Original subtitles

NARRATOR: The Pyramids of Tikal, in Guatemala,

are the tallest of all the ancient American civilisations.

- Tikal was really pushing the levels.

- Tikal was really pushing the levels.

NARRATOR: Impressive and vibrantly-coloured monuments,

in the centre of the most powerful Maya city of its time.

in the centre of the most powerful Maya city of its time.

A true tropical metropolis.

TRANSLATOR: Its scale and the level of political and cultural power

TRANSLATOR: Its scale and the level of political and cultural power

make it a remarkable site.

- They really created a masterpiece of art and architecture.

NARRATOR: This archaeological World Heritage site

NARRATOR: This archaeological World Heritage site

is a chronicle in stone.

A story of the skill of its builders and their complex society.

A story of the skill of its builders and their complex society.

- They have a very open scientific knowledge

to be able to sustain those buildings and we still see them.

NARRATOR: By exploring these giants and the thousands of nearby ruins,

NARRATOR: By exploring these giants and the thousands of nearby ruins,

archaeologists can now decode their construction.

- This is our time machine, and every time we go deeper,

- This is our time machine, and every time we go deeper,

we go deeper in time as well.

- The end result is a bit of a trompe-l'oeil.

- The end result is a bit of a trompe-l'oeil.

NARRATOR: So how could such soaring pyramids be created

with such basic tools?

What technology made the water drinkable?

What technology made the water drinkable?

How was this vast and hostile territory tamed?

- The internal structure is fascinating.

- The internal structure is fascinating.

TRANSLATOR: There were seven hidden rooms in the crest

of Temple number 1 to lighten the weight.

- When the water entered the tank, it would be potable water.

That's really an amazing finding.

- They were using materials that the Romans started to use

- They were using materials that the Romans started to use

200 years later.

NARRATOR: With the archaeologists' laser scanners,

we're going to X-ray these stone colossi.

we're going to X-ray these stone colossi.

To reveal their hidden structures, and the genius of the Maya builders

who created a magnificent city in the heart of the jungle.

who created a magnificent city in the heart of the jungle.

- (bird and animal calls)

NARRATOR: Hidden in the heart of the Central American rainforest,

towering stone structures emerge above the treetops.

towering stone structures emerge above the treetops.

These spectacular pyramids defy time and nature.

These spectacular pyramids defy time and nature.

The remains of Tikal,

an ancient city whose history stretches back thousands of years.

But which for over 800 of those, was forgotten.

But which for over 800 of those, was forgotten.

The work of one of mankind's most fascinating

and mystical civilisations -

the Maya.

the Maya.

- (trilling)

NARRATOR: Buried in the jungle, these ruins once formed

a vast urban centre of around two square kilometres,

a vast urban centre of around two square kilometres,

with roads, squares and huge buildings.

Located in present-day Guatemala,

Located in present-day Guatemala,

Tikal was founded over 2,000 years ago

in southern Mesoamerica,

the heart of what was then Maya territory.

the heart of what was then Maya territory.

The largest pyramids, built between 325 and 900 AD,

sit around the Great Central Square.

sit around the Great Central Square.

The 45-metre-high Temple of the Jaguar

faces the 38-metre-high Temple of the Masks.

faces the 38-metre-high Temple of the Masks.

Further west, Temple 4 is the city's highest at 67 metres,

the size of a 20-storey building.

the size of a 20-storey building.

- Architecture is so well placed and designed

that Tikal is really very beautiful.

It doesn't matter where you turn your head around -

It doesn't matter where you turn your head around -

temples, palaces, small houses.

Architecture is very nicely done. It has like a fine touch.

Architecture is very nicely done. It has like a fine touch.

We can say that.

NARRATOR: For almost 200 years,

archaeologists have been excavating

archaeologists have been excavating

both the built and the buried in Tikal

to find the secrets of this unique architecture.

- What you're seeing now is like a gigantic theatre.

- What you're seeing now is like a gigantic theatre.

This is the stages of the theatre state.

And in them, they held these enormous pageants.

And in them, they held these enormous pageants.

You might have 40,000, 50,000 coming in,

not just... coming in from all over.

Including leaders and nobles from other places.

Including leaders and nobles from other places.

TRANSLATOR: This whole square in Tikal,

the central and the northern acropolis,

Temple 1 and Temple 2,

Temple 1 and Temple 2,

the placing of it is designed to impress.

NARRATOR: French archaeologist Julien Hiquet

NARRATOR: French archaeologist Julien Hiquet

surveys ancient Maya sites

to determine how much labour and material its builders used.

Tikal is his favourite place to study.

Tikal is his favourite place to study.

In the 8th and 9th centuries AD, Tikal radiated splendour and colour.

There was never a Maya empire as such.

Forty or so city-states stood as either allies or enemies.

Forty or so city-states stood as either allies or enemies.

The city then called Yax Mutal

was the capital of a powerful and rich kingdom.

- This was a very driven society, a very driven city.

One of the more important cities in the Maya world.

- It was a very alive city,

- It was a very alive city,

full of people, ideas, innovation, arts, music.

Tikal would be the place to be.

Tikal would be the place to be.

- It's a city that architecturally speaking is also extremely dynamic.

NARRATOR: How this city evolved on marshy

and difficult jungle land fascinates the experts.

- (expert speaks Spanish)

- (expert speaks Spanish)

TRANSLATOR: Tikal's natural environment is complex,

very lush and also very hostile.

But the Maya managed to tame it.

But the Maya managed to tame it.

- If we see these big buildings it has to be because they have

a very open scientific knowledge,

a very open scientific knowledge,

not just in mathematics but engineering.

They will know how to be able to sustain those buildings

and we still see them.

and we still see them.

