Ancient Mysteries Season 3, Episode 13: The Riddle of the Maya

The Hidden City of Petra

It remained hidden behind walls of sheer rock for more than 2,000 years. In 1812, Johann Burckhardt ventured into the Jordanian desert and discovered hundreds of structures stretching for miles along narrow canyons: the ancient city of Petra. Narrated by Leonard Nimoy, ANCIENT MYSTERIES journeys into the past, unlocking the secrets long held captive behind Jordan's sandstone cliffs. Nearly 200 years after its discovery, archaeologists are still astonished at the ruins of Petra. The city evokes wonder in all who behold it--who were the people who carved these structures into solid rock, and how? Wander through what was once a thriving, sophisticated city and glean insight into the Nabataeans, the ancient people who lived and worked here. What caused their strange disappearance? Interviews with archaeologists and anthropologists and stunning location footage illuminate an incredible account of THE HIDDEN CITY OF PETRA.

45 min

Palenque: The Maya

Palenque was a Maya city state in southern Mexico that flourished in the 7th century.

45 min

Camelot

The court of King Arthur, Camelot was at the center of a world of magic and honor. But what lies behind this captivating legend?

45 min

Vikings in North America

The exploits of Eric the Red. The legend of Leif Ericson. The struggle for power the bond of a family and the courage to sail beyond a dark and dangerous ocean. Guided by their hopes the explorers of the North moved their horizon west in an odyssey of ice and uncertainity. Leaving Norway for Iceland and an inauspicious tundra they named Greenland the Norse in their long boats proved sturdy enough to reach one more distant shore--VINLAND. At the dawn of the century with the chance to settle a new home the long search seemed over and the future bright. Yet their stay proved so brief as to almost escape history until a fantastic find just thirty years ago by Helge Ingstad.

45 min

Machu Picchu: City in the Sky

The structure of Machu Picchu, originally built by the Incas, is one of the most archaeologically stunning mysteries of the past. However, even today we are still unsure what its purpose was. Was it an observatory? A pleasure retreat? Or a Fortress? This programme attempts to uncover the historical and spiritual mysteries of this magical place.

45 min

Quest for the Fountain of Youth

It is one of the most puzzling tales to come out of the European Age of Discovery. And yet, the alleged search for the Fountain of Youth by Spanish explorer Ponce de León was almost certainly influenced by folklore from many centuries before. In this tale of a quest for immortality, explore the origins of the powerful belief in water mythology - said to be traced back at least as far as the third century. Listen to leading historians propose that despite the account of León's venerable pursuit, he was actually driven by dreams of gold and riches, not the fabled fountain. Or is it possible that when the famed explorer alighted on Florida's shores, he wasn't looking for the fountain at all? The Quest for the Fountain of Youth is the ultimate examination o this much-debated, timeless legend.

45 min

The Timber Castles of England

The history of the timber castles that once populated medieval England, but are only mounds of earth today.

45 min

Secret Mounds of Prehistoric America

Explore some of the most intriguing archaeological sites on earth - the puzzling pre-historic mounds built by the ancient residents of North America.

45 min

The Search for Shangri-La

A tale told through the centuries of a lost, hidden civilization that lives in an euphoric state of peace and harmony enclosed by impassable mountains.

45 min

Who Built Stonehenge?

An investigation of the origins of Stonehenge, the prehistoric megaliths on the Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England, believed to have been erected during the Neolithic period (circa 2000 B.C.).

45 min

Atlantis: The Lost Civilization

It was a myth first told by Plato in the late 4th century B.C. - a dramatic tale of a powerful civilization living on an island that one day mysteriously disappeared underneath the rolling waves of the Atlantic. In the many thousands of years that have passed since Plato's time, questions about the fabled city under the sea have continued to captivate millions across the globe. Did the island of Atlantis really exist, and, if so, where? Throughout the ages, Atlantis has been linked to the island of Bimini, the Canary Islands, Santorini, and Troy, among other places. In this fascinating program, join renowned historians as they examine the many theories surrounding this timeless legend. Was it a purely fictional fable invented by the famous Greek philosopher, or an accurate historical account of a technologically advanced society? Join Ancient Mysteries and discover the truth behind the story of Atlantis: The Lost Civilization.

