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Narrator:
The lost city of amarna --
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00:00:05,539 --> 00:00:09,975
An ancient mystery buried deep
in the egyptian desert.
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00:00:09,977 --> 00:00:11,610
Stevens:
This was a huge city.
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00:00:11,612 --> 00:00:15,080
It had a population
of perhaps 50,000 people.
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Narrator:
This sprawling metropolis
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Is home to egypt's
most famous rulers --
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Akhenaten, queen nefertiti,
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00:00:24,225 --> 00:00:27,526
And the boy king tutenkhamun.
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00:00:27,528 --> 00:00:30,896
Why does it vanish
almost without a trace?
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00:00:30,898 --> 00:00:34,800
One could look at it as
a monument of a great ambition,
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00:00:34,802 --> 00:00:38,804
Or you could look at it
as the work of a maniac despot.
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00:00:38,806 --> 00:00:43,475
Narrator:
Today, investigators journey
deep inside ancient tombs...
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00:00:43,477 --> 00:00:45,811
And use forensic analysis
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00:00:45,813 --> 00:00:49,915
To reveal one of the darkest
chapters in egyptian history.
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Amarna doesn't just disappear.
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00:00:51,886 --> 00:00:54,887
There may have been
a deliberate attempt to forget
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00:00:54,889 --> 00:00:58,090
That this place
ever existed.
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00:00:58,092 --> 00:01:00,692
Narrator: To unearth the secrets
of amarna,
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We will lift up this buried city
from the desert floor.
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We'll blow away the sands
from magnificent tombs...
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...Resurrect lost temples...
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00:01:16,977 --> 00:01:20,345
...And reveal the astonishing
true story of egypt's
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00:01:20,347 --> 00:01:22,681
Most notorious pharaoh.
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-- Captions by vitac --
www.Vitac.Com
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Captions paid for by
discovery communications
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Egypt.
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Land of the pharaohs.
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This ancient country is home
to many astonishing wonders,
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Gigantic pyramids,
and huge temples,
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But its desert hides what may be
the greatest secret of all --
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An abandoned megacity
called amarna.
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Amarna is one of
the great
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Archaeological sites
in the world.
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We have here the footprint
of an entire ancient city.
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00:02:02,356 --> 00:02:06,592
Narrator:
Amarna lies in middle egypt,
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Halfway between the ancient
cities of luxor and memphis.
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00:02:11,665 --> 00:02:14,867
This buried metropolis
is bigger than both.
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The desert sands hide
a lush oasis
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00:02:19,740 --> 00:02:24,543
That stretches across more
than 50 square miles.
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00:02:24,545 --> 00:02:29,581
They're all that's left
of a once-magnificent city.
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00:02:29,583 --> 00:02:35,020
In its prime, amarna is home
to up to 50,000 people.
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00:02:35,022 --> 00:02:39,258
At its center stands
a huge royal palace,
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And not one,
but two vast temples,
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The largest stretching more
than six football fields
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From end to end.
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00:02:49,803 --> 00:02:53,772
Why does this city disappear
for thousands of years?
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What secrets lie buried
beneath the sands?
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♪
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Archaeologist dr. Anna stevens
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Investigates this
vanished metropolis.
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Its rise and fall is one
of egypt's greatest mysteries.
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00:03:13,661 --> 00:03:14,927
Amarna is the vision
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Of an enigmatic pharaoh
called akhenaten,
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A king thought to be the father
of the famous tutenkhamun.
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Stevens: The size of this place
is extraordinary.
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We're standing here at the very
northern end of ancient amarna,
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And when we look out,
we can see the nile river
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Running alongside us here,
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Really the source of life
for the ancient egyptians.
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The ancient city stretches,
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Originally, from right
alongside the riverbank,
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All the way across
to the eastern cliffs.
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00:03:51,265 --> 00:03:53,865
Narrator: Akhenaten's city
appears almost nowhere
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In egypt's official records,
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But the cliffs
behind the city center conceal
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A remarkable account
of its origins.
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Here, anna joins egyptian
archaeologist hamada kellawy.
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They decipher a gigantic stone
tablet carved into the rock.
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Stevens:
This is a boundary marker.
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00:04:18,092 --> 00:04:19,458
We call it a stela.
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00:04:19,460 --> 00:04:22,628
It's one of 15 stelae
of this kind
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To mark out the territory
of ancient amarna.
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A ring of boundary markers
like this straddles
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Both sides of the nile.
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They define the city limits,
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But the tablets also describe
every major building inside it.
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Ancient symbols called
hieroglyphs reveal
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That akhenaten builds them
all for the egyptian sun god,
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The aten.
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He's really setting his vision
for this new city,
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So he's listing the monuments
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That he's going to create
for the sun god
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And the endowments
that he's gonna create.
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Narrator: The ancient egyptians
believed that the aten
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Is the creator god.
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He appears in the sky
as the sun disc.
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♪
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♪
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Mm.
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This city in a scorching
hot desert
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Is the perfect home
for a sun god,
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But why does the pharaoh
build him an entire city?
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A clue lies 5 miles away
to the east
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In amarna's
very own valley of the kings.
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Buried beneath tons of stone
and rubble,
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A sloping shaft descends
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Straight into the rock
of the mountainside.
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In the deepest chamber lie
elaborately carved fragments
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Of an impressive
stone sarcophagus.
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This is a tomb of high status,
but there's no mummy inside,
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And severely damaged hieroglyphs
on the surrounding walls
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Hide all clues
to the tomb's owner,
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00:06:09,870 --> 00:06:14,039
But in the chambers beyond,
one carving remains intact.
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Beneath an image of the aten
god himself are two figures --
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Akhenaten and a woman.
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What can these faded carvings
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Reveal about the origins
of this lost city?
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Anna ventures inside the tomb.
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Haunting images of the pharaoh
cover almost every wall.
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All egyptian tombs
are generally covered
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With images of the tomb owner.
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This figure here is very badly
damaged, but it's akhenaten.
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He's standing the closest
to the sun god
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And the rays of the sun god.
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Narrator: A female figure stands
next to the pharaoh
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In almost every image.
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Decoding the hieroglyphs here
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Reveals
that this is akhenaten's wife,
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A queen called nefertiti.
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♪
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So, this figure's standing
close behind the king.
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Under the rays of the aten
is nefertiti.
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This tomb is highly unusual.
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Nefertiti is shown to be almost
as powerful as her husband.
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The key figure here
is obviously akhenaten.
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He's the largest figure.
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He's the one who's closest
to the aten,
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00:07:34,922 --> 00:07:37,255
And he, of course,
is the head of the family.
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00:07:37,257 --> 00:07:39,124
He's the head of the city,
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And, of course,
he's leading egypt, as well,
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But you can see also
that nefertiti is represented
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On really quite
a large scale.
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She, like her husband,
akhenaten, is semi-divine.
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The burial chamber
also depicts their children.
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The identity of one family
member in particular
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Is extraordinary.
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What it seems to show
is the death
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Of princess meketaten
in childbirth.