NARRATOR: Many of Tikal's buildings

are still covered by tropical forest or damaged by centuries of neglect.

are still covered by tropical forest or damaged by centuries of neglect.

But the restored pyramids bear witness

to the ingenuity of Maya architects and builders.

These ancient structures may look unsophisticated.

These ancient structures may look unsophisticated.

But they're built with perfectly straight lines,

in the correct proportion and with precise measurements.

in the correct proportion and with precise measurements.

Many wonder how the design of these tall stone structures

enabled them to withstand incessant rain and landslides.

enabled them to withstand incessant rain and landslides.

The stepped pyramids at Tikal, like Temple 1, the Temple of the Jaguar,

are all built on the same model.

are all built on the same model.

- (Julien speaks French)

TRANSLATOR: Temple 1, even though it's not the tallest

or grandest at Tikal, it's still the most emblematic

or grandest at Tikal, it's still the most emblematic

because it's been well restored and preserved,

and because it has a slender overall shape.

- (trilling)

- (trilling)

NARRATOR: The Temple of the Jaguar

sits centrally to the east of the main square.

The stone base has nine superimposed platforms,

The stone base has nine superimposed platforms,

each just over three metres high,

which rise to form a 28-metre pyramid.

On top of this pyramidal base is a covered temple,

a row of three vaulted rooms.

a row of three vaulted rooms.

A large stone crest, typical of classical Maya architecture,

brings the total height of the building to 45 metres.

brings the total height of the building to 45 metres.

On the west side, a grand staircase with a slope of over 50 degrees

On the west side, a grand staircase with a slope of over 50 degrees

links the square to the temple entrance.

- They definitely practised various rituals at the top of the pyramid.

- They definitely practised various rituals at the top of the pyramid.

These were extremely narrow, cramped and dark rooms,

These were extremely narrow, cramped and dark rooms,

certainly not living spaces.

- Let's say pyramids are like the sacred mountains.

We know that all societies have a sacred mountain,

because all societies place their gods in the skies.

because all societies place their gods in the skies.

So it's a way to be reaching up to them.

NARRATOR: For the Maya, the pyramid is a sacred passageway

NARRATOR: For the Maya, the pyramid is a sacred passageway

connecting the earthly world of living beings

with the celestial home of the gods

with the celestial home of the gods

and with the subterranean world inhabited by the dead

and the lords of the Underworld.

These pyramids often contain a tomb, just underneath the structure.

These pyramids often contain a tomb, just underneath the structure.

It took archaeologists many years to find the burial chamber

It took archaeologists many years to find the burial chamber

in the Temple of the Jaguar.

They first dug a tunnel through the central axis, then along the side,

They first dug a tunnel through the central axis, then along the side,

before finally finding a buried cavity.

Dug into the limestone, this five-by-three-metre vaulted pit

Dug into the limestone, this five-by-three-metre vaulted pit

contained human remains,

as well as a number of precious jade stones and ceramics.

as well as a number of precious jade stones and ceramics.

This discovery dates the pyramid's construction

to the mid-8th century AD,

to the mid-8th century AD,

and also identifies the deceased, Jasaw Chan K'awiil.

- (speaks French)

- (speaks French)

TRANSLATOR: Temple 1 is clearly a royal burial place

for one of Tikal's most militarily and politically powerful rulers.

It's a monument that celebrates this person as an ancestor

It's a monument that celebrates this person as an ancestor

who's basically been deified.

NARRATOR: The story of this ruler of Tikal

NARRATOR: The story of this ruler of Tikal

is told by glyphs engraved on the city's many stelae.

Decoded, these Mayan writings describe Jasaw Chan K'awiil

Decoded, these Mayan writings describe Jasaw Chan K'awiil

defeating his sworn enemies

in neighbouring Calakmul around the year 711.

in neighbouring Calakmul around the year 711.

His reign brought Tikal out of its 130-year slumber.

The start of a 200-year golden age

of increasingly impressive construction.

of increasingly impressive construction.

Jasaw Chan K'awiil was a warlord, and also a builder.

In 734 he was buried in the Great Square's Temple 1

In 734 he was buried in the Great Square's Temple 1

and for 1300 years has lain in rest

opposite the mausoleum he had built for his wife.

opposite the mausoleum he had built for his wife.

Today known as Temple 2, or the Temple of the Masks.

To understand the secrets of the Tikal pyramids,

To understand the secrets of the Tikal pyramids,

you need to go to Temple 4.

It's the tallest Mesoamerican structure still standing.

It's the tallest Mesoamerican structure still standing.

The pyramid is recognised around the world

after appearing in the first Star Wars film in 1977.

Situated a few hundred metres west of the Great Square...

Temple 4 is a giant 70 metres high,

Temple 4 is a giant 70 metres high,

with a base larger than a football pitch,

144 metres long and 108 metres wide.

144 metres long and 108 metres wide.

Seven other storeys sit on the base, as well as the temple and its crest,

making around 160,000 cubic metres of stone -

making around 160,000 cubic metres of stone -

almost 300,000 tonnes in all.

- The enormous volume of Temple 4

- The enormous volume of Temple 4

demanded extremely careful and precise construction,

otherwise it probably would have collapsed.

NARRATOR: This pyramid was built for the son of King Jasaw Chan K'awiil

who took over the throne of Tikal.

With such a tall temple, the ruler was closer to the gods,

With such a tall temple, the ruler was closer to the gods,

and also glorified his own reign.

The engineering techniques Maya builders used to reach such heights

The engineering techniques Maya builders used to reach such heights

were discovered by experts digging into the bowels of Temple 4.

