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male narrator: This week on
"Ancient Top Ten"...
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The secrets
of the Sphinx unveiled.
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00:00:06,240 --> 00:00:08,474
- Sometimes what you think you
know is called into question,
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00:00:08,576 --> 00:00:10,976
and the Sphinx is a perfect
example of that.
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00:00:11,045 --> 00:00:13,979
narrator: The spine-chilling
secrets of mummification.
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00:00:14,048 --> 00:00:17,449
- They created
over 70 million mummies.
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00:00:17,551 --> 00:00:19,551
Absolutely amazing.
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00:00:19,653 --> 00:00:21,887
narrator: An ancient scroll
so controversial
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00:00:21,989 --> 00:00:24,423
it's been called the first
porn magazine in history.
10
00:00:24,525 --> 00:00:28,427
- This sordid scroll has
given us more insight
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00:00:28,529 --> 00:00:31,630
into the ancient Egyptians
than any other discovery
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00:00:31,732 --> 00:00:33,766
I can think of.
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00:00:33,868 --> 00:00:35,467
narrator: And the most
incredible ancient treasure
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00:00:35,569 --> 00:00:36,835
of all time.
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- In terms of history,
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00:00:38,272 --> 00:00:39,605
in terms of civilization,
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00:00:39,707 --> 00:00:41,974
this is priceless.
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narrator:
Where will they be ranked
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on the only top ten list
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thousands of years
in the making?
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[dramatic music]
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♪ ♪
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narrator:
For 3,000 years,
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until
Alexander the Great's armies
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00:01:02,596 --> 00:01:04,663
conquered it
in the 4th century B.C.,
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00:01:04,765 --> 00:01:06,465
ancient Egypt was the most
27
00:01:06,567 --> 00:01:08,467
important civilization
in the world.
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♪ ♪
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- When you hear ancient Egypt,
you rightfully think of
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the pyramids, the Sphinx,
the Nile river,
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Cleopatra,
King Tut's tomb.
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But with all that
body of knowledge we have,
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there are secrets
we know nothing about.
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narrator: This week's
"Ancient Top Ten."
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♪ ♪
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The list is ranked by
how each entry
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has shaped our understanding
of ancient Egypt.
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♪ ♪
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At number 10,
the Great Sphinx.
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- One of the most iconic
and yet mysterious figures
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from ancient Egypt is the Sphinx
of the Giza Plateau.
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narrator: The Great Sphinx
sits at the foot
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of the pyramids near Cairo.
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Some Egyptologists
believe it was carved
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during the reign of
King Khafre in 2,500 B.C.
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and in his likeness.
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♪ ♪
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One of the pyramids
to its rear is his tomb.
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♪ ♪
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With the head of a king
and the body of a lion,
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the role of the Sphinx
may have been
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to guard the pharaoh's
final resting place.
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It is the largest statue ever
carved out of
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a single piece of stone,
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240 feet long,
60 feet high,
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and wrapped in riddles.
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For one thing,
the true size of the Sphinx
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was a mystery
for millennia.
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- Up to a century ago,
the Great Sphinx
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was buried up to its neck
in sand.
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narrator: These photos show
how the Sphinx looked
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circa the 1920s,
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its head
and upper body visible.
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In 1925, an effort began
to see more.
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- Then archaeologists decided
to dig and dig
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and excavate until
the entire body was revealed.
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♪ ♪
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narrator: There are smaller
sphinxes all over Egypt,
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and in the Temple
of Luxor alone,
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there are over 1,300
statues of them,
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underscoring
how important they were
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to ancient Egyptian culture.
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Beyond size, there is
a second, bigger mystery.
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- If you look closely
at the surface of the Sphinx,
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you'll see tiny traces of paint
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where 3,500 years ago,
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King Thutmose
had the surface restored.
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Now, if you think about it,
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3,500 years ago
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it was in need
of restoration.
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Just how old is this thing?
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♪ ♪
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narrator: In the 1950s,
new evidence
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further put into question
the age of the Sphinx.
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- There are water erosion marks
on the body
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of the Sphinx
caused by rain.
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But that level of rain
hasn't been around Egypt
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for over 9,000 years.
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♪ ♪
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00:04:06,413 --> 00:04:08,046
narrator: If these
erosion marks were made
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9,000 years ago,
long before
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this part of Africa
was a desert,
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then Egyptian civilization
is far older
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than previously thought.
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Or perhaps the civilization
of the Pharaohs
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was born from an even older
long lost civilization.
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That would be the biggest
secret of them all.
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♪ ♪
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Number nine on our countdown
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can't match
the wise Sphinx in age,
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but in height,
there was no contest.
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♪ ♪
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It's the Pharos lighthouse.
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- The Pharos lighthouse
of Alexandria
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is one of the Seven Wonders
of the ancient world.
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People would come
from all over the globe
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to wonder at its splendor.
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narrator:
This is Alexandria, Egypt.
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In the third century B.C.,
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it was one of
the greatest cities
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of the ancient world.
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It was built around
a deep natural harbor
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where the Nile
enters the sea.
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On an island in the harbor,
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at the end
of a manmade causeway
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3/4 of a mile long,
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an incredible lighthouse
was constructed,
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to guide ships safely in.
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- Twice the height of America's
tallest lighthouse today.
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The mighty Pharos.
Alexandria's great lighthouse.
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♪ ♪
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- The Pharos
was 400 feet high.
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That is the height of
a 40-story building.
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Incredible.
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♪ ♪
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narrator:
At 400 feet high,
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the Pharos may have
been taller
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than the Statue of Liberty,
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00:05:38,706 --> 00:05:40,906
and just like its modern
counterpart,
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it was designed to welcome
people and make a statement.
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narrator: The Pharos stood
for over 1,500 years.
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For all that time,
there was nothing like it.
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- The architectural
sophistication
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of this thing would just
take your breath away.
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00:05:56,357 --> 00:05:58,123
narrator: The Pharos had
a huge square base
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of granite blocks,
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00:05:59,960 --> 00:06:03,095
sealed together
with molten lead.
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- Some of the blocks used to
build the Pharos lighthouse
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were among the largest used
in ancient construction.
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They were 20 feet by 8 feet.
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They were massive.
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The size of
shipping containers.
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At night, a fire was lit to act
as a beacon for shipping.
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- As a lighthouse,
it's incredibly effective.
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That light could be seen
over 35 miles.
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narrator: Amazingly,
the light from the Pharos
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could be seen just as far
in the daytime.
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This would have been impossible
with just the light of a fire.
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- How did the Pharos lighthouse
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possibly generate
that much light?
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I mean, modern lighthouses
can generate light
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to extend about 20 miles,
and that's because
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they have these super powerful
electric bulbs.
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The Pharos lighthouse
is essentially a mystery.
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There must have been some
advanced engineering involved.
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♪ ♪
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- Well, this is one of
the things that's so mysterious
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and amazing about this site.
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What was making that light
2,000 years ago?
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- We are told that
the lighthouse of Alexandria
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had these specially designed
mirrors attached to the top,
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and the purpose of
these mirrors was to
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focus the rays of the sun.
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narrator: Could there have been
one giant mirror
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catching the sun's rays
and bouncing them
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to another
that was the beacon?
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They would each have had to
rotate and be aligned
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and move together.
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That's the kind of
sophistication we find today
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in modern solar power plants.
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Astonishingly, the lighthouse
holds an even greater secret.
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The mysterious mirrors may have
been much more
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than a beacon for
ships at sea.
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- There are actually
ancient sources
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that say the lighthouse
could focus
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a lethal beam of light
and aim it at enemy ships,
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burning them.
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- This is the ancient equivalent
of a laser beam,
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and considering this was
thousands of years ago,
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it is a phenomenal
achievement.
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narrator: And why did
the people of Alexandria
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need such a super weapon?
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Because they had
the greatest library,
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and their enemies would do
anything to get a hold
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of all the scientific knowledge
it contained.
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♪ ♪
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- Everything that was
written down was stored
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in the Great Library
of Alexandria.
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It was like a kind of
living Internet of its day.
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♪ ♪
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There were 550,000 volumes,
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and if you read a new one
every day,
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you would be sitting in that
library for over 1,500 years.
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narrator: Alexandria would
want to stop anyone
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from attacking its
precious library.
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A super weapon would certainly
discourage any attempts.
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00:08:39,253 --> 00:08:42,621
- Stories of this ancient
laser beam may not be true,
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00:08:42,723 --> 00:08:45,023
but if your enemy
believes that it is,
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then that is enough
of a deterrent.
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♪ ♪
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narrator: Just the idea
of a death ray
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and complicated,
revolving mirrors
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is enough to change our view
of the ancient Egyptians.
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- It's incredible to think
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00:08:59,139 --> 00:09:01,573
that the mighty Pharos
stood at the harbor
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00:09:01,675 --> 00:09:05,176
in Alexandria
for 1,500 years.
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It was so well built
that it actually took
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00:09:07,147 --> 00:09:10,482
a massive earthquake
to finally finish it off.