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00:08:05,986 --> 00:08:07,552
What's also really
interesting here
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Is that we seem to have a
depiction of the princess' baby.
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Some scholars suggest it's
possibly tutenkhamun himself.
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Narrator: This might be
the earliest depiction
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00:08:19,399 --> 00:08:21,233
Of the famous boy king.
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The tomb reveals that
the abandoned city of amarna
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Is a family project.
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Most pharaohs' tombs
of the new kingdom
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Were cut just
for the king himself.
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The royal tomb at amarna
is a little bit more unusual.
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So we think that not just
akhenaten was buried here,
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But one of the royal princesses.
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The king's mother might also
have been buried here,
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And there's a really prominent
suite of secondary chambers
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That look as though
they were intended
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For nefertiti's burial as queen.
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Narrator:
Amarna is not just another city.
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It's supposed to be egypt's
new capital,
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The home of the royal family,
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But this tomb also hints
at a troubled history.
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These chambers are
never completed.
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00:09:12,386 --> 00:09:17,055
Many of the carvings here appear
to be deliberately damaged.
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One figure that we know wasn't
buried here was tutenkhamun.
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He was actually buried in the
valley of the kings at luxor.
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There's a question mark
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About whether nefertiti
might have been buried here.
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The suite of chambers that seems
to have been cut for her
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Is unfinished,
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00:09:31,538 --> 00:09:36,107
So it's unlikely that her body
was actually interred here.
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Narrator:
Amarna is a vast puzzle.
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Why does the pharaoh
move his family
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And egypt's entire capital
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To the middle of nowhere
only for it to fade away?
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A secret shrine in a lost corner
of the city
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Could hold the answer.
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♪
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♪
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Narrator: 3,000 years ago,
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A mysterious pharaoh
called akhenaten
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Builds a magnificent new city
at amarna in middle egypt.
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This barren desert plain
by the nile
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Is hundreds of miles
from egypt's traditional cities.
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00:10:28,128 --> 00:10:31,096
Here, the pharaoh rules
with his wife,
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The beautiful queen nefertiti.
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00:10:34,668 --> 00:10:36,434
Why does this
spectacular metropolis
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00:10:36,436 --> 00:10:38,937
Suddenly appear here
from nothing?
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00:10:42,643 --> 00:10:45,644
Archaeologists anna stevens
and hamada kellawy
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00:10:45,646 --> 00:10:49,314
Hunt for evidence
in the city center.
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00:10:49,316 --> 00:10:52,050
At dawn, the sun rises
from behind a gap
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00:10:52,052 --> 00:10:54,819
In these distant cliffs.
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00:10:54,821 --> 00:10:58,223
This is really lovely, isn't it,
the way you see the columns
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00:10:58,225 --> 00:11:00,525
And the wadi behind it.
191
00:11:00,527 --> 00:11:02,994
Like he's...
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00:11:02,996 --> 00:11:04,996
Yeah.
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00:11:04,998 --> 00:11:07,198
Amarna is unique.
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00:11:07,200 --> 00:11:12,537
It's the only city in egypt
built for a single god.
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00:11:12,539 --> 00:11:15,173
But outside
these spectacular temples,
196
00:11:15,175 --> 00:11:17,275
There's evidence
that not everyone
197
00:11:17,277 --> 00:11:19,210
Is devoted to the sun god.
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00:11:22,349 --> 00:11:24,783
In the suburbs of this
glorious city,
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00:11:24,785 --> 00:11:30,255
Its ordinary citizens live
in basic, closely-packed houses.
200
00:11:30,257 --> 00:11:32,957
Constructed from
rough mud bricks,
201
00:11:32,959 --> 00:11:35,493
Painted with a simple coat
of white paint,
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00:11:35,495 --> 00:11:38,029
House upon house
is packed together.
203
00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:45,003
Nearby, built in the same way,
is a simple chapel.
204
00:11:45,005 --> 00:11:49,407
Inside, an open space
with benches.
205
00:11:49,409 --> 00:11:52,143
At one end, there's an altar
and a shrine
206
00:11:52,145 --> 00:11:57,782
To two of egypt's
traditional gods, isis and shed.
207
00:11:57,784 --> 00:12:01,820
Why are they hidden away in
a run-down corner of the city?
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00:12:01,822 --> 00:12:06,891
♪
209
00:12:06,893 --> 00:12:10,495
Egyptologist aidan dodson
explains that amarna
210
00:12:10,497 --> 00:12:13,998
Is the result
of a forgotten revolution.
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00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:17,335
Amarna is the brainchild
of one man.
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00:12:17,337 --> 00:12:18,770
It wouldn't have existed without
213
00:12:18,772 --> 00:12:22,240
The fevered imagination
of akhenaten.
214
00:12:22,242 --> 00:12:24,242
Narrator: A clue to the city's
secret history
215
00:12:24,244 --> 00:12:28,546
Lies hundreds of miles
away in thebes,
216
00:12:28,548 --> 00:12:32,183
Egypt's ancient capital.
217
00:12:32,185 --> 00:12:36,654
Aidan explores
its vast temple of karnak.
218
00:12:36,656 --> 00:12:38,957
This mega-temple is dedicated
to egypt's
219
00:12:38,959 --> 00:12:44,429
Most important
ancient god, amun,
220
00:12:44,431 --> 00:12:47,999
But faded carvings reveal traces
of an unthinkable attack
221
00:12:48,001 --> 00:12:50,034
On egypt's holiest site.
222
00:12:52,139 --> 00:12:54,773
Looking at these texts,
there are plenty of places
223
00:12:54,775 --> 00:12:58,143
Where I can see things
have been scratched out,
224
00:12:58,145 --> 00:13:03,148
And what was once there
were the names of amun.
225
00:13:03,150 --> 00:13:05,917
Narrator: Aidan believes this
vandalism is the work of none
226
00:13:05,919 --> 00:13:10,121
Other than
akhenaten himself.
227
00:13:10,123 --> 00:13:11,689
Dodson:
This is a wonderful example
228
00:13:11,691 --> 00:13:16,227
Of how agents were sent
all over egypt by akhenaten
229
00:13:16,229 --> 00:13:21,166
To remove amun's name and title
wherever it appeared.
230
00:13:21,168 --> 00:13:22,801
Narrator:
These scratched-out carvings
231
00:13:22,803 --> 00:13:29,107
Reveal that akhenaten rebels
against all of the old gods.
232
00:13:29,109 --> 00:13:31,576
Dodson: What akhenaten is doing
is clearly a revolution --
233
00:13:31,578 --> 00:13:34,512
A revolution from above,
but a revolution nevertheless.
234
00:13:34,514 --> 00:13:37,081
It's not only religion.
It's art.
235
00:13:37,083 --> 00:13:40,285
Even the way
the language is used in public.
236
00:13:40,287 --> 00:13:41,352
Everything changes.
237
00:13:41,354 --> 00:13:42,987
It's year 0.
