The Weekend Review: BEHIND THE LOST EMPIRES

Smithsonian Channel Reveals Cutting-Edge Technology Reveals New Insights Into Pompeii, Roman Gladiators, China And Burm a Dr Jeffrey Riegal, UC Berkeley (photo courtesy of Smithsonian Channel) The Smithsonian Channel launched two weeks ago launched a five week series called BEHIND THE LOST EMPIRES . This week, we screened the latest release called " RAIDERS OF THE JADE EMPIRE. " This episode examined the Han dynasty which ruled the East, bringing a lasting identity to the country and people of China. They left behind incredible treasures of jade, sculpture, gold and silk. Unfortunately for modern archieologists, tomb raiders long ago made off with many of the Hans greatest treasures. Three spectacular royal tombs have been uncovered that offered scientists a chance to examine artifacts the raiders left behind or never found treasures that show the source of the Hans wealth and power and reveal their ideas on life and death. With this e...