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♪ ♪
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- There's never been anything
like the Pharos before
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or since,
for that matter.
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2,000 years later,
it's still
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00:09:23,096 --> 00:09:25,096
the greatest lighthouse
ever built,
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so much so, the word "pharos"
in many languages,
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still means lighthouse.
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narrator:
The secrets of the Pharos
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00:09:33,507 --> 00:09:36,608
may never be
fully understood.
218
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But there are even
bigger secrets,
219
00:09:38,812 --> 00:09:42,013
including the raunchiest
papyrus ever unearthed,
220
00:09:42,115 --> 00:09:44,349
and an extraordinary
monument
221
00:09:44,451 --> 00:09:47,852
that puts one of the great
American icons to shame.
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00:09:47,955 --> 00:09:51,356
♪ ♪
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00:09:52,292 --> 00:09:54,192
[dramatic music]
224
00:09:54,294 --> 00:09:55,493
narrator: This is
"Ancient Top Ten's"
225
00:09:55,596 --> 00:09:57,362
top ten secrets of Egypt,
226
00:09:57,464 --> 00:09:59,364
ranked by experts,
according to how
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00:09:59,466 --> 00:10:01,700
they've shaped our view
of this civilization.
228
00:10:01,802 --> 00:10:03,702
♪ ♪
229
00:10:03,804 --> 00:10:06,571
The fertile Nile valley
was a vibrant place,
230
00:10:06,673 --> 00:10:08,540
teaming with life.
231
00:10:08,642 --> 00:10:11,042
Egyptian society
was rich and colorful
232
00:10:11,144 --> 00:10:15,480
and apparently,
not afraid to express itself.
233
00:10:15,582 --> 00:10:17,749
Coming in at number eight
234
00:10:17,851 --> 00:10:19,684
is a scandalous find.
235
00:10:19,786 --> 00:10:21,419
♪ ♪
236
00:10:21,521 --> 00:10:23,922
The Turin Erotic Papyrus.
237
00:10:24,024 --> 00:10:25,857
♪ ♪
238
00:10:25,959 --> 00:10:27,726
At the beginning
of the 19th century,
239
00:10:27,828 --> 00:10:30,061
a local farmer
near the Valley of the Kings
240
00:10:30,163 --> 00:10:34,032
stumbled across an intriguing
earthenware vessel.
241
00:10:34,134 --> 00:10:36,401
It was on the site of where
the laborers lived
242
00:10:36,503 --> 00:10:38,770
who worked on the tombs.
243
00:10:38,872 --> 00:10:41,006
There was something
hidden inside.
244
00:10:41,108 --> 00:10:42,507
♪ ♪
245
00:10:42,609 --> 00:10:44,676
It was an ancient papyrus,
246
00:10:44,778 --> 00:10:48,013
which shook the world
of Egyptology to the core.
247
00:10:48,115 --> 00:10:49,914
- When it was uncovered,
it was described
248
00:10:50,017 --> 00:10:53,018
as an image of
monstrous obscenity.
249
00:10:53,120 --> 00:10:54,719
♪ ♪
250
00:10:54,821 --> 00:10:56,688
narrator:
The papyrus was covered
251
00:10:56,790 --> 00:10:58,356
in the most graphic,
intimate pictures.
252
00:10:58,458 --> 00:10:59,624
♪ ♪
253
00:10:59,726 --> 00:11:01,960
- The Turin Erotic Papyrus
254
00:11:02,062 --> 00:11:04,129
was discovered in a workman's
village, Deir el-Medina.
255
00:11:04,231 --> 00:11:06,297
Now, it's possible
that these men were all
256
00:11:06,400 --> 00:11:08,233
passing this thing
around to each other,
257
00:11:08,335 --> 00:11:11,403
so it could have been one of
the first men's magazines.
258
00:11:11,505 --> 00:11:12,937
♪ ♪
259
00:11:13,040 --> 00:11:14,739
narrator:
And this is it.
260
00:11:14,841 --> 00:11:15,940
These fragments
of ancient scroll,
261
00:11:16,043 --> 00:11:18,410
over eight feet long,
262
00:11:18,512 --> 00:11:21,746
are 3,000 years old.
263
00:11:21,848 --> 00:11:24,549
It's called
The Turin Erotic Papyrus
264
00:11:24,651 --> 00:11:27,786
because it's kept here
in a museum in Turin in Italy.
265
00:11:27,888 --> 00:11:29,788
♪ ♪
266
00:11:29,890 --> 00:11:32,424
And it's recommended
for adults only.
267
00:11:32,526 --> 00:11:34,659
♪ ♪
268
00:11:34,728 --> 00:11:37,762
Sex was often represented
by the Egyptians in art,
269
00:11:37,864 --> 00:11:40,899
but in a very different way
than the papyrus.
270
00:11:41,001 --> 00:11:43,902
- In ancient Egypt,
we see sex depicted
271
00:11:44,004 --> 00:11:46,838
at the level of the gods
in private spaces like temples,
272
00:11:46,940 --> 00:11:48,640
but these are more symbolic.
273
00:11:48,742 --> 00:11:50,775
When we're talking about
the papyrus,
274
00:11:50,877 --> 00:11:54,279
this much more closely
resembles human pornography.
275
00:11:54,381 --> 00:11:56,481
♪ ♪
276
00:11:56,583 --> 00:11:58,483
narrator: So if it wasn't
for religious purposes,
277
00:11:58,585 --> 00:12:00,485
it really may have
been created
278
00:12:00,587 --> 00:12:02,987
for much more erotic uses.
279
00:12:03,090 --> 00:12:07,358
- The papyrus shows
12 raunchy scenes.
280
00:12:07,461 --> 00:12:10,929
We're talking older men
with younger women.
281
00:12:11,031 --> 00:12:12,697
Sex of all sorts.
282
00:12:12,799 --> 00:12:14,466
It's quite shocking,
actually.
283
00:12:14,568 --> 00:12:16,534
♪ ♪
284
00:12:16,636 --> 00:12:18,970
narrator: This material
is considered so vulgar
285
00:12:19,072 --> 00:12:21,473
that we can only
show snippets.
286
00:12:21,575 --> 00:12:23,541
- I've seen quite a lot
of ancient erotic art
287
00:12:23,643 --> 00:12:25,643
in my time,
but for me,
288
00:12:25,746 --> 00:12:27,445
the Turin Erotic Papyrus
289
00:12:27,547 --> 00:12:29,681
is quite frankly
jaw-dropping.
290
00:12:29,783 --> 00:12:32,317
Basically anything
that can happen
291
00:12:32,419 --> 00:12:34,986
is happening.
292
00:12:35,088 --> 00:12:36,621
narrator: And this is why
it makes it
293
00:12:36,723 --> 00:12:38,990
to the "Ancient Top Ten" list.
294
00:12:39,092 --> 00:12:43,528
It changes and humanizes
our view of ancient Egypt.
295
00:12:43,630 --> 00:12:44,829
♪ ♪
296
00:12:44,931 --> 00:12:45,964
narrator: At number seven,
297
00:12:46,066 --> 00:12:48,233
a more G-rated secret.
298
00:12:48,335 --> 00:12:52,337
♪ ♪
299
00:12:52,439 --> 00:12:54,205
The unfinished obelisk,
300
00:12:54,307 --> 00:12:56,474
one of the most amazing
engineering feats
301
00:12:56,576 --> 00:12:58,243
from ancient Egypt.
302
00:12:58,345 --> 00:13:00,712
- Obelisks were huge
stone structures.
303
00:13:00,814 --> 00:13:03,248
They were monoliths
found all over Egypt.
304
00:13:03,316 --> 00:13:05,016
They were absolutely
incredible.
305
00:13:05,118 --> 00:13:07,318
♪ ♪
306
00:13:07,420 --> 00:13:10,188
- In London, Paris
and in Rome,
307
00:13:10,290 --> 00:13:15,527
we find these incredible
ancient Egyptian obelisks,
308
00:13:15,629 --> 00:13:17,562
and each of them
is a testament
309
00:13:17,664 --> 00:13:20,498
to the cult of the sun.
310
00:13:20,600 --> 00:13:22,901
They are absolutely
mesmerizing,
311
00:13:23,003 --> 00:13:26,905
and we remain in awe of them
and for very good reason.
312
00:13:27,007 --> 00:13:28,907
narrator:
Obelisks were giant pillars
313
00:13:29,009 --> 00:13:31,776
pointing upwards towards
the sun god, Ra.
314
00:13:31,878 --> 00:13:33,878
♪ ♪
315
00:13:33,980 --> 00:13:36,414
In a quarry here in Aswan,
in southern Egypt,
316
00:13:36,516 --> 00:13:38,416
is the biggest obelisk
of all,
317
00:13:38,518 --> 00:13:41,352
but it's still attached
to the bedrock.
318
00:13:41,454 --> 00:13:43,388
If it had been finished
and erected,
319
00:13:43,490 --> 00:13:46,224
it would have been nearly as
high as Niagara Falls.
