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00:00:11,600 --> 00:00:15,513
The gaze of this Pharaoh defies time.
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00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:17,517
Across the centuries.
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00:00:17,720 --> 00:00:20,518
his impassive face delivers the message
4
00:00:20,720 --> 00:00:24,554
of a civilisation haunted by the beyond.
5
00:00:24,760 --> 00:00:29,356
Tutankhamen's mysterious smile
reminds us of the riches of ancient Egypt.
6
00:00:29,560 --> 00:00:33,519
but his empty eyes speak of death.
7
00:00:33,720 --> 00:00:38,032
ln 1 922. the world was recovering
from the Great War.
8
00:00:38,240 --> 00:00:42,995
Archaeologists were getting back to work
in their long-delayed digs.
9
00:00:44,600 --> 00:00:48,036
ln Egypt. a darkness
intended for eternity
10
00:00:48,240 --> 00:00:51,152
was pierced by the flickering light
of a candle.
11
00:00:51,360 --> 00:00:57,799
The silence was broken in a tomb where
no one had set foot in almost 5000 years.
12
00:01:02,960 --> 00:01:05,554
Howard Carter astonished the world.
13
00:01:05,760 --> 00:01:07,830
After years of searching
without success.
14
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he had uncovered. in the heart
of the Valley of the Kings.
15
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the fabulous tomb of Tutankhamen.
16
00:01:16,440 --> 00:01:19,034
Overnight. the treasures
in the young Pharaoh's tomb
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00:01:19,240 --> 00:01:22,118
cast their spell
on the Western world.
18
00:01:25,360 --> 00:01:30,150
ln the public mind. Egypt became
the country of mysteries.
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00:01:30,360 --> 00:01:35,229
the land where humanity
must seek out the keys to its past.
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00:01:45,520 --> 00:01:49,593
Has anyone not dreamed
of the riches of Egypt?
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00:01:49,800 --> 00:01:52,997
Or visited the pyramids
without being moved?
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00:01:55,720 --> 00:01:58,837
Today. it seems everything
has been discovered.
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00:01:59,040 --> 00:02:01,190
Hordes of tourists hurry past.
24
00:02:01,400 --> 00:02:04,836
taking pictures of everything
they can't commit to memory.
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00:02:06,520 --> 00:02:12,595
But modern Egypt offers a vision of a land
suspended between past and present.
26
00:02:12,800 --> 00:02:17,157
a land where many mysteries
remain intact.
27
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The history of civilisation
in this part of the world
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is above all the history
of a giant river - the Nile.
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00:02:28,480 --> 00:02:33,315
lts legendary course will guide us
on a journey through time.
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00:03:26,640 --> 00:03:31,475
The green ribbon of the Nile Valley
has always held a fascination.
31
00:03:31,680 --> 00:03:36,071
Ancient Greek explorers. accustomed
to rivers that flowed from north to south.
32
00:03:36,280 --> 00:03:39,716
saw the Nile
as a thwarted force of nature.
33
00:03:39,920 --> 00:03:41,876
And what a force!
34
00:03:42,080 --> 00:03:46,790
lt stretches for 667 1 kilometres.
35
00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:50,515
The power of the Nile seems irresistible.
36
00:03:50,720 --> 00:03:54,918
Nomadic hunters were the first humans
to appear in the Nile Valley.
37
00:03:55,120 --> 00:03:56,951
4000 years before Christ.
38
00:03:57,160 --> 00:04:01,870
they fled arid lands and built camps
of reed huts beside the Nile.
39
00:04:02,080 --> 00:04:04,640
There. over the next 2000 years.
40
00:04:04,840 --> 00:04:08,230
an empire grew and prospered.
41
00:04:13,640 --> 00:04:19,636
But what role did the Nile actually play
in the foundation of this society?
42
00:04:22,240 --> 00:04:27,519
(Speaks French )
lf you look at a satellite photo
of Northeast Africa
43
00:04:27,720 --> 00:04:31,030
and see the million
square kilometres of Egypt.
44
00:04:31,240 --> 00:04:35,153
you see that the green ribbon
of the valley and the Delta
45
00:04:35,360 --> 00:04:38,113
are only there
because of the river.
46
00:04:38,320 --> 00:04:43,348
lt s obvious that in this desert.
the easternmost Sahara.
47
00:04:43,560 --> 00:04:46,358
there would be nothing
without water.
48
00:04:46,560 --> 00:04:51,429
The Nile is therefore
life itself to Egypt.
49
00:04:51,640 --> 00:04:55,952
The Egyptians
recorded that very well
50
00:04:56,160 --> 00:05:00,199
because when you see
purification scenes
51
00:05:00,400 --> 00:05:06,635
where Pharaoh is purified
by gods on each side
52
00:05:06,840 --> 00:05:12,358
who pour streaming water
across the king s body
53
00:05:12,560 --> 00:05:17,554
in the form of life-signs
falling one after the other...
54
00:05:17,760 --> 00:05:19,398
Water is life.
55
00:05:21,640 --> 00:05:25,394
The source of that life
is in the mountains of Ethiopia.
56
00:05:25,600 --> 00:05:29,036
2200 kilometres from the Delta.
57
00:05:30,520 --> 00:05:34,798
The headwaters of the Blue Nile form
a vast lake between the mountains.
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almost an inland sea.
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00:05:37,400 --> 00:05:43,191
Lake Tana. as it is called.
covers 3500 square kilometres.
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00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:52,511
Between June and September.
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00:05:52,720 --> 00:05:56,269
storms rage
over the high Ethiopian plateau.
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Water streams down the slopes.
63
00:05:59,320 --> 00:06:02,198
With the coming of the monsoon.
the lake overflows
64
00:06:02,400 --> 00:06:06,632
and the water of the Nile begins
its journey down to the plains.
65
00:06:08,080 --> 00:06:12,232
Plunging through the "smoking water"
of the Tisisat Falls.
66
00:06:12,440 --> 00:06:15,955
it takes a month
to cross Ethiopia and Sudan.
67
00:06:29,640 --> 00:06:35,431
The clear waters of Lake Tana
become a mighty. rushing torrent.
68
00:06:35,640 --> 00:06:37,437
For several kilometres.
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00:06:37,640 --> 00:06:41,792
this raging tide tears whole blocks
of sediment out of the mountains.
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00:06:42,000 --> 00:06:45,709
ln some years. it carries
no less than 50 tonnes of silt
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00:06:45,920 --> 00:06:48,593
all the way
to the mouth of the river.
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00:07:04,480 --> 00:07:09,759
ln July. when the vast flood
reaches Egypt. the scene changes.
