Ep 3. Crypt of Civilization

In Life After People: The Series season 2 episode 3, titled Crypt of Civilization, the focus is on a massive underground bunker located in Georgia, USA. This bunker was built to safeguard the knowledge, culture, and artifacts of human civilization in case of a catastrophic event. The bunker, also known as the Oglethorpe University Crypt of Civilization, was sealed shut in 1940 and was intended to be opened in the year 8113 AD.

The episode examines the fate of this crypt in a post-human world. The expert team comprising historians, engineers, and scientists analyze various scenarios that could have impacted the crypt, such as earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters, along with the impact of human interference such as looting or vandalism.

The episode starts by introducing the crypt's inventory system, which includes microfilm, microfiche, books, and other artifacts that represent the best of human knowledge and culture. The experts discuss how these items would have endured after decades and centuries of neglect, and how some of the materials could have decayed or become unreadable over time.

The team also discusses the impact of water seepage into the crypt, which could have caused the deterioration of the materials stored within. They examine how the concrete walls and steel gates that were built to protect the crypt could have fared against the ravages of time and weather.

As the episode progresses, the experts begin to explore the possibility of looting or vandalism. They discuss how the presence of human artifacts could have attracted scavengers or curious explorers, leading to theft, destruction, or contamination of the materials stored within. They analyze the structures that were designed to keep people out, such as blast doors and combination locks, and evaluate their effectiveness in a world without humans.

Moreover, the episode also explores how natural transformations from earthquakes and other disasters could have happened to the crypt, which ultimately affected it possibly restocking itself. They analyze how the vault could have been damaged by geological shifts or volcanic eruptions, leading to the exposure and loss of its contents.

Throughout the episode, the viewers are presented with stunning visuals of the crypt, including its massive steel doors, the shelves packed with books, and the vaults filled with microfilm. The expert team also provides visual evidence of how the crypt would have fared over time, with simulated scenarios that depict natural disasters or human interference. In one scene, for example, they recreate a scenario where a tree falls over the crypt, cracking its cement barrier, and flooding it with water.

As the episode comes to its conclusion, the team assesses the fate of the crypt in a post-human world. They note that, regardless of its present state, the crypt still serves as a profound and powerful reminder of human ingenuity and the importance of preserving knowledge and history. It also represents a challenge for future civilizations to preserve their legacy in the face of natural and human-made disasters.

Overall, Crypt of Civilization is a fascinating and thought-provoking episode that examines the fate of one of humanity's greatest legacies in a world without us. It is a testament to the inherent value of knowledge and culture and encourages viewers to reflect on the importance of preserving these treasures for future generations.