238
00:13:46,426 --> 00:13:48,059
Narrator:
For more than a millennium,
239
00:13:48,061 --> 00:13:52,730
The egyptians worship more
than 2,000 gods and goddesses.
240
00:13:56,403 --> 00:13:58,503
Among them, anubis,
241
00:13:58,505 --> 00:14:01,506
The jackal-headed
god of the underworld;
242
00:14:01,508 --> 00:14:04,843
Thoth, the knowledgeable
god of the moon;
243
00:14:04,845 --> 00:14:08,580
And powerful amun,
king of the gods.
244
00:14:08,582 --> 00:14:12,584
But akhenaten erases them
all from his temple walls,
245
00:14:12,586 --> 00:14:15,453
Systematically replacing them
with a single one --
246
00:14:15,455 --> 00:14:16,754
The sun god.
247
00:14:19,526 --> 00:14:24,362
Across egypt, the aten now
reigns supreme through his son
248
00:14:24,364 --> 00:14:26,564
On earth, the pharaoh.
249
00:14:26,566 --> 00:14:32,203
♪
250
00:14:32,205 --> 00:14:34,706
Archaeologist anna stevens
investigates
251
00:14:34,708 --> 00:14:39,677
How the pharaoh builds
his new world order at amarna.
252
00:14:39,679 --> 00:14:43,381
She heads inside the tombs
of the city's noblemen.
253
00:14:43,383 --> 00:14:45,116
Many of these
underground chambers
254
00:14:45,118 --> 00:14:46,885
Are remarkably well preserved.
255
00:14:46,887 --> 00:14:49,554
Stevens:
As soon as you enter the tomb,
256
00:14:49,556 --> 00:14:53,825
You see this figure standing
here wearing all his finery,
257
00:14:53,827 --> 00:14:56,594
And this is a man called meryre.
258
00:14:56,596 --> 00:14:59,530
He was a really important
person at ancient amarna.
259
00:14:59,532 --> 00:15:03,368
He was the high priest
of the aten.
260
00:15:03,370 --> 00:15:04,936
Narrator:
Priests are powerful people
261
00:15:04,938 --> 00:15:07,171
In ancient egyptian society.
262
00:15:07,173 --> 00:15:09,540
They often have their
own magnificent tombs
263
00:15:09,542 --> 00:15:11,809
Celebrating their status.
264
00:15:11,811 --> 00:15:16,481
But this burial chamber
is very strange.
265
00:15:16,483 --> 00:15:19,951
Normally in egypt at this time,
high-ranking officials
266
00:15:19,953 --> 00:15:22,520
Would decorate their tombs
with imagery
267
00:15:22,522 --> 00:15:25,990
That really celebrated
their achievements in life.
268
00:15:25,992 --> 00:15:28,726
Here, at amarna, though,
we see the tomb owner very much
269
00:15:28,728 --> 00:15:30,461
In supporting roles.
270
00:15:30,463 --> 00:15:35,967
The focus is on the king,
the queen, and the aten.
271
00:15:35,969 --> 00:15:39,737
Narrator:
Nefertiti and akhenaten
totally dominate this scene.
272
00:15:39,739 --> 00:15:43,875
Only they stand beneath
the aten sun god.
273
00:15:43,877 --> 00:15:45,877
So, here you see meryre,
274
00:15:45,879 --> 00:15:47,211
And what he's doing
275
00:15:47,213 --> 00:15:51,215
Is supporting the king
as the king worships the aten,
276
00:15:51,217 --> 00:15:54,953
So he's handing over offerings
up to the pharaoh.
277
00:15:54,955 --> 00:15:57,956
The king wanted the focus to be
on the aten cult
278
00:15:57,958 --> 00:16:02,327
And on his special relationship
with the sun god.
279
00:16:02,329 --> 00:16:04,262
Narrator:
At the buried city of amarna,
280
00:16:04,264 --> 00:16:08,833
Nefertiti and akhenaten
have total, absolute control.
281
00:16:08,835 --> 00:16:12,036
There will be no other temples,
no other priests,
282
00:16:12,038 --> 00:16:14,906
No other gods to challenge them.
283
00:16:14,908 --> 00:16:16,975
Stevens:
What akhenaten was doing here
284
00:16:16,977 --> 00:16:21,913
Was an anathema
to the idea of world order.
285
00:16:21,915 --> 00:16:24,882
You cannot deny the existence
of other gods
286
00:16:24,884 --> 00:16:27,185
And focus worship
only on one god.
287
00:16:27,187 --> 00:16:29,253
This would have been
incredibly upsetting
288
00:16:29,255 --> 00:16:31,656
To the egyptian world view.
289
00:16:31,658 --> 00:16:34,625
Narrator:
Amarna is the dawn of a new age
290
00:16:34,627 --> 00:16:38,062
And an audacious power grab.
291
00:16:38,064 --> 00:16:42,734
The pharaoh completes this city
in just a few years.
292
00:16:42,736 --> 00:16:46,137
How does he achieve
this incredible feat?
293
00:16:46,139 --> 00:16:49,640
And how many would suffer
for his dream?
294
00:17:01,254 --> 00:17:03,021
♪
295
00:17:03,023 --> 00:17:05,690
Narrator: 3,000 years ago,
296
00:17:05,692 --> 00:17:07,959
Tens of thousands
of egyptians toil
297
00:17:07,961 --> 00:17:10,261
Under a blazing sun at amarna.
298
00:17:12,365 --> 00:17:16,401
Here, they build a new capital
for their godlike ruler,
299
00:17:16,403 --> 00:17:21,139
The pharaoh akhenaten,
and his queen, nefertiti.
300
00:17:21,141 --> 00:17:24,142
This pre-planned metropolis
is far removed
301
00:17:24,144 --> 00:17:27,445
From the sprawling cities
of the past.
302
00:17:27,447 --> 00:17:29,313
Dodson: Amarna probably was
the nearest thing
303
00:17:29,315 --> 00:17:32,683
To a model city
egypt ever produced.
304
00:17:32,685 --> 00:17:35,686
♪
305
00:17:35,688 --> 00:17:39,090
Narrator: Egypt's ancient
capitals at luxor and memphis
306
00:17:39,092 --> 00:17:42,026
Grow up
over thousands of years.
307
00:17:42,028 --> 00:17:44,095
Their individual palaces
and temples
308
00:17:44,097 --> 00:17:46,631
Take decades to finish.
309
00:17:46,633 --> 00:17:52,036
The great pyramid at giza is
a 20-year construction project.
310
00:17:52,038 --> 00:17:55,073
By comparison, everything
at amarna emerges
311
00:17:55,075 --> 00:17:57,408
In just a few years.
312
00:17:57,410 --> 00:18:00,878
How do engineers build
this huge city so quickly?
313
00:18:03,183 --> 00:18:08,519
Archaeologist hamada kellawy
is on the hunt to find out.
314
00:18:08,521 --> 00:18:11,556
He's in charge of protecting
this abandoned city.
315
00:18:13,693 --> 00:18:17,161
No one knows its geography
better than him.