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The Nile is now between
8 and 1 0 metres deep
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00:07:13,120 --> 00:07:16,635
and it spreads out across
several kilometres of the plain.
75
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ln the four months
from July to October.
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00:07:33,600 --> 00:07:38,390
the Nile floods the arable land.
and turns villages into islands.
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00:08:04,800 --> 00:08:08,156
Every year.
the Nile widens enormously.
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00:08:08,360 --> 00:08:13,593
at the same time depositing layers
of silt that push back the desert.
79
00:08:40,880 --> 00:08:44,998
The ancient Egyptians tried to keep
a record of the recurrent floods.
80
00:08:45,200 --> 00:08:48,158
They tried to detect
the first signs of the flood
81
00:08:48,360 --> 00:08:53,115
by building nilometers to measure
increases in the water level.
82
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The moods of the Nile
were part of daily life.
83
00:08:57,520 --> 00:09:01,399
The Egyptians soon realised that
the floods could never be controlled.
84
00:09:01,600 --> 00:09:06,799
They would have to adapt their sowing
and harvesting to the floods' rhythm.
85
00:09:12,480 --> 00:09:14,596
lmagine their wonder
86
00:09:14,800 --> 00:09:18,839
when vast stretches of water
covered everything.
87
00:09:19,040 --> 00:09:23,192
The flood was of course an important
source of wealth and prosperity.
88
00:09:23,400 --> 00:09:27,552
but the Nile also had
a magical character.
89
00:09:27,760 --> 00:09:31,548
How did the men and women
of ancient Egypt see the river?
90
00:09:31,760 --> 00:09:35,070
What place did it have
in their world?
91
00:09:35,280 --> 00:09:40,593
As the Nile was Egypt s waterway
92
00:09:40,800 --> 00:09:46,079
and as this mighty mass of water
turned into a sea during the flood.
93
00:09:46,280 --> 00:09:51,070
the importance of the Nile
was felt everywhere.
94
00:09:51,280 --> 00:09:55,034
lt took on a huge religious role.
95
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The gods travelled on barges.
96
00:09:57,640 --> 00:10:02,668
During the day
the sun moved on a barge.
97
00:10:02,880 --> 00:10:08,477
then moved to an underground island
on a night barge.
98
00:10:08,680 --> 00:10:14,710
The Nile generated
an incredible number of images.
99
00:10:14,920 --> 00:10:18,833
including the cosmogonies.
the theories of Creation.
100
00:10:19,040 --> 00:10:21,952
Every year.
before their very eyes.
101
00:10:22,160 --> 00:10:26,711
they had this vast stretch of water
covering everything.
102
00:10:26,920 --> 00:10:30,276
which inspired the idea
of the primordial ocean.
103
00:10:35,360 --> 00:10:41,629
The mighty Nile. a wonder of nature.
swept across Egypt's scorched earth.
104
00:10:41,840 --> 00:10:44,798
The flood was not a scourge.
but a godsend.
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lt spread its blessings
all along the river.
106
00:11:11,600 --> 00:11:15,149
Modern Egypt has inherited
this natural treasure.
107
00:11:15,360 --> 00:11:17,794
lt too is sustained by the Nile.
108
00:11:18,400 --> 00:11:23,679
6000 years ago. the banks of the Nile
saw the birth of early agriculture.
109
00:11:24,520 --> 00:11:28,433
As new techniques developed.
so did Egyptian civilisation.
110
00:11:28,640 --> 00:11:30,392
Production increased.
111
00:11:30,600 --> 00:11:33,717
Egyptian farmers grew
barley. wheat and flax.
112
00:11:33,920 --> 00:11:36,832
They produced the wine and beer
they loved.
113
00:11:37,040 --> 00:11:39,713
They were goatherds and cowherds.
114
00:11:40,600 --> 00:11:45,310
3000 years before Christ.
Upper and Lower Egypt were united.
115
00:11:45,520 --> 00:11:49,229
From then on. all the peasants
shared the same culture.
116
00:11:49,440 --> 00:11:51,635
There were not yet any large cities.
117
00:11:51,840 --> 00:11:55,879
but the emergence of ceramics and
pottery and of large ceremonial centres
118
00:11:56,080 --> 00:11:59,197
reflects the influence
of a centralised government.
119
00:11:59,400 --> 00:12:02,358
Thousands of villages appeared
in the valley.
120
00:12:03,120 --> 00:12:05,953
At the same time.
the spoken word was recorded
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00:12:06,160 --> 00:12:08,628
in inscriptions invoking the gods.
122
00:12:08,840 --> 00:12:13,755
Writing. born out of worship.
was spread by commerce along the Nile.
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00:12:13,960 --> 00:12:16,997
the natural route
for travellers and traders.
124
00:12:26,640 --> 00:12:28,949
4500 years ago.
125
00:12:29,160 --> 00:12:33,438
the first royal tombs appeared
on the edge of the desert.
126
00:12:33,640 --> 00:12:36,996
They were mastabas.
simple burial chambers
127
00:12:37,200 --> 00:12:41,113
beneath flat-roofed
rectangular buildings of mud brick.
128
00:12:41,320 --> 00:12:46,110
ln them. the kings lay isolated
in the silence of the dunes.
129
00:12:46,320 --> 00:12:48,595
surrounded by their wealth.
130
00:12:48,800 --> 00:12:54,750
But these displays of opulence reveal
the anxieties of the ancient Egyptians.
131
00:12:54,960 --> 00:12:59,511
A whole people had begun
a quest for immortality.
132
00:13:01,680 --> 00:13:03,750
4600 years ago.
133
00:13:03,960 --> 00:13:07,839
Pharaoh was deemed
the son of Ra. the sun god.
134
00:13:08,040 --> 00:13:12,272
He could be proud of his divine descent.
His power was immense.
135
00:13:12,480 --> 00:13:15,836
He reigned over two million people.
136
00:13:16,040 --> 00:13:19,749
His last resting place
soared toward the heavens.
137
00:13:19,960 --> 00:13:24,556
lt consorted with the sun.
lt was a symbol of perfection.
138
00:13:24,760 --> 00:13:28,639
This was the golden age
of ancient Egypt.
139
00:13:30,440 --> 00:13:33,955
Today. it's hard to imagine
the wonder of the scholars
140
00:13:34,160 --> 00:13:38,073
who accompanied Napoleon
to Egypt in 1 798.
141
00:13:38,280 --> 00:13:41,158
That campaign led
to the Western world's rediscovery
142
00:13:41,360 --> 00:13:43,794
of these extraordinary monuments.
