Ancient Invisible Cities

Ancient cities such as Athens, Cairo, and Istanbul are in many ways "invisible cities," where modern buildings cloak half-forgotten functions and landmarks. Professor Darius Arya hosts this PBS-aired BBC documentary series that uses 3D imaging to uncover and recreate the past. Named after Athena, the goddess of wisdom, the Greek city-state of Athens is revered as the birthplace of democracy, although the modern world might balk at its army of slaves (who were often captured in battle), or the fact that women had no vote and few rights. Slaves were assigned back-breaking tasks like extracting silver ore from nearby areas. Like most ancient cities, Athens was adept at exploiting local resources, quarrying high quality marble for the Acropolis and other monuments. Athens was often in wars with Sparta and empires to the east; part of a defensive wall can still be glimpsed in an underground parking garage, and Arya and others go underwater to examine now submerged fortifications that lie outside the city. Cairo is a sprawling modern metropolis still living in the shadow of the Great Pyramid of Giza, which is marked by intricate labyrinths and mysterious chambers. Free men (no slaves) are now thought to have built the monuments; recently excavated living quarters have been found nearby, supplemented by baking and beer-making facilities. The Nile’s life-giving waters ebb and flow, a silent witness to engineering feats spanning 32 dynasties and 3,000 years. Istanbul is a bridge between eastern and western cultures, surviving earthquakes, sackings by Crusaders, and sieges from the Ottoman armies. In this "layer cake of civilizations," an ancient racetrack is transformed into a water storage area, a modern carpet shop now perches atop the mosaics of an ancient palace, and the Grand Bazaar marketplace endures, expands, and prospers through the centuries. Filled with colorful views and spectacular monuments, this informative historical travelogue series is highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)