Leopoldo Gonzalez Heredia, in charge of restoring Tikal,

Leopoldo Gonzalez Heredia, in charge of restoring Tikal,

is one of the few archaeologists authorised to enter

these excavated tunnels.

these excavated tunnels.

At the core of the foundations built just over 1200 years ago,

he has several hundred thousand tonnes of stone above his head.

he has several hundred thousand tonnes of stone above his head.

TRANSLATOR: As we excavated, we realised that the platforms...

TRANSLATOR: As we excavated, we realised that the platforms...

and construction system in the temple

and construction system in the temple

was what we call "encapsulated".

- (speaks Spanish)

TRANSLATOR: This means that boxes were made

and then filled with small stones.

and then filled with small stones.

NARRATOR: To create the foundations, and each platform,

NARRATOR: To create the foundations, and each platform,

walls were built around an irregular layout of separate capsules.

Each capsule has thousands of cubic metres of infill,

a coarse mixture of crushed stone, earth and mortar.

a coarse mixture of crushed stone, earth and mortar.

The entire grid is surrounded by thick stone walls,

with a layer of plaster on top.

with a layer of plaster on top.

Then, floor by floor, the base is raised.

By filling the grid with a mix of hard materials and loose earth,

By filling the grid with a mix of hard materials and loose earth,

the pyramid is stable but not too rigid.

With this slight elasticity of the load-bearing structures,

With this slight elasticity of the load-bearing structures,

the compartments absorb vibrations,

and the monument can withstand ground movement.

and the monument can withstand ground movement.

In the depths of Temple 4,

Leopoldo Gonzalez Heredia noticed another detail.

Leopoldo Gonzalez Heredia noticed another detail.

- This was used as a hook to attach to the next wall.

And they continued until they reached the right dimensions

And they continued until they reached the right dimensions

for the temple foundations.

NARRATOR: As each compartment is interlocked with those around it,

the load-bearing grid becomes ever more strong and compacted.

the load-bearing grid becomes ever more strong and compacted.

- The internal structure is fascinating

and it has interlocking masonry

and it has interlocking masonry

in a way that is just brilliant engineering.

The construction was one that's found in a lot of places,

The construction was one that's found in a lot of places,

but they really did it well here.

And that was to have those nice walls with plaster in them,

making a big cell, big square, and maybe, you know,

making a big cell, big square, and maybe, you know,

could be anywhere from a metre

to four or five metres high, depending.

NARRATOR: It would have taken a big workforce

NARRATOR: It would have taken a big workforce

to fill all the chambers of such a colossus.

Archaeologists believe that Tikal's inhabitants were mobilised

in large numbers to build their leaders' tombs.

in large numbers to build their leaders' tombs.

These chambers aren't the only trade secret behind the solidity

of Tikal's largest pyramids.

of Tikal's largest pyramids.

The foundations may have cushioned movement of the ground,

but how did the slender structure above

but how did the slender structure above

withstand the forces of the wind?

TRANSLATOR: A common architectural practice in Mesoamerica,

particularly among the Maya,

particularly among the Maya,

was to superimpose the different stages

in the construction of monumental buildings

like temples and pyramids.

In other words, they'd first build a temple,

In other words, they'd first build a temple,

then a few years later would build on top of it,

nesting one in another, a bit like Russian dolls.

nesting one in another, a bit like Russian dolls.

NARRATOR: The construction techniques of this temple

by the edge of the North Acropolis were studied in detail.

by the edge of the North Acropolis were studied in detail.

As archaeologists dismantled the 7th-century temple stone by stone,

two other buried structures emerged,

two other buried structures emerged,

the oldest of which dated back to the 5th century.

These earlier substructures were like the skeleton

These earlier substructures were like the skeleton

of the more recent pyramid.

A few traces of these interlocking pyramids are still visible today,

A few traces of these interlocking pyramids are still visible today,

at the heart of Tikal's Mundo Perdido,

a magical Lost World

where many ruins remain hidden under thick vegetation.

where many ruins remain hidden under thick vegetation.

This is the oldest part of Tikal.

Edwin Roman Ramirez guides us through this Lost World,

Edwin Roman Ramirez guides us through this Lost World,

where the very first inhabitants settled

almost 2,600 years ago.

- Over here we have the last layer.

- Over here we have the last layer.

And over here you have this structure.

And you can see how goes all the way.

This is the earliest version of this building.

This is the earliest version of this building.

And that's how you can see how they were putting

one to another one.

NARRATOR: Close by, archaeologists have just discovered

NARRATOR: Close by, archaeologists have just discovered

a new structure,

where the traces of this building system are even more spectacular.

where the traces of this building system are even more spectacular.

Exploring this tunnel is like plunging back through the centuries.

- This is our time machine and every time we go deeper,

- This is our time machine and every time we go deeper,

we go deeper in time as well.

And over here we have another layer

And over here we have another layer

that was earlier than that layer that was destroyed.

And over here in the top, we can see another layer of the building.

NARRATOR: Deep inside the structure,

NARRATOR: Deep inside the structure,

the original plaster covering the stone

has been preserved in virtually its original state.

- We are in the middle of two buildings.

- We are in the middle of two buildings.

1,600 years ago, we would be outside

of the building.

Here also we still have the original stone.

Here also we still have the original stone.

Sometimes in archaeology you don't see everything,

but with here, this give you the idea how every building will look.

but with here, this give you the idea how every building will look.

NARRATOR: At Tikal, one pyramid often conceals another,

NARRATOR: At Tikal, one pyramid often conceals another,

or even more.

Tracing the timeline of the work isn't easy.

TRANSLATOR: Today when we build a bigger building

TRANSLATOR: Today when we build a bigger building

we immediately destroy the old one, but not them.