143
00:14:00,400 --> 00:14:04,871
Around the campfire at night.
the questions would have been endless.
144
00:14:05,080 --> 00:14:07,958
Who built these gigantic pyramids?
145
00:14:08,160 --> 00:14:09,957
What were they used for?
146
00:14:10,160 --> 00:14:13,516
And above all.
what was inside them?
147
00:14:13,720 --> 00:14:17,508
lf they were to unlock the secrets
of this vanished civilisation.
148
00:14:17,720 --> 00:14:21,235
all these questions
would have to be answered.
149
00:14:32,280 --> 00:14:36,159
Small parties of surveyors.
architects and mathematicians.
150
00:14:36,360 --> 00:14:39,591
wearing high boots and
woollen uniforms with gold buttons.
151
00:14:39,800 --> 00:14:45,079
ventured deep into the suffocating heat
of the largest pyramid.
152
00:14:45,280 --> 00:14:47,794
With only candles to light their way.
153
00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:51,913
it took them hours to work their way
through the immense labyrinth.
154
00:14:52,120 --> 00:14:56,671
But they came up with the first answers
to the puzzles of the pyramids.
155
00:15:00,640 --> 00:15:03,029
According to Napoleon's engineers.
156
00:15:03,240 --> 00:15:08,519
the largest of the three pyramids
was 230 metres long.
157
00:15:08,720 --> 00:15:11,598
lt was 1 47 metres high.
158
00:15:11,800 --> 00:15:15,349
the equivalent
of a 40-storey building.
159
00:15:16,400 --> 00:15:20,757
Construction of the mausoleum
had required great technical precision.
160
00:15:20,960 --> 00:15:23,997
The angles at the base
were exactly 90 degrees
161
00:15:24,200 --> 00:15:28,716
and the four sides were exactly aligned
with the four points of the compass.
162
00:15:28,920 --> 00:15:33,710
To build it. the ancient Egyptians were
clearly not only architects and engineers.
163
00:15:33,920 --> 00:15:37,356
they must also have been
excellent astronomers.
164
00:15:51,600 --> 00:15:55,275
The pyramid was built
with three million blocks of stone.
165
00:15:55,480 --> 00:15:58,233
each weighing over 21/2 tonnes.
166
00:15:58,440 --> 00:16:01,398
and it stood on a base
of carved granite.
167
00:16:01,600 --> 00:16:05,036
Two chambers. one above the other.
lay in its centre.
168
00:16:05,240 --> 00:16:08,437
Legend had it that
the larger was the king's.
169
00:16:14,600 --> 00:16:17,956
After following narrow passageways
for 40 metres.
170
00:16:18,160 --> 00:16:23,712
the surveyors climbed to the larger
chamber via a 54-metre staircase.
171
00:16:23,920 --> 00:16:26,434
one seemingly made for giants.
172
00:16:41,640 --> 00:16:47,795
Here. the carved blocks fitted perfectly.
without the slightest gap.
173
00:16:56,560 --> 00:17:00,314
At the end of this passageway
lay the king's chamber.
174
00:17:01,320 --> 00:17:05,791
lnside was the granite sarcophagus
where his body was once laid.
175
00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:09,197
But all other traces of the past
had vanished.
176
00:17:09,400 --> 00:17:12,233
Nothing remained
of the ancient splendour.
177
00:17:12,440 --> 00:17:15,193
The pyramid.
bare of all ornamentation.
178
00:17:15,400 --> 00:17:17,868
had nothing to offer
seekers after treasure.
179
00:17:18,080 --> 00:17:23,029
Yet there can be no doubt that the rooms
in which the Pharaoh was laid to rest
180
00:17:23,240 --> 00:17:25,800
must have been magnificent.
181
00:17:30,720 --> 00:17:32,836
For a long time. no one suspected
182
00:17:33,040 --> 00:17:36,271
that just over the heads of visitors
to the royal tomb
183
00:17:36,480 --> 00:17:38,277
there were discharge chambers
184
00:17:38,480 --> 00:17:41,392
supporting the weight
of the tonnes of stone.
185
00:18:01,360 --> 00:18:06,639
The logistics involved in the construction
of this room are staggering.
186
00:18:06,840 --> 00:18:11,231
lt used 9-metre slabs.
each weighing several tonnes.
187
00:18:29,600 --> 00:18:33,070
Amid the graffiti left
by the earliest modern visitors.
188
00:18:33,280 --> 00:18:36,431
an inscription in red
catches the eye.
189
00:18:36,640 --> 00:18:39,279
Here. in the very heart
of the pyramid.
190
00:18:39,480 --> 00:18:43,473
workmen inscribed in red ink
the name of their master.
191
00:18:43,680 --> 00:18:46,433
the man who had the pyramid built -
192
00:18:46,640 --> 00:18:51,714
Cheops. one of the last rulers
of the Third Dynasty.
193
00:19:13,440 --> 00:19:17,513
Were the pyramids
the Pharaoh's houses of eternity?
194
00:19:17,720 --> 00:19:20,996
Did they represent the stairs
the dead king had to climb
195
00:19:21,200 --> 00:19:23,236
to reach Ra. the sun god?
196
00:19:23,440 --> 00:19:29,037
How do we explain the construction
of the pyramids 4600 years ago?
197
00:19:29,240 --> 00:19:33,597
Who were the people who
accomplished this amazing feat?
198
00:19:36,560 --> 00:19:42,237
The image of the pyramid
as the acme of what was...
199
00:19:43,600 --> 00:19:48,390
perhaps the golden age
of Egyptian civilisation.
200
00:19:48,600 --> 00:19:51,160
at least on its Pharaonic side...
201
00:19:51,360 --> 00:19:54,477
Because by then.
Pharaoh had become a god.
202
00:19:54,680 --> 00:19:57,319
He had a divine essence.
203
00:19:57,520 --> 00:20:00,478
Of course we long ago
discarded the image
204
00:20:00,680 --> 00:20:06,232
of an enslaved. whip-driven people
that we see in the movies.
205
00:20:06,440 --> 00:20:08,556
Some show very fine wheels
206
00:20:08,760 --> 00:20:12,230
when the wheel only appeared
centuries later.
207
00:20:48,880 --> 00:20:52,839
The king was sacred.
Touching him. even inadvertently.
208
00:20:53,040 --> 00:20:54,712
was punishable by death.
209
00:20:54,920 --> 00:20:58,879
The cult of Pharaoh was
probably more intense then
210
00:20:59,080 --> 00:21:04,108
than any time in the 3000 years
of the Egyptian civilisation.
