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Narrator: Saqqara, egypt --
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An ancient royal necropolis
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Over 5,000 years old.
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♪
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11 royal pyramids
are buried in the sands here,
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More than any other site
in egypt,
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Including the first pyramid
ever built.
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It is a site so huge,
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Only a tiny fraction
has been explored.
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Most of its secrets
remain hidden.
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For investigators,
it is a treasure trove.
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00:00:48,849 --> 00:00:52,117
Now archaeologists
dig deep underground
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To uncover tombs that have not
seen the light of day
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In over 4 millennia...
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...Revealing how egypt rises
to be the greatest power
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Of the ancient world.
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It was not only
building a king's tomb
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But building a society.
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Narrator: To solve
the mysteries of saqqara,
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We'll blow open
the oldest-ever pyramid.
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We'll dive deep into
the royal tomb hidden below it
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And explore an extraordinary
animal catacomb
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To unearth the secrets of this
ancient city of the dead.
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-- Captions by vitac --
www.Vitac.Com
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Captions paid for by
discovery communications
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♪
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20 miles south of cairo
lies saqqara...
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♪
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...An ancient burial site.
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Under its sandy landscape
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Lie the remains of egypt's
first pharaohs.
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Egyptian tombs allow us
to reconstruct egyptian society,
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Egyptian history,
egyptian beliefs.
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Narrator:
Today, it is one of the most
important archaeological sites
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In the world.
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♪
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2,500 acres of sand
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Preserve the remains
of funerary monuments
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Spanning 3,000 years
of egyptian history.
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Mastabas, huge rectangular
mud brick structures,
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Are the giant tombstones
of high officials.
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Alongside them are pyramids,
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The final resting place of the
early kings and queens of egypt.
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And towering over them all
is the first pyramid ever built,
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The immense step pyramid
of djoser.
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What do these gigantic monuments
reveal about the formation
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Of the greatest civilization
in the ancient world?
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♪
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Egyptologist aidan dodson
has been working at saqqara
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For over 30 years.
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♪
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He wants to know if the earliest
monuments here provide clues
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To how egypt first
becomes a nation.
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♪
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The leap in size and quality
of royal tombs
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Is a reflection of what's
going on in egypt at that time.
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Narrator:
Aidan begins his investigation
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With egypt's first pyramid,
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The step pyramid of djoser.
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It's 4,500 years old
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And the first
large-scale building
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To be made entirely of stone.
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It is a prototype later
used by pharaohs for millennia,
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Forever changing
egypt's landscape.
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It's clearly a mark of
and a monument
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To the glory of the king.
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Narrator:
Aidan wants to know who orders
this massive construction.
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♪
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He examines this small temple
in front of the pyramid
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In the search for an answer.
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Dodson: In here
we've got a statue of djoser,
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The builder of the pyramid.
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♪
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Djoser's reign was regarded
as something special,
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A game changer in what it means
to be a pharaoh of egypt.
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Narrator:
In ancient egyptian belief,
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The spirit of the pharaoh
lives on after death.
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But it needs a home.
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♪
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Aidan believes that king djoser
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Builds this mammoth construction
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So that his eternal soul
can live in it forever.
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♪
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But why does he build it
on such a colossal scale?
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♪
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A clue lies with one of
saqqara's earliest structures.
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♪
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What we've got here actually
is the last remains
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Of the mastaba
of queen herneith,
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Who dates from 2800, 2900 b.C.
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Narrator: In its full glory,
herneith's mastaba
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Is 125 feet long,
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53 feet wide, and 10 feet tall.
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Dodson: If a queen
of 200, 300 years earlier
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Could have something like this,
a king is going to want
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Something really,
really special.
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Narrator: Before the reign
of djoser, egypt is divided
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And rife with social unrest.
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But when he takes the throne
in the 27th century b.C.,
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Egypt is at peace, prosperous,
and united into one nation.
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So a powerful pharaoh must have
a magnificent monument.
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Djoser needs to make a step
change in size and technology
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To be able to mark himself out
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As the beginning
of a great new era.
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♪
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Narrator: But the decision to
build a structure of this size
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Comes with many challenges.
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You've got a whole range of new
skill sets which are required,
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A whole lot of people
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Who probably haven't worked
together at that kind of level.
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♪
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Narrator: The entire society is
mobilized to build the pyramid.
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Djoser forges a nation-state
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To satisfy
his personal ambition.
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♪
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How does he build it?
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This 200-foot-tall pyramid
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Preserves its history within
like an immense russian doll.
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First, djoser builds
a square mastaba
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200 feet long and 26 feet tall.
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But he wants more.
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He extends on all sides,
but it's still not enough.
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So instead, it becomes the base
for the first-ever pyramid,
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Four stacked mastabas
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Towering 140 feet
above the ground.
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He builds around it
and adds two more levels
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Completing the iconic
six-step pyramid.
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How does djoser ensure
that it survives forever?
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♪
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Today, aidan has
a rare opportunity.
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He has been given unique access
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To examine the oldest section
of the pyramid.
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♪
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Aidan notices that from the
earliest stages of construction,
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Each layer of stone tilts
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Towards the center
of the monument.
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If you do a spot check
pretty well everywhere,
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That basic angle
seems to be constant throughout.
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Narrator:
Aidan believes that the pyramid
is built with tilted stones
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Because of the unevenness
of the landscape but saqqara.
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How does this method
of building
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Ensure its long-term stability?
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♪
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The pyramids at nearby giza
stand on flat ground.
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And horizontal blocks transmit
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The pyramids' weight
straight down.
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But the site for djoser's
pyramid is rocky and uneven.