316
00:18:17,163 --> 00:18:22,033
Hamada heads deep into the
desert sands to look for clues.
317
00:18:22,035 --> 00:18:26,437
In barren dunes, he analyzes
row upon row of ruined walls --
318
00:18:26,439 --> 00:18:29,040
A village for amarna's workers.
319
00:18:29,042 --> 00:18:37,648
♪
320
00:18:37,650 --> 00:18:40,952
These suburbs are
an ancient time capsule.
321
00:18:40,954 --> 00:18:44,922
They reveal how most of amarna
is made from local material.
322
00:18:44,924 --> 00:18:54,632
♪
323
00:18:54,634 --> 00:18:59,704
Amarna's housing is quick
and easy to build,
324
00:18:59,706 --> 00:19:03,741
But engineers also construct
the city's grand stone buildings
325
00:19:03,743 --> 00:19:07,345
With the same astonishing speed.
326
00:19:07,347 --> 00:19:11,048
A giant temple dominates
akhenaten's city.
327
00:19:11,050 --> 00:19:14,552
Its outer wall encloses
more than 40 acres --
328
00:19:14,554 --> 00:19:18,756
A space big enough to fit
tens of thousands of people.
329
00:19:18,758 --> 00:19:21,559
Inside, there are six immense
gateways,
330
00:19:21,561 --> 00:19:24,962
Each more than 90 feet high.
331
00:19:24,964 --> 00:19:26,964
The temple has no roof,
332
00:19:26,966 --> 00:19:31,202
So worshipers are never shaded
from the sun god's gaze.
333
00:19:31,204 --> 00:19:36,507
And in the open space beyond
are almost 1,000 stone tables
334
00:19:36,509 --> 00:19:41,245
Used for lavish offerings
to the god in the sky above.
335
00:19:41,247 --> 00:19:46,517
This is a temple
of monumental proportions.
336
00:19:46,519 --> 00:19:50,254
How did akhenaten build so much
so fast?
337
00:19:52,859 --> 00:19:57,562
Today, amarna's grand temples
are in ruins.
338
00:19:57,564 --> 00:20:03,034
Fragments of their stone blocks
are scattered far and wide.
339
00:20:03,036 --> 00:20:08,105
So egyptologists search
for answers here at thebes.
340
00:20:08,107 --> 00:20:10,308
This ancient city could hold
the secrets
341
00:20:10,310 --> 00:20:13,411
Of amarna's construction.
342
00:20:13,413 --> 00:20:17,081
It's where akhenaten
begins his reign.
343
00:20:17,083 --> 00:20:18,316
For thousands of years,
344
00:20:18,318 --> 00:20:21,352
Nearly every pharaoh
builds here.
345
00:20:21,354 --> 00:20:24,755
Tayeb mohamed investigates
this incredible site.
346
00:20:24,757 --> 00:20:32,063
♪
347
00:20:32,065 --> 00:20:39,370
♪
348
00:20:39,372 --> 00:20:41,973
Tayeb thinks that thebes is
where akhenaten
349
00:20:41,975 --> 00:20:45,476
Learns to build big
and build fast.
350
00:20:45,478 --> 00:20:48,479
He ventures inside
the magnificent temple of luxor
351
00:20:48,481 --> 00:20:50,314
In the heart
of the ancient city.
352
00:20:54,320 --> 00:20:58,022
Akhenaten's buildings here
no longer exist,
353
00:20:58,024 --> 00:21:00,024
But thousands
of ancient stone blocks
354
00:21:00,026 --> 00:21:03,461
Are stacked high
behind the temple walls.
355
00:21:03,463 --> 00:21:05,763
Tayeb takes a closer look
at these fragments
356
00:21:05,765 --> 00:21:10,434
Amongst luxor's masonry ruins.
357
00:21:10,436 --> 00:21:13,004
They are instantly familiar.
358
00:21:13,006 --> 00:21:19,777
♪
359
00:21:19,779 --> 00:21:26,517
♪
360
00:21:26,519 --> 00:21:33,124
♪
361
00:21:33,126 --> 00:21:35,793
These stone blocks date
to just a few years
362
00:21:35,795 --> 00:21:38,262
Before work begins at amarna.
363
00:21:38,264 --> 00:21:44,802
♪
364
00:21:44,804 --> 00:21:51,342
♪
365
00:21:51,344 --> 00:21:54,078
These blocks are the fragments
of one of akhenaten's
366
00:21:54,080 --> 00:21:55,913
Very first buildings --
367
00:21:55,915 --> 00:21:59,950
An early lost temple
to the sun god.
368
00:21:59,952 --> 00:22:04,588
Careful scrutiny reveals
another intriguing fact --
369
00:22:04,590 --> 00:22:08,559
These stones are much smaller
than any other masonry here.
370
00:22:08,561 --> 00:22:15,066
♪
371
00:22:15,068 --> 00:22:21,572
♪
372
00:22:21,574 --> 00:22:24,775
These small blocks
are called talatats.
373
00:22:24,777 --> 00:22:29,146
Each one is three hands wide.
374
00:22:29,148 --> 00:22:31,148
Early egyptians invent them,
375
00:22:31,150 --> 00:22:35,219
But they're an outdated
technique by akhenaten's reign.
376
00:22:35,221 --> 00:22:37,054
So why does the pharaoh
use them?
377
00:22:37,056 --> 00:22:42,827
♪
378
00:22:42,829 --> 00:22:47,131
Azab hamdan is an
expert stonemason.
379
00:22:47,133 --> 00:22:49,967
He uses modern tools,
but the same techniques
380
00:22:49,969 --> 00:22:53,371
As the ancient egyptians,
to create a talatat stone.
381
00:22:57,043 --> 00:22:59,944
Azab discovers that creating
such a small block
382
00:22:59,946 --> 00:23:01,879
Is quick and easy.
383
00:23:01,881 --> 00:23:11,856
♪
384
00:23:11,858 --> 00:23:14,125
Azab's rapid work confirms
the theory
385
00:23:14,127 --> 00:23:19,397
That these smaller stones
are what make amarna possible.
386
00:23:19,399 --> 00:23:21,499
They allow akhenaten
to complete one
387
00:23:21,501 --> 00:23:23,934
Of the most ambitious
construction projects
388
00:23:23,936 --> 00:23:26,203
In egypt's entire history.
389
00:23:26,205 --> 00:23:31,542
♪
390
00:23:31,544 --> 00:23:34,578
More than 1,000 years
before akhenaten,
391
00:23:34,580 --> 00:23:39,150
The egyptians build the great
pyramid around 2580 b.C.
392
00:23:39,152 --> 00:23:41,519
Each stone block requires
hundreds of workers
393
00:23:41,521 --> 00:23:45,589
To drag and lift into place.
394
00:23:45,591 --> 00:23:48,993
But akhenaten abandons
this technique.
395
00:23:48,995 --> 00:23:52,630
He cuts talatat stones that
are a fraction of the size.