320
00:13:46,326 --> 00:13:47,425
♪ ♪
321
00:13:47,527 --> 00:13:49,961
- The unfinished obelisk
is huge.
322
00:13:50,063 --> 00:13:53,598
If it were finished, it would
have been over 140 feet tall.
323
00:13:53,667 --> 00:13:55,967
This thing would have surpassed
any other obelisk made
324
00:13:56,069 --> 00:13:57,569
in ancient Egypt
to this point.
325
00:13:57,671 --> 00:13:58,870
♪ ♪
326
00:13:58,972 --> 00:14:00,071
- It would have weighed in
327
00:14:00,173 --> 00:14:01,973
at around 1,200 tons.
328
00:14:02,075 --> 00:14:04,042
That's almost six times
the weight
329
00:14:04,144 --> 00:14:05,810
of the Statue of Liberty.
330
00:14:05,912 --> 00:14:07,946
♪ ♪
331
00:14:08,048 --> 00:14:09,547
narrator: The modern world
has its own obelisk
332
00:14:09,649 --> 00:14:11,950
inspired by ancient Egypt:
333
00:14:12,052 --> 00:14:14,385
the Washington Monument.
334
00:14:14,487 --> 00:14:16,821
It was built
in the 19th century,
335
00:14:16,923 --> 00:14:19,090
but modern building
techniques were unable
336
00:14:19,192 --> 00:14:22,293
to match those
of the ancient Egyptians.
337
00:14:22,362 --> 00:14:25,396
- The Washington Monument
is bigger, but it cheats.
338
00:14:25,498 --> 00:14:29,801
It's made with a steel frame
and 30,000 separate bricks.
339
00:14:29,903 --> 00:14:32,770
But this--this is
the real deal.
340
00:14:32,873 --> 00:14:36,474
It's made out of one
solid piece of granite.
341
00:14:36,576 --> 00:14:39,577
narrator: And there were
no metal tools back then.
342
00:14:39,679 --> 00:14:42,413
This was the 15th century B.C.
343
00:14:42,515 --> 00:14:45,450
They were hitting rock
with rock.
344
00:14:45,552 --> 00:14:48,086
- 130 men
in cramped conditions,
345
00:14:48,188 --> 00:14:50,121
all trying to carve this thing
out of the ground
346
00:14:50,223 --> 00:14:53,825
with only a slighter harder rock
to cut it.
347
00:14:53,927 --> 00:14:56,427
narrator: But the unfinished
obelisk was left in place.
348
00:14:56,529 --> 00:14:59,597
Why was it abandoned
after so much work?
349
00:14:59,699 --> 00:15:02,700
- Chipping it away,
day after day, week after week,
350
00:15:02,802 --> 00:15:06,704
month after month,
possibly even for years.
351
00:15:06,806 --> 00:15:09,173
Then they find the flaw.
352
00:15:09,276 --> 00:15:11,109
A crack in the obelisk.
353
00:15:11,211 --> 00:15:12,944
narrator: In their efforts
to separate it
354
00:15:13,046 --> 00:15:15,346
from the bedrock,
the obelisk had split.
355
00:15:15,448 --> 00:15:19,284
- All of that work,
all of that effort for nothing.
356
00:15:19,386 --> 00:15:22,153
narrator: It earns its place on
the "Ancient Top Ten" list
357
00:15:22,255 --> 00:15:23,621
because it would have been
the greatest
358
00:15:23,723 --> 00:15:25,623
solid obelisk in history,
359
00:15:25,725 --> 00:15:28,459
reinforcing our view
of ancient Egyptians
360
00:15:28,561 --> 00:15:31,362
as master builders.
361
00:15:31,464 --> 00:15:33,364
narrator: Coming up,
an incredible boat
362
00:15:33,466 --> 00:15:35,099
buried in the desert,
363
00:15:35,201 --> 00:15:37,568
unearthed after
thousands of years,
364
00:15:37,637 --> 00:15:39,671
and how could
the ancient Egyptians
365
00:15:39,773 --> 00:15:41,906
have carved statues bigger
than Mount Rushmore
366
00:15:42,008 --> 00:15:43,074
out of a mountain?
367
00:15:43,176 --> 00:15:47,378
♪ ♪
368
00:15:49,883 --> 00:15:51,683
narrator: This is Giza,
369
00:15:51,785 --> 00:15:54,018
the site of the pyramids
near Cairo.
370
00:15:54,120 --> 00:15:57,288
The pyramids themselves were
plundered in ancient times,
371
00:15:57,390 --> 00:15:59,557
all their treasures stolen.
372
00:15:59,659 --> 00:16:03,561
But in 1954 there was
an amazing find here.
373
00:16:03,663 --> 00:16:06,564
An entire ship,
buried in the desert.
374
00:16:06,666 --> 00:16:09,133
And it's our
number six secret.
375
00:16:09,235 --> 00:16:12,136
[dramatic music]
376
00:16:12,238 --> 00:16:13,871
♪ ♪
377
00:16:13,974 --> 00:16:16,574
The Khufu Ship.
378
00:16:16,676 --> 00:16:20,578
- A ship buried in the desert
outside the pyramid.
379
00:16:20,680 --> 00:16:23,481
And this was a huge vessel,
bigger than the Mayflower,
380
00:16:23,583 --> 00:16:25,249
and over 4,000 years ago.
381
00:16:25,352 --> 00:16:27,585
Incredible.
382
00:16:27,687 --> 00:16:30,588
narrator: The ancient ship
was buried around 2,500 B.C.,
383
00:16:30,690 --> 00:16:33,191
in a pit carved
out of the solid bedrock.
384
00:16:33,293 --> 00:16:37,328
♪ ♪
385
00:16:37,430 --> 00:16:41,532
143 feet long,
and just under 20 feet wide,
386
00:16:41,634 --> 00:16:45,903
now in a specially built museum
on the site at Giza,
387
00:16:45,972 --> 00:16:49,207
it's the world's oldest
intact ship.
388
00:16:49,309 --> 00:16:51,275
- The Khufu ship
is one of the largest
389
00:16:51,378 --> 00:16:54,078
and best-preserved boats
from antiquity.
390
00:16:54,180 --> 00:16:57,615
It's incredible to think that
this boat made of wood
391
00:16:57,717 --> 00:17:01,052
has survived 4,500 years.
392
00:17:01,154 --> 00:17:04,389
narrator: The entire ship
had been dismantled.
393
00:17:04,491 --> 00:17:07,392
Its wooden parts were stacked
neatly in the pit.
394
00:17:07,494 --> 00:17:09,394
♪ ♪
395
00:17:09,496 --> 00:17:11,195
In re-assembling the ship,
396
00:17:11,297 --> 00:17:13,898
ancient techniques
came to light.
397
00:17:14,000 --> 00:17:15,900
- What was particularly amazing
about it
398
00:17:16,002 --> 00:17:17,602
was how this ship
was built.
399
00:17:17,704 --> 00:17:19,270
There were no fixtures
or fittings.
400
00:17:19,372 --> 00:17:20,905
It was all held together
401
00:17:21,007 --> 00:17:22,540
with beautifully
crafted joints
402
00:17:22,642 --> 00:17:24,308
and tied together with rope.
403
00:17:24,411 --> 00:17:26,310
♪ ♪
404
00:17:26,413 --> 00:17:28,279
narrator: The rope was made
from grass.
405
00:17:28,381 --> 00:17:31,482
In total,
there was over a mile of it.
406
00:17:31,584 --> 00:17:35,453
- Before this, we believe
the Egyptians used reed boats.
407
00:17:35,588 --> 00:17:39,157
But this is the first
significant wooden boat,
408
00:17:39,259 --> 00:17:41,826
and it's also the first
construction of its kind
409
00:17:41,928 --> 00:17:44,629
to be built without nails.
410
00:17:44,731 --> 00:17:47,598
narrator: It was a sleek,
beautiful design,
411
00:17:47,700 --> 00:17:49,934
and completely sea-worthy.
412
00:17:50,036 --> 00:17:52,670
But why was it buried
in the middle of the desert?
413
00:17:52,772 --> 00:17:54,772
What was it for?
414
00:17:54,874 --> 00:17:56,808
- The Khufu ship never actually
went to sea,
415
00:17:56,910 --> 00:17:59,277
because it was
a funeral barge.
416
00:17:59,379 --> 00:18:01,779
narrator: The ship was meant
to transport the dead pharaoh
417
00:18:01,881 --> 00:18:04,749
up to his place
in the heavens.
418
00:18:04,851 --> 00:18:07,685
- Clearly, assembling the boat
in the afterlife
419
00:18:07,787 --> 00:18:10,154
wouldn't have been
such a great task for a pharaoh.
420
00:18:10,256 --> 00:18:12,857
In fact, maybe he killed
a handyman or two
421
00:18:12,959 --> 00:18:15,093
to go along with him.