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So blocks placed on the ground
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Would follow its curvature,
creating weaknesses.
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♪
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Instead, djoser tilts
the stones inwards
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So they support the weight
of the pyramid.
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♪
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You've got a building which is
fundamentally holding itself up.
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And the very fact
it has stood like this
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For 4,500 years
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Is a tribute
to the fact that is the case.
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Narrator:
Djoser's pyramid still stands
as the centerpiece of saqqara,
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Its colossal size
a testament to egypt's might.
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In the scale of his ambition,
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Djoser wanted not only to build
himself a monument
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But also a monument
to the newly unified egypt
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As a way of showing
what egypt could do.
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♪
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Narrator:
Deep beneath his pyramid,
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Djoser carves a massive
maze of tunnels
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Snaking for almost 4 miles.
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What can new clues inside
this huge subterranean structure
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Reveal about the pharaoh's
boundless ambition?
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And 3 miles away.
A newly discovered tomb
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Shows a cataclysmic revolution
is already stirring.
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♪
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What happens to this mighty
ancient civilization?
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♪
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Narrator: Djoser mobilizes
the whole population of egypt
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To build his pyramid.
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It gives the newly
unified country
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A new national purpose.
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But the pyramid is only
the beginning of the story.
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♪
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The pyramid itself is solid.
But beneath it,
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A massive network of tunnels
runs through the bedrock.
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A central shaft leads
to the pharaoh's tomb.
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00:11:08,368 --> 00:11:12,003
But around it
are more than 3 1/2 miles
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Of hallways, chambers,
and galleries.
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This is djoser's
underground palace.
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In total,
there are over 400 rooms
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Full of goods
for the pharaoh's afterlife.
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What can these huge tunnels
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Reveal about djoser's
extraordinary ambition?
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00:11:48,575 --> 00:11:51,309
Archaeologist adel kelany
has spent decades
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00:11:51,311 --> 00:11:54,512
Investigating the ancient
burial sites of egypt.
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♪
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He has special access to explore
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00:11:59,786 --> 00:12:03,922
Deep inside this extraordinary
labyrinth of tunnels.
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♪
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Adel believes these tunnels
hold vital clues
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00:12:16,436 --> 00:12:19,671
About how djoser's
engineers excavate.
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00:12:27,748 --> 00:12:30,715
Adel discovers this underground
structure is carved
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00:12:30,717 --> 00:12:33,785
Through the hardest layers
of limestone.
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00:12:33,787 --> 00:12:35,954
♪
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This ensures the tunnels
will not collapse.
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00:12:40,026 --> 00:12:44,162
But it takes a lot of time
to dig through.
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00:12:44,164 --> 00:12:47,932
So djoser's men
work around the clock.
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They need to finish
before the pharaoh dies.
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00:12:52,105 --> 00:12:57,208
But they can only go as fast
as the tools they're using.
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00:12:57,210 --> 00:12:59,110
Adel closely scours the walls
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00:12:59,112 --> 00:13:02,046
For traces of these
ancient tools.
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00:13:15,295 --> 00:13:19,164
These ancient marks are evidence
of the pharaoh's grand plan.
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00:13:19,166 --> 00:13:21,566
♪
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But it demands enormous
resources from his kingdom.
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♪
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00:13:29,676 --> 00:13:32,777
At a limestone quarry,
adel and his team of masons
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00:13:32,779 --> 00:13:34,379
Investigate how long it takes
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00:13:34,381 --> 00:13:37,015
To carve through
the hardest layers of rock.
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00:13:37,017 --> 00:13:38,883
[ adel speaking indistinctly ]
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00:13:38,885 --> 00:13:42,554
Their tools are made of copper,
like in ancient times.
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00:13:48,195 --> 00:13:50,495
The masons begin to carve.
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00:13:50,497 --> 00:13:52,497
♪
220
00:13:52,499 --> 00:13:55,433
In the heat, the work
is hard and slow.
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00:13:55,435 --> 00:14:02,941
♪
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00:14:02,943 --> 00:14:10,381
♪
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00:14:10,383 --> 00:14:12,650
Adel discovers
that his workmen carve
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00:14:12,652 --> 00:14:15,820
Just over 1 inch per hour.
225
00:14:15,822 --> 00:14:19,824
But djoser's tunnels
are almost 4 miles long
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00:14:19,826 --> 00:14:22,360
And carved by a small
specialized team
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00:14:22,362 --> 00:14:24,662
Of a few dozen masons.
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00:14:35,008 --> 00:14:37,108
Djoser's huge
underground structure
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00:14:37,110 --> 00:14:41,212
Takes an astonishing
2 decades to complete.
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00:14:41,214 --> 00:14:43,348
♪
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00:14:43,350 --> 00:14:47,518
For the work to carry on
without interruption,
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00:14:47,520 --> 00:14:50,154
The pharaoh requires
a constant supply of copper
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00:14:50,156 --> 00:14:51,589
For the chisels,
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00:14:51,591 --> 00:14:55,593
Copper that egypt doesn't have.
235
00:14:55,595 --> 00:14:56,895
To solve this problem.
236
00:14:56,897 --> 00:15:01,366
Djoser turns his kingdom
into a military powerhouse.
237
00:15:01,368 --> 00:15:04,836
♪
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00:15:04,838 --> 00:15:08,006
Djoser conquers
neighboring sinai,
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00:15:08,008 --> 00:15:10,742
Rich in copper ore.
240
00:15:10,744 --> 00:15:13,511
He sends mining expeditions
to the mountains there
241
00:15:13,513 --> 00:15:15,280
And starts extracting.