396
00:23:52,632 --> 00:23:56,333
♪
397
00:23:56,335 --> 00:24:01,572
Now one worker can each carry
a single block,
398
00:24:01,574 --> 00:24:03,407
Speeding up construction.
399
00:24:06,979 --> 00:24:09,013
With this technique,
400
00:24:09,015 --> 00:24:13,884
Akhenaten's city is raised from
the desert sand in just 3 years.
401
00:24:17,356 --> 00:24:20,224
Amarna is one of the greatest
engineering projects
402
00:24:20,226 --> 00:24:22,760
In egyptian history.
403
00:24:22,762 --> 00:24:24,462
The sheer scale of it rivals
404
00:24:24,464 --> 00:24:28,065
The construction of
the great pyramid at giza,
405
00:24:28,067 --> 00:24:31,702
A tomb that took
20 years to complete.
406
00:24:31,704 --> 00:24:33,337
Stevens:
Before akhenaten came here,
407
00:24:33,339 --> 00:24:35,473
It would have been
quite a barren landscape.
408
00:24:35,475 --> 00:24:36,774
There were thousands of people
409
00:24:36,776 --> 00:24:39,176
Engaged in
this mass building project
410
00:24:39,178 --> 00:24:41,278
On behalf of akhenaten.
411
00:24:41,280 --> 00:24:44,982
What sort of effort was required
to develop this city
412
00:24:44,984 --> 00:24:48,486
From the ground up
within just a few years?
413
00:24:48,488 --> 00:24:52,122
Narrator: Akhenaten
builds a vast metropolis,
414
00:24:52,124 --> 00:24:55,459
A huge royal palace
where he lives in luxury
415
00:24:55,461 --> 00:24:58,195
And worships his solar god.
416
00:24:58,197 --> 00:25:01,765
But what is the human cost
of amarna?
417
00:25:01,767 --> 00:25:05,503
A grisly discovery reveals
its darkest secrets.
418
00:25:05,505 --> 00:25:07,538
♪
419
00:25:18,518 --> 00:25:21,385
♪
420
00:25:21,387 --> 00:25:26,290
Narrator:
The lost city of amarna is
slowly revealing its secrets.
421
00:25:26,292 --> 00:25:29,426
It's one of the largest and
fastest construction projects
422
00:25:29,428 --> 00:25:31,996
In egyptian history,
423
00:25:31,998 --> 00:25:37,167
But is there a human cost
to this mega-metropolis?
424
00:25:37,169 --> 00:25:40,304
Archaeologist anna stevens
explores a cemetery
425
00:25:40,306 --> 00:25:42,406
On the outskirts of the city.
426
00:25:42,408 --> 00:25:45,743
Stevens: In the desert
on the eastern fringe of amarna,
427
00:25:45,745 --> 00:25:48,946
We find
four huge burial grounds.
428
00:25:48,948 --> 00:25:51,615
There's several thousand people
buried here.
429
00:25:53,686 --> 00:25:56,720
Narrator: The pharaoh akhenaten
and his wife, nefertiti,
430
00:25:56,722 --> 00:25:58,556
Live in luxury here,
431
00:26:00,893 --> 00:26:04,261
But the graves of their subjects
reveal a darker side
432
00:26:04,263 --> 00:26:07,298
To this glittering new city.
433
00:26:07,300 --> 00:26:10,334
Beneath the sand and silt
of the river valley,
434
00:26:10,336 --> 00:26:13,137
Deep narrow pits
are the final resting place
435
00:26:13,139 --> 00:26:16,040
Of more than 200 people.
436
00:26:16,042 --> 00:26:18,075
They are buried unceremoniously,
437
00:26:18,077 --> 00:26:21,312
Sometimes two or more piled
into a single grave.
438
00:26:24,150 --> 00:26:28,352
They have no grave goods to take
with them into the afterlife,
439
00:26:28,354 --> 00:26:33,424
And only coarse rush matting
as a simple shroud.
440
00:26:33,426 --> 00:26:38,128
The skeletal remains are small
and reveal a startling trend --
441
00:26:38,130 --> 00:26:43,434
These bodies are almost
all adolescents.
442
00:26:43,436 --> 00:26:46,203
What can their early deaths
reveal about amarna's
443
00:26:46,205 --> 00:26:47,838
Hurried construction?
444
00:26:51,410 --> 00:26:54,111
Forensic archaeologist
gretchen dabbs
445
00:26:54,113 --> 00:26:56,914
Unlocks the secrets
of these bones in her lab
446
00:26:56,916 --> 00:26:59,683
At southern illinois university.
447
00:26:59,685 --> 00:27:01,552
They contain startling clues
448
00:27:01,554 --> 00:27:04,722
About the health
of the population.
449
00:27:04,724 --> 00:27:07,558
Dabbs: This is
a 6- to 8-year-old individual
450
00:27:07,560 --> 00:27:10,294
Who has arthritis in its feet,
451
00:27:10,296 --> 00:27:14,698
Which we can tell based on
the flattening of the margins
452
00:27:14,700 --> 00:27:18,435
Of the places where
the two bones touch one another.
453
00:27:18,437 --> 00:27:22,473
Narrator:
The discovery of a child
with arthritis is extraordinary.
454
00:27:22,475 --> 00:27:28,312
In the modern world, it's
usually a disease of old age.
455
00:27:28,314 --> 00:27:31,482
Dabbs: This individual has
arthritis of the knee,
456
00:27:31,484 --> 00:27:33,951
And the most likely reason
for seeing arthritis
457
00:27:33,953 --> 00:27:36,887
In the young individuals
of the north tomb cemetery
458
00:27:36,889 --> 00:27:42,793
Is hard work, hard labor
that started very early in life.
459
00:27:42,795 --> 00:27:45,129
Narrator: Many of the 200 youths
in the cemetery
460
00:27:45,131 --> 00:27:48,465
Are also severely malnourished.
461
00:27:48,467 --> 00:27:50,534
Nearly all of those buried
at amarna
462
00:27:50,536 --> 00:27:53,637
Also have serious bone injuries.
463
00:27:53,639 --> 00:27:55,939
Gretchen compares
this modern bone sample
464
00:27:55,941 --> 00:27:58,642
With the x-rays
from the cemetery.
465
00:27:58,644 --> 00:28:01,445
Dabbs: One of the most common
injuries that we found
466
00:28:01,447 --> 00:28:02,880
In the south tomb cemetery
467
00:28:02,882 --> 00:28:05,115
Is
called a compression fracture,
468
00:28:05,117 --> 00:28:09,353
Where the elements actually
smash down on each other
469
00:28:09,355 --> 00:28:11,722
And break the bones.
470
00:28:11,724 --> 00:28:15,659
You can actually see the body
of the upper vertebra
471
00:28:15,661 --> 00:28:20,764
Is intruding on the body of
the lower vertebra right there.
472
00:28:20,766 --> 00:28:23,567
Narrator: These injuries reveal
the disturbing reality
473
00:28:23,569 --> 00:28:26,637
Of daily life in amarna.