- So sometimes the result is a bit confusing, a bit of a trompe-l'oeil.

because you end up with a very tall, very bulky building.

because you end up with a very tall, very bulky building.

But it will have needed only relatively modest efforts

spread over long periods of time.

spread over long periods of time.

NARRATOR: To date the construction of the original pyramids,

they had to be investigated or excavated one by one.

- (trilling)

NARRATOR: Located just above the main square,

the North Acropolis is a complex

the North Acropolis is a complex

built on an 8,000-square-metre platform.

From 350 BC until the 9th century AD,

From 350 BC until the 9th century AD,

dozens of temples and pyramids were built on top of each other,

particularly from the year 60,

when the first King of Tikal installed his tomb there.

when the first King of Tikal installed his tomb there.

Each ruler would then build ever larger buildings

to establish his aura and authority.

to establish his aura and authority.

Excavations at the North Acropolis, and stelae carved in the town,

show there were 33 rulers of Tikal over a period of 800 years.

show there were 33 rulers of Tikal over a period of 800 years.

Including one queen, the Lady of Tikal,

Including one queen, the Lady of Tikal,

thought to have reigned in the 6th century.

These lofty superstructures aren't dedicated to the many gods

of the Maya pantheon, such as the Sun, the Moon

of the Maya pantheon, such as the Sun, the Moon

or the Feathered Serpent God.

They honour deceased rulers

and perpetuate the glory of the ruling dynasty.

and perpetuate the glory of the ruling dynasty.

- You can imagine how important that was.

How much effort the King puts building

the largest building that he could imagine

to claim how powerful was Tikal in the region.

That was a statement he wanted to make.

That was a statement he wanted to make.

Not just for his society,

but also for the rest of the Maya kingdoms around Tikal.

but also for the rest of the Maya kingdoms around Tikal.

NARRATOR: So how did the builders of Tikal

push back the limits of height to go beyond their rivals?

They crowned their temples with grandiose ornaments,

the ridge crests.

- (Julien speaks French)

- (Julien speaks French)

TRANSLATOR: You can see the importance of the ridge crest

in the overall appearance and shape of the temple.

If you try and imagine it without the ridge,

If you try and imagine it without the ridge,

you immediately see that the temple

is much more compact, shorter and lower.

But this masonry element really lifts

But this masonry element really lifts

the overall outline of the pyramid.

NARRATOR: The masonry is today very damaged, but 1300 years ago,

NARRATOR: The masonry is today very damaged, but 1300 years ago,

a ridge crest 17 metres high,

weighing around 300 tonnes,

weighing around 300 tonnes,

crowned the Temple of the Great Jaguar.

It is the hallmark of every royal pyramid at Tikal.

Directly opposite, the better preserved ridge crest of Temple 2

gives an idea of how fine this ornamentation was.

gives an idea of how fine this ornamentation was.

- Here, we have a ridge that raises the overall height of the building

by a good ten metres.

You can still make out a head

You can still make out a head

sculpted in bas-relief, and its earrings.

- They were used to display a portrait or to show that someone

- They were used to display a portrait or to show that someone

was really very important.

If you want to give a message, like a mass message,

you use iconography in architecture.

you use iconography in architecture.

So it's a very powerful statement

to be able to...to build all these huge buildings

to be able to...to build all these huge buildings

and to put all these masks

and...and all this discourse that people will understand.

NARRATOR: The ridges were made more visible

NARRATOR: The ridges were made more visible

by being coloured to stand out against the green surroundings.

Experts have reconstructed the crest of Temple 2.

The finely sculpted motifs in the stone

were covered with an undercoat of plaster, then painted in red,

with a few bright colours to bring out the details.

with a few bright colours to bring out the details.

The builders needed to add these extra tonnes of limestone

without threatening the rest of the building.

- This raises a number of questions about the structural stability

- This raises a number of questions about the structural stability

of the building, particularly this several hundred

cubic metres of masonry.

It's a big extra weight on the temple,

so the Maya architects created a number of voids in the ridge crests.

Vaulted rooms with no access, no windows, that were completely empty.

Vaulted rooms with no access, no windows, that were completely empty.

NARRATOR: Inside a ridge crest like that of Temple 1,

NARRATOR: Inside a ridge crest like that of Temple 1,

several hidden and inaccessible chambers

lighten the weight of the ornamental structure.

These triangular spaces are formed by stepped vaults,

These triangular spaces are formed by stepped vaults,

where the stones of two walls are staggered to gradually meet.

- (speaks French)

- (speaks French)

TRANSLATOR: There were seven hidden rooms in the crest of Temple 1,

to lighten the weight.

NARRATOR: These large colourful ridges,

which crowned the highest pyramids of the Maya civilisation,

which crowned the highest pyramids of the Maya civilisation,

made Tikal gleam.

- (speaks Spanish)

TRANSLATOR: 17 kilometres from Tikal,

TRANSLATOR: 17 kilometres from Tikal,

there's a viewpoint from which you can see the jungle,

and above it the peaks of Tikal.

In other words, it was a geographical reference

In other words, it was a geographical reference

that identified the big cities, in the way we have skyscrapers today.

NARRATOR: To satisfy their political leaders' thirst for glory and power,

the builders of Tikal applied their skills to creating monuments.

the builders of Tikal applied their skills to creating monuments.

A remarkable feat in the middle of a tropical forest.

Because despite their advanced knowledge

of mathematics and architecture, the Maya had no metal tools,

of mathematics and architecture, the Maya had no metal tools,

animals or machines to help them.

But then the question remains: how many people were used

But then the question remains: how many people were used

on the construction sites for these superstructures, and for how long?

Julien Hiquet's research aims to find an answer.