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00:15:15,282 --> 00:15:17,315
♪
243
00:15:17,317 --> 00:15:22,220
His workers build a vast complex
of furnaces to smelt the ore
244
00:15:22,222 --> 00:15:24,022
And cast it into huge ingots
245
00:15:24,024 --> 00:15:28,259
Ready for transport
to the red sea.
246
00:15:28,261 --> 00:15:31,062
Boats take the ingots to egypt.
247
00:15:31,064 --> 00:15:33,698
Then donkeys haul them 150 miles
248
00:15:33,700 --> 00:15:37,669
Across the desert to saqqara.
249
00:15:37,671 --> 00:15:39,237
Here, the egyptians melt
250
00:15:39,239 --> 00:15:42,540
And recast the ingots
into small chisels...
251
00:15:42,542 --> 00:15:44,542
♪
252
00:15:44,544 --> 00:15:46,844
...Millions and millions
of them.
253
00:16:06,032 --> 00:16:10,234
To build his underground palace
and gigantic pyramid,
254
00:16:10,236 --> 00:16:11,869
Djoser expands his kingdom
255
00:16:11,871 --> 00:16:16,240
Into one of the world's
greatest powers.
256
00:16:16,242 --> 00:16:18,843
By the time he dies,
both the pyramid
257
00:16:18,845 --> 00:16:21,179
And the tunnels are complete.
258
00:16:21,181 --> 00:16:24,515
♪
259
00:16:24,517 --> 00:16:25,950
But can the tomb of the pharaoh
260
00:16:25,952 --> 00:16:29,620
Reveal what happens to
his powerful new nation-state?
261
00:16:29,622 --> 00:16:31,622
♪
262
00:16:31,624 --> 00:16:34,158
Only 3,000 feet away,
263
00:16:34,160 --> 00:16:38,763
New clues buried deep inside
an extraordinary catacomb
264
00:16:38,765 --> 00:16:43,301
Tell of cataclysmic changes
sweeping across egypt.
265
00:16:43,303 --> 00:16:45,803
What can they reveal
about this powerhouse
266
00:16:45,805 --> 00:16:47,472
Of the ancient world?
267
00:16:59,786 --> 00:17:02,553
♪
268
00:17:02,555 --> 00:17:05,757
Narrator: The giant step pyramid
of saqqara.
269
00:17:05,759 --> 00:17:07,658
Towering 200 feet,
270
00:17:07,660 --> 00:17:10,962
When it's built 4,500 years ago,
271
00:17:10,964 --> 00:17:14,432
It is the tallest building
in the world,
272
00:17:14,434 --> 00:17:15,833
Built by the pharaoh djoser
273
00:17:15,835 --> 00:17:19,237
As a final resting place
for his eternal soul.
274
00:17:19,239 --> 00:17:25,610
♪
275
00:17:25,612 --> 00:17:30,148
The pharaoh's tomb is placed
deep beneath the pyramid,
276
00:17:30,150 --> 00:17:34,052
At the bottom of
a 90-foot vertical shaft,
277
00:17:34,054 --> 00:17:39,390
Sealed by a huge
3-ton granite plug.
278
00:17:39,392 --> 00:17:42,960
Inside lies djoser's
mummified body.
279
00:17:42,962 --> 00:17:46,764
♪
280
00:17:46,766 --> 00:17:48,633
The ceiling of
his funerary chamber
281
00:17:48,635 --> 00:17:50,334
Is made from limestone blocks
282
00:17:50,336 --> 00:17:53,104
With five pointed stars
in relief.
283
00:17:53,106 --> 00:17:57,175
♪
284
00:17:57,177 --> 00:18:01,546
So even deep underground,
djoser could see the night sky
285
00:18:01,548 --> 00:18:04,482
Where his soul is free to fly.
286
00:18:04,484 --> 00:18:10,455
♪
287
00:18:10,457 --> 00:18:12,190
Archaeologist adel kelany
288
00:18:12,192 --> 00:18:16,661
Investigates the tunnels
under the step pyramid.
289
00:18:16,663 --> 00:18:19,530
He hunts for its deepest point,
290
00:18:19,532 --> 00:18:22,200
The burial chamber
of king djoser.
291
00:18:22,202 --> 00:18:25,570
♪
292
00:18:25,572 --> 00:18:29,273
He wants to find out what
becomes of the mighty pharaoh
293
00:18:29,275 --> 00:18:31,142
After he dies.
294
00:18:50,797 --> 00:18:52,096
When it's finished,
295
00:18:52,098 --> 00:18:54,866
This antechamber is filled
with precious objects
296
00:18:54,868 --> 00:18:58,669
For the pharaoh's use
in the afterlife.
297
00:18:58,671 --> 00:19:02,306
♪
298
00:19:02,308 --> 00:19:05,376
Adel arrives
at the burial chamber.
299
00:19:05,378 --> 00:19:07,178
He inspects the granite slabs
300
00:19:07,180 --> 00:19:10,114
That are part of djoser's
huge sarcophagus.
301
00:19:20,593 --> 00:19:23,194
The granite is badly damaged.
302
00:19:39,245 --> 00:19:42,113
The black spots
are traces of fire.
303
00:19:42,115 --> 00:19:44,315
♪
304
00:19:44,317 --> 00:19:47,451
All this destruction
points to one thing...
305
00:19:47,453 --> 00:19:49,987
♪
306
00:19:49,989 --> 00:19:53,424
...Tomb raiders.
307
00:19:53,426 --> 00:19:58,162
But the sarcophagus is at
the bottom of a 90-foot shaft,
308
00:19:58,164 --> 00:20:00,898
Under a huge pyramid.
309
00:20:00,900 --> 00:20:03,367
How do robbers get here?