474
00:28:26,639 --> 00:28:29,707
We interpret these as evidence
that these individuals
475
00:28:29,709 --> 00:28:33,243
Were carrying
extremely heavy loads.
476
00:28:33,245 --> 00:28:35,946
It's possible that they were
involved in the heavy work
477
00:28:35,948 --> 00:28:37,281
Of quarrying.
478
00:28:37,283 --> 00:28:39,650
And the quarries were located
right on the cliffs
479
00:28:39,652 --> 00:28:42,820
Just above
the north tomb cemetery.
480
00:28:42,822 --> 00:28:44,788
Narrator: The bodies discovered
in the cemetery
481
00:28:44,790 --> 00:28:47,458
Show little of the respect
ancient egyptians
482
00:28:47,460 --> 00:28:51,195
Usually show to their dead.
483
00:28:51,197 --> 00:28:53,864
Egypt's long line of pharaohs
all employed
484
00:28:53,866 --> 00:28:58,035
Tens of thousands of skilled
workers to build their pyramids.
485
00:28:58,037 --> 00:29:01,472
They are well treated,
in life and in death.
486
00:29:01,474 --> 00:29:04,908
Tombs carefully built from
mud bricks lie in the shadow
487
00:29:04,910 --> 00:29:07,044
Of the great pyramid,
488
00:29:07,046 --> 00:29:10,414
A place of honor
next to their sacred pharaoh.
489
00:29:10,416 --> 00:29:13,617
Each contains a single body
wrapped in linen
490
00:29:13,619 --> 00:29:14,985
And carefully positioned
491
00:29:14,987 --> 00:29:19,490
With the face towards
the rising sun in the east.
492
00:29:19,492 --> 00:29:24,528
Alongside the bodies, knives,
jars of beer, and bread
493
00:29:24,530 --> 00:29:28,832
Ensure a comfortable passage
into the afterlife.
494
00:29:28,834 --> 00:29:32,202
Amarna's burials stand out.
495
00:29:32,204 --> 00:29:36,406
Here, its builders
are worked to death.
496
00:29:36,408 --> 00:29:38,942
Dabbs: The lack of care that we
see in the north tomb cemetery
497
00:29:38,944 --> 00:29:41,745
In the way that the individuals
were buried suggests
498
00:29:41,747 --> 00:29:44,381
That it wasn't their family
or loved ones
499
00:29:44,383 --> 00:29:45,749
Who were doing the burial,
500
00:29:45,751 --> 00:29:51,889
That it was more industrial-type
and expedient-type burial.
501
00:29:51,891 --> 00:29:54,458
Narrator: Amarna is
far from the glorious city
502
00:29:54,460 --> 00:29:56,326
The pharaoh proclaims.
503
00:29:56,328 --> 00:29:59,029
Its founders are malnourished
and die young
504
00:29:59,031 --> 00:30:01,532
In akhenaten's rush
to build his city.
505
00:30:03,803 --> 00:30:07,371
Why does the pharaoh
need to build so quickly?
506
00:30:07,373 --> 00:30:08,672
Could the answer reveal
507
00:30:08,674 --> 00:30:12,342
Why amarna vanishes
almost without a trace?
508
00:30:12,344 --> 00:30:14,545
♪
509
00:30:24,523 --> 00:30:26,657
♪
510
00:30:26,659 --> 00:30:30,761
Narrator: The city of amarna
in egypt has a dark history.
511
00:30:30,763 --> 00:30:33,030
The pharaoh akhenaten drives
his workers
512
00:30:33,032 --> 00:30:37,000
Into an early grave to build it.
513
00:30:37,002 --> 00:30:39,269
But this metropolis
is suddenly abandoned
514
00:30:39,271 --> 00:30:42,072
When the pharaoh himself dies.
515
00:30:42,074 --> 00:30:43,974
Why?
516
00:30:43,976 --> 00:30:47,110
Amarna is a really special
archaeological site
517
00:30:47,112 --> 00:30:48,679
Because it was only occupied
518
00:30:48,681 --> 00:30:51,715
For the space
of a single generation.
519
00:30:51,717 --> 00:30:55,352
It's really this remarkable
snapshot of egyptian history.
520
00:30:58,324 --> 00:31:02,392
Narrator: Akhenaten rules egypt
for 17 years.
521
00:31:02,394 --> 00:31:07,564
After he dies, power eventually
passes to his son tutenkhamun,
522
00:31:07,566 --> 00:31:09,333
But the boy king is buried far
523
00:31:09,335 --> 00:31:11,735
From his father's tomb
in amarna.
524
00:31:11,737 --> 00:31:15,339
His magnificent tomb
lies in the valley of the kings,
525
00:31:15,341 --> 00:31:19,543
Egypt's traditional
burial ground.
526
00:31:19,545 --> 00:31:22,813
Egyptologist aidan dodson
thinks amarna's decline
527
00:31:22,815 --> 00:31:28,018
Lies with the pharaoh's son
and heir, tutenkhamun.
528
00:31:28,020 --> 00:31:31,688
He hunts for clues
at luxor temple.
529
00:31:31,690 --> 00:31:34,758
Stylistically, this relief
couldn't come from any period
530
00:31:34,760 --> 00:31:36,426
Other than the reign
of tutenkhamun.
531
00:31:36,428 --> 00:31:40,430
It's got a certain elegance,
a naturalism.
532
00:31:40,432 --> 00:31:42,866
Narrator: Akhenaten shuts down
the temples in thebes
533
00:31:42,868 --> 00:31:46,637
During his revolution
to banish the old gods,
534
00:31:46,639 --> 00:31:50,040
But these carvings reveal that
by the time his son tutenkhamun
535
00:31:50,042 --> 00:31:53,911
Is pharaoh,
it's up and running again.
536
00:31:55,180 --> 00:32:00,751
Aidan thinks that tutenkhamun
is going back to the old ways.
537
00:32:00,753 --> 00:32:04,655
Dodson: The overall scene has
tutenkhamun on the left there
538
00:32:04,657 --> 00:32:08,191
Making an offering
to amun on the right.
539
00:32:08,193 --> 00:32:11,728
This indicates without any doubt
that tutenkhamun has now
540
00:32:11,730 --> 00:32:15,332
Rejected the religion
of his father.
541
00:32:15,334 --> 00:32:18,402
Narrator:
Tutenkhamun betrays his father.
542
00:32:18,404 --> 00:32:24,608
He moves back to thebes and
kick-starts a counterrevolution.
543
00:32:24,610 --> 00:32:29,146
A row of sphinxes reveals that
the old gods are back in town.
544
00:32:32,351 --> 00:32:34,952
These magnificent sphinxes
at luxor
545
00:32:34,954 --> 00:32:37,754
Originally bear the heads
of akhenaten himself
546
00:32:37,756 --> 00:32:39,957
And his wife, nefertiti,
547
00:32:39,959 --> 00:32:42,526
But in the years
following akhenaten's death,
548
00:32:42,528 --> 00:32:46,997
These statues are
relocated and rebuilt.
