Even before the start of recorded history, ancient engineers across the World were erecting giant monuments. What was their purpose? And how did early peoples move such massive slabs of stone across hundreds of miles – long before the wheel had been invented?

Since their earliest existence in ancient Greek and Roman civilizations stadiums have been regarded as architectural masterpieces and focal points in their surrounding cities but non more so than the Colosseum in Rome.

From living in caves to grand mansions shelter has always been high on the list of our priorities. But form and function varies wildly throughout civilizations. We explore how houses have developed through the ages – from simple tents made from animal hides to the first cities.

Since the earliest civilizations, humans have needed walls to protect them. From rudimentary walls around early towns and cities to vast fortresses and castles, culminating in one of the greatest engineering triumphs of all time – the Great Wall of China.

Awe-inspiring palaces are the legacy that demonstrates the brilliance of Islamic engineers, working centuries before Western Europe began its own engineering revolution. It’s a process that culminated in what is arguably the most beautiful building in the World – the Taj Mahal.

Join us as we dig deep in this episode to uncover how gold was mined and transformed into everyday objects like jewellery and currency and even used to adorn holy temples and statues.

This episode charts the groundbreaking developments that led us to a technologically sophisticated society. Discover the first ever data recording device from over 5000 years ago how weaving created binary code and that electric cars were invented a hundred years earlier than you think they were.

The ancient ancestors realized that building structures and machines to harness water to provide transport power drainage and irrigation was vital to the success of their civilizations.

In the Middle Ages, the technology of the castle evolved by leaps and bounds. Engineers constructed some of the most spectacular buildings of all time in a dramatic arms- race. At the same time, new weapons designed to attack castles came to the fore.

Throughout history our ancestors have always strived to go higher bigger deeper further - and this is reflected in the buildings and structures around our globe. But what secrets can these ancient structures reveal?

Temples, designed to honor the Gods, have been at the heart of cities since earliest times. Often they have been the biggest and most impressive buildings of their age. But mysterious ancient temples crop up across the ancient world. Why are so many of these monuments carefully aligned with the sun?

Without water, civilization is simply not possible. Romans took control of their water supplies very, very seriously. In order to keep the taps on, Roman engineers constructed vast networks of aqueducts, tunnels, sewers, and drains.

This episode dives into the pioneering breakthroughs from across the globe that have shaped our ability to travel.

This episode explores some of history's most ingenious yet lesser-known engineering solutions. Beginning with a recently uncovered 6300 year old Croatian wooden well that has been termed 'the world's oldest engineering marvel' through to the the Persian yakhchal.

Migration travel and trade are all key components of human life. Our ancient ancestors had to come up with ingenious solutions and structures to travel freely – over the hills valleys and rivers of our world which can sometimes pose difficult obstacles to cross.

As the battle distance continued to grow with each new weapon humans put their best minds to work refining and evolving their designs over the millennia to gain the upper hand.

Chariots were the express vehicles of their day – but how did they work? And what about the roads, tunnels, and bridges that they relied upon? Transport networks are also indispensable in our fast-paced, interconnected modern world, and we’ve learned from our ancestors.

The Great Pyramid at Giza is the only survivor of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Its scale is breath-taking and it is built to the mind-boggling degree of precision. How did ancient engineers achieve this feat, and what was the purpose of this monumental and mysterious structure?

Building for God reached a high point in the Middle Ages when a new engineering movement emerged in Europe, changing the rules forever. It aimed to use pioneering construction methods and architecture to create a glimpse of heaven...on earth.

As far back as the Bronze Age, humans were building ships capable of crossing oceans and trading between continents. Perhaps the greatest surviving vessel from the Ancient world, is The Mary Rose, Henry VIII’s mighty warship. It was a true engineering wonder, but one built with a fatal weakness.