310
00:20:03,369 --> 00:20:06,170
♪
311
00:20:06,172 --> 00:20:10,408
Teams of workers lay the body
inside the tomb
312
00:20:10,410 --> 00:20:11,909
And then carefully lever in
313
00:20:11,911 --> 00:20:14,612
The heavy granite plug
that seals it.
314
00:20:14,614 --> 00:20:17,782
♪
315
00:20:17,784 --> 00:20:20,751
They drop over 2,500 tons
of rubble
316
00:20:20,753 --> 00:20:23,721
Into the shaft
317
00:20:23,723 --> 00:20:26,724
And seal all other entrances
with rocks.
318
00:20:26,726 --> 00:20:28,726
♪
319
00:20:28,728 --> 00:20:32,530
But the pyramid
is a beacon for looters.
320
00:20:32,532 --> 00:20:34,966
They spend months
digging tunnels of their own
321
00:20:34,968 --> 00:20:36,567
To reach the tomb.
322
00:20:36,569 --> 00:20:38,636
♪
323
00:20:38,638 --> 00:20:41,706
They light fires to weaken
the granite sarcophagus
324
00:20:41,708 --> 00:20:44,909
And plug that seals it.
325
00:20:44,911 --> 00:20:48,646
They break in
and steal everything they can.
326
00:21:12,038 --> 00:21:15,406
Djoser's is mummified body
is gone,
327
00:21:15,408 --> 00:21:20,311
But amazingly,
archaeologists recover...
328
00:21:20,313 --> 00:21:22,480
A foot.
329
00:21:22,482 --> 00:21:24,548
Robbers tear apart
the pharaoh's mummy,
330
00:21:24,550 --> 00:21:26,550
Looking for jewels.
331
00:21:26,552 --> 00:21:30,855
Only this left foot
is found intact.
332
00:21:30,857 --> 00:21:32,657
This desecration of djoser
333
00:21:32,659 --> 00:21:36,627
Means egypt is at
a crisis point.
334
00:21:36,629 --> 00:21:40,064
The pharaohs
are losing their power.
335
00:21:40,066 --> 00:21:42,133
♪
336
00:21:42,135 --> 00:21:43,868
At saqqara,
337
00:21:43,870 --> 00:21:46,904
A striking new archaeological
discovery reveals
338
00:21:46,906 --> 00:21:52,243
A dramatic revolution
taking hold of ancient egypt.
339
00:21:52,245 --> 00:21:55,479
Can this mighty
civilization survive?
340
00:22:08,995 --> 00:22:11,529
♪
341
00:22:11,531 --> 00:22:14,532
Narrator: Saqqara,
342
00:22:14,534 --> 00:22:17,868
Where egypt's pharaohs
are buried for centuries.
343
00:22:17,870 --> 00:22:20,137
♪
344
00:22:20,139 --> 00:22:24,408
Today, their many tombs
lie hidden under the sands...
345
00:22:24,410 --> 00:22:26,911
♪
346
00:22:26,913 --> 00:22:29,980
...Spread over 4 square miles.
347
00:22:29,982 --> 00:22:32,983
♪
348
00:22:32,985 --> 00:22:37,788
This huge site
remains mostly unexplored.
349
00:22:37,790 --> 00:22:40,691
♪
350
00:22:40,693 --> 00:22:42,827
Now experts are
trying to find out
351
00:22:42,829 --> 00:22:45,029
How the building
of these royal monuments
352
00:22:45,031 --> 00:22:47,798
Transforms egypt forever.
353
00:22:47,800 --> 00:22:54,205
♪
354
00:22:54,207 --> 00:22:58,609
In may 2019, archaeologists
working at saqqara
355
00:22:58,611 --> 00:23:01,011
Make a groundbreaking discovery.
356
00:23:11,958 --> 00:23:14,325
The team digs beneath
the sunken ruins
357
00:23:14,327 --> 00:23:18,295
Of a huge stone mastaba.
358
00:23:18,297 --> 00:23:20,264
What they find
reveals the beginning
359
00:23:20,266 --> 00:23:24,168
Of a cataclysmic revolution
360
00:23:24,170 --> 00:23:26,437
That will shatter the kingdom.
361
00:23:26,439 --> 00:23:29,440
♪
362
00:23:29,442 --> 00:23:31,776
Beneath a stone mastaba,
363
00:23:31,778 --> 00:23:36,313
Archaeologists uncover
a spectacular burial complex.
364
00:23:36,315 --> 00:23:40,618
Its passageways
are intricately decorated.
365
00:23:40,620 --> 00:23:43,687
At the end,
a storage room full of jars
366
00:23:43,689 --> 00:23:47,324
Containing food to nourish
the spirit of the deceased.
367
00:23:47,326 --> 00:23:49,994
♪
368
00:23:49,996 --> 00:23:53,197
And next door, an impressive
limestone sarcophagus
369
00:23:53,199 --> 00:23:55,866
Fills the chamber wall to wall.
370
00:23:55,868 --> 00:23:58,235
♪
371
00:23:58,237 --> 00:24:00,838
This tomb is fit for a pharaoh.
372
00:24:00,840 --> 00:24:03,441
But there's no royal pyramid
above it.
373
00:24:03,443 --> 00:24:05,776
♪
374
00:24:05,778 --> 00:24:09,947
Why is the owner of this tomb
buried like a king?
375
00:24:09,949 --> 00:24:13,717
♪
376
00:24:13,719 --> 00:24:15,553
Archaeologist mohamed megahed
377
00:24:15,555 --> 00:24:19,023
Leads the team who uncovers
this astonishing tomb.
