Myth Hunters Season 1 Episode 10 The Missing 8th Wonder of the World

The Missing 8th Wonder of the World, the tenth episode of the first season of Myth Hunters, explores the story of an extraordinary engineering and architectural feat that vanished without a trace: the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

The episode begins by introducing the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, said to have been built by King Nebuchadnezzar II in the 6th century BCE for his wife Amytis, who missed the green hills and fragrant plants of her homeland. The gardens, as described by ancient writers, were a lush paradise of trees, flowers, and water features, irrigated by an intricate system of canals and pumps. However, despite its fame and grandeur, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon have never been found for certain, and their existence remains a subject of debate and speculation among historians, archaeologists, and myth hunters.

The host of the show, Jamie Theakston, travels to Iraq to investigate the mystery of the missing gardens and meet with local experts and enthusiasts who have dedicated their lives to the search. Along the way, he encounters a rich tapestry of history, culture, and politics, as well as the challenges and dangers of operating in a region torn by war and instability.

Theakston's first stop is the ancient city of Babylon, located about 50 miles south of Baghdad. Here, he surveys the remains of the royal palace and the mighty walls and gates, and listens to the stories and legends associated with the place. He learns that Babylon was one of the greatest cities of the ancient world, with a population of up to 200,000 people, and a center of intellectual, religious, and commercial exchange. He also discovers that the site of Babylon has been heavily plundered, looted, and damaged over the centuries, by conquerors, invaders, and tourists alike, leaving little evidence of the original structures.

Next, Theakston visits the marshlands of southern Iraq, where some believe the Hanging Gardens might have been located. He meets with a farmer who claims to have found the brick foundations of a large structure in his field, which he thinks could be the remains of the gardens. Theakston investigates the site with a metal detector and a ground-penetrating radar, but the results are inconclusive. He also talks to an archaeologist who suggests that the gardens might have been built in a different location, as part of a grander scheme of urban planning and water management.

Theakston then heads to the ancient city of Nineveh, near Mosul, to explore another possible location for the gardens. He meets with a team of archaeologists who are excavating the ruins of a palace complex, which they believe belonged to King Sennacherib, the predecessor of Nebuchadnezzar II. They show him the remains of a large aqueduct and a series of underground tunnels and chambers, which they think might have supplied water to the gardens. They also show him a relief that depicts a lush garden with trees, flowers, and animals, which might have been inspired by the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

Finally, Theakston returns to Babylon to assess the evidence and weigh the theories. He concludes that while the Hanging Gardens of Babylon are still missing, they remain one of the most enduring and fascinating mysteries of the ancient world. He reflects on the power of myths and legends to transcend time and space, and on the importance of preserving and understanding our heritage for future generations.

Throughout the episode, Theakston offers insightful commentary, engaging interviews, and stunning visuals, which combine to create a compelling and informative narrative of the search for the Missing 8th Wonder of the World. Myth Hunters season 1 episode 10 is a must-watch for anyone interested in archaeology, history, and adventure.