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Arts & Culture

TIME SCANNERS: Machu Picchu

A scenic shot of a lama looking towards Machu Picchu in Cusco, Peru.
Courtesy of Alex Rowson/ Atlantic Productions
A scenic shot of a lama looking towards Machu Picchu in Cusco, Peru.

Airs Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018 at 11 p.m. on KPBS TV

The groundbreaking architectural series TIME SCANNERS reveals physical and forensic history using cutting-edge technology that can “read” buildings, ruins and landscapes, allowing viewers to reach out and touch the past.

Steve Burrows, one of the world’s foremost structural engineers – and the brains behind the famous Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing – returns to lead a team of investigators, including pioneering laser-scanning researchers, to unlock the secrets of the world’s greatest engineering achievements.

Hosted by Dallas Campbell (BANG GOES THE THEORY), each episode provides unprecedented answers to the scientific secrets behind the historical landmarks.

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TIME SCANNERS: Trailer

In this episode, Burrows taking his team of experts to Machu Picchu, one of the most inaccessible cities in the world and home to an enchanted 500-year-old stone citadel.

Malcolm Williamson, Steve Burrows and Stella Nair examining scan data of Machu Picchu for Tech HQ day.
Courtesy of Alex Rowson/ Atlantic Productions
Malcolm Williamson, Steve Burrows and Stella Nair examining scan data of Machu Picchu for Tech HQ day.

There, in the deep dense jungle of the Peruvian Andes, the team scans the iconic Inca city using cutting-edge, 3D laser-scanning technology in search of answers to the following questions:

  • How did the Inca build a city atop a mountain ridge?
  • How were the terraces constructed?
  • And how did they supply water to the city?

The team hopes their laser scans will help decode the past.

Point Cloud and CGI of Machu Picchu.
Courtesy of Atlantic Productions
Point Cloud and CGI of Machu Picchu.
A scenic shot of Machu Picchu and Hyuana Picchu, Cusco, Peru.
Courtesy of Alex Rowson/ Atlantic Productions
A scenic shot of Machu Picchu and Hyuana Picchu, Cusco, Peru.

WATCH ON YOUR SCHEDULE:

This episode and past episodes from the series are available to stream on demand with KPBS Passport, video streaming for members ($60 yearly) using your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, AppleTV, Amazon Fire or Chromecast. Learn how to activate your benefit now.

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JOIN THE CONVERSATION:

Steve Burrows @ifollowsteve is on Twitter. #Timescanners

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CREDITS:

TIME SCANNERS is produced by Atlantic Productions. Lara Acastar is the series producer. Anthony Geffen is executive producer.