378
00:24:19,025 --> 00:24:21,192
♪
379
00:24:21,194 --> 00:24:24,795
For the first time,
cameras follow him inside.
380
00:24:24,797 --> 00:24:27,498
♪
381
00:24:27,500 --> 00:24:30,801
Amazingly, everything remains
just as it was
382
00:24:30,803 --> 00:24:32,303
When the tomb was sealed
383
00:24:32,305 --> 00:24:34,872
Almost 4,500 years ago.
384
00:24:34,874 --> 00:24:37,007
♪
385
00:24:37,009 --> 00:24:38,876
On the walls, there is a wealth
386
00:24:38,878 --> 00:24:42,680
Of previously unknown
information about egypt.
387
00:24:52,658 --> 00:24:55,493
Mohamed's incredible discovery
388
00:24:55,495 --> 00:24:57,962
Reveals a dramatic
battle for power
389
00:24:57,964 --> 00:25:00,498
Within egypt's ruling elite.
390
00:25:13,846 --> 00:25:18,249
This tomb is a copy
of the pharaoh's architecture.
391
00:25:18,251 --> 00:25:22,152
It's also filled with
inscriptions and decorations
392
00:25:22,154 --> 00:25:25,122
Usually reserved
for royal tombs.
393
00:25:25,124 --> 00:25:27,658
♪
394
00:25:27,660 --> 00:25:30,861
Mohamed investigates
what they represent.
395
00:25:44,510 --> 00:25:46,677
Close to the ceiling,
mohamed discovers
396
00:25:46,679 --> 00:25:49,079
An extraordinary detail.
397
00:26:06,432 --> 00:26:12,369
The hieroglyphs show that khuwy
is a powerful court official,
398
00:26:12,371 --> 00:26:15,573
A close adviser
to the pharaoh djedkare isesi,
399
00:26:15,575 --> 00:26:18,375
Who reigns in 2400 b.C.
400
00:26:18,377 --> 00:26:20,578
♪
401
00:26:20,580 --> 00:26:22,580
300 years have passed
402
00:26:22,582 --> 00:26:27,751
Since djoser and the building
of his gigantic pyramid.
403
00:26:27,753 --> 00:26:32,489
Now the pharaoh's officials
are buried like kings.
404
00:26:42,268 --> 00:26:46,837
What can this tomb reveal about
the officials' rise in power?
405
00:26:46,839 --> 00:26:50,274
♪
406
00:26:50,276 --> 00:26:53,010
Mohamed decodes more clues.
407
00:27:01,220 --> 00:27:03,220
These colors are made
from gemstones
408
00:27:03,222 --> 00:27:07,024
Imported from all over
the ancient world
409
00:27:07,026 --> 00:27:09,293
And locked away
in the pharaoh's storerooms
410
00:27:09,295 --> 00:27:11,862
So only his artists
can use them.
411
00:27:30,650 --> 00:27:35,386
Mohamed believes this ancient
mark is made by a royal artist.
412
00:27:35,388 --> 00:27:39,723
Only they are allowed to paint
with these colors.
413
00:27:39,725 --> 00:27:41,859
The mighty pharaoh
is helping his official
414
00:27:41,861 --> 00:27:44,628
Create a tomb as lavish as his.
415
00:27:57,877 --> 00:27:59,943
The power balance
between the pharaoh
416
00:27:59,945 --> 00:28:03,347
And his high officials
is shifting.
417
00:28:03,349 --> 00:28:07,284
Once the supreme ruler
of the kingdom,
418
00:28:07,286 --> 00:28:10,254
The builder
of majestic pyramids,
419
00:28:10,256 --> 00:28:12,222
Worshipped as a god...
420
00:28:12,224 --> 00:28:14,458
♪
421
00:28:14,460 --> 00:28:17,961
...The pharaoh is now dependent
on officials.
422
00:28:17,963 --> 00:28:21,732
♪
423
00:28:21,734 --> 00:28:24,134
He cannot govern without them.
424
00:28:24,136 --> 00:28:27,204
♪
425
00:28:27,206 --> 00:28:30,174
But mohamed makes an even
more striking discovery
426
00:28:30,176 --> 00:28:32,009
Inside the tomb.
427
00:28:46,592 --> 00:28:49,460
It's an extraordinary find,
one that reveals
428
00:28:49,462 --> 00:28:51,061
That the right to be mummified
429
00:28:51,063 --> 00:28:53,931
No longer is exclusively
for pharaohs.
430
00:29:03,175 --> 00:29:06,110
Khuwy is part of
a new social class of officials
431
00:29:06,112 --> 00:29:09,379
That are now extremely wealthy
and powerful.
432
00:29:09,381 --> 00:29:12,983
♪
433
00:29:12,985 --> 00:29:14,985
Before 2200 b.C.,
434
00:29:14,987 --> 00:29:19,623
Egypt enjoys a golden age
of peace and prosperity
435
00:29:19,625 --> 00:29:23,894
Under the rule of pharaohs
like djoser.
436
00:29:23,896 --> 00:29:26,330
But gradually,
officials like khuwy
437
00:29:26,332 --> 00:29:28,799
Claim more power for themselves
438
00:29:28,801 --> 00:29:32,069
And rule over their own
provinces directly.
439
00:29:32,071 --> 00:29:35,339
♪
440
00:29:35,341 --> 00:29:39,710
Then droughts hit,
and the nile floods fail,
441
00:29:39,712 --> 00:29:42,613
Bringing famine and poverty.
442
00:29:42,615 --> 00:29:44,982
♪
443
00:29:44,984 --> 00:29:47,785
The pharaohs lose all control.
