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How has China’s magnificent Forbidden City withstood centuries of earthquakes? (Aired October 18, 2017) Official Website: | #novapbs The Forbidden City is the world’s biggest and most extravagant palace complex ever built. For five centuries, it was the power center of imperial China and survived wars, revolution, fires, and earthquakes. How did the Ming Emperor’s workforce construct its sprawling array of nearly 1,000 buildings and dozens of temples in a little over a decade? How were stupendous 250-ton marble blocks moved across many miles to reach the site? And how did fantastically intricate woodwork, all fastened without nails or glue, enable the palaces to survive hundreds of earthquakes, including recent ones that obliterated nearby modern structures? To find answers, NOVA joins a team of master craftsmen who build a scale model of a typical palace in a seismic lab, then subject it to simulated earthquakes to shake out the secrets of how the Forbidden City has withstood centuries of violent tremors. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:26 How Was the Forbidden City Built? 08:54 How Does the Forbidden City Withstand Earthquakes? 22:34 Innovations of the Ming Dynasty 36:46 Art and Architecture of the Forbidden City 51:31 Conclusion © 2017 WGBH Educational Foundation All rights reserved This program was produced by GBH, which is solely responsible for its content. This program is made possible by viewers like you. Support your local PBS station here: Enjoy full episodes of your favorite PBS shows anytime, anywhere with the free PBS app: Stay up to date on the latest science discoveries, full episodes, articles, videos, and more by signing up for NOVA's newsletter here: #forbiddencity #architechture #earthquake #engineering FOLLOW US: NOVA YouTube: Facebook: X: Instagram: TikTok: @novapbs PBS Facebook: X: Instagram: YouTube: TikTok: @pbs