211
00:21:11,640 --> 00:21:14,996
lf the builders of the pyramids
were not slaves.
212
00:21:15,200 --> 00:21:16,872
who were they?
213
00:21:17,080 --> 00:21:21,153
For a long time. modern archaeologists
have been trying to find out.
214
00:21:21,360 --> 00:21:23,476
Egypt still holds surprises.
215
00:21:23,680 --> 00:21:27,070
even with millions of tourists
visiting every year.
216
00:21:27,280 --> 00:21:30,113
She toys with us
and. when it suits her.
217
00:21:30,320 --> 00:21:33,756
she reveals just a little
of her true face.
218
00:21:34,640 --> 00:21:39,430
ln 1 991 . a tourist admiring the view
was thrown from his horse.
219
00:21:39,640 --> 00:21:43,076
His mount had stumbled against
the remains of a low brick wall
220
00:21:43,280 --> 00:21:45,840
that had begun to emerge
from the sand.
221
00:21:46,040 --> 00:21:48,713
Archaeologists flocked
to begin excavations.
222
00:21:48,920 --> 00:21:54,199
and dozens of tombs were uncovered
at the very foot of the pyramids.
223
00:22:03,680 --> 00:22:07,116
Supervised by the site conservator.
Zahi Hawass.
224
00:22:07,320 --> 00:22:11,677
these digs radically changed
our understanding of ancient Egypt.
225
00:22:11,880 --> 00:22:16,396
Among the many bones uncovered
were objects used in everyday life.
226
00:22:16,600 --> 00:22:22,072
and among them were tools that were
probably used in building the pyramids.
227
00:22:23,520 --> 00:22:27,559
The archaeologists' brushes
also uncover touching relics.
228
00:22:28,240 --> 00:22:31,277
Here. almost 4600 years ago.
229
00:22:31,480 --> 00:22:36,873
men and women prayed for a glorious life
in the next world. after their deaths.
230
00:22:37,080 --> 00:22:41,835
The echo of that prayer
is now being raised from the sand.
231
00:22:42,040 --> 00:22:45,316
(Speaks English )
This is the new tombs that we found.
232
00:22:45,520 --> 00:22:48,956
Very interesting tombs.
you never see tombs like this.
233
00:22:49,160 --> 00:22:52,197
only in Aswan.
at Qubbet el-Hawa.
234
00:22:52,400 --> 00:22:55,392
But this is very interesting
because this is the first time
235
00:22:55,600 --> 00:22:58,068
that we know something
about the common people
236
00:22:58,280 --> 00:23:00,589
the ordinary Egyptians
who built the pyramid.
237
00:23:00,800 --> 00:23:03,155
This is why
this discovery is amazing
238
00:23:03,360 --> 00:23:07,035
because from each bone.
and from each stone.
239
00:23:07,240 --> 00:23:09,629
you can know something
about the people.
240
00:23:13,600 --> 00:23:17,593
Every day. the excavations
yield something new.
241
00:23:17,800 --> 00:23:19,392
Since 1 991 .
242
00:23:19,600 --> 00:23:24,116
600 tombs and over 1 000 skeletons
have been found here.
243
00:23:24,320 --> 00:23:28,916
The task is enormous.
but the archaeologists are in no hurry.
244
00:23:29,120 --> 00:23:32,157
They don't want to miss
any messages from the past.
245
00:23:34,480 --> 00:23:39,110
As they work among the tombs.
they maintain a respectful silence.
246
00:24:02,800 --> 00:24:07,999
The dig quickly uncovered some amazing.
almost miraculous. finds.
247
00:24:08,200 --> 00:24:13,069
They include the tombs of administrators.
public servants and ordinary labourers
248
00:24:13,280 --> 00:24:18,354
who built the pyramid for Cheops
4600 years ago.
249
00:24:22,800 --> 00:24:26,315
But what can these
human remains teach us?
250
00:24:28,520 --> 00:24:31,990
Modern Cairo goes about its business
oblivious of the fact
251
00:24:32,200 --> 00:24:37,228
that the history of mankind is slowly
being reconstructed at its heart.
252
00:24:37,440 --> 00:24:39,829
Here. at the National Research Centre.
253
00:24:40,040 --> 00:24:43,316
the bones exhumed at the foot
of the pyramids are analysed.
254
00:24:49,720 --> 00:24:52,359
For Professor Azza Saary El-Din.
255
00:24:52,560 --> 00:24:57,270
these bones are tangible proof that
the pyramid builders were not slaves.
256
00:24:57,480 --> 00:25:00,995
Each skull and each bone
help her reconstruct lives
257
00:25:01,200 --> 00:25:03,111
from thousands of years ago.
258
00:25:03,320 --> 00:25:09,031
For example. her painstaking autopsies
reveal signs of ancient surgery.
259
00:25:36,200 --> 00:25:39,317
(Speaks Arabic)
lt could have been
a surgical intervention
260
00:25:39,520 --> 00:25:43,195
by the doctors
of the time.
261
00:25:43,400 --> 00:25:45,755
They could have
tried to intervene
262
00:25:45,960 --> 00:25:49,669
to relieve the pressure
inside the skull
263
00:25:49,880 --> 00:25:53,270
or something like that.
to treat the condition.
264
00:25:55,480 --> 00:25:59,109
The investigation reaches back in time.
265
00:25:59,320 --> 00:26:02,551
Cancerous cells were eating away
at this skull.
266
00:26:02,760 --> 00:26:06,355
The only way an ancient surgeon
could deal with them was...
267
00:26:06,560 --> 00:26:08,630
to cut them out.
268
00:26:13,920 --> 00:26:15,911
With patient detective work.
269
00:26:16,120 --> 00:26:20,193
the anthropologists reconstruct
what happened to the bones.
270
00:26:20,400 --> 00:26:23,278
This arm bone suffered
multiple fractures.
271
00:26:23,480 --> 00:26:27,393
lt still shows the signs of a procedure
to put it back together.
272
00:26:27,600 --> 00:26:30,273
The patient not only
had to wear a splint.
273
00:26:30,480 --> 00:26:34,155
he also needed a graft
to help the bones re-knit.
274
00:26:35,240 --> 00:26:37,959
X-rays confirm the diagnosis.
275
00:26:38,160 --> 00:26:39,957
5000 years ago.
276
00:26:40,160 --> 00:26:44,711
this man underwent a long
and complex surgical procedure.
277
00:26:50,280 --> 00:26:52,396
He could well have been a worker
278
00:26:52,600 --> 00:26:56,593
who was taken to the doctor
after a slab fell on his arm.