45 min

The Search for Alexander the Great

Efforts to locate the remains of Alexander the Great. Included: the discovery of treasures in northern Greece that appear to have belonged to his father, Phillip II of Macedonia.

45 min

The Lost Canyon of the Pueblos

Examination of the sophisticated system of housing built by the Pueblo Indians in New Mexico's Chaco Canyon over 1,000 years ago.

45 min

Naked Warriors of Europe

An examination of the Celts, whose culture reached its zenith in Europe between the 5th and 1st centuries B.C. Included: their artwork, religious practices and fighting tactics.

45 min

Life and Death in Britian's Ancient Theaters

A look at British theater in the Elizabethan age.

45 min

The Quest for the Holy Lance

A Roman soldier takes his spear and pierces the side of Christ as he hangs on a crucifix. Thus, the legend of the Holy Lance is born. Relics associated with the life of Christ have inspired awe and obsession throughout the ages. Giants of history ranging from Attila the Hun, Charlamagne and Adolf Hitler desired possession of this artifact that supposedly contains the power of God. What is the true story of the Holy Lance, and does it exist today?

45 min

Blood and Honor at the First Olympics

A look at the first Olympic competitions in Greece, circa 776 B.C.

45 min

The Sunken City

The ancient city of Ostia, Italy, used at one time as the port of Rome, from its founding by Ancus Marcius (641-616 B.C.) to its eventual decline and abandonment over a 1600-year period.

45 min

The Miraculous Canals of Venice

"The Miraculous Canals of Venice" looks into why - and how - Venetians built their city on 120 islands in the Adriatic. The city was first settled in the 5th century by people fleeing invading barbarians, and reached the height of its commercial and political prosperity in the 1500s.

45 min

Blood and Treasure in Peru

“Blood and Treasure in Peru” chronicles the discovery - by grave robbers - of the royal tombs of Sipan, a treasure trove of artifacts produced about A..D. 400, and the find's effect on the international art market. The artifacts were produced by the Moche people, whose civilization flourished in Peru between the 1st and 9th centuries A.D.

45 min

Pompeii: Buried Alive

Two-thousand years ago, Rome was an all-powerful empire and Pompeii was one of its prosperous provincial towns - until Mount Vesuvius exploded in the largest eruption ever recorded. In a matter of hours the thriving city was entombed under a thick layer of ash and debris, undiscovered for centuries. Ancient Mysteries journeys to the first century to explore the remarkable city of Pompeii. Recreate the events leading up to the explosion and learn how the ash kept the city and its inhabitants - the only significant discovery of Roman Bodies ever - in a unique state of preservation. Wander through the ancient streets of this sophisticated society and witness current excavations. Interviews with archeologists and historians, extensive location footage, and archival documents - including one remaining eyewitness account - shed eerie light on the cataclysmic eruption of Pompeii, a city frozen in time.

45 min

Hadrian's Wall

Speculation on why the Roman emperor Hadrian constructed a wall along the empire's British frontier in the 2nd century. The wall (and accompanying fortifications) was built between A.D.122 and 136, and was abandoned by the end of the 4th century.

45 min

Secrets of the Pueblo

An examination of the 19 Pueblo towns located in New Mexico's Chaco Canyon, believed to be some of the earliest dwellings in North America. Included: a history of the Pueblo tribe.

45 min

The Puzzling Pyramids of Mexico

An examination of the pyramids in the Mexican city of Teotihuacan. Also: the Temple of the Feathered Spirit and the Avenue of the Dead.

45 min

The Rosetta Stone

For thousands of years, the rich history of ancient Egypt was sealed off from the world, a mystery obscured by the pictorial language of hieroglyphics. But in 1799, the breakthrough needed to decipher the hieroglyphs was accidentally discovered. The Rosetta Stone -- a cryptic, black stone tabled -- held the key to knowledge of ancient Egypt. Yet it could not be translated until 1822, twenty-three years after the discovery, when its meaning was finally revealed by Francois Champollion, a young French scholar. Ancient Mysteries explores his struggle to decipher the Rosetta Stone and the glorious secrets it uncovered.