549
00:32:46,999 --> 00:32:48,699
Their heads are removed,
550
00:32:48,701 --> 00:32:51,635
And each
is replaced with a ram's head --
551
00:32:51,637 --> 00:32:56,206
The symbol
of the original god, amun.
552
00:32:56,208 --> 00:32:58,842
A figure of the new pharaoh
is added,
553
00:32:58,844 --> 00:33:00,377
And symbols at their feet bear
554
00:33:00,379 --> 00:33:03,447
The name of
akhenaten's son and heir.
555
00:33:03,449 --> 00:33:05,882
It's tutenkhamun himself.
556
00:33:05,884 --> 00:33:08,452
Why is the old pharaoh's
own flesh and blood
557
00:33:08,454 --> 00:33:10,387
Destroying his dream?
558
00:33:10,389 --> 00:33:13,256
Is this why amarna
also comes to an end?
559
00:33:17,296 --> 00:33:19,496
Aidan finds a clue lies with one
560
00:33:19,498 --> 00:33:22,532
Of tutenkhamun's
official decrees.
561
00:33:22,534 --> 00:33:27,604
It reveals how egypt
has fallen on hard times.
562
00:33:27,606 --> 00:33:29,539
He starts off,
as an introduction,
563
00:33:29,541 --> 00:33:32,542
Basically saying
how bad things are.
564
00:33:32,544 --> 00:33:36,847
He says that the temples have
been deprived of their revenues,
565
00:33:36,849 --> 00:33:39,082
They're falling into ruin,
566
00:33:39,084 --> 00:33:43,487
And as a result of this,
that the gods are not happy.
567
00:33:43,489 --> 00:33:45,555
Narrator: Tutenkhamun seems
to be carrying out
568
00:33:45,557 --> 00:33:48,959
An extraordinary act
of family betrayal,
569
00:33:48,961 --> 00:33:52,329
But, for aidan,
something doesn't add up.
570
00:33:52,331 --> 00:33:54,464
When this declaration is made,
571
00:33:54,466 --> 00:33:57,868
Tutenkhamun is about
9 years old.
572
00:33:57,870 --> 00:33:59,436
Dodson:
He came to throne as a child
573
00:33:59,438 --> 00:34:02,606
And died on the verge
of adulthood,
574
00:34:02,608 --> 00:34:05,909
So the policies
which are set out in here
575
00:34:05,911 --> 00:34:10,714
Will have been the work of those
who were ruling for or with him.
576
00:34:10,716 --> 00:34:12,983
Narrator: Aidan thinks
there's a secret mastermind
577
00:34:12,985 --> 00:34:16,820
Behind this attempt to tear down
the old pharaoh's legacy.
578
00:34:20,793 --> 00:34:23,226
His investigation takes him
on the short journey
579
00:34:23,228 --> 00:34:26,363
Across the nile
to luxor's western bank.
580
00:34:29,401 --> 00:34:31,501
Here, a range of rocky mountains
581
00:34:31,503 --> 00:34:36,473
Houses the tombs
of thebes' ancient nobles.
582
00:34:36,475 --> 00:34:39,409
One small tomb
remains closed off.
583
00:34:41,847 --> 00:34:45,182
Aidan has gained special
permission to unlock the tomb.
584
00:34:48,120 --> 00:34:52,989
Once he enters, he can begin
to decode the artwork
585
00:34:52,991 --> 00:34:54,758
That covers its chambers.
586
00:34:56,895 --> 00:35:02,232
Dodson: Well, this is the tomb
chapel of a priest called pairy.
587
00:35:02,234 --> 00:35:06,670
Narrator:
Graffiti dates the tomb
to just after akhenaten's death.
588
00:35:06,672 --> 00:35:12,109
It reveals that another ruler
seizes power before tutenkhamun.
589
00:35:12,111 --> 00:35:15,212
The identity of this
new pharaoh is shocking.
590
00:35:17,516 --> 00:35:21,885
Dodson: It's dated to year 3
of king neferneferuaten,
591
00:35:21,887 --> 00:35:24,387
Who we are almost certain
is none other
592
00:35:24,389 --> 00:35:29,726
Than the former queen nefertiti,
the wife of akhenaten.
593
00:35:29,728 --> 00:35:33,463
Narrator: Nefertiti seizes power
following her husband's death,
594
00:35:33,465 --> 00:35:38,601
Perhaps acting as regent
until tutenkhamun comes of age.
595
00:35:38,603 --> 00:35:42,639
But the graffiti
reveals another surprise.
596
00:35:42,641 --> 00:35:44,774
The new pharaoh and her priest
597
00:35:44,776 --> 00:35:49,446
Are worshiping
the old god, amun.
598
00:35:49,448 --> 00:35:53,750
This is the really exciting part
of the tomb for me, anyway.
599
00:35:53,752 --> 00:35:58,588
The main body of it
is a prayer to amun.
600
00:35:58,590 --> 00:36:04,027
So it shows that in year 3
of her reign, amun is back.
601
00:36:04,029 --> 00:36:08,431
This graffito is written
shortly after his death,
602
00:36:08,433 --> 00:36:12,269
Probably 3 years
after his death.
603
00:36:12,271 --> 00:36:15,438
Narrator: Astonishingly,
nefertiti quickly abandons
604
00:36:15,440 --> 00:36:19,075
Her loyalty to her husband
and his sun god, the aten.
605
00:36:21,313 --> 00:36:24,948
She reinstates one of
the old gods -- amun.
606
00:36:26,919 --> 00:36:32,589
The idea that amun would be
restored to his position
607
00:36:32,591 --> 00:36:35,925
Under akhenaten's own wife
seems quite incredible,
608
00:36:35,927 --> 00:36:37,627
And I'm sure that akhenaten
was spinning
609
00:36:37,629 --> 00:36:40,363
In his sarcophagus
at this point.
610
00:36:40,365 --> 00:36:43,900
Narrator: Incredibly, nefertiti
and tutenkhamun,
611
00:36:43,902 --> 00:36:48,605
Akhenaten's wife and son,
reject his ideas,
612
00:36:48,607 --> 00:36:52,042
But do they also
abandon amarna?
613
00:36:52,044 --> 00:36:55,212
The desert sands reveal
a shocking secret...
614
00:36:55,214 --> 00:36:58,715
And a campaign of destruction
designed to wipe amarna
615
00:36:58,717 --> 00:37:02,285
From the face of the earth.
616
00:37:13,966 --> 00:37:17,367
Narrator: Amarna in egypt --
617
00:37:17,369 --> 00:37:20,103
Built to worship the sun god.
618
00:37:20,105 --> 00:37:23,406
But when its founder,
the pharaoh akhenaten dies,
619
00:37:23,408 --> 00:37:26,376
His wife, nefertiti,
and son tutenkhamun
620
00:37:26,378 --> 00:37:29,112
Bring back
egypt's traditional gods.
621
00:37:31,283 --> 00:37:33,984
But who kills off amarna?
622
00:37:33,986 --> 00:37:36,753
Why is this city lost
for thousands of years
623
00:37:36,755 --> 00:37:39,456
Under the desert sands?