279
00:27:03,280 --> 00:27:07,034
Would a slave have got
that kind of care?
280
00:27:10,800 --> 00:27:13,394
Another discovery revealed
new information
281
00:27:13,600 --> 00:27:16,717
when archaeologists exhumed
the remains of a mother
282
00:27:16,920 --> 00:27:18,717
and her young child.
283
00:27:35,560 --> 00:27:37,357
At the foot of the pyramids.
284
00:27:37,560 --> 00:27:42,918
craftsmen. stonecutters and masons
lived and died near their work.
285
00:27:47,640 --> 00:27:51,758
We initially expected to find
a group just of men.
286
00:27:51,960 --> 00:27:54,633
who would be doing the work.
287
00:27:54,840 --> 00:27:58,310
But the first skeleton discovered
was a woman s.
288
00:27:58,520 --> 00:28:01,956
That made us change
our approach completely
289
00:28:02,160 --> 00:28:08,349
and start looking
at the ratio of women to men
290
00:28:08,560 --> 00:28:11,677
and at whether they were
a settled community
291
00:28:11,880 --> 00:28:14,030
or had only come for the work.
292
00:28:14,800 --> 00:28:18,236
For centuries. historians
supported the slavery theory
293
00:28:18,440 --> 00:28:21,910
to explain the monumental constructions
of ancient Egypt.
294
00:28:22,120 --> 00:28:25,715
They were mistaken.
The workmen were not slaves.
295
00:28:25,920 --> 00:28:29,469
ln fact. a whole village was built
at the foot of the pyramids.
296
00:28:29,680 --> 00:28:33,832
Large families - men. women
and children - lived in it.
297
00:28:35,080 --> 00:28:38,516
When we discovered their skeletons
298
00:28:38,720 --> 00:28:45,114
we found skeletons for women.
men and children.
299
00:28:45,320 --> 00:28:48,312
We did not find only men.
300
00:28:48,520 --> 00:28:52,115
With slaves.
theyd have brought a few males
301
00:28:52,320 --> 00:28:54,629
to do the work and go back home.
302
00:28:54,840 --> 00:28:57,308
But these men
settled in the area.
303
00:28:57,520 --> 00:29:03,072
They were living a settled life
with their women and children.
304
00:29:03,280 --> 00:29:05,589
They were surely not slaves.
305
00:29:10,600 --> 00:29:13,353
The British Museum. in London.
306
00:29:13,560 --> 00:29:16,916
Researchers here have delved
even deeper.
307
00:29:19,840 --> 00:29:23,310
By piecing together
and translating texts from the era.
308
00:29:23,520 --> 00:29:27,957
they have recreated part of the daily lives
of these men and women.
309
00:29:29,000 --> 00:29:31,673
WOMAN:
There s not many sheet joins on here.
310
00:29:31,880 --> 00:29:34,553
MAN:
l think it s a fairly good quality papyrus.
311
00:29:34,760 --> 00:29:36,955
They might be just long sheets.
312
00:29:37,160 --> 00:29:38,798
Yes... good. good.
313
00:29:39,000 --> 00:29:41,434
And the hieroglyphs line up beautifully.
314
00:29:43,000 --> 00:29:46,629
lt doesn t want to go
on that one either. does it?
315
00:29:48,160 --> 00:29:51,516
The museum archives
hold a rare treasure.
316
00:29:51,720 --> 00:29:55,998
The sands of Egypt recently yielded up
a perfectly flat piece of stone
317
00:29:56,200 --> 00:29:59,112
that lists the names
of certain workers.
318
00:29:59,320 --> 00:30:02,835
lt is an attendance record
5000 years old
319
00:30:03,040 --> 00:30:05,349
and it records. day by day.
320
00:30:05,560 --> 00:30:09,109
the date and the reason
for each workman's absence.
321
00:30:19,120 --> 00:30:21,839
lt is inscribed on both sides
322
00:30:22,040 --> 00:30:28,115
and contains records
of about 40 names of workmen.
323
00:30:29,040 --> 00:30:34,478
l think this kind of document
is particularly interesting
324
00:30:34,680 --> 00:30:39,117
because it is a document
of the ordinary people of ancient Egypt.
325
00:30:40,200 --> 00:30:47,197
The scribe's stylus faithfully recorded.
in black ink. the name of each worker.
326
00:30:47,400 --> 00:30:52,520
Underneath. he inscribed
the date of absence. also in black.
327
00:30:53,120 --> 00:30:56,317
The cause of absence
was recorded in red.
328
00:30:56,520 --> 00:31:00,593
ln half the cases.
the main reason given was illness.
329
00:31:00,800 --> 00:31:06,716
This incomparable document takes us
right into the world of ancient Egypt.
330
00:31:17,680 --> 00:31:20,638
2500 years before Christ.
331
00:31:20,840 --> 00:31:25,118
a young man called Sebah
was away from work for one day.
332
00:31:25,320 --> 00:31:28,756
What reason did he give
for his absence?
333
00:31:32,240 --> 00:31:34,595
ln the case
of a worker called Sebah.
334
00:31:34,800 --> 00:31:37,473
whose name is written
at the beginning of this line.
335
00:31:37,680 --> 00:31:41,309
he was off for one day because
he was bitten by a scorpion.
336
00:31:41,520 --> 00:31:44,478
This is the kind of accident
which could have happened
337
00:31:44,680 --> 00:31:47,069
even in the house in the village.
338
00:31:47,280 --> 00:31:50,795
The village where these workers lived
was situated on the desert
339
00:31:51,000 --> 00:31:52,991
where scorpions are quite common.
340
00:31:53,200 --> 00:31:57,751
ln the case of the worker called Consu.
whose name is written here.
341
00:31:57,960 --> 00:32:03,239
he was absent firstly because
he was ill for some days here.
342
00:32:03,440 --> 00:32:06,318
but then more interestingly. later on.
343
00:32:06,520 --> 00:32:10,718
we are told he is at his festival.
at this point.
344
00:32:10,920 --> 00:32:14,356
And this may be
a family or personal celebration
345
00:32:14,560 --> 00:32:17,279
such as a birthday. for example.
346
00:32:19,520 --> 00:32:23,115
The pyramid workers
had a wide variety of reasons.
347
00:32:23,320 --> 00:32:28,235
Pusair left the workers' village when
he heard that his young son was sick.
348
00:32:31,600 --> 00:32:36,515
From the details of the life
of these workers on this record
349
00:32:36,720 --> 00:32:39,518
we can see that
they were free people.
350
00:32:39,720 --> 00:32:45,272
They had their own lives. which were
reasonably pleasant for the time.