45 min

China's Wall of Doom

The mysterious gravesite of an ancient Chinese emperor, who had an "army" of 7000 terra cotta statues built around the tomb to guard it against intruders.

45 min

Astrology: Secrets in the Stars

Are the secrets truly written in the heavens, or is the ancient practice of astrology further evidence of mankind's need to seek fate and meaning beyond the "real" world?

45 min

The Queen Pharaoh

A profile of Egypt's Queen Hatshepsut attempts to explain why the male rulers who followed her tried to erase her name from history, despite her leadership on the battlefield and in government.

45 min

Secrets of Sex: The Kama Sutra

An examination of the Kamasutra, the Hindu text that details "the delights of the human sexual experience," focuses on its religious origins and whether it is sacred or profane. Included: comments from author Deepak Chopra.

45 min

The Forbidden City: The Dynasty and Destiny

For 500 years, China's Forbidden City was a sacred site of power, passion, and perversity. Conceived in a dream and doomed by a curse, the magnificent 15th-century architectural marvel remains shrouded in both myth and mystery. The colorful and majestic Forbidden City is the largest palace complex in the world. Within its high walls like the remnants of a chapter in China's history that ended with the abdication of the last emperor in 1912. As the sanctified home of China's ruler, the great city was once strictly forbidden to all but the emperor and his court of concubines and eunuchs. Anyone who dared trespass its borders would inevitably meet an unspeakable demise.

45 min

Incredible Monuments of Rome

They stand today as testaments to the glory and grandeur of ancient Rome. But what brutal and murderous price was paid to build and maintain these imperial monuments? The celebrated Roman monuments were once splendid arenas where no form of torture was deemed too cruel; places of worship where gods were frequently honored with shocking ritualistic sacrifices; and pleasure palaces where wanton sexual depravity was not only accepted but encouraged. In this captivating program, Ancient Mysteries presents the stories behind those responsible for creating these imposing structures and attempts to uncover what these monuments symbolized in the ancient Roman world. Join A&E for an exciting journey into the past to resolve some of the unanswered questions surrounding the magnificent and controversial monuments.

45 min

Lost Spirits of Cambodia

A visit to the ruins of the imperial city of Angkor in Cambodia, built over 75 square miles between the 9th and 12th centuries. Angkor's landmark was Angkor Wat, a temple to the Hindu god Vishnu. At its peak, Angkor was home to a million people.

45 min

Lost Legions of Rome

“Lost Legions of Rome” explores the efficacy and the legacy of Rome's military machine, which was sometimes more powerful than the emperors it was supposed to serve. Examined: the Roman army's conquests, tactics and weapons.

45 min

Voodoo!

A survey of voodoo, an amalgam of African religions and Christianity, which is still practiced in the Caribbean, South America and the U.S. The program searches for voodoo's roots in Africa, examines its role in Caribbean history and visits voodoo temples.

45 min

The Lost Cities of Rome

Beneath the former capital of the Roman Empire hides a maze of secret passages and chambers. It is the underground cemetery used by the Christian and Jewish communities in ancient Rome, a labyrinth of more than 60 miles of burial chambers.

45 min

Rites of Death

A look at burial customs throughout history. Cultures examined include India, Tibet and ancient Egypt.

45 min

Lost Castles of England

Along with chivalry, romance, and royalty, the image of the great stone castle with lofty towers, a drawbridge, and a deep moat has always been associated with medieval England. Yet, these formidable stone citadels of the Feudal period were not the first castles to populate the English countryside. During the Middle Ages, the dominant fortifications of England's landscape were built using only timber and earth. Although primitive, these large wooden castles built into the soil were strategically constructed to withstand attack by providing those inside with the defensive advantage. What they were not able to withstand, however, were the indomitable effects of the elements and the unforgiving passage of time, which have all but destroyed the castles' legacy. Join Ancient Mysteries® for a journey into England's medieval past to uncover the lost secrets behind these marvels of ancient engineering.

