Wonder Woman

Historian Bettany Hughes brings seven iconic ancient monuments back to life

- IAN MACEWAN, ALISON SLADE

NEW DOCUMENTARY 7 Wonders of the Ancient World with Bettany Hughes Saturday, 6.30pm, 5

From the Spartans, Minoans and Moors to feats of Egyptian engineering, Helen of Troy and the birth of democracy in Athens, historian Bettany Hughes has shared her comprehensive knowledge of the ancient world in many TV documentaries over the past 20-odd years.

Now, the 58-year-old is revisiting her specialist subject in a new three-part series showcasing the Seven Wonders of the World, including the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

With only one Wonder - the Great Pyramid - still standing, the series uses 'augmented reality' technology to give viewers an immersive experience of what they would have looked like, via on-screen QR codes that you can scan with a smartphone.

Here, Hughes talks us through her Wonder-ful series...

GREAT PYRAMID OF GIZA

Built nearly 4,600 years ago as the tomb of a pharaoh, this Egyptian edifice (above) was the tallest manmade structure for almost 4,000 years. 'I'm always speechless when I stand in front of it,' says Hughes.