Blowing Up History

The documentary explores the reasons behind Palmyra’s foundation in the harsh Syrian desert and the strategies its ancient inhabitants used to survive there. It also follows scholars as they return to the ruins, years after the site was devastated by ISIS.

Lost Empire of Palmyra is a television programme presented as a single episode. It falls under the genre of documentary‑style broadcasting, focusing on a historic location rather than a fictional narrative. The title itself hints at the central subject – the ancient city of Palmyra and the mystery surrounding its rise and fall. The core of the episode asks two fundamental questions: why was Palmyra established in the harsh Syrian desert, and how did the people who lived there manage to survive in such an environment? These inquiries drive the narrative, prompting viewers to consider the strategic, economic and environmental factors that might have influenced the city’s foundation and its inhabitants’ daily lives. The programme also notes that, years after the site suffered extensive damage at the hands of ISIS, a group of experts has returned to Palmyra. Their revisit aims to assess the aftermath of the destruction and to gather whatever evidence remains that can shed light on the ancient settlement’s original purpose and resilience. By bringing specialists back to the ruined ruins, the episode offers a contemporary look at a once‑flourishing empire, juxtaposing past mysteries with present‑day efforts to understand and document what survived the recent devastation.