Ancient Superstructures (2020)

Episode Overview

In the 17th Century, Mughal emperor Shah Jahan commissioned the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, as a tribute to his beloved wife. This stunning marble mausoleum is celebrated as one of the seven wonders of the modern world, yet many mysteries about its construction remain. How was it completed in just 20 years, especially when Notre Dame took over a century? What keeps it stable on the shifting banks of the sacred Yamuna River? Through advanced satellite imagery and microscopic studies, historians, engineers, and researchers are uncovering the answers, revealing deep foundations, exquisite gemstones, and groundbreaking brick-making techniques that contributed to this monumental feat.