351
00:32:45,480 --> 00:32:47,311
They had their own possessions.
352
00:32:47,520 --> 00:32:50,239
lt was a hierarchical society.
353
00:32:50,440 --> 00:32:52,556
There s no escape from the fact
354
00:32:52,760 --> 00:32:56,673
that there were people
at various levels of society.
355
00:32:56,880 --> 00:32:58,836
But having said that.
356
00:32:59,040 --> 00:33:03,591
it was a much freer and equal society
than certain others.
357
00:33:04,720 --> 00:33:08,315
The names on the stone
are like a mirror of the past.
358
00:33:08,520 --> 00:33:12,877
Nepherub left. in mourning.
to have his brother embalmed.
359
00:33:13,080 --> 00:33:16,834
Death was everywhere.
an inescapable part of life.
360
00:33:34,000 --> 00:33:36,673
ln ancient Egypt
we find the paradox
361
00:33:36,880 --> 00:33:40,190
that what appears to be
an obsession with death
362
00:33:40,400 --> 00:33:43,790
is in fact the desire
to live on in the afterlife.
363
00:33:44,000 --> 00:33:50,235
Likewise. nothing speaks
more strongly of daily life
364
00:33:50,440 --> 00:33:55,560
than the decoration
and furnishing of the tombs.
365
00:33:55,760 --> 00:33:58,832
The point of it was not storytelling
366
00:33:59,040 --> 00:34:02,749
but to give the people
buried in the tombs
367
00:34:02,960 --> 00:34:06,919
everything that could recreate.
368
00:34:07,120 --> 00:34:12,114
through the creative power
of images and writing.
369
00:34:12,320 --> 00:34:17,348
the life theyd led. which they
wanted to continue in the afterlife.
370
00:34:19,560 --> 00:34:25,112
The tombs of the Pharaoh's servants
show us an Egypt that no longer exists.
371
00:34:25,320 --> 00:34:30,553
lmages of papyrus and lotus blossoms
are seen alongside sacred animals
372
00:34:30,760 --> 00:34:32,955
that are now extinct.
373
00:34:33,520 --> 00:34:37,798
ln the fields. men and women
sow wheat and harvest crops.
374
00:34:38,000 --> 00:34:43,028
while the frescoes' explosion of colour
reflects their zest for life.
375
00:34:43,240 --> 00:34:48,360
At the centre of it all. the Nile
sets the rhythms of everyday life
376
00:34:48,560 --> 00:34:53,270
and the winegrowers appear delighted
at the quality of the grapes.
377
00:35:09,560 --> 00:35:12,154
The family was very important.
378
00:35:12,360 --> 00:35:15,670
Family statues were taken
right into the tomb.
379
00:35:15,880 --> 00:35:20,635
This loving father faces eternity
with his two daughters.
380
00:35:21,680 --> 00:35:25,468
At the gates of an eternity
they had constructed for themselves.
381
00:35:25,680 --> 00:35:30,071
the Pharaoh's subjects
seemed to be obsessed with life.
382
00:35:31,280 --> 00:35:33,271
The obsession with life.
383
00:35:33,480 --> 00:35:36,836
leading to
the obsession with eternity.
384
00:35:37,040 --> 00:35:40,350
this notion of eternity
that seems to be
385
00:35:40,560 --> 00:35:46,078
the most Egyptian component
of all this imaginary life.
386
00:35:46,280 --> 00:35:48,271
is truly obsessional.
387
00:35:48,480 --> 00:35:52,268
When you look at
even the smallest figurine
388
00:35:52,480 --> 00:35:55,677
showing a deceased couple.
for instance.
389
00:35:55,880 --> 00:36:00,749
one their son has dedicated
with a tiny inscription.
390
00:36:00,960 --> 00:36:03,110
perhaps with only three signs.
391
00:36:03,320 --> 00:36:07,199
it will say "From their son.
that their name may live. "
392
00:36:07,400 --> 00:36:11,313
What matters is to continue living
in the afterworld.
393
00:36:11,520 --> 00:36:15,957
As a corollary.
there s also the harpist s song
394
00:36:16,160 --> 00:36:18,230
that entices you to enjoy life
395
00:36:18,440 --> 00:36:20,590
because no one s
ever come back
396
00:36:20,800 --> 00:36:23,792
to tell us that life goes on
in the afterlife.
397
00:36:24,000 --> 00:36:26,434
ln other words. it says
398
00:36:26,640 --> 00:36:29,438
"Enjoy life.
spend a wonderful day
399
00:36:29,640 --> 00:36:32,791
"with the woman you love
sitting by your side
400
00:36:33,000 --> 00:36:36,117
"until the day
you have to go aboard... "
401
00:36:36,320 --> 00:36:39,869
There s this wonderful image
of going on a barge
402
00:36:40,080 --> 00:36:43,197
to be taken to the other side.
403
00:36:43,400 --> 00:36:46,676
lt s a great metaphor for death.
404
00:36:46,880 --> 00:36:51,032
Until that day comes.
life has to be enjoyed.
405
00:36:51,240 --> 00:36:53,435
They ll do everything they can.
406
00:36:53,640 --> 00:36:57,599
they ll represent the life they led.
407
00:36:57,800 --> 00:37:00,268
make all the necessary offerings...
408
00:37:00,480 --> 00:37:05,600
in the simplest form.
1 000 beer jugs. 1 000 loaves.
409
00:37:05,800 --> 00:37:10,271
1 000 pieces of fabric. etc...
1 000 head of cattle.
410
00:37:10,480 --> 00:37:14,155
That s fine.
everything will be put in the tomb
411
00:37:14,360 --> 00:37:19,639
but "Make the most of it.
because no one s ever come back. "
412
00:37:20,760 --> 00:37:23,069
To accept the idea of death.
413
00:37:23,280 --> 00:37:26,955
the Egyptians built tombs
that looked like houses.
414
00:37:27,160 --> 00:37:29,549
They preserved the image
of a sunny universe
415
00:37:29,760 --> 00:37:33,719
and so paid tribute to Ra.
the sun god.
416
00:37:34,560 --> 00:37:36,516
Yet how do we explain the fact
417
00:37:36,720 --> 00:37:40,679
that hundreds of thousands of men
and women worked to build a monument
418
00:37:40,880 --> 00:37:43,838
that may never have been occupied?
419
00:37:44,040 --> 00:37:48,158
Were the pyramids
the triumph of life over primeval chaos.
420
00:37:48,360 --> 00:37:53,718
or did they represent something
more symbolic. more esoteric?