45 min

Secrets of Delphi

One of the holiest sites of ancient Greece, Delphi was the pre-eminent shrine of Apollo. Cradled by Mount Parnassos and a valley of olive groves, it was also sacred to Dionysus, who was supposedly buried there. But Delphi is chiefly known for its legendary oracle the most famous of the ancient world. Journey back to the golden age of Greece, when the mysterious oracle of Delphi predicted the futures of kings and countries. In the smoky, haunting, and hallucinogenic atmosphere of the sacred shrine, predictions were uttered by a priestess in a delirious trance and interpreted by a priest speaking in verse. Dramatic re-creations bring the oracle to life, and leading historians explain how Delphi grew wealthy through the offerings of those seeking a glimpse at destiny. Explore the ruins of this mystical site with archaeologists, and see the latest discoveries that are shedding new light on the legendary city.

45 min

The Secret Life of King Ramses II

Explore the life of the last great pharaoh of Egypt, and uncover mysteries behind the life of the legendary ruler. King of Egypt (1304–1237 BC), whose long and prosperous reign marks the last great peak of Egyptian power. Despite his doubtful victory over the Hittites at Kadesh in N Syria (1299 BC), he managed to stabilize his frontier against them, making peace with them (1283 BC) and later marrying a Hittite princess (1270 BC). An enthusiastic builder, he has left innumerable monuments, among them the great sandstone temples at Abu Simbel.

45 min

The Powerful Gods of Mt. Olympus

Twelve great gods, overlooking classical Greece from atop Mount Olympus. Their anger was capable of boiling the oceans, electrifying the skies or splitting the earth. They seduced mortal women and castrated their enemies. From Zeus to Apollo, Poseidon to Demeter, the gods and goddesses were all powerful and unpredictably fickle. The great writer Homer dared to mock the gods. Yet, from Eleusis to Athens, the Greek people built magnificent temples and cult sites. Ceremonies of birth and death were played out and sacrifices were made as the mysteries were celebrated. Propitiating the gods was a duty executed with lyrical devotion and savage passion.

45 min

Apocalypse: The Puzzle of Revelation

45 min

Curse of the Goddess Pele

Hawaii emerged steaming from the sea millennia ago, the product of thousands of years of continual volcanic eruptions that finally broke the sea's surface and gave birth to a tropical paradise famed the world over. Since the very first people settled here, they have revered and feared the volcanoes, and tried to appease their mistress, the fickle goddess Pele. She is one of the most captivating, capricious and enduring of all pagan deities. Even today, her name and power are taken seriously by many Hawaiians, whose lives are subject to the whims of the volcanoes she is said to control. The Curse of the Goddess Pele is a fascinating look at this enigmatic figure. Experts in Hawaiian history and legends trace her origins, and explore the possibility that there is a real person at the heart of this enduring belief. Ancient tales and art help bring her story to life, while footage of modern Hawaiian ceremonies show the very real role Pele continues to play in the islands today.

45 min

Headhunters of the Amazon

45 min

Private Lives of the Emperors

45 min

Sacred Places

When the pyramids were being built and Stonehenge was new, the world was a magical and mysterious place. Throughout the world, man built incredible monuments and mysterious buildings to mark the passing of time and kings, to track the movements of the heavens, to glorify their gods and celebrate their victories. SACRED PLACES is a globe-spanning journey to some of the most extraordinary and moving of these famed sites. From the massive temples at Machu Picchu to the impassive statues of Easter Island, this is an up-close look at some of mankind's most impressive achievements, and the allure they have for us today. Learn how and why they were created, and get a behind-the-scenes look with the curators and directors of these magical sites.

45 min

Sacred Rites and Rituals

45 min

Samurai!

45 min

Secrets of the Aztecs

45 min

Temples of Eternity

45 min

The Unknown Jesus

45 min

The Vatican Revealed

45 min

UFOs: The First Encounters

Although experts today have been able to decipher artifacts and ruins from once flourishing ancient civilizations, questions remain as to why so many monuments of antiquity seem to refer to certain stars in the sky. UFOs: THE FIRST ENCOUNTERS investigates several early texts and their curious references to strange flying objects, while confronting the age-old question: Are we truly alone or have we been visited by travelers from other worlds for thousands of years?

45 min