What on Earth?

Aerial archaeologists are engaged in a race to uncover the reasons behind the collapse of the Mayan Empire, employing high‑altitude surveys and remote sensing. The series also examines the terrifying legacy of the communist lake of death, revealing its grim historical impact.

The programme is an episode that follows a team of aerial archaeologists as they set out to unravel the long‑standing mystery surrounding the collapse of the Mayan Empire. It also turns its attention to the grim legacy of what’s been described as the communist lake of death. In the first part of the episode, the archaeologists employ high‑altitude imaging and other aerial techniques to map forgotten settlements, seeking clues that might explain why the once‑flourishing Mayan civilisation fell apart. Their work is presented as a race against time, with each new aerial perspective offering fresh pieces of the puzzle. The second segment shifts focus to the chilling accounts linked to the communist lake of death, highlighting the stark contrast between ancient ruin and modern tragedy. Together, the two investigations are woven into a single narrative that juxtaposes the quest for ancient answers with the stark realities of more recent historical horrors. The episode balances technical aerial surveys with on‑ground reporting, aiming to give viewers a comprehensive look at both the enigmatic disappearance of a great empire and the unsettling stories that still echo from the lake’s troubled past.