444
00:29:47,787 --> 00:29:50,954
The age of the great
pyramid builders is over,
445
00:29:50,956 --> 00:29:54,124
And egypt falls into a dark age.
446
00:29:54,126 --> 00:29:56,960
♪
447
00:29:56,962 --> 00:29:58,695
In the centuries after djoser
448
00:29:58,697 --> 00:30:01,031
And the building
of the step pyramid,
449
00:30:01,033 --> 00:30:04,935
The pharaohs' officials gain
unprecedented wealth and power,
450
00:30:04,937 --> 00:30:08,472
Leading to the fall
of egypt's first great kingdom.
451
00:30:08,474 --> 00:30:10,641
♪
452
00:30:10,643 --> 00:30:14,044
So what happens to
a royal necropolis like saqqara?
453
00:30:14,046 --> 00:30:16,246
♪
454
00:30:16,248 --> 00:30:19,550
Strange discoveries reveal
how the site becomes the home
455
00:30:19,552 --> 00:30:22,820
To one of egypt's
most mysterious cults.
456
00:30:22,822 --> 00:30:25,189
♪
457
00:30:25,191 --> 00:30:28,826
Does this huge burial site
for bulls hold clues
458
00:30:28,828 --> 00:30:31,261
About egypt's later kingdoms?
459
00:30:45,711 --> 00:30:50,414
♪
460
00:30:50,416 --> 00:30:52,683
Narrator: Saqqara's days
as the resting place
461
00:30:52,685 --> 00:30:57,221
For egypt's pharaohs
draws to a close.
462
00:30:57,223 --> 00:30:59,223
Dodson:
Around about 2200 b.C.,
463
00:30:59,225 --> 00:31:02,659
Saqqara ceases to be
a royal burial place.
464
00:31:02,661 --> 00:31:05,195
However, it remains the place
465
00:31:05,197 --> 00:31:10,601
Of one of the most crucial
cults in egypt.
466
00:31:10,603 --> 00:31:13,637
Narrator: A mysterious cult
now takes center stage
467
00:31:13,639 --> 00:31:17,107
In egyptian society.
468
00:31:17,109 --> 00:31:21,445
Clues to the cult lie buried
beneath the desert sand.
469
00:31:21,447 --> 00:31:25,682
♪
470
00:31:25,684 --> 00:31:28,785
Almost 3,000 feet
from the pyramid of djoser
471
00:31:28,787 --> 00:31:32,723
Beneath the ground
lies the serapeum,
472
00:31:32,725 --> 00:31:36,426
A vast gallery
of finely carved tunnels
473
00:31:36,428 --> 00:31:40,163
With huge vaulted chambers
on either side.
474
00:31:40,165 --> 00:31:43,834
Each chamber holds
a gigantic sarcophagus
475
00:31:43,836 --> 00:31:48,205
As big as two family cars
stacked together.
476
00:31:48,207 --> 00:31:50,374
Inside each sarcophagus
477
00:31:50,376 --> 00:31:54,511
Are the intricately
mummified remains of a bull.
478
00:31:54,513 --> 00:31:57,814
Almost 30 bulls
are buried in these vaults.
479
00:31:57,816 --> 00:32:00,417
♪
480
00:32:00,419 --> 00:32:02,753
What can
this strange cult reveal
481
00:32:02,755 --> 00:32:06,123
About dramatic changes
in egypt's history?
482
00:32:06,125 --> 00:32:11,495
♪
483
00:32:11,497 --> 00:32:13,430
Egyptologist aidan dodson
484
00:32:13,432 --> 00:32:16,433
Investigates
inside the serapeum.
485
00:32:16,435 --> 00:32:19,870
♪
486
00:32:19,872 --> 00:32:22,839
Today, he has
a rare opportunity.
487
00:32:22,841 --> 00:32:25,442
He's been given access
to its oldest part,
488
00:32:25,444 --> 00:32:29,780
Built in 1400 b.C.
489
00:32:29,782 --> 00:32:33,083
It is here that the first bulls
are buried.
490
00:32:33,085 --> 00:32:37,487
♪
491
00:32:37,489 --> 00:32:39,723
Dodson: Oh, wow.
492
00:32:39,725 --> 00:32:42,592
That is interesting.
493
00:32:42,594 --> 00:32:44,428
You've got the prince there,
494
00:32:44,430 --> 00:32:46,730
His name quite clearly
next to him.
495
00:32:46,732 --> 00:32:51,969
That huge foot is his father,
ramses ii.
496
00:32:51,971 --> 00:32:54,771
Narrator: Ramses ii
is the most powerful pharaoh
497
00:32:54,773 --> 00:32:57,341
In egyptian history.
498
00:32:57,343 --> 00:33:02,946
Inscriptions here reveal that he
and his son extend the serapeum.
499
00:33:02,948 --> 00:33:05,816
Dodson:
That royal patronage of the cult
500
00:33:05,818 --> 00:33:09,720
Is probably a legitimization
of the whole egyptian monarchy.
501
00:33:09,722 --> 00:33:14,124
♪
502
00:33:14,126 --> 00:33:17,461
Narrator: Ramses is devoted
to the cult of the bull.
503
00:33:17,463 --> 00:33:19,563
♪
504
00:33:19,565 --> 00:33:22,799
It's a way of identifying
with his subjects.
505
00:33:22,801 --> 00:33:26,303
♪
506
00:33:26,305 --> 00:33:27,404
It is also a way
507
00:33:27,406 --> 00:33:30,474
Of establishing
his control over them.
508
00:33:30,476 --> 00:33:36,747
♪
509
00:33:36,749 --> 00:33:39,082
Egyptians revere
the bulls buried here
510
00:33:39,084 --> 00:33:43,487
As incarnations of ptah,
the god of creation.
