PBS greenlights Blink Films docuseries Secrets of the Ancient Wonders

Secrets of the Ancient Wonders

Blink Films

American public broadcaster PBS has commissioned Secrets of the Ancient Wonders, a four-part documentary series from UK-based production company Blink Films.

Set to premiere on PBS in 2027, the series will examine four historic sites (the Great Pyramid of Giza, Petra, Machu Picchu and the Colosseum) using LiDAR scanning, archaeological research and computer-generated imagery to investigate their construction and the engineering techniques behind them.

PBS Distribution is handling international sales on the series.

Presented by archaeologist Dr Alice Roberts, the series will combine insights from leading specialists with detailed 3D models created from survey data and displayed on a large-scale Volume Wall.

Among the questions explored are whether the Colosseum was used for naval battles, what lies beneath Petra’s Treasury and how the builders of the Great Pyramid and Machu Picchu overcame significant engineering and environmental challenges.

As well as airing on PBS, the docuseries will also be broadcast on Australia’s SBS under the title Cracking the Ancient Wonders.