Secrets of Ancient Structures - Season 1, Episode 06: Beyond the Tomb

Commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his beloved wife, the Taj Mahal stands as a crown jewel of Mughal architecture and an embodiment of eternal devotion. Beneath Germany's 11th century Speyer Cathedral, Salian emperors built a cavernous crypt, revealing astounding visions of the afterlife and their desire to secure a place in eternity. Carved high into cliffs of Turkey, the intricate Lycian tombs offer a window into a mysterious ancient civilization's vibrant beliefs about the afterlife. Each monumental structure holds valuable clues to unravel the mysteries of how ancient ancestors approached the inevitability of death. More than mere burial sites, they reveal complex philosophies about life and what lies beyond.