511
00:33:43,489 --> 00:33:48,191
Each bull is identified
by very specific features.
512
00:33:48,193 --> 00:33:49,860
He must be black and white
513
00:33:49,862 --> 00:33:52,596
With a triangular mark
on the forehead,
514
00:33:52,598 --> 00:33:54,231
A crescent moon on the side,
515
00:33:54,233 --> 00:33:57,167
And a long-haired tail
parted in two.
516
00:33:57,169 --> 00:34:00,003
♪
517
00:34:00,005 --> 00:34:02,372
The sacred animal
is taken to memphis,
518
00:34:02,374 --> 00:34:05,175
The capital
of early ancient egypt,
519
00:34:05,177 --> 00:34:07,711
Where worshippers visit him
for good luck
520
00:34:07,713 --> 00:34:10,514
And to learn their fortunes.
521
00:34:10,516 --> 00:34:12,015
When the bull dies,
522
00:34:12,017 --> 00:34:14,751
It is brought
to saqqara for burial.
523
00:34:14,753 --> 00:34:16,720
And egyptians search
for a new bull
524
00:34:16,722 --> 00:34:18,789
As the incarnation of ptah.
525
00:34:18,791 --> 00:34:20,991
♪
526
00:34:20,993 --> 00:34:23,960
Aidan investigates
another part of the serapeum
527
00:34:23,962 --> 00:34:29,433
To see what it can reveal
about egypt's turbulent history.
528
00:34:29,435 --> 00:34:31,768
He's got access
to a restricted area
529
00:34:31,770 --> 00:34:35,038
Built 400 years after ramses.
530
00:34:35,040 --> 00:34:37,441
♪
531
00:34:37,443 --> 00:34:41,378
And here's a huge
granite sarcophagus.
532
00:34:41,380 --> 00:34:45,015
♪
533
00:34:45,017 --> 00:34:47,851
Narrator: High up on its lid,
aidan find evidence
534
00:34:47,853 --> 00:34:51,755
That egypt and its pharaohs
have been conquered.
535
00:34:51,757 --> 00:34:53,857
It's very, very
rough hieroglyphs,
536
00:34:53,859 --> 00:34:55,659
Very, very difficult to read.
537
00:34:55,661 --> 00:35:00,831
But what it is is the epitaph
of a bull that died
538
00:35:00,833 --> 00:35:05,402
And was buried under
the persian king cambyses.
539
00:35:05,404 --> 00:35:07,571
♪
540
00:35:07,573 --> 00:35:09,539
Narrator:
In the 6th century b.C.,
541
00:35:09,541 --> 00:35:12,909
Egypt falls to a new
imperial superpower...
542
00:35:12,911 --> 00:35:16,813
♪
543
00:35:16,815 --> 00:35:20,083
...The persians.
544
00:35:20,085 --> 00:35:23,687
The foreign rulers
maintain the cult.
545
00:35:23,689 --> 00:35:25,288
The sacred bulls are mummified
546
00:35:25,290 --> 00:35:30,260
And buried intact
in giant granite sarcophagi.
547
00:35:30,262 --> 00:35:34,865
Dodson: Every time a bull died,
the vaults were extended
548
00:35:34,867 --> 00:35:39,369
By another one
of these great niches.
549
00:35:39,371 --> 00:35:43,640
And this then continued on
generation after generation.
550
00:35:43,642 --> 00:35:46,543
♪
551
00:35:46,545 --> 00:35:48,745
Narrator: In the newest part
of the serapeum,
552
00:35:48,747 --> 00:35:52,649
Aidan discovers another key
inscription on a sarcophagus.
553
00:35:52,651 --> 00:35:55,218
♪
554
00:35:55,220 --> 00:35:57,621
It reveals the egyptians
are fighting back
555
00:35:57,623 --> 00:36:00,123
Against the persians.
556
00:36:00,125 --> 00:36:02,025
What I'm seeing here
is another part
557
00:36:02,027 --> 00:36:04,127
Of the persian story.
558
00:36:04,129 --> 00:36:08,832
The king who installed
this bull's burial here
559
00:36:08,834 --> 00:36:11,368
Was a native egyptian ruler.
560
00:36:11,370 --> 00:36:13,503
♪
561
00:36:13,505 --> 00:36:15,105
Narrator:
When this bull is buried,
562
00:36:15,107 --> 00:36:19,242
An egyptian king
is sitting on the throne.
563
00:36:19,244 --> 00:36:21,611
This inscription tells us
something we don't really know
564
00:36:21,613 --> 00:36:24,681
From any other source --
that egyptians were still
565
00:36:24,683 --> 00:36:27,784
Fighting back
against the persian invaders.
566
00:36:27,786 --> 00:36:30,053
♪
567
00:36:30,055 --> 00:36:35,592
Narrator: The egyptians take
back control over their lands.
568
00:36:35,594 --> 00:36:37,594
But it doesn't last.
569
00:36:37,596 --> 00:36:39,596
♪
570
00:36:39,598 --> 00:36:42,832
Aidan heads towards the end
of the serapeum.
571
00:36:42,834 --> 00:36:46,436
♪
572
00:36:46,438 --> 00:36:49,906
The tomb of the last bull shows
that after the persians,
573
00:36:49,908 --> 00:36:54,578
The greeks now control egypt.
574
00:36:54,580 --> 00:36:57,581
This great stone box here
575
00:36:57,583 --> 00:36:59,849
Will have had a bull
interred in it
576
00:36:59,851 --> 00:37:05,021
Some point during the reign
of the great cleopatra.
