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Secrets of Lost Empires II—China Bridge
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Program Overview
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Uncover the Latest Secrets from NOVA
Magnificent structures—symbols of faith, power, commerce, or
comfort—are the intriguing legacies of the civilizations
featured in this five-part miniseries,
Secrets of Lost Empires. Without modern technology, these
ancient builders achieved construction feats that still impress
today.
NOVA travels to the sites of these once-mighty empires to answer the
question, "How did they do that?" Expert teams of engineers,
archeologists, and master builders attempt to recreate the
structures, using the materials, tools, and techniques thought to
have been available to their ancient counterparts. The researchers
draw on tantalizing clues found in ruins, paintings, and documents
to guide them. But in this real-world laboratory, things don't
always go as planned. The teams demonstrate science inquiry in
action, refining their hypotheses through trial and error. In the
process, they gain a deeper understanding of the ancient builders
and their worlds.
China Bridge
Among the many inventions of China's Song dynasty during the
eleventh and twelfth centuries was the "rainbow bridge." The high
arch of the bridge solved the problem of spanning a fast-moving
river without impeding boat traffic. But how were wooden beams
interwoven to form the curve depicted in a scroll from the period?
NOVA travels to the heart of the Song dynasty to build a replica
rainbow bridge across a busy canal.
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