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NOVA

Building Pharaoh's Chariot

Season 40 Episode 5 | 52m 52s

A team of archaeologists, engineers, woodworkers, and horse trainers join forces to build and test two highly accurate replicas of Egyptian royal chariots. They discover astonishingly advanced features, including spoked wheels, springs, shock absorbers, anti-roll bars, and even a convex-shaped rear mirror, leading one of them to compare the level of design to the engineering standards of 1930's.

Aired: 02/05/13 | Expires: 05/24/17
National Corporate funding for NOVA is provided by Carlisle Companies. Major funding for NOVA is provided by the NOVA Science Trust, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.
Extras
Watch • 0:30
NOVA
Baltimore Bridge Collapse Preview
Follow the investigation into the deadly container ship collision that closed the Port of Baltimore.
Preview: S52 E6 | 0:30
Watch • 3:33
NOVA
This Asteroid Might Make Impact With Earth in 2032
An asteroid is on a collision course with Earth, possibly making impact in 2032.
Clip: S52 | 3:33
Watch • 0:30
NOVA
Pompeii's Secret Underworld Preview
Archaeologists uncover new truths about Pompeii, a wealthy Roman playground with dark secrets.
Preview: S52 E5 | 0:30
Watch • 0:30
NOVA
Egypt's Tombs of Amun Preview
A long lost ancient cemetery opens the door to a unique period in Egyptian history.
Preview: S52 E4 | 0:30
Watch • 2:38
NOVA
Opening a Sealed Egyptian Tomb
Archaeologists remove the mud brick seal of an unopened Egyptian tomb.
Clip: S52 E4 | 2:38
Watch • 1:15
NOVA
How the Afterlife Shaped Ancient Egypt
Discover why the ancient Egyptians invested so much in life after death.
Clip: S52 E4 | 1:15
Watch • 3:03
NOVA
The God’s Wife of Amun: Powerful Women in Ancient Egypt
Discover a time in Ancient Egypt when women held a role with extraordinary power.
Clip: S52 E4 | 3:03
Watch • 0:29
NOVA
Dino Birds Preview
Fossils reveal how birds survived the killer asteroid and became today’s only living dinosaurs.
Preview: S52 E3 | 0:29
Watch • 2:48
NOVA
How Birds Survived the Dinosaur Apocalypse
Birds are today’s only living dinosaurs, but how did they survive the asteroid?
Clip: S52 E3 | 2:48
Watch • 2:56
NOVA
How Birds Evolved to Fly (feat. Slow-Mo Baby Birds)
Slow-motion footage of baby birds helps scientists uncover how their ancestors took to the skies.
Clip: S52 E3 | 2:56
All
  • All
  • NOVA Season 52
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  • NOVA Season 42
  • NOVA Season 41
  • NOVA Season 40
  • NOVA Season 39
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  • NOVA Season 37
  • NOVA Season 36
  • NOVA Season 35
  • NOVA Season 34
  • NOVA Season 33
  • NOVA Season 32
  • NOVA Season 31
  • NOVA Season 30
  • NOVA Season 28
  • NOVA Season 27
  • NOVA Season 23
NOVA
Baltimore Bridge Collapse
n/a
Episode: S52 E6
Watch • 53:40
NOVA
Pompeii's Secret Underworld
Archaeologists uncover new truths about Pompeii, a wealthy Roman playground with dark secrets.
Episode: S52 E5 | 53:40
Watch • 53:40
NOVA
Egypt's Tombs of Amun
A long-lost ancient cemetery opens the door to a unique period in Egyptian history.
Episode: S52 E4 | 53:40
Watch • 53:40
NOVA
Dino Birds
Fossils reveal how birds survived the killer asteroid and became today’s only living dinosaurs.
Episode: S52 E3 | 53:40
Watch • 53:43
NOVA
What Are UFOs?
Can science reveal the secrets of mysterious objects seen in our skies?
Episode: S52 E1 | 53:43
Watch • 53:40
NOVA
Lost Tombs of Notre Dame
Mysterious bodies are found under one of the world’s most famous cathedrals.
Episode: S51 E18 | 53:40
Watch • 53:40
NOVA
Building Stuff: Change It!
From electric flight to artificial noses, engineers are finding new ways to preserve our planet.
Episode: S51 E17 | 53:40
Watch • 53:40
NOVA
Extreme Airport Engineering
Follow the race to build a world-class airport on the site of one of America’s busiest flying hubs.
Episode: S52 E2 | 53:40
Watch • 53:40
NOVA
Building Stuff: Reach It!
Humans are born to roam. See how engineers are inventing new ways to explore and extend our range.
Episode: S51 E16 | 53:40
Watch • 53:40
NOVA
Building Stuff: Boost It!
Is engineering humanity’s superpower? See how we can amplify our natural abilities in amazing ways.
Episode: S51 E15 | 53:40