Top 10 Documentaries on Lost Civilisations

Description: Although not a documentary, this film is based on the true story of British explorer Percy Fawcett, who ventured into the Amazon to find an ancient lost city. Its inclusion in this list highlights the enduring fascination with lost civilisations and the lengths to which explorers went to uncover them.

Fact: The film was shot in Colombia, which provided a lush, authentic backdrop for the Amazonian setting. The real-life Percy Fawcett's disappearance remains one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in exploration history.

Description: This documentary explores the rise and fall of the Maya civilization, one of the most advanced pre-Columbian societies in the Americas, known for their sophisticated writing, astronomy, and architecture.

Fact: The film features interviews with leading Mayan scholars and includes footage from archaeological sites like Tikal, providing a firsthand look at the remnants of this once-great civilization.

Description: This episode from the "Lost Civilisations" series delves into the Inca Empire, examining their incredible engineering feats, like Machu Picchu, and their sudden collapse with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors.

Fact: The series was narrated by Sam Waterston, whose voice adds a gravitas to the exploration of these ancient cultures.

Description: This documentary uncovers the lesser-known pre-Inca civilizations of Peru, including the Chavín, Moche, and Nazca cultures, revealing their contributions to the region's rich cultural tapestry.

Fact: The film includes aerial footage of the Nazca Lines, providing a unique perspective on these mysterious geoglyphs.

Description: Focusing on the discovery and exploration of Machu Picchu, this documentary provides insights into the life and times of the Inca civilization, showcasing their architectural prowess and the city's strategic location.

Fact: The film features interviews with Hiram Bingham III's descendants, the explorer who rediscovered Machu Picchu in

Description: This documentary series explores the rise and fall of ancient Mediterranean civilizations like the Minoans, Phoenicians, and Etruscans, offering a comprehensive look at their cultural and technological advancements.

Fact: The series was filmed on location at various archaeological sites, providing a vivid backdrop to the narrative.

Description: This documentary uncovers the rich history of African civilizations like the Kingdom of Kush, Great Zimbabwe, and the Nok culture, challenging the notion of Africa as a continent without history before European contact.

Fact: The film highlights the advanced iron-working techniques of the Nok culture, predating similar developments in Europe.

Description: This documentary delves into the Harappan civilization, known for its urban planning, sanitation systems, and trade networks, which mysteriously vanished around 1900 BCE.

Fact: The film includes recent archaeological discoveries that shed new light on the daily life and eventual decline of this civilization.

Description: Focusing on the enigmatic Easter Island, this documentary explores the rise of the Rapa Nui civilization, their monumental statues (moai), and the theories behind their societal collapse.

Fact: The film features interviews with Thor Heyerdahl, whose theories on the Polynesian origins of the islanders sparked much debate.

Description: This documentary provides an in-depth look at the Maya civilization, from their astronomical achievements to their complex social structure, and the reasons behind their mysterious decline.

Fact: The film includes CGI reconstructions of Maya cities, giving viewers a sense of what these once-thriving metropolises might have looked like.