The Palace of Zimri-Lim at Mari was one of the wonders of the Mesopotamian world. This program documents the opening of an excavation site at the palace’s gate, while an animated walk-through of the palace precincts enables viewers to follow in the footsteps of courtiers and the king himself. Information on life inside the palace—from the business of keeping it functioning smoothly, to matters of religion, to the pleasures of the harem—illustrates life in this once-great place. Unfortunately, restoration of Mari has become a race against time. Will erosion do what even Hammurabi could not achieve: the erasure of Mari from the face of the Earth? Not available in French-speaking Canada. (28 minutes)