54,076 --> 01:21:58,946
Up to 400 canoes
can trade here at one time.
1263
01:21:58,948 --> 01:22:02,249
This lucrative port strengthens
chichen itza's power
1264
01:22:02,251 --> 01:22:04,318
over the whole peninsula.
1265
01:22:06,622 --> 01:22:10,624
The mayan cities
are independent and competitive.
1266
01:22:10,626 --> 01:22:12,993
But their trade networks
allow each society
1267
01:22:12,995 --> 01:22:15,029
to grow wealthy enough to build
1268
01:22:15,031 --> 01:22:18,432
some of the most impressive
pyramids of the americas.
1269
01:22:21,170 --> 01:22:25,673
For more than 4,000 years,
civilizations around the world
1270
01:22:25,675 --> 01:22:28,042
stamped their mark
on the landscape
1271
01:22:28,044 --> 01:22:31,779
by constructing
giant stone pyramids.
1272
01:22:31,781 --> 01:22:34,815
With a wide base and each layer
acting as a foundation
1273
01:22:34,817 --> 01:22:36,050
for the next,
1274
01:22:36,052 --> 01:22:38,719
ancient civilizations
are able to build tall
1275
01:22:38,721 --> 01:22:41,422
and reach the skies.
1276
01:22:41,424 --> 01:22:45,192
Each pyramid is built
for different reasons --
1277
01:22:45,194 --> 01:22:48,228
to ensure
a peaceful afterlife,
1278
01:22:48,230 --> 01:22:53,033
to display power,
or to glorify the gods,
1279
01:22:53,035 --> 01:22:56,537
but each one breaks records,
1280
01:22:56,539 --> 01:23:01,141
develops technological skills,
and sets new standards
1281
01:23:01,143 --> 01:23:03,577
of monumental engineering.
1282
01:23:03,579 --> 01:23:08,015
Pyramids are taller, wider,
1283
01:23:08,017 --> 01:23:10,951
and more massive than almost
every other structure
1284
01:23:10,953 --> 01:23:13,787
ever created.
1285
01:23:13,789 --> 01:23:16,156
Timeless architectural wonders
1286
01:23:16,158 --> 01:23:20,928
that long outlast the
civilizations that build them
1287
01:23:20,930 --> 01:23:24,198
and that will likely survive
thousands of years
1288
01:23:24,200 --> 01:23:26,567
into the future.
1289
01:23:26,569 --> 01:23:28,702
The original seven wonders
of the world
1290
01:23:28,704 --> 01:23:32,139
only include
the great pyramid of giza,
1291
01:23:32,141 --> 01:23:35,142
but these seven
incredible pyramids
1292
01:23:35,144 --> 01:23:37,444
deserve a list of their own.
1293
01:23:37,446 --> 01:23:45,119
♪♪
1294
01:23:45,121 --> 01:23:52,793
♪♪
1295
01:23:52,795 --> 01:24:00,501
♪♪
1296
01:24:00,503 --> 01:24:08,108
♪♪
115516
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