422
00:18:15,195 --> 00:18:17,295
narrator: The ship tells us
about the Egyptians'
423
00:18:17,397 --> 00:18:20,832
deepest beliefs and
is a landmark in engineering.
424
00:18:20,934 --> 00:18:22,633
It's so sophisticated,
425
00:18:22,735 --> 00:18:24,602
this knowledge and skill
must have come
426
00:18:24,704 --> 00:18:26,938
from many centuries
of ship building,
427
00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:28,840
which means Egypt
must have been
428
00:18:28,942 --> 00:18:31,209
a great seafaring nation
much earlier
429
00:18:31,311 --> 00:18:33,344
than previously thought.
430
00:18:33,446 --> 00:18:35,379
- It absolutely transformed
our understanding
431
00:18:35,482 --> 00:18:38,216
of seafaring 4,500 years ago,
432
00:18:38,318 --> 00:18:40,351
and that's why
it's in my top ten.
433
00:18:40,453 --> 00:18:42,353
♪ ♪
434
00:18:42,455 --> 00:18:45,356
narrator: Another buried ship
has now been found at the site.
435
00:18:45,458 --> 00:18:47,125
And it's thought
there might have been
436
00:18:47,227 --> 00:18:49,026
up to seven in total
at Giza.
437
00:18:49,129 --> 00:18:52,864
All for the benefit of
the afterlife of the pharaohs.
438
00:18:52,966 --> 00:18:54,665
♪ ♪
439
00:18:54,767 --> 00:18:56,734
But at number five
on our list
440
00:18:56,836 --> 00:18:58,669
is something that was
an underground secret
441
00:18:58,771 --> 00:19:00,304
the size of a mountain.
442
00:19:00,406 --> 00:19:05,309
♪ ♪
443
00:19:05,411 --> 00:19:07,411
Early in the 19th century,
444
00:19:07,514 --> 00:19:10,047
a young Egyptian boy
guided some archaeologists
445
00:19:10,150 --> 00:19:12,583
to a rock-face
near his village.
446
00:19:12,685 --> 00:19:14,552
He had found
some unusual carvings,
447
00:19:14,654 --> 00:19:16,587
exposed by
the moving sands.
448
00:19:16,689 --> 00:19:18,723
♪ ♪
449
00:19:18,825 --> 00:19:22,560
The archaeologists returned
and began to dig.
450
00:19:22,662 --> 00:19:25,897
♪ ♪
451
00:19:25,999 --> 00:19:27,732
What emerged
was one of the most
452
00:19:27,834 --> 00:19:30,101
amazing buildings
in the world.
453
00:19:30,203 --> 00:19:32,837
It was carved
straight into the rock-face,
454
00:19:32,939 --> 00:19:35,406
and it was the height
of a ten-story building.
455
00:19:35,508 --> 00:19:37,408
♪ ♪
456
00:19:37,510 --> 00:19:39,410
narrator:
Abu Simbel.
457
00:19:39,512 --> 00:19:42,747
A huge temple from
the 13th century B.C.
458
00:19:42,849 --> 00:19:45,183
- One of the greatest buildings
in ancient Egypt.
459
00:19:45,285 --> 00:19:48,553
One of the greatest buildings
in the world, surely.
460
00:19:48,655 --> 00:19:50,388
narrator:
It faced the River Nile
461
00:19:50,490 --> 00:19:52,390
and was built to amaze
and intimidate
462
00:19:52,492 --> 00:19:54,258
Egypt's southern neighbors,
463
00:19:54,360 --> 00:19:56,427
and to show the authority
of the pharaoh.
464
00:19:56,529 --> 00:19:58,429
♪ ♪
465
00:19:58,531 --> 00:19:59,864
- Suitably,
it's one of the greatest
466
00:19:59,966 --> 00:20:01,966
monuments in ancient Egypt,
467
00:20:02,068 --> 00:20:05,970
because it's dedicated to
one of the greatest pharaohs.
468
00:20:06,072 --> 00:20:08,873
narrator: The pharaoh
was Ramesses II,
469
00:20:08,975 --> 00:20:11,475
also known as
Ramesses the Great.
470
00:20:11,578 --> 00:20:13,778
He was the most powerful
pharaoh ever
471
00:20:13,880 --> 00:20:16,480
and reigned for over
70 years.
472
00:20:16,583 --> 00:20:18,149
And at the front
of the temple,
473
00:20:18,251 --> 00:20:20,251
giant statues of Ramesses
474
00:20:20,353 --> 00:20:23,821
a colossal 67 feet high.
475
00:20:23,923 --> 00:20:27,124
- These figures at Abu Simbel
are absolutely enormous.
476
00:20:27,227 --> 00:20:30,761
Each statue is taller than
the faces at Mount Rushmore.
477
00:20:30,863 --> 00:20:32,630
♪ ♪
478
00:20:32,732 --> 00:20:34,098
narrator:
All the Egyptian workers had
479
00:20:34,200 --> 00:20:36,133
were small copper chisels
480
00:20:36,236 --> 00:20:38,803
to carve something
the size of a mountain.
481
00:20:38,905 --> 00:20:40,905
Each workman
would wear through them
482
00:20:41,007 --> 00:20:43,407
at the rate of about
three a day.
483
00:20:43,509 --> 00:20:45,176
These weren't slaves,
but they weren't
484
00:20:45,278 --> 00:20:47,144
paid workers either.
485
00:20:47,247 --> 00:20:49,080
This was well before
the days of money.
486
00:20:49,182 --> 00:20:50,948
In return for their work,
487
00:20:51,050 --> 00:20:52,450
they received
something refreshing
488
00:20:52,552 --> 00:20:54,252
and thirst-quenching.
489
00:20:54,354 --> 00:20:55,953
- Construction workers
in ancient Egypt
490
00:20:56,055 --> 00:20:57,822
were compensated
with food,
491
00:20:57,924 --> 00:20:59,123
but also with beer,
possibly even
492
00:20:59,225 --> 00:21:01,025
a gallon and a half a day.
493
00:21:01,127 --> 00:21:02,827
So can you imagine
hauling rocks around
494
00:21:02,929 --> 00:21:04,328
in the hot sun all day?
495
00:21:04,430 --> 00:21:07,031
Beer would definitely
lighten the load.
496
00:21:07,133 --> 00:21:09,033
narrator: Once the construction
was finished,
497
00:21:09,135 --> 00:21:10,968
the painting started.
498
00:21:11,037 --> 00:21:12,937
- We see them only
as they are now,
499
00:21:13,039 --> 00:21:14,705
as a dusty brown color.
500
00:21:14,807 --> 00:21:16,941
But they would have been
brightly colored.
501
00:21:17,043 --> 00:21:19,877
So when we look at surviving
Egyptian buildings,
502
00:21:19,979 --> 00:21:22,513
they are nothing like
they used to have been.
503
00:21:22,615 --> 00:21:24,515
narrator: They would have
looked like this.
504
00:21:24,617 --> 00:21:28,352
♪ ♪
505
00:21:28,454 --> 00:21:31,822
And inside:
a fabulous pillared hall.
506
00:21:31,924 --> 00:21:35,126
With wall carvings to show
the glory of Ramesses.
507
00:21:35,228 --> 00:21:39,630
But amazingly, none of this
is where it used to be.
508
00:21:39,732 --> 00:21:42,800
- In the 1960s,
the Aswan Dam project
509
00:21:42,902 --> 00:21:44,669
flooded a lot of
southern Egypt,
510
00:21:44,771 --> 00:21:46,837
and all
the magnificent temples
511
00:21:46,939 --> 00:21:48,873
that were in the way
of the dam had to be moved.
512
00:21:48,975 --> 00:21:50,274
Some of these were sold off
to foreign governments
513
00:21:50,343 --> 00:21:52,076
and museums.
514
00:21:52,178 --> 00:21:53,911
But Abu Simbel,
the work of Ramesses II,
515
00:21:54,047 --> 00:21:55,913
was so important
that it was just moved
516
00:21:56,015 --> 00:21:58,349
690 feet away
and 200 feet up,
517
00:21:58,451 --> 00:22:01,018
where it stands majestically
to this day.
518
00:22:01,120 --> 00:22:03,554
narrator: Abu Simbel earns
its place on the list
519
00:22:03,656 --> 00:22:05,856
for revealing the power
of ancient Egypt
520
00:22:05,958 --> 00:22:09,026
and the power
of the pharaohs.
521
00:22:09,128 --> 00:22:11,395
narrator: Still to come
on "Ancient Top Ten"...
522
00:22:11,497 --> 00:22:13,397
Blood-curdling horror!
[woman screaming]
523
00:22:13,499 --> 00:22:16,367
It's the secrets
of the living dead.
524
00:22:16,469 --> 00:22:20,137
♪ ♪
525
00:22:23,176 --> 00:22:25,009
narrator: We're counting down
the greatest secrets
526
00:22:25,111 --> 00:22:26,844
of ancient Egypt,
527
00:22:26,946 --> 00:22:28,713
judged by historians
and experts
528
00:22:28,815 --> 00:22:30,581
according to how
they've shaped our view
529
00:22:30,683 --> 00:22:33,551
of this great civilization.
