Projects / T.V. / Egypt Uncovered
Using modern technology and the latest archaeological findings, world-renowned Egyptologists breathe life into one of history's most fascinating cultures.
Chaos and Kings
The
ancient Egyptians are the most enduring civilization of all time. But
only now have scientists discovered that the roots of this great people
may be much older and probably did not begin along the banks of the
Nile. 70 miles west of the Nile in the Egyptian desert, lies the first
crude monuments to fallen kings
Pyramid: the Resurrection Machine
Scientists
have long believed that the pyramids were built as resurrection
machines for fallen pharaohs. These structures allowed the pharaoh to
ascend into the afterlife.
Now, new discoveries in the Valley of the Kings point to more structures that were connected to the ancient pyramids. Remnants of temples, mortuaries, and other enclosures seem to point to an even more sophisticated belief system.
Age of Gold
Believing
gold was the flesh of the sun god, pharaohs stopped at nothing to
acquire it. Evidence suggests that the tombs of ancient pharaohs were
systematically robbed in order to finance the burials of future kings.
King Tutankhamen's tiny tomb is the only royal Egyptian tomb found intact with all the magnificence. But how did the Egyptians get their gold and keep it? From Hyksos, to the Minoans, to the Kushites in the Sudan, the Age of Gold flourished.
Deities and Demons
Ancient Egyptians used gods to understand the forces of nature and the complex world around them.
They created a world full of rituals that let all people communicate with gods and hope for an afterlife. Priests and Pharaohs were the only ones allowed to enter the temples of the gods, but scientists now believe that the statues of the gods were taken out for the public to worship during elaborate festivals.
Mummies into the Afterlife
The
"curse" of the Egyptian mummies may be cures for modern disease.
Studying the organs of the ancient mummies allows scientists to locate
ancient disease strains and fight modern diseases by identifying their
cores, the parts of the diseases' DNA that has not changed.
(Text by the Discovery Channel)
"The Discovery Channel's 'Egypt Uncovered' series was shot on tourist-restricted locations and features the expertise of notable Egyptologists, revealing updated theories of ancient Egyptian life.
"Through superlative production standards, historical accuracy, and a well-developed structure, this remarkable series makes the people, culture, and customs of ancient Egypt seem as vivid as if they existed today. The six major parts of the series cover religion, government, culture, and daily life in ancient Egypt through the artifacts and hieroglyphic documentation found in tombs, temples, and homes of the period.
"In many cases, the archaeologist who explored the site is shown on-location and discusses the importance of the find an it has added to our understanding of ancient Egypt. Artifacts are shown in detail, giving as good (or better) a view as one could have in a museum. This excellent series would be an invaluable aid in understanding ancient Egypt, its importance in the ancient world, and the complexity of its society and culture." - School Library Journal/June 1999
The series is available on DVD from the Discovery Channel store (USA).