624
00:37:39,458 --> 00:37:42,425
Professor aidan dodson
investigates.
625
00:37:42,427 --> 00:37:46,062
He hunts for clues in the
ancient capital of thebes.
626
00:37:46,064 --> 00:37:47,998
Aidan's quest takes him
to a corner
627
00:37:48,000 --> 00:37:50,166
Of the magnificent
karnak temple
628
00:37:50,168 --> 00:37:53,536
And a monumental gateway
known as a pylon.
629
00:37:56,008 --> 00:37:59,209
It dates to just after
amarna disappears.
630
00:38:01,546 --> 00:38:04,147
This pylon is quite badly
ruined now,
631
00:38:04,149 --> 00:38:06,316
But that does mean we can see
some of the blocks
632
00:38:06,318 --> 00:38:10,854
Which were used to fill
the interior when it was built.
633
00:38:10,856 --> 00:38:13,490
Narrator: Buried within the
outer faces of its walls
634
00:38:13,492 --> 00:38:18,061
Are small talatat stones,
the same kind of building blocks
635
00:38:18,063 --> 00:38:21,097
That akhenaten uses
to construct his temples.
636
00:38:23,368 --> 00:38:27,203
This, of course, all means that
when this pylon was being built,
637
00:38:27,205 --> 00:38:30,774
The structures akhenaten
constructed at karnak
638
00:38:30,776 --> 00:38:36,413
Were already being demolished,
and the blocks reused here.
639
00:38:36,415 --> 00:38:39,616
Narrator: This dismantling of
temples by future generations
640
00:38:39,618 --> 00:38:42,986
Isn't that unusual in egypt.
641
00:38:42,988 --> 00:38:45,121
Every pharaoh builds
massive monuments
642
00:38:45,123 --> 00:38:48,625
As a symbol
of their power and status.
643
00:38:48,627 --> 00:38:53,463
They often reuse stones
as a quick and cheap method,
644
00:38:53,465 --> 00:38:57,300
But as aidan continues his hunt,
he discovers that the demolition
645
00:38:57,302 --> 00:39:00,637
Of akhenaten's buildings
is malicious.
646
00:39:00,639 --> 00:39:04,741
Dodson: This is another block
from akhenaten's temple.
647
00:39:04,743 --> 00:39:08,445
It looks like one of the king's
names has been erased.
648
00:39:08,447 --> 00:39:11,548
It looks like it's been
purposely damaged.
649
00:39:11,550 --> 00:39:14,184
The erasure of names
tends to imply
650
00:39:14,186 --> 00:39:18,755
That somebody was not liked
by later generations.
651
00:39:18,757 --> 00:39:22,959
Narrator: Akhenaten is not
simply forgotten and rejected,
652
00:39:22,961 --> 00:39:26,629
But hated by future pharaohs.
653
00:39:26,631 --> 00:39:30,066
It explains why so little
remains at amarna.
654
00:39:32,104 --> 00:39:34,738
Here, the sun god's
magnificent temples
655
00:39:34,740 --> 00:39:38,742
Are not only dismantled
block by block --
656
00:39:38,744 --> 00:39:42,379
Each talatat stone
is smashed to pieces.
657
00:39:42,381 --> 00:39:44,647
And in akhenaten's royal tomb,
658
00:39:44,649 --> 00:39:48,718
The images of the old pharaoh
are cruelly scratched out,
659
00:39:48,720 --> 00:39:50,987
And this is just
the tip of the iceberg.
660
00:39:53,725 --> 00:39:58,728
Aidan analyzes a text taken
from an ancient stone carving.
661
00:39:58,730 --> 00:40:03,800
It's composed just 40 years
after akhenaten's death.
662
00:40:03,802 --> 00:40:08,304
It reveals the campaign against
him extends to his family.
663
00:40:08,306 --> 00:40:12,442
Dodson: What we've got here is
a list of the kings of egypt,
664
00:40:12,444 --> 00:40:14,978
And all the main
great names are here.
665
00:40:14,980 --> 00:40:19,582
But when we look
at the last part of the list,
666
00:40:19,584 --> 00:40:23,420
There's no mention of akhenaten,
tutenkhamun.
667
00:40:23,422 --> 00:40:26,689
So what this shows is, within
a few years of their deaths,
668
00:40:26,691 --> 00:40:28,291
They've been written
out of history,
669
00:40:28,293 --> 00:40:32,629
And according to the official
lists, they didn't exist.
670
00:40:32,631 --> 00:40:37,534
♪
671
00:40:37,536 --> 00:40:39,569
Narrator:
Future generations of pharaohs
672
00:40:39,571 --> 00:40:43,206
Condemn akhenaten as a heretic,
673
00:40:43,208 --> 00:40:45,608
His traumatic reign
and religious revolution
674
00:40:45,610 --> 00:40:49,345
Considered an abomination.
675
00:40:49,347 --> 00:40:53,817
They try to erase all memory
of him and his family.
676
00:40:53,819 --> 00:40:55,618
For more than 3,000 years,
677
00:40:55,620 --> 00:41:00,056
Their story lies hidden
beneath these sands.
678
00:41:00,058 --> 00:41:03,226
As an experiment, you'd have
to assess that amarna,
679
00:41:03,228 --> 00:41:05,161
In the end, had failed.
680
00:41:05,163 --> 00:41:07,397
Akhenaten's vision
of the solar cult
681
00:41:07,399 --> 00:41:10,133
Didn't live on beyond his rule.
682
00:41:10,135 --> 00:41:12,635
Amarna was abandoned.
683
00:41:12,637 --> 00:41:16,339
Narrator: But, today,
in an ironic twist of fate,
684
00:41:16,341 --> 00:41:20,243
His desert city stands as one of
egypt's greatest achievements.
685
00:41:22,714 --> 00:41:24,848
And his son tutenkhamun
686
00:41:24,850 --> 00:41:27,417
Is the most famous pharaoh
of them all.
687
00:41:30,021 --> 00:41:35,091
Archaeologists continue to piece
together amarna and its secrets.
688
00:41:35,093 --> 00:41:37,393
This remarkable desert city
is opening up
689
00:41:37,395 --> 00:41:41,164
One of the most radical chapters
in egyptian history.
690
00:41:41,166 --> 00:41:43,433
Amarna's temples
and palaces reveal
691
00:41:43,435 --> 00:41:46,035
The vision
of an all-powerful ruler,
692
00:41:46,037 --> 00:41:49,806
Paid for with the blood
of its poorest citizens.
693
00:41:49,808 --> 00:41:53,776
Amarna is the legacy
of a failed experiment,
694
00:41:53,778 --> 00:41:57,647
And akhenaten,
egypt's forgotten pharaoh.
695
00:41:57,649 --> 00:42:05,421
♪
696
00:42:05,423 --> 00:42:13,096
♪
697
00:42:13,098 --> 00:42:20,770
♪
698
00:42:20,772 --> 00:42:28,478
♪
62533
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