530
00:22:33,653 --> 00:22:36,354
At number ten,
we saw the Great Sphinx,
531
00:22:36,456 --> 00:22:40,191
and at number nine,
the Pharos lighthouse.
532
00:22:40,293 --> 00:22:43,928
Number eight was
the Turin Erotic Papyrus.
533
00:22:44,030 --> 00:22:48,399
At number seven,
the amazing unfinished obelisk.
534
00:22:48,501 --> 00:22:51,869
At number six, we saw
the incredible Khufu Ship.
535
00:22:51,971 --> 00:22:53,871
And at number five,
the remarkable
536
00:22:53,973 --> 00:22:55,873
temple of Abu Simbel.
537
00:22:55,975 --> 00:22:57,274
[dramatic music]
538
00:22:57,377 --> 00:22:59,243
Now we're into the top four,
539
00:22:59,345 --> 00:23:01,278
and it's time
for a shocking secret
540
00:23:01,381 --> 00:23:03,714
that's become a symbol
of ancient Egypt
541
00:23:03,816 --> 00:23:06,384
and a staple of horror films.
[woman screams]
542
00:23:06,486 --> 00:23:10,621
♪ ♪
543
00:23:10,723 --> 00:23:13,791
- Ask anyone what comes to mind
when you say "ancient Egypt,"
544
00:23:13,893 --> 00:23:18,028
and I would bet you
that they say "mummies."
545
00:23:18,131 --> 00:23:21,532
narrator: Mummies are the
preserved bodies of the dead.
546
00:23:21,634 --> 00:23:24,535
The ancient Egyptians believed
that preserving the body
547
00:23:24,637 --> 00:23:27,538
meant it would live on
in the afterlife.
548
00:23:27,640 --> 00:23:31,375
This was true of everyone,
not just pharaohs.
549
00:23:31,477 --> 00:23:35,279
So everyone wanted to be
mummified after death.
550
00:23:35,381 --> 00:23:37,548
- The ancient Egyptians
seemed to believe
551
00:23:37,650 --> 00:23:40,885
that their physical body
would be reunited
552
00:23:40,987 --> 00:23:43,721
with their soul
in the afterlife.
553
00:23:43,823 --> 00:23:45,756
narrator:
Mummies are evidence of this.
554
00:23:45,858 --> 00:23:49,393
And it sets ancient Egypt apart
from other civilizations.
555
00:23:49,495 --> 00:23:51,162
They believed
that after death,
556
00:23:51,264 --> 00:23:53,164
the soul left the body,
557
00:23:53,266 --> 00:23:55,299
but that at night
it would return to it
558
00:23:55,401 --> 00:23:57,334
to receive new life.
559
00:23:57,437 --> 00:24:00,337
That's why the body
had to be preserved.
560
00:24:00,440 --> 00:24:02,339
- For the ancient Egyptians,
life after death
561
00:24:02,442 --> 00:24:04,275
is just as
if not more important
562
00:24:04,377 --> 00:24:06,110
than life before death,
and that's why mummies
563
00:24:06,179 --> 00:24:07,845
are a vital part
of our countdown.
564
00:24:07,947 --> 00:24:10,214
♪ ♪
565
00:24:10,283 --> 00:24:13,284
- The ancient Egyptians were
obsessed with mummification.
566
00:24:13,386 --> 00:24:16,020
In fact, some estimates suggest
that they created
567
00:24:16,122 --> 00:24:18,989
over 70 million mummies.
568
00:24:19,091 --> 00:24:21,091
Absolutely amazing.
569
00:24:21,194 --> 00:24:22,827
- There were so many mummies
570
00:24:22,929 --> 00:24:24,829
being produced
in ancient Egypt,
571
00:24:24,931 --> 00:24:27,798
they got it down
to an absolute art form.
572
00:24:27,900 --> 00:24:30,201
It must have been like
a production line.
573
00:24:30,303 --> 00:24:31,602
A modern factory.
574
00:24:31,704 --> 00:24:34,138
A mummy factory.
575
00:24:34,240 --> 00:24:36,106
narrator: In the Egyptian
Museum in Cairo,
576
00:24:36,209 --> 00:24:38,175
you can see the mummies
of the pharaohs.
577
00:24:38,277 --> 00:24:40,010
♪ ♪
578
00:24:40,112 --> 00:24:42,847
The warrior king,
Amenhotep II.
579
00:24:42,949 --> 00:24:44,815
♪ ♪
580
00:24:44,917 --> 00:24:47,451
The great monument builder
Ramesses II.
581
00:24:47,553 --> 00:24:49,019
♪ ♪
582
00:24:49,121 --> 00:24:52,456
And his father, Seti I.
583
00:24:52,558 --> 00:24:55,493
- Mummification was an
incredibly intricate procedure.
584
00:24:55,595 --> 00:24:58,329
All of the organs were removed
with surgical precision,
585
00:24:58,431 --> 00:25:00,164
including the brain,
which was extracted
586
00:25:00,266 --> 00:25:02,333
through the nose.
587
00:25:02,435 --> 00:25:05,870
- They would soak the bodies
in vats of chemicals
588
00:25:05,972 --> 00:25:09,306
to dry them out
and preserve the flesh.
589
00:25:09,408 --> 00:25:11,709
narrator: And the body
was packed with salt.
590
00:25:11,811 --> 00:25:14,378
This was a key
to preserving it.
591
00:25:14,480 --> 00:25:16,013
- Next, the Egyptians
would apply
592
00:25:16,115 --> 00:25:17,882
layer and layer
of bandages.
593
00:25:17,984 --> 00:25:20,484
And this is what allowed the
body to be perfectly preserved
594
00:25:20,586 --> 00:25:22,520
for thousands of years.
595
00:25:22,622 --> 00:25:24,221
narrator: And the Egyptians
didn't let
596
00:25:24,323 --> 00:25:26,824
any part of themselves
go to waste.
597
00:25:26,926 --> 00:25:28,926
- There's evidence
that the pharaohs and the queens
598
00:25:29,028 --> 00:25:32,062
even had their sex organs
dried and wrapped.
599
00:25:32,164 --> 00:25:34,164
♪ ♪
600
00:25:34,267 --> 00:25:35,900
narrator: These incredibly
preserved mummies
601
00:25:36,002 --> 00:25:39,069
have survived for millennia.
602
00:25:39,171 --> 00:25:40,905
Of course, the pharaohs
were mummified
603
00:25:41,007 --> 00:25:42,706
better than anyone else.
604
00:25:42,808 --> 00:25:45,075
♪ ♪
605
00:25:45,177 --> 00:25:48,612
The Egyptians believed that
all living things had souls,
606
00:25:48,714 --> 00:25:51,181
so they wanted
their pets mummified too.
607
00:25:51,284 --> 00:25:54,285
Then they could be together
in the afterlife.
608
00:25:54,387 --> 00:25:57,021
Across Egypt,
there were vast cemeteries
609
00:25:57,123 --> 00:25:58,622
filled with
the mummified bodies
610
00:25:58,724 --> 00:26:01,425
of family cats and dogs.
611
00:26:01,527 --> 00:26:04,094
And even the crocodiles
kept to guard the temples
612
00:26:04,196 --> 00:26:06,597
around ancient Egypt
were mummified.
613
00:26:06,699 --> 00:26:09,600
♪ ♪
614
00:26:09,702 --> 00:26:13,604
Mummies have shaped our view
of Egyptian belief.
615
00:26:13,706 --> 00:26:16,273
Because of mummies,
we know that the Egyptians
616
00:26:16,375 --> 00:26:18,909
thought the afterlife
was a physical place,
617
00:26:19,011 --> 00:26:22,112
as much for ordinary people
and even animals,
618
00:26:22,214 --> 00:26:24,281
as for the pharaohs.
619
00:26:24,383 --> 00:26:26,216
And as an icon
of ancient Egypt,
620
00:26:26,319 --> 00:26:28,385
they've thrilled
generations
621
00:26:28,487 --> 00:26:32,289
and kept Egyptology
very much alive and kicking.
622
00:26:32,391 --> 00:26:35,593
- It's absolutely iconic.
The idea of these dead bodies
623
00:26:35,695 --> 00:26:38,829
preserved forever,
wrapped in bandages.
624
00:26:38,931 --> 00:26:41,832
All the gruesome stories
are true.
625
00:26:41,934 --> 00:26:43,834
narrator: While mummies
have shaped our view
626
00:26:43,936 --> 00:26:46,003
of how Egyptians
looked at the afterlife,
627
00:26:46,105 --> 00:26:49,073
our next secret
helped to decode everything
628
00:26:49,175 --> 00:26:52,076
about the land of the living
in ancient Egypt.
629
00:26:52,178 --> 00:26:58,782
♪ ♪
630
00:26:58,851 --> 00:27:01,852
The key that unlocked
ancient Egypt.