Julien Hiquet's research aims to find an answer.

The archaeologist is currently exploring

a complex of twin pyramids with a highly unusual architecture.

a complex of twin pyramids with a highly unusual architecture.

The nine twin pyramid complexes discovered at Tikal

were all built on the same model.

A platform housing a small enclosure to the north,

a building to the south, and two pyramids facing each other

a building to the south, and two pyramids facing each other

with a precise orientation from east to west.

In this complex, one of the twin pyramids

In this complex, one of the twin pyramids

is still hidden under the vegetation.

- This pyramid is exactly the same as the restored one to the east.

- This pyramid is exactly the same as the restored one to the east.

Except that here, nature has taken over

and virtually swallowed the architecture.

You can see this in the overall shape of the mound.

You can see this in the overall shape of the mound.

NARRATOR: Archaeologists have excavated and restored

the eastern pyramid of this complex,

identical in every way to its buried twin.

identical in every way to its buried twin.

Square, with a flattened shape and no temple at the top.

The two pyramids formed a single area for worship.

The two pyramids formed a single area for worship.

It's been determined that a new complex of this type

was built every 20 years to celebrate a religious festival.

was built every 20 years to celebrate a religious festival.

To estimate the number of workers needed for this multi-year task,

Julien first had to carry out a meticulous field survey.

Julien first had to carry out a meticulous field survey.

The pyramid is 12 metres high, with a first level 23 metres wide

The pyramid is 12 metres high, with a first level 23 metres wide

and a top floor 13 metres square.

Not counting the stairs,

Not counting the stairs,

this represents 5,164 cubic metres of stone.

Although not huge, this construction still needs

Although not huge, this construction still needs

a large amount of raw materials.

To complete his data,

Julien also needs to work out the length of each stage of the project.

Julien also needs to work out the length of each stage of the project.

And what takes the longest is extracting

and transporting the stone.

At Tikal, all the structures are made of limestone.

At Tikal, all the structures are made of limestone.

A raw material that is found everywhere

in the subsoil of the forest.

- All the Maya lowlands are limestone

that was formed in the... in the bottom of the ocean.

that was formed in the... in the bottom of the ocean.

It's a sedimentary stone.

It's hard enough to make buildings stay for a long period of time.

It's hard enough to make buildings stay for a long period of time.

But it's also a very noble material

that you can easily work the way you want it to be worked.

NARRATOR: Accomplished geologists,

the Maya dug quarries all around the city.

Some of the quarries that supplied the pyramid building sites

Some of the quarries that supplied the pyramid building sites

over a thousand years ago are still open.

Julien Hiquet meets up with Leopoldo Gonzalez Heredia.

Julien Hiquet meets up with Leopoldo Gonzalez Heredia.

TRANSLATOR: We're in a quarry extracting the blocks

that will be used to restore the temples in the archaeological zone.

Here you see the process involved in extracting this material.

NARRATOR: The Maya didn't use iron tools,

but rather primitive stone axes.

but rather primitive stone axes.

- We can really see how the stones were extracted for construction.

And above all we can quantify it,

And above all we can quantify it,

to see how long it takes a worker to extract that block.

- From what we've done here,

we think each worker extracts one block a day.

NARRATOR: Once the stone has been dug out,

it needs to be transported.

Without animals to carry the loads,

the strength of several people was needed for this operation.

The 200-kilo blocks were moved on wooden platforms.

The 200-kilo blocks were moved on wooden platforms.

- And here we have the same materials that were used

- And here we have the same materials that were used

by the Maya in the classical period.

It's really the techniques they used.

We can calculate the time and number of workers needed

to transport this size of block over several hundred metres,

from the quarries to the construction site.

from the quarries to the construction site.

NARRATOR: To make their way more easily through the jungle,

the Maya also carried the smaller stones one by one on their backs,

the Maya also carried the smaller stones one by one on their backs,

using the strength of their foreheads,

with what is known as a mecapal.

According to the archaeologists' calculations,

a worker equipped with a mecapal

a worker equipped with a mecapal

carried an average of 500 kilos of stone per day,

but over a distance of just 200 metres.

but over a distance of just 200 metres.

By re-enacting the work, what's called experimental archaeology,

Julien gathers data on every stage of the twin pyramids' construction,

Julien gathers data on every stage of the twin pyramids' construction,

from the shell to the finishing touches.

Each variable is entered into a programme

which determines the energy output of the site,

which determines the energy output of the site,

the total working time, and then the number of people involved.

- Here, the software details each stage

- Here, the software details each stage

of the technical construction process

and then gives a total cost for the twin pyramids complex

of...473,442 working days.

of...473,442 working days.

NARRATOR: Rather more than 1300 years...

NARRATOR: Rather more than 1300 years...

the question is: how many workers were needed to complete

this 20-year project?

this 20-year project?

In the Maya civilisation, community members

had to take part in these construction sites.

A tax in kind to their leader.

A tax in kind to their leader.

- I don't think everybody was part of it

because part of the population will need to be in food production.

because part of the population will need to be in food production.

They will have to be doing agricultural tasks.

But some of them, I'm sure, that when a king or a ruler

But some of them, I'm sure, that when a king or a ruler

decided that he wanted a new construction episode in a temple,

a huge part of the population will take part in that.

a huge part of the population will take part in that.

TRANSLATOR: We can assume that the workforce was mobilised

for, let's say, two to three months, maybe a year.

for, let's say, two to three months, maybe a year.

If 400 people worked on the site,

the construction of this complex of twin pyramids

could be completed in 19 seasons, 19 years.

could be completed in 19 seasons, 19 years.

NARRATOR: If the construction of a modest-sized structure

involved almost 400 workers,

involved almost 400 workers,

this means that the monumental pyramids required thousands.