421
00:38:01,040 --> 00:38:05,989
2500 years before Christ.
in what would become Europe.
422
00:38:06,200 --> 00:38:10,239
populations of hunters lived
in primitive wooden huts.
423
00:38:10,440 --> 00:38:12,715
ln Giza. at the same time.
424
00:38:12,920 --> 00:38:17,277
hundreds of thousands of workers
were beginning their gigantic task.
425
00:38:17,480 --> 00:38:20,233
This was Egypt's golden age.
426
00:38:20,440 --> 00:38:23,238
Her merchants ventured
into the Mediterranean.
427
00:38:23,440 --> 00:38:26,637
their caravans journeyed
as far south as Sudan.
428
00:38:26,840 --> 00:38:30,469
and all along these routes.
trade flourished.
429
00:38:30,680 --> 00:38:33,717
Pharaoh held absolute power.
430
00:38:41,480 --> 00:38:45,837
Were the pyramids the symbol
of this unequalled power?
431
00:38:50,320 --> 00:38:54,359
When his officers decided
to climb the pyramids at Giza.
432
00:38:54,560 --> 00:38:58,712
Napoleon calculated that the three
together contained enough stone
433
00:38:58,920 --> 00:39:03,038
to build a wall 3 metres high
and 30 centimetres wide.
434
00:39:03,240 --> 00:39:05,959
right around France.
435
00:39:06,160 --> 00:39:09,516
How long did these huge projects
go on for?
436
00:39:09,720 --> 00:39:12,792
For the last 200 years
there have been many theories.
437
00:39:13,000 --> 00:39:15,468
but we still don't have an answer.
438
00:39:16,640 --> 00:39:22,192
Given the scorching desert heat.
why did free men agree to build them?
439
00:39:24,560 --> 00:39:27,199
The pyramids are still an enigma.
440
00:39:27,400 --> 00:39:30,676
Every day. as they catch
the last rays of the sun.
441
00:39:30,880 --> 00:39:34,555
their giant shadows
blot out our questions.
442
00:39:34,760 --> 00:39:39,436
What we are sure of is that to get
the raw materials to the pyramid site
443
00:39:39,640 --> 00:39:42,438
the Egyptians had to wait
for the flood.
444
00:39:42,640 --> 00:39:47,031
From July to October. the barges
were berthed on the edge of the desert.
445
00:39:47,240 --> 00:39:50,550
The entire valley was covered
in water during those months.
446
00:39:50,760 --> 00:39:54,070
and the peasants
had to wait for it to recede.
447
00:40:01,520 --> 00:40:03,954
During this long period of idleness.
448
00:40:04,160 --> 00:40:08,870
the Pharaoh's servants had an extremely
large labour force available to them.
449
00:40:09,080 --> 00:40:12,231
During digs at the burial sites
beside the pyramids.
450
00:40:12,440 --> 00:40:16,513
Zahi Hawass worked out
how the builders were recruited.
451
00:40:41,080 --> 00:40:44,436
This is our most recent discovery.
a tomb that was found.
452
00:40:44,640 --> 00:40:47,950
This is the tomb of Kai.
who was a priest.
453
00:40:48,160 --> 00:40:53,792
And this tomb dated to Dynasty Four.
about 4600 years ago.
454
00:40:56,480 --> 00:41:00,189
The Pharaohs' priests
were excellent administrators.
455
00:41:00,400 --> 00:41:03,995
On the walls of the tomb of Kai.
who served Cheops.
456
00:41:04,200 --> 00:41:08,398
the whole peasant population
walks in procession.
457
00:41:08,600 --> 00:41:14,550
lnscriptions in Kai's tomb tell us precisely
when they joined the building site.
458
00:41:31,800 --> 00:41:34,155
And it s telling us here
459
00:41:34,360 --> 00:41:38,638
that he paid them beer and bread.
460
00:41:39,880 --> 00:41:43,509
And he made them to make an offer
461
00:41:43,720 --> 00:41:48,874
and say that they re very happy.
they re satisfied.
462
00:41:49,080 --> 00:41:51,833
That they... about this payment.
463
00:41:52,040 --> 00:41:57,273
They re saying
they swore that they were satisfied.
464
00:41:57,480 --> 00:42:01,075
They said "By the name of God.
we are very happy. "
465
00:42:05,440 --> 00:42:07,396
ln exchange for their labour.
466
00:42:07,600 --> 00:42:11,275
Egyptian workmen received
the basic necessities of life.
467
00:42:11,480 --> 00:42:15,598
They were grateful to the Pharaoh
and devoted to him.
468
00:42:15,800 --> 00:42:18,439
The construction of the pyramids
was made possible
469
00:42:18,640 --> 00:42:23,668
by this contract of mutual assistance
that they had with their sovereign.
470
00:42:30,760 --> 00:42:35,675
Modern Giza now lives and dies
in the shadow of the pyramids.
471
00:42:36,400 --> 00:42:38,630
They are testimonials in stone
472
00:42:38,840 --> 00:42:42,515
to the social organisation
of ancient Egypt.
473
00:42:50,760 --> 00:42:53,593
But can we believe
that the pyramids were built
474
00:42:53,800 --> 00:42:58,476
only to occupy the Egyptian people
during the four months of flood time?
475
00:43:00,520 --> 00:43:02,476
Zahi Hawass argues
476
00:43:02,680 --> 00:43:06,195
that the building program
had another. much stronger purpose -
477
00:43:06,400 --> 00:43:08,470
a symbolic one.
478
00:43:14,960 --> 00:43:20,478
The pyramid is their national project.
Then all of them. they unite. all of them.
479
00:43:21,280 --> 00:43:25,592
King. noblemen. official.
workmen. farmers.
480
00:43:25,800 --> 00:43:30,271
all of them together work
to help the king to be a god.
481
00:43:30,480 --> 00:43:34,155
And that s why my idea that
the pyramid was a national project.
482
00:43:34,360 --> 00:43:37,796
lt is the most important thing
to the mind of the Egyptian.
483
00:43:38,000 --> 00:43:41,913
Without this help. the king would
never have built this pyramid.
484
00:43:42,120 --> 00:43:45,112
And is this why
the pyramid was the symbol
485
00:43:45,320 --> 00:43:50,553
of unification of the two countries.
Upper and Lower Egypt.
486
00:43:55,560 --> 00:43:58,950
So. part of the veil
has now been lifted.
487
00:43:59,160 --> 00:44:04,359
For over 2000 years. the Egyptians united
to accomplish a common project.
488
00:44:04,560 --> 00:44:07,711
a symbol of their strength and unity.