631
00:27:01,954 --> 00:27:03,921
The Rosetta Stone.
632
00:27:04,023 --> 00:27:06,190
- In the late 1700s,
Napoleon and his troops
633
00:27:06,292 --> 00:27:08,092
are invading Egypt.
634
00:27:08,194 --> 00:27:09,760
Now they stumble across
the Rosetta Stone
635
00:27:09,862 --> 00:27:11,862
while digging up
fortifications.
636
00:27:11,964 --> 00:27:13,430
Luckily for us,
they realize
637
00:27:13,532 --> 00:27:14,632
that this stone
was going to be
638
00:27:14,734 --> 00:27:17,201
incredibly important.
639
00:27:17,303 --> 00:27:20,938
narrator: A piece of granite
just three feet high,
640
00:27:21,040 --> 00:27:22,840
it's now
the most visited exhibit
641
00:27:22,942 --> 00:27:25,943
inside the British Museum
in London.
642
00:27:26,045 --> 00:27:29,146
- The importance of the Rosetta
Stone can't be understated.
643
00:27:29,248 --> 00:27:32,983
Its discovery was the turning
point in Egyptology.
644
00:27:33,085 --> 00:27:36,620
This unlikely chunk of rock
changed everything.
645
00:27:36,722 --> 00:27:38,856
narrator: It was because
of this rock
646
00:27:38,958 --> 00:27:41,859
that experts were able to
understand hieroglyphics.
647
00:27:41,961 --> 00:27:45,663
Before the Rosetta Stone,
no one could understand them.
648
00:27:45,765 --> 00:27:49,500
They were just strange shapes
and symbols.
649
00:27:49,602 --> 00:27:52,503
The Rosetta Stone
has three bands of writing,
650
00:27:52,605 --> 00:27:54,705
one above the other.
651
00:27:54,807 --> 00:27:56,874
- The key thing about it
is that it has information
652
00:27:56,976 --> 00:27:59,410
written in three languages:
653
00:27:59,512 --> 00:28:01,645
ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs,
654
00:28:01,747 --> 00:28:05,649
Greek, and another ancient
language called Demotic.
655
00:28:05,751 --> 00:28:07,584
narrator: When it was found,
classical scholars
656
00:28:07,687 --> 00:28:09,653
could read
the ancient Greek.
657
00:28:09,755 --> 00:28:13,490
It translated as a list of good
works done by the pharaoh.
658
00:28:13,592 --> 00:28:16,226
And it was the name
of the Pharaoh, Ptolemy,
659
00:28:16,328 --> 00:28:19,063
that eventually provided
the breakthrough needed,
660
00:28:19,165 --> 00:28:22,733
because his name was uncovered
in the hieroglyphs.
661
00:28:22,835 --> 00:28:25,169
- The fact that the same
information is written
662
00:28:25,271 --> 00:28:28,205
in all three languages
means that we could
663
00:28:28,307 --> 00:28:30,841
work out what
the hieroglyphs say.
664
00:28:30,943 --> 00:28:33,010
And from that,
you can understand
665
00:28:33,112 --> 00:28:36,613
the whole of
ancient Egyptian history.
666
00:28:36,716 --> 00:28:38,115
narrator: Suddenly,
all the hieroglyphs
667
00:28:38,217 --> 00:28:40,350
in Egypt became readable.
668
00:28:40,453 --> 00:28:42,753
- Imagine you can't read
hieroglyphs and suddenly
669
00:28:42,855 --> 00:28:44,755
you can look at a temple wall
and say, "That's Ramesses II,"
670
00:28:44,857 --> 00:28:46,890
or "That's Amenhotep III."
671
00:28:46,992 --> 00:28:49,293
Now as an Egyptologist,
I can't even imagine
672
00:28:49,395 --> 00:28:50,794
how we would have understood
673
00:28:50,896 --> 00:28:53,564
the Egyptian civilization
without this.
674
00:28:53,666 --> 00:28:55,966
narrator: The Rosetta Stone
revealed a huge amount,
675
00:28:56,068 --> 00:28:59,236
despite being small
in stature.
676
00:28:59,338 --> 00:29:01,405
But coming up
are colossal constructions
677
00:29:01,507 --> 00:29:03,741
of the ancient world,
which would culminate
678
00:29:03,843 --> 00:29:08,112
in the tallest building on
Earth for nearly 4,000 years,
679
00:29:08,214 --> 00:29:11,115
and the greatest archaeological
find of all time.
680
00:29:11,217 --> 00:29:15,619
♪ ♪
681
00:29:18,557 --> 00:29:19,556
narrator:
A list thousands of years
682
00:29:19,658 --> 00:29:20,958
in the making.
683
00:29:21,026 --> 00:29:22,926
This is "Ancient Top Ten's"
684
00:29:23,028 --> 00:29:26,096
list of ancient Egyptian
secrets.
685
00:29:26,198 --> 00:29:28,132
Just missing out
on the top slot
686
00:29:28,234 --> 00:29:31,635
is one of the greatest building
projects of all time.
687
00:29:31,737 --> 00:29:33,637
Coming in at number two...
688
00:29:33,739 --> 00:29:37,474
[dramatic music]
689
00:29:37,576 --> 00:29:39,109
It's pyramids.
690
00:29:39,211 --> 00:29:40,310
♪ ♪
691
00:29:40,412 --> 00:29:42,279
Pyramids have defined our view
692
00:29:42,381 --> 00:29:44,148
of ancient Egypt.
693
00:29:44,250 --> 00:29:46,283
They are symbols
of a civilization.
694
00:29:46,385 --> 00:29:47,851
- The pyramids
embody everything
695
00:29:47,953 --> 00:29:49,686
we love about
ancient Egypt.
696
00:29:49,789 --> 00:29:51,522
The mystery,
the lost technology,
697
00:29:51,624 --> 00:29:53,524
the unfathomable effort
that must have
698
00:29:53,626 --> 00:29:55,125
gone into their creation.
699
00:29:55,227 --> 00:29:57,594
This is why they have to be
on our list.
700
00:29:57,696 --> 00:29:59,930
♪ ♪
701
00:30:00,032 --> 00:30:02,666
narrator: Ancient pyramids
are found all over the globe.
702
00:30:02,768 --> 00:30:04,935
From Central
and South America,
703
00:30:05,037 --> 00:30:07,704
to the Middle East,
704
00:30:07,807 --> 00:30:09,940
even all the way to Asia.
705
00:30:10,042 --> 00:30:11,942
♪ ♪
706
00:30:12,044 --> 00:30:14,444
But no one built them
on the same scale
707
00:30:14,547 --> 00:30:18,015
or sophistication
as the Egyptians.
708
00:30:18,117 --> 00:30:19,983
As this map shows,
709
00:30:20,085 --> 00:30:21,852
there's a lot more
pyramids in Egypt
710
00:30:21,954 --> 00:30:24,555
than the three famous ones
at Giza.
711
00:30:24,657 --> 00:30:27,224
In fact, there are over
a hundred ancient pyramids
712
00:30:27,326 --> 00:30:30,360
still standing,
all over Egypt.
713
00:30:30,462 --> 00:30:33,664
- These pyramids have enough
material in them to build a wall
714
00:30:33,766 --> 00:30:37,000
ten feet high
and five feet wide
715
00:30:37,102 --> 00:30:40,370
all the way
from New York to LA.
716
00:30:40,472 --> 00:30:41,805
Just incredible.
717
00:30:41,907 --> 00:30:44,141
[men shouting together]
718
00:30:44,243 --> 00:30:47,811
narrator: Pyramid building
started over 4,500 years ago,
719
00:30:47,913 --> 00:30:51,915
and they may have built
as huge tombs for the pharaohs.
720
00:30:52,017 --> 00:30:54,751
The pharaohs believed
they lived on after death,
721
00:30:54,854 --> 00:30:56,253
and it could be
that the pyramids
722
00:30:56,355 --> 00:30:59,256
were lavish homes for them.
723
00:30:59,358 --> 00:31:02,226
But it's also thought that they
might have been built to help
724
00:31:02,328 --> 00:31:05,195
the dead pharaohs
up to the heavens.
725
00:31:05,297 --> 00:31:09,733
- The earliest pyramids are
over 4,500 years old,
726
00:31:09,835 --> 00:31:13,270
and they're stepped, supposedly,
so that the soul
727
00:31:13,372 --> 00:31:17,274
of the pharaoh could rise
up to heaven.
728
00:31:17,376 --> 00:31:19,743
narrator: The ancient Egyptians
were building with stone
729
00:31:19,845 --> 00:31:23,280
when other civilizations
were just using mud bricks.
730
00:31:23,382 --> 00:31:25,282
The oldest?
731
00:31:25,384 --> 00:31:28,919
Here at Saqqara,
19 miles south of Cairo.
732
00:31:29,021 --> 00:31:33,123
Building started
around 2,660 B.C.