Those in charge needed a sizeable workforce to draw on.

Those in charge needed a sizeable workforce to draw on.

But estimating the size of the town and its population

But estimating the size of the town and its population

has been difficult.

Technology now provides a more accurate picture.

- (bird calls)

Lidar is an aerial laser scanner which can reveal the tiniest detail

of the terrain by erasing the vegetation.

of the terrain by erasing the vegetation.

- Lidar is, so far, one of the more effective tools

- Lidar is, so far, one of the more effective tools

to understand the entire...city.

The jungle doesn't allow us to see too much.

The jungle doesn't allow us to see too much.

For so many years, we don't really know

exactly where they were farming.

Now we can see it.

Now we can see it.

It is helping us to understand the society in whole.

NARRATOR: Lidar exploration of the Tikal region

NARRATOR: Lidar exploration of the Tikal region

has revealed the outline of a huge settlement.

The rainforest hides thousands of remains unknown till now.

The rainforest hides thousands of remains unknown till now.

Traces of agriculture, roads, temples and even dwellings

have been identified over an area of more than 110 square kilometres.

have been identified over an area of more than 110 square kilometres.

- So it's giving us a lot of trouble,

because before we can say, "OK, Tikal is this big."

because before we can say, "OK, Tikal is this big."

Now we can see that Tikal does not have an end.

We went from 2,000 structures to 12,000 structures.

We went from 2,000 structures to 12,000 structures.

NARRATOR: So, at its height, Tikal was a true metropolis,

NARRATOR: So, at its height, Tikal was a true metropolis,

with thousands of structures

scattered around its majestic pyramids.

TRANSLATOR: The hinterland, the territory controlled politically

TRANSLATOR: The hinterland, the territory controlled politically

and economically by Tikal,

may have had more than 100,000 or 200,000 inhabitants.

- People are living everywhere, mostly peasants, small houses,

perishable structures,

perishable structures,

and then you have larger houses made out of stone.

And in the surroundings, you cannot see them because of the vegetation.

But there is a lot of households living nearby.

But there is a lot of households living nearby.

NARRATOR: Lidar is also helping to fact-check

the history of this urban centre.

Experts spotted a shape on the images that looked out of place.

Experts spotted a shape on the images that looked out of place.

- In the beginning, these three structures,

we thought they was a natural hill.

we thought they was a natural hill.

But what we know now, like that actually is a building.

That you can see the straight lines of them

and they'll get the attention of our colleagues to say,

and they'll get the attention of our colleagues to say,

"OK, this is not something natural.

These actually, they are some type of buildings."

NARRATOR: These mysterious buildings are in the lush forest

NARRATOR: These mysterious buildings are in the lush forest

of the Mundo Perdido, the Lost World.

Right next to a very particular pyramid of Tikal,

with an architectural style that is not of Maya origin:

the talud-tablero.

- What we are seeing here is one utilisation of Talud-tablero.

- What we are seeing here is one utilisation of Talud-tablero.

The talud is all of this.

From here you can see that comes out, and here you have the tablero.

From here you can see that comes out, and here you have the tablero.

They are the two parts of this type of architecture that they use

They are the two parts of this type of architecture that they use

and then repeat in each level.

NARRATOR: Talud-tablero is a style found in a town

1200 kilometres from Tikal, in Mexico:

Teotihuacan, the City of the Gods.

TRANSLATOR: Teotihuacan was home to one of the most complex

societies in pre-Hispanic Mexico.

It's estimated that up to 200,000 people probably lived there.

It's estimated that up to 200,000 people probably lived there.

The city was made up of more than 2,000 architectural units,

all following the same layout and orientation.

all following the same layout and orientation.

NARRATOR: One of the main monuments in this powerful city,

quite separate from the Maya civilisation,

quite separate from the Maya civilisation,

is the Ciudadela, the citadel.

- The citadel was in fact designed and built as a large ritual stage.

We also believe the Citadel was probably

We also believe the Citadel was probably

where the political ritual of crowning new rulers took place.

NARRATOR: The Citadel pyramid features vertical sides

that slope slightly, topped by a projecting cornice.

The talud-tablero is the signature style of local builders.

More evidence links Tikal with the City of the Gods.

More evidence links Tikal with the City of the Gods.

Teotihuacan's Citadel appears to have the same

overall shape as that in the Lost World.

overall shape as that in the Lost World.

- This group over here,

is like a small version of La Ciudadela de Teotihuacan.

is like a small version of La Ciudadela de Teotihuacan.

You can see this area is 15 degrees east.

And that's something that also catch our attention to say,

And that's something that also catch our attention to say,

"OK, here is something else that's happening."

And also we know that most of the architecture at Teotihuacan

is oriented 15 degrees.

is oriented 15 degrees.

NARRATOR: The same shape, the same solar alignment...

an entire district of Tikal appears to closely resemble

an entire district of Tikal appears to closely resemble

the iconic monument of a far away city.

- (speaks Spanish)

TRANSLATOR: The presence of Teotihuacan has long been mentioned

TRANSLATOR: The presence of Teotihuacan has long been mentioned

at numerous Maya sites,

but it was at Tikal that evidence was discovered

to suggest that one of the rulers who ruled Tikal

may have been the son of a Teotihuacan sovereign.

may have been the son of a Teotihuacan sovereign.

NARRATOR: At Tikal, the engraved stelae mention

NARRATOR: At Tikal, the engraved stelae mention

that a foreigner called The Smoking Frog

took over the city at the end of the 4th century.

The throne was then occupied by The Spearthrower Owl,

son of a lord of Teotihuacan.