489
00:44:11,000 --> 00:44:14,276
From the stone mastabas
to the Giza site.
490
00:44:14,480 --> 00:44:18,029
almost 1 00 pyramids
were built in Egypt.
491
00:44:18,240 --> 00:44:22,677
They were the first stone monuments
in the history of mankind.
492
00:44:23,760 --> 00:44:27,309
The Egyptians built a symbol
of the power of their nation
493
00:44:27,520 --> 00:44:29,511
in the heart of their land.
494
00:44:29,720 --> 00:44:33,599
ln this land. the pyramid.
the king's house for eternity.
495
00:44:33,800 --> 00:44:38,191
rose like a drop of radiant light
toward the heavens.
496
00:44:41,760 --> 00:44:45,719
ln the history of ancient Egypt.
the Nile was all.
497
00:44:45,920 --> 00:44:48,992
lts course tells us
more than any epic.
498
00:44:49,200 --> 00:44:51,760
lt was the frontier
between life and death.
499
00:44:51,960 --> 00:44:54,599
the path to the sun and the stars.
500
00:44:54,800 --> 00:44:56,677
lt was more than a river.
501
00:44:56,880 --> 00:45:01,237
lt was a god
whose will was carved in stone.
502
00:45:01,440 --> 00:45:06,560
The untameable Nile was
an integral part of ancient Egypt.
503
00:45:06,760 --> 00:45:09,797
( EXPLOSlON )
504
00:45:14,480 --> 00:45:17,472
Yet the Nile was tamed.
505
00:45:17,680 --> 00:45:23,277
ln 1 961 . under President Nasser.
construction of the Aswan Dam began.
506
00:45:23,480 --> 00:45:25,596
lt took ten years to complete.
507
00:45:25,800 --> 00:45:29,952
ten years of hard labour
to control the annual flood.
508
00:45:35,080 --> 00:45:37,833
The Nile is no longer a god.
509
00:45:38,040 --> 00:45:40,998
lt has become a tame. quiet river.
510
00:45:41,200 --> 00:45:43,760
( SHlP'S HORN )
511
00:45:56,960 --> 00:45:59,349
The Nile. like the pyramids.
512
00:45:59,560 --> 00:46:03,109
had to pay tribute
to the modernisation of Egypt.
513
00:46:03,320 --> 00:46:05,276
To harness its energy.
514
00:46:05,480 --> 00:46:08,995
modern-day Egyptians
had to give up some of its benefits.
515
00:46:20,280 --> 00:46:24,239
Today. the land of the valley
is no longer fertilised by silt
516
00:46:24,440 --> 00:46:27,113
borne away
from the mountains of Ethiopia.
517
00:46:27,680 --> 00:46:30,513
Fertiliser has replaced the flood.
518
00:47:08,000 --> 00:47:11,390
What became of the legacy
of ancient Egypt?
519
00:47:11,600 --> 00:47:14,637
What do the pyramids stand for today?
520
00:47:14,840 --> 00:47:20,676
lve often felt that today s Egypt
is rather cut off from its past.
521
00:47:20,880 --> 00:47:25,237
that the past is
just another great resource.
522
00:47:25,440 --> 00:47:29,228
that the monuments
obviously attract people.
523
00:47:29,440 --> 00:47:32,750
making tourism
one of Egypt s main resources.
524
00:47:32,960 --> 00:47:37,750
This was something that Champollion.
a pioneer. understood
525
00:47:37,960 --> 00:47:43,193
because when he left Egypt
at the end of his journey in 1 829.
526
00:47:43,400 --> 00:47:49,270
he left Mohamed Alia note
on the protection of monuments.
527
00:47:49,480 --> 00:47:52,836
He listed the monuments
to be protected.
528
00:47:53,040 --> 00:47:55,031
Before the word even existed.
529
00:47:55,240 --> 00:47:57,708
he understood
what tourism would be
530
00:47:57,920 --> 00:48:01,390
with its economic dimension.
the spending of money.
531
00:48:01,600 --> 00:48:05,309
He said
"It will attract educated people
532
00:48:05,520 --> 00:48:09,718
"who will benefit the country
with the money they ll spend. "
533
00:48:09,920 --> 00:48:14,596
This mass of stones is probably
the most obvious symbol.
534
00:48:14,800 --> 00:48:17,712
the most obvious image
that we have
535
00:48:17,920 --> 00:48:21,674
when we talk about ancient Egypt
536
00:48:21,880 --> 00:48:26,112
with obelisks. sphinxes
and such-like words
537
00:48:26,320 --> 00:48:31,110
that fill us with fantasies
and dreams.
538
00:48:34,760 --> 00:48:38,594
Ancient Egypt gave way
to a cosmopolitan nation.
539
00:48:38,800 --> 00:48:43,112
Turkish. then Arab.
a land of explorers.
540
00:48:43,320 --> 00:48:46,995
Egypt will benefit from its heritage
for a long time to come
541
00:48:47,200 --> 00:48:51,239
because much still lies
beneath the desert sands.
542
00:48:57,520 --> 00:49:00,557
Today. Cairo has become
a megalopolis.
543
00:49:00,760 --> 00:49:03,513
stretching along a quiet river.
544
00:49:03,720 --> 00:49:06,871
Modern Egyptians are builders too.
545
00:49:15,760 --> 00:49:18,069
4600 years ago.
546
00:49:18,280 --> 00:49:21,750
the Pharaohs' subjects
left us proofs of their prestige.
547
00:49:21,960 --> 00:49:24,758
their technical prowess.
their grandeur.
548
00:49:24,960 --> 00:49:26,757
With the help of the Nile.
549
00:49:26,960 --> 00:49:30,157
the Egyptian civilisation
united men and women
550
00:49:30,360 --> 00:49:33,636
in a community
of enormous achievement.
551
00:50:07,400 --> 00:50:09,356
On the edge of the desert.
552
00:50:09,560 --> 00:50:13,075
three sacred mountains remind us
of the destiny of a people
553
00:50:13,280 --> 00:50:16,158
born on the banks of the Nile.
554
00:50:16,360 --> 00:50:19,909
The pyramids have remained
the symbol. throughout the ages.
555
00:50:20,120 --> 00:50:22,270
of our fear of death.
556
00:50:22,480 --> 00:50:26,758
They rise like beams of light
pointing to the hereafter.
557
00:50:26,960 --> 00:50:28,757
When we look at them.
558
00:50:28,960 --> 00:50:34,717
we are reminded that they will always
keep the secret of eternal life.
559
00:51:33,120 --> 00:51:36,908
Subtitles SBS Australia 2007