733
00:31:33,225 --> 00:31:36,026
It's the world's first
stone superstructure
734
00:31:36,128 --> 00:31:39,529
and was originally
over 200 feet high.
735
00:31:39,632 --> 00:31:42,933
- It may have started out
as a flat-roofed tomb,
736
00:31:43,035 --> 00:31:45,302
and then another
smaller tomb
737
00:31:45,404 --> 00:31:46,904
built on top of that,
738
00:31:47,006 --> 00:31:49,439
until hey, presto,
you've got a pyramid.
739
00:31:49,541 --> 00:31:51,642
♪ ♪
740
00:31:51,744 --> 00:31:53,410
narrator: The first pyramids
were built like this.
741
00:31:53,512 --> 00:31:55,979
Layer upon layer.
742
00:31:56,081 --> 00:32:00,584
But the pyramid builders
went underground, too.
743
00:32:00,686 --> 00:32:04,154
Beneath the Saqqara pyramid,
shafts 100 feet deep,
744
00:32:04,256 --> 00:32:07,090
and two tombs
carved from the rock.
745
00:32:07,192 --> 00:32:09,459
One for the body
and one for the cleaned,
746
00:32:09,561 --> 00:32:13,397
dried organs, carefully
removed and stacked in boxes.
747
00:32:13,499 --> 00:32:15,499
♪ ♪
748
00:32:15,601 --> 00:32:18,068
These were just part of
an amazing network of tunnels
749
00:32:18,170 --> 00:32:22,072
that stretched out
for three and a half miles.
750
00:32:22,174 --> 00:32:25,075
The original pyramid architect,
Imhotep,
751
00:32:25,177 --> 00:32:27,144
was so important
to the Egyptians
752
00:32:27,246 --> 00:32:29,012
they made him into a god.
753
00:32:29,114 --> 00:32:30,781
♪ ♪
754
00:32:30,883 --> 00:32:32,649
Later pyramids
had the stepped sides
755
00:32:32,751 --> 00:32:34,584
filled in and smoothed over,
756
00:32:34,687 --> 00:32:36,586
then coated
with polished limestone
757
00:32:36,689 --> 00:32:39,489
and capped with solid gold.
758
00:32:39,591 --> 00:32:44,027
These pyramids shone brightly,
beacons for miles around,
759
00:32:44,129 --> 00:32:46,029
perhaps linking
the dead pharaoh
760
00:32:46,131 --> 00:32:48,632
with the mighty sun god.
761
00:32:48,734 --> 00:32:51,134
- Or were they ritual centers,
used to project
762
00:32:51,236 --> 00:32:54,604
the pharaoh's soul into
the constellation of Orion?
763
00:32:54,707 --> 00:32:57,941
As you can probably tell,
we're not entirely sure.
764
00:32:58,043 --> 00:32:59,943
narrator: But building
the perfect pyramid
765
00:33:00,045 --> 00:33:01,945
didn't come right away.
766
00:33:02,047 --> 00:33:04,348
First, came
the collapsed pyramid,
767
00:33:04,450 --> 00:33:06,550
abandoned halfway through,
768
00:33:06,652 --> 00:33:08,785
but still over 200 feet high,
769
00:33:08,887 --> 00:33:12,155
and at the time the tallest
structure in the world.
770
00:33:12,257 --> 00:33:13,290
♪ ♪
771
00:33:13,392 --> 00:33:14,958
The Bent Pyramid.
772
00:33:15,060 --> 00:33:17,494
344 feet high.
773
00:33:17,596 --> 00:33:19,796
Then the Red Pyramid.
774
00:33:19,898 --> 00:33:22,899
Copper chisels were being
used now and bigger blocks.
775
00:33:23,002 --> 00:33:24,634
The base?
The size of
776
00:33:24,737 --> 00:33:26,837
ten football fields.
777
00:33:26,939 --> 00:33:28,972
- And of course the greatest
pyramid of all,
778
00:33:29,074 --> 00:33:30,640
The Great Pyramid of Giza.
779
00:33:30,743 --> 00:33:32,309
Pyramid perfection.
780
00:33:32,411 --> 00:33:34,044
♪ ♪
781
00:33:34,146 --> 00:33:35,879
narrator: The tallest structure
in the world
782
00:33:35,981 --> 00:33:38,982
for nearly 4,000 years.
783
00:33:39,084 --> 00:33:42,185
This was the pinnacle
of pyramid building in Egypt.
784
00:33:42,287 --> 00:33:45,188
To get to this point
took six generations
785
00:33:45,290 --> 00:33:47,891
and six pharaohs.
786
00:33:47,993 --> 00:33:50,027
- The remarkable thing is,
when the ancient Egyptians
787
00:33:50,095 --> 00:33:52,029
were building the pyramids,
they were adding
788
00:33:52,131 --> 00:33:55,365
one or two stone blocks
every few minutes.
789
00:33:55,467 --> 00:33:57,868
I mean, that's incredible.
790
00:33:57,970 --> 00:33:59,503
narrator:
These amazing structures
791
00:33:59,605 --> 00:34:00,904
have stood the test of time
792
00:34:01,006 --> 00:34:03,273
like nothing else on Earth.
793
00:34:03,375 --> 00:34:08,045
The question is, why did the
Egyptians stop building them?
794
00:34:08,147 --> 00:34:11,048
- The ancient pyramids of Egypt
were plundered in antiquity,
795
00:34:11,150 --> 00:34:12,783
and that's why
it's theorized that
796
00:34:12,885 --> 00:34:15,619
later pharaohs buried
themselves and their treasures
797
00:34:15,721 --> 00:34:18,455
in the Valley of the Kings
in hidden tombs.
798
00:34:18,557 --> 00:34:21,591
narrator: By 600 B.C.,
pyramid building in Egypt
799
00:34:21,693 --> 00:34:23,627
was coming to an end.
800
00:34:23,729 --> 00:34:26,730
The power and prestige
of the pharaohs was waning.
801
00:34:26,799 --> 00:34:29,633
The Pyramids were
a truly incredible achievement
802
00:34:29,735 --> 00:34:33,036
and the most iconic symbol
of ancient Egypt.
803
00:34:33,138 --> 00:34:35,739
Even today,
pyramids are everywhere,
804
00:34:35,841 --> 00:34:38,708
even on the dollar bill.
805
00:34:38,811 --> 00:34:41,445
- The ancient Egyptians'
engineering prowess
806
00:34:41,547 --> 00:34:44,047
was just astonishing
807
00:34:44,149 --> 00:34:46,550
and way ahead of its time.
808
00:34:46,652 --> 00:34:48,919
narrator: The pyramids
have stood as a clear testament
809
00:34:49,021 --> 00:34:52,389
to just how advanced
Egypt was for millennia.
810
00:34:52,491 --> 00:34:54,424
But the next item
on our countdown
811
00:34:54,526 --> 00:34:58,061
had its glory hidden
for over 3,000 years.
812
00:34:58,163 --> 00:35:00,163
The most magnificent,
the greatest,
813
00:35:00,265 --> 00:35:03,633
most extraordinary
secret of all.
814
00:35:03,735 --> 00:35:05,836
- It should come
as no surprise.
815
00:35:05,938 --> 00:35:06,970
The number one?
816
00:35:07,072 --> 00:35:08,638
Well, what else can it be?
817
00:35:08,740 --> 00:35:14,344
♪ ♪
818
00:35:17,416 --> 00:35:19,182
narrator: This is
"Ancient Top Ten's"
819
00:35:19,284 --> 00:35:21,952
list of the top secrets
of ancient Egypt,
820
00:35:22,054 --> 00:35:23,954
ranked by historians,
based on how
821
00:35:24,056 --> 00:35:27,557
they've shaped our view
of this civilization.
822
00:35:27,659 --> 00:35:29,459
At number ten in the countdown,
823
00:35:29,561 --> 00:35:31,628
we saw the great Sphinx.
824
00:35:31,730 --> 00:35:35,198
At number nine,
the Pharos Lighthouse.
825
00:35:35,300 --> 00:35:37,134
At number eight,
we took a peek
826
00:35:37,236 --> 00:35:40,470
at the sordid
Turin Erotic Papyrus.
827
00:35:40,572 --> 00:35:44,641
Number seven was was the
incredible unfinished obelisk.
828
00:35:44,743 --> 00:35:48,745
Number six was
the astonishing Khufu boat.
829
00:35:48,847 --> 00:35:52,916
Number five, the breathtaking
temple of Abu Simbel.
830
00:35:53,018 --> 00:35:56,820
At number four, mummies.
831
00:35:56,922 --> 00:36:00,991
The groundbreaking
Rosetta Stone was number three.
832
00:36:01,093 --> 00:36:06,329
Number two--immense,
phenomenal--it was pyramids.
833
00:36:06,431 --> 00:36:10,033
But what is our number one
top secret treasure of Egypt?