- Teotihuacan and Tikal have a very long history of relations,

- Teotihuacan and Tikal have a very long history of relations,

at least 300 years.

Now we can prove that people from Teotihuacan were living here.

We know also the Maya people were living there.

We know also the Maya people were living there.

They were able to communicate,

and they share a lot of information between these cultures.

NARRATOR: The City of the Gods seems to have had a decisive influence

on the economic development of Tikal,

which became one of the main city-states

which became one of the main city-states

of the Maya civilisation.

One material was essential, both for urban growth

and the city's ostentatious look.

This is stucco, a traditional plaster made from two raw materials

This is stucco, a traditional plaster made from two raw materials

found everywhere around Tikal.

Limestone from the quarries and wood from the forest.

In large holes used as furnaces, limestone is burned

In large holes used as furnaces, limestone is burned

and becomes quicklime,

a powder which is then mixed with water, sand and tree sap.

a powder which is then mixed with water, sand and tree sap.

- It becomes like a very fine paste

that you will cover stones or any surface.

that you will cover stones or any surface.

NARRATOR: This sticky paste was used everywhere.

As mortar in joints, and as a finishing plaster to cover walls.

As mortar in joints, and as a finishing plaster to cover walls.

Deep in an excavated area are traces of these layers of plaster.

- Limestone is good

- Limestone is good

but is very weak when you put it in the environment.

Just the wind can damage it.

Just the wind can damage it.

The rain and the sun will cause major, major damage to them.

- In the Maya area, we have a dry and a wet season.

- In the Maya area, we have a dry and a wet season.

The wet season is characterised by very intense rain for months on end,

which attacks the architecture, the stonework and so on.

which attacks the architecture, the stonework and so on.

NARRATOR: Stucco has one essential quality in such a tropical climate.

It's waterproof.

It's waterproof.

- The stucco was really good for them.

It was a very simple and clever way to protect the limestone.

It was a very simple and clever way to protect the limestone.

- These limestone buildings

need extremely regular maintenance, year after year.

All the surfaces need to be covered to waterproof them

All the surfaces need to be covered to waterproof them

and protect them from the elements.

NARRATOR: To coat thousands of square metres,

builders produced stucco on a massive scale.

builders produced stucco on a massive scale.

But to make enough to cover just one square metre,

they had to burn no less than 20 tree trunks.

they had to burn no less than 20 tree trunks.

This wood-intensive material is central to the longevity

and beauty of Tikal.

As well as waterproofing the limestone,

the stucco layer was painted to colour these regal buildings,

mostly with red, but also yellow, green, blue and black.

mostly with red, but also yellow, green, blue and black.

Stucco was to play a major role in the destiny

of this flamboyant city-state's people.

of this flamboyant city-state's people.

Torrential rain and vegetation attack the stone of the pyramids,

and also the limestone underground.

and also the limestone underground.

The region's terrain is rugged, marshy and sometimes unstable.

To fix this, the builders of Tikal had to transform the landscape.

To fix this, the builders of Tikal had to transform the landscape.

TRANSLATOR: You have to realise that the entire landscape

of a Maya centre like Tikal is artificial.

The smallest hill has been filled in to form vast platforms

that then support the pyramids, palaces and so on.

NARRATOR: Over several hundred hectares,

after removing the tropical vegetation,

the builders filled in the three- to five-metre slopes,

adding layers of crushed stone more than a metre thick,

covered by a layer of waterproofing stucco.

covered by a layer of waterproofing stucco.

- These earthworks certainly can't be ignored,

as they're, in fact, just as monumental, if not more so,

as they're, in fact, just as monumental, if not more so,

and more costly in terms of man-hours than the pyramids.

and more costly in terms of man-hours than the pyramids.

NARRATOR: These earthworks marked out the roads and squares

of the Maya metropolis.

Covered in stucco, these raised platforms

Covered in stucco, these raised platforms

protect the subsoil from erosion,

then serve as foundation slabs for the superstructures.

- (speaks Spanish)

- (speaks Spanish)

TRANSLATOR: It's fundamental to Maya architecture

that the ground is level.

So they moved an enormous amount of earth

So they moved an enormous amount of earth

to adapt the landscape of their territory

and create the large esplanades they were going to build on.

NARRATOR: The roads and squares were places both of ceremony

and daily life for the inhabitants of Tikal.

and daily life for the inhabitants of Tikal.

The foundations were also the reason

life continued for 1,000 years in this forest -

a place with six months of torrential rain

a place with six months of torrential rain

and six months of drought each year.

But how was such an important city built in a region

with no source of drinking water,

and no river for dozens of kilometres?

and no river for dozens of kilometres?

- If you don't live close to a lake or to a river,

you depend on human technology to make sure

you depend on human technology to make sure

you will have water all year long.

- You have to create a hydraulic system,

reservoirs - ways to get water for construction,

reservoirs - ways to get water for construction,

because without water you can't build.

And you then need water to survive.

NARRATOR: The remains are now hard to see, except to the trained eye.

This urban centre has been designed

as a remarkable system to collect rainwater.

as a remarkable system to collect rainwater.

- You don't see it here, but the plaza has at least

seven degrees of inclination.

So you can walk even in the rainy season

So you can walk even in the rainy season

and you won't be stomping into water because it's so well designed

that water will run in the places they want it to run

that water will run in the places they want it to run

and not to interrupt daily life.

- (trilling)

NARRATOR: Tikal's plazas, roads and platforms all slope gently

NARRATOR: Tikal's plazas, roads and platforms all slope gently

towards two large basins carved out of the rock,

the bottoms of which are sealed with a layer of stucco and clay.

the bottoms of which are sealed with a layer of stucco and clay.

