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Secrets of Lost Empires I—Stonehenge
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Program Overview
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Ancient structures may generate awe and provide information about
the people who built them, but they leave many questions unanswered:
How were they constructed? What technologies were available to the
builders? What tools did they use?
In this four-part mini series, NOVA brings together experts from
diverse fields to reconstruct how these monuments might have been
built. For each structure, individual teams are challenged to create
a scale model using the materials and scientific knowledge thought
to be available at the time of original construction (although at
times they resort to modern methods). By applying their knowledge of
each culture, their expertise in building techniques, and a process
of trial and error, the teams attempt to reconstruct these ancient
technological wonders.
Stonehenge
 A distinctive feature of this stone site are the trilithons, which
consist of two upright stones topped by a horizontal lintel stone.
In this program, the NOVA team considers how to transport and raise
the massive stones, as well as how to place the lintel stone on top.
By comparing different strategies and adapting ramps, levers, and
other tools that might have been available to the ancient builders,
the team works to meet the challenge.
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