834
00:36:10,135 --> 00:36:13,036
Buried in the mysterious
Valley of the Kings,
835
00:36:13,138 --> 00:36:16,540
laid hidden and undiscovered
for 3,000 years
836
00:36:16,642 --> 00:36:18,508
is the incredible treasure
837
00:36:18,610 --> 00:36:21,077
of the most famous pharaoh
in history.
838
00:36:21,180 --> 00:36:23,847
- Coming in at number one
are some of the treasures
839
00:36:23,949 --> 00:36:26,049
discovered in one of
the most amazing
840
00:36:26,151 --> 00:36:29,286
archaeological discoveries
in history.
841
00:36:29,388 --> 00:36:32,722
It's the treasures of the tomb
of Tutankhamun.
842
00:36:32,824 --> 00:36:35,725
[dramatic music]
843
00:36:35,827 --> 00:36:37,761
♪ ♪
844
00:36:37,863 --> 00:36:40,764
- The treasures of King
Tutankhamun are the single most
845
00:36:40,866 --> 00:36:44,034
sensational find
in Egyptology.
846
00:36:44,136 --> 00:36:46,236
That's why it just had to be
our number one.
847
00:36:46,338 --> 00:36:48,271
♪ ♪
848
00:36:48,373 --> 00:36:50,874
narrator: In the 1920s,
the British archaeologist
849
00:36:50,976 --> 00:36:52,809
Howard Carter began
one of the most
850
00:36:52,911 --> 00:36:56,046
incredible explorations
of ancient Egypt.
851
00:36:56,148 --> 00:36:57,814
After years of searching
852
00:36:57,916 --> 00:36:59,716
and on the verge
of giving up,
853
00:36:59,818 --> 00:37:01,885
he discovered
a secret hidden tomb
854
00:37:01,987 --> 00:37:04,254
which would change history.
855
00:37:04,356 --> 00:37:07,490
When he finally broke open
the tomb in 1922,
856
00:37:07,593 --> 00:37:12,262
the world for the first time
saw the real secrets of Egypt.
857
00:37:12,364 --> 00:37:14,497
- For me, it doesn't get
any more exciting than this.
858
00:37:14,600 --> 00:37:17,734
And Carter is the only
Egyptologist to have done this,
859
00:37:17,836 --> 00:37:21,938
discovered the last resting
place of a pharaoh intact.
860
00:37:22,040 --> 00:37:23,740
narrator: It was brimming
with treasure
861
00:37:23,842 --> 00:37:26,643
and priceless artifacts.
862
00:37:26,745 --> 00:37:30,280
- The Egyptians buried 5,000
treasures in this tomb,
863
00:37:30,382 --> 00:37:33,283
many of which are pure gold.
864
00:37:33,385 --> 00:37:36,152
- Gold wasn't all about
just showing off your wealth.
865
00:37:36,255 --> 00:37:40,156
To the ancient Egyptians,
it was the key to immortality.
866
00:37:40,259 --> 00:37:41,992
- Life and death in
ancient Egypt
867
00:37:42,094 --> 00:37:43,627
were really closely
intertwined,
868
00:37:43,729 --> 00:37:45,629
so the pharaohs
would take with them
869
00:37:45,731 --> 00:37:47,163
things from life into death.
870
00:37:47,266 --> 00:37:49,266
♪ ♪
871
00:37:49,368 --> 00:37:53,770
narrator: The treasure was
beyond anyone's wildest dreams.
872
00:37:53,872 --> 00:37:55,105
Jewelry,
873
00:37:55,207 --> 00:37:56,640
two thrones,
874
00:37:56,742 --> 00:37:58,942
six war chariots.
875
00:37:59,044 --> 00:38:00,844
Everything the young
pharaoh would need
876
00:38:00,946 --> 00:38:04,948
in the next life...
and even more.
877
00:38:05,050 --> 00:38:06,950
- It had spare pairs
of underwear,
878
00:38:07,052 --> 00:38:10,654
new clothes, it even had
a linen condom so that he could
879
00:38:10,756 --> 00:38:13,490
enjoy safe sex
in the afterlife.
880
00:38:13,592 --> 00:38:15,458
narrator: And for even
more protection,
881
00:38:15,560 --> 00:38:19,029
King Tut's outer coffin
was covered in gold.
882
00:38:19,131 --> 00:38:21,564
- Tutankhamun was buried
in a series of coffins,
883
00:38:21,667 --> 00:38:24,567
one inside of another,
like a Russian doll.
884
00:38:24,670 --> 00:38:27,304
And the last one,
the most precious one,
885
00:38:27,406 --> 00:38:30,340
the amazing one
was made of solid gold,
886
00:38:30,442 --> 00:38:33,176
weighing over 250 pounds.
887
00:38:33,278 --> 00:38:34,978
narrator:
Inside this golden coffin
888
00:38:35,080 --> 00:38:37,047
was an even
greater treasure.
889
00:38:37,149 --> 00:38:41,017
It was the face of
a 3,000-year-old pharaoh.
890
00:38:41,119 --> 00:38:44,921
It was an amazing secret
of Egypt, now revealed.
891
00:38:45,023 --> 00:38:49,659
The incredible golden
death mask of Tutankhamun.
892
00:38:49,761 --> 00:38:52,729
- It's rare that there's
genuine perfection in art,
893
00:38:52,831 --> 00:38:55,031
but if anything comes close,
it's gotta be
894
00:38:55,133 --> 00:38:56,733
the death mask
of Tutankhamun.
895
00:38:56,835 --> 00:38:58,368
♪ ♪
896
00:38:58,470 --> 00:39:00,036
- Even by modern standards,
897
00:39:00,138 --> 00:39:02,272
this is an extraordinary
piece of sculpture.
898
00:39:02,374 --> 00:39:05,608
As a piece of portraiture,
it is a beautiful portrait
899
00:39:05,711 --> 00:39:07,944
of a young, Egyptian boy.
900
00:39:08,046 --> 00:39:09,713
narrator: Tut's death mask
was surrounded
901
00:39:09,815 --> 00:39:11,915
by precious stone.
902
00:39:12,017 --> 00:39:15,518
The stunning blue is lapis
lazuli from Afghanistan.
903
00:39:15,620 --> 00:39:17,787
Quartz and obsidian
in the eyes
904
00:39:17,889 --> 00:39:20,357
that came across
the Mediterranean.
905
00:39:20,459 --> 00:39:22,092
It weighs 24 pounds
906
00:39:22,194 --> 00:39:24,694
and is an ancient masterpiece.
907
00:39:24,796 --> 00:39:26,429
♪ ♪
908
00:39:26,531 --> 00:39:28,098
- Can you imagine what
it must have been like
909
00:39:28,200 --> 00:39:31,468
to hold up that mask
for the first time
910
00:39:31,570 --> 00:39:35,538
and stare King Tutankhamun
square in the eyes?
911
00:39:35,640 --> 00:39:37,407
- The moment I laid eyes
912
00:39:37,509 --> 00:39:39,109
on King Tut's
golden death mask,
913
00:39:39,211 --> 00:39:42,645
I fell in love with
the treasure of ancient Egypt.
914
00:39:42,748 --> 00:39:45,415
- In terms of history,
in terms of civilization,
915
00:39:45,517 --> 00:39:47,917
this is priceless.
916
00:39:48,019 --> 00:39:49,719
narrator:
Imagine what the tombs
917
00:39:49,821 --> 00:39:51,788
of the other,
greater pharaohs
918
00:39:51,890 --> 00:39:53,990
might have contained
before they were robbed.
919
00:39:54,092 --> 00:39:56,092
- It just makes
the mind boggle
920
00:39:56,194 --> 00:39:58,328
when you think this was what
was left for the dead.
921
00:39:58,430 --> 00:40:00,463
So just imagine what wealth
there was
922
00:40:00,565 --> 00:40:01,898
in the land of the living.
923
00:40:02,000 --> 00:40:03,900
♪ ♪
924
00:40:04,002 --> 00:40:05,935
- Tutankhamun had vanished
from history.
925
00:40:06,037 --> 00:40:10,140
Now, thanks to this treasure,
his face is immortal.
926
00:40:10,242 --> 00:40:15,445
♪ ♪
927
00:40:15,547 --> 00:40:17,447
narrator:
A fantastic treasure,
928
00:40:17,549 --> 00:40:20,784
and a worthy and undisputed
number one.
929
00:40:20,886 --> 00:40:23,853
Because of this undreamt of
secret find,
930
00:40:23,955 --> 00:40:25,855
we can get a true feeling
for the might
931
00:40:25,957 --> 00:40:31,428
of the pharaohs and the power
and the glory of ancient Egypt.
932
00:40:31,530 --> 00:40:35,365
There has been no civilization
like Egypt before or since.
933
00:40:35,467 --> 00:40:38,968
Its incredible buildings
and treasures can't be matched.
934
00:40:39,070 --> 00:40:42,639
It's a land of mystery
and a land of secrets,
935
00:40:42,741 --> 00:40:45,008
and it will continue
to amaze and astonish
936
00:40:45,110 --> 00:40:46,476
for millennia to come.
81211
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