During the rainy season, water runs down the walls of the structures

into these reservoirs, which can hold around 100,000 cubic metres.

into these reservoirs, which can hold around 100,000 cubic metres.

So Tikal's architects were also hydraulic engineers.

So Tikal's architects were also hydraulic engineers.

These reservoirs provided inhabitants

with enough water to drink, irrigate their crops

and produce the stucco needed for their buildings.

and produce the stucco needed for their buildings.

Downstream from the city's two major reservoirs,

archaeologist Liwy Grazioso recently helped to discover

an even more impressive piece of technology.

1300 years ago,

the embankment she's standing on was, in fact, a dam,

the embankment she's standing on was, in fact, a dam,

separating it from a third reservoir that no longer exists.

- This dam divides the palace reservoir from the hidden reservoir.

- This dam divides the palace reservoir from the hidden reservoir.

This is a net of three tanks that interconnect,

and they are divided by dams with some sluices

and they are divided by dams with some sluices

that you can open and close them to regulate the volume of water

and the speed of water.

and the speed of water.

NARRATOR: In this dam, around eight metres high and 55 metres long,

some of the stones were slightly out of line and movable,

some of the stones were slightly out of line and movable,

so that the water could flow through the wall.

Sediment taken from the ruins was analysed in the laboratory.

Researchers then detected an interloper.

Researchers then detected an interloper.

- They start finding that there are these foreign sands.

They're kind of crystals and they don't belong here.

They're kind of crystals and they don't belong here.

So they start analysing what they were

and they happen to be zeolite.

They are these crystals that can be...

that work like a modern charcoal filter.

that work like a modern charcoal filter.

NARRATOR: Inside the wall itself was a purification system.

NARRATOR: Inside the wall itself was a purification system.

Two braided mats contained a mixture of sand, quartz and zeolite,

porous minerals that cleaned the water of impurities.

porous minerals that cleaned the water of impurities.

- When the water entered the tank, it will be potable water.

That's really an amazing finding.

That's really an amazing finding.

NARRATOR: This extensive system to collect rainwater

and innovative technology to filter it

played a decisive role in the development of Tikal -

played a decisive role in the development of Tikal -

from 300 BC until the end of the first millennium.

- They created filters.

They got that knowledge and they were using materials

They got that knowledge and they were using materials

the Romans started to use 200 years later.

NARRATOR: The water in the reservoirs

wasn't meant for all inhabitants.

wasn't meant for all inhabitants.

The general population, scattered throughout the forest,

mainly used small natural holes known as "aguadas".

mainly used small natural holes known as "aguadas".

The masters of Tikal directly controlled

the drinking water supply, a further means of strengthening their power.

the drinking water supply, a further means of strengthening their power.

Their sumptuous residences overlook the large reservoirs.

These interconnecting palaces, two to five storeys high,

These interconnecting palaces, two to five storeys high,

have not withstood the ravages of time and nature like the pyramids.

But they give an idea of how the Maya elite lived.

But they give an idea of how the Maya elite lived.

You enter through a door whose wooden lintels

have remained unchanged over 13 centuries.

have remained unchanged over 13 centuries.

- (speaks French)

TRANSLATOR: Here, the wall is 74 centimetres thick.

So, in Maya buildings, the interior space is often extremely narrow,

So, in Maya buildings, the interior space is often extremely narrow,

very long, and the walls are often very thick.

75, 80, sometimes a metre thick.

75, 80, sometimes a metre thick.

It's a room with a window, which is a rare feature in Maya architecture.

It's a room with a window, which is a rare feature in Maya architecture.

And even when there's a window, you can see how narrow it is.

NARRATOR: The narrow size of the room and the openings

NARRATOR: The narrow size of the room and the openings

can be explained by how the Maya constructed the ceilings.

- So here, on this part of the vault that's better preserved,

you can clearly see the method used to build the corbelled vault,

you can clearly see the method used to build the corbelled vault,

where each stone shifts a little inwards.

NARRATOR: The room also contains furniture carved in stone.

NARRATOR: The room also contains furniture carved in stone.

- Archaeologists call it a bench.

It's a sort of low, slightly raised, masonry platform

It's a sort of low, slightly raised, masonry platform

that could have been used as a place to sit or act as a bed,

according to some theories.

according to some theories.

And they were repurposed,

possibly after the death of the person that lived there,

possibly after the death of the person that lived there,

and burials are often found under these architectural elements.

NARRATOR: The level of comfort may have been austere,

but the royal palaces could also dazzle.

but the royal palaces could also dazzle.

Situated at a strategic crossroads in the city,

between the sacred temples, markets and water reservoirs,

between the sacred temples, markets and water reservoirs,

the lords of Tikal controlled religion and the local economy.

But at its height, around 900 AD, this prosperous city-state

But at its height, around 900 AD, this prosperous city-state

suddenly collapsed, along with the other Maya lowland cities.

What could have brought about Tikal's demise?

What could have brought about Tikal's demise?

It remains a mystery.

But it's possible that Tikal fell victim

to its own delusions of grandeur:

to its own delusions of grandeur:

overpopulation, overexploitation of resources like wood,

contamination of water reservoirs.

contamination of water reservoirs.

- We find these kind of relationship between a time of crisis -

less water, more dryness,

less water, more dryness,

more pollution, and a decrease in arts

and innovation and architecture and all that.

NARRATOR: The city fell into oblivion

NARRATOR: The city fell into oblivion

for almost a thousand years, swallowed up by the jungle.

Today, these stone remains recount Tikal's rich history

and the genius of the Maya builders.

and the genius of the Maya builders.

With few resources and under extreme conditions,

they created a jungle metropolis

whose story resounds across the centuries.

whose story resounds across the centuries.

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