577
00:37:05,023 --> 00:37:08,925
Narrator: Cleopatra is a pharaoh
of greek origin.
578
00:37:08,927 --> 00:37:13,396
She reigns from 51 to 30 b.C.,
579
00:37:13,398 --> 00:37:16,566
When she is defeated
by the roman emperor augustus.
580
00:37:16,568 --> 00:37:18,568
♪
581
00:37:18,570 --> 00:37:21,771
Her defeat means the end
of egyptian nationhood...
582
00:37:21,773 --> 00:37:23,807
♪
583
00:37:23,809 --> 00:37:27,010
...And the end of the cult
of the sacred bull.
584
00:37:27,012 --> 00:37:29,012
♪
585
00:37:29,014 --> 00:37:33,650
Augustus despised the idea
of sacred animals.
586
00:37:33,652 --> 00:37:35,752
And, therefore,
from this point onwards,
587
00:37:35,754 --> 00:37:38,788
The serapeum is closed
and finished.
588
00:37:38,790 --> 00:37:43,460
♪
589
00:37:43,462 --> 00:37:45,228
Narrator:
The 3,000-year-old cult
590
00:37:45,230 --> 00:37:47,998
Comes to an end
under roman rule.
591
00:37:48,000 --> 00:37:53,169
♪
592
00:37:53,171 --> 00:37:58,341
It mirrors the fall
of the great kingdom of egypt.
593
00:37:58,343 --> 00:38:03,513
But saqqara carries on
as a necropolis.
594
00:38:03,515 --> 00:38:05,915
What can it reveal
about the last age
595
00:38:05,917 --> 00:38:08,518
Of ancient egyptian
civilization?
596
00:38:24,236 --> 00:38:27,070
♪
597
00:38:27,072 --> 00:38:30,807
Narrator:
The royal necropolis of saqqara
598
00:38:30,809 --> 00:38:35,812
Spans the entire history
of ancient egypt,
599
00:38:35,814 --> 00:38:39,449
From its rise into
a mighty nation in 3000 b.C.
600
00:38:39,451 --> 00:38:43,053
Until roman times.
601
00:38:43,055 --> 00:38:47,290
But what happens to egypt
after the fall of the pharaohs?
602
00:39:00,205 --> 00:39:02,405
Archaeologist hana vymazalová
603
00:39:02,407 --> 00:39:05,675
Has spent almost a decade
digging at saqqara.
604
00:39:05,677 --> 00:39:08,144
♪
605
00:39:08,146 --> 00:39:12,749
She is looking for clues to
the last age of ancient egypt
606
00:39:12,751 --> 00:39:16,386
Next to the collapsed pyramids
of early royals
607
00:39:16,388 --> 00:39:19,389
And unearths
a simple burial pit.
608
00:39:29,368 --> 00:39:33,870
Next to it,
there are hundreds more.
609
00:39:33,872 --> 00:39:36,740
Who are these people?
610
00:39:36,742 --> 00:39:40,944
Why are they buried on the
same site as egypt's pharaohs?
611
00:39:40,946 --> 00:39:43,947
♪
612
00:39:43,949 --> 00:39:47,984
Hana analyses one of the bodies
removed from these pits.
613
00:40:01,700 --> 00:40:05,101
Many clues remain
on the preserved tissue.
614
00:40:24,756 --> 00:40:29,526
Hana believes these people
come from humble backgrounds.
615
00:40:29,528 --> 00:40:32,295
They are probably
local villagers.
616
00:40:32,297 --> 00:40:36,900
♪
617
00:40:36,902 --> 00:40:38,468
After the fall of the pharaohs,
618
00:40:38,470 --> 00:40:42,639
Egyptians are living
under foreign rule,
619
00:40:42,641 --> 00:40:47,510
So they choose to be buried
near their greatest kings,
620
00:40:47,512 --> 00:40:51,014
At the site
of their first pyramid
621
00:40:51,016 --> 00:40:53,216
And glorious past.
622
00:41:00,292 --> 00:41:04,027
Saqqara,
623
00:41:04,029 --> 00:41:07,964
Once a royal necropolis,
624
00:41:07,966 --> 00:41:11,568
Becomes a burial site
accessible to all.
625
00:41:11,570 --> 00:41:13,636
♪
626
00:41:13,638 --> 00:41:19,409
Commoners are buried
alongside ancient rulers...
627
00:41:19,411 --> 00:41:23,546
Hoping for an afterlife
that is uniquely egyptian.
628
00:41:23,548 --> 00:41:25,982
♪
629
00:41:25,984 --> 00:41:27,817
Saqqara stands as a monument
630
00:41:27,819 --> 00:41:32,188
To the entire history
of ancient egypt.
631
00:41:32,190 --> 00:41:36,259
It begins as a necropolis
of mud-brick mastabas.
632
00:41:36,261 --> 00:41:39,729
But the ambition of one pharaoh
to build bigger and bigger
633
00:41:39,731 --> 00:41:43,967
Means the world's first pyramid
emerges from its sands.
634
00:41:43,969 --> 00:41:46,269
♪
635
00:41:46,271 --> 00:41:50,473
Now saqqara bears the scars
of kingdoms falling,
636
00:41:50,475 --> 00:41:52,942
Rising, changing,
637
00:41:52,944 --> 00:41:57,747
And holds the secrets of
a mighty ancient civilization.
638
00:41:57,749 --> 00:42:05,455
♪
639
00:42:05,457 --> 00:42:13,162
♪
640
00:42:13,164 --> 00:42:20,837
♪
641
00:42:20,839 --> 00:42:28,545
♪
53636
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