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Secrets of Lost Empires II—Roman Bath
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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.
Roman Bath
Many of the Roman Empire's best-known engineering feats were first
used in their bathhouses: vaulted roofs, watertight concrete, and
elaborate plumbing and heating systems. In the hills of Turkey, a
team of engineers, historians, archeologists, and local craftspeople
build a working Roman bath. The challenges they face—from
cracking tiles and leaky tubs to heavy rains—require
cooperative problem-solving along the way.
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