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These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated: 1 00:00:02,947 --> 00:00:07,079 [narrator] in ancient egypt, a revolution is brewing. 2 00:00:08,947 --> 00:00:10,999 [dramatic music] 3 00:00:11,074 --> 00:00:14,512 The most ambitious building project on the planet 4 00:00:14,521 --> 00:00:18,519 Sets off a chain of events that will transform the country. 5 00:00:19,714 --> 00:00:22,719 This would have been an epoch changing event. 6 00:00:23,587 --> 00:00:26,679 [narrator] buried in the sands of egypt is a tale 7 00:00:26,754 --> 00:00:28,679 Of a powerful pharaoh 8 00:00:28,754 --> 00:00:32,879 Fwho would become a god and revolutionize egypt. 9 00:00:33,767 --> 00:00:37,239 The legend of the world's first pyramid. 10 00:00:38,867 --> 00:00:42,152 The story of the pyramids is one of innovation. 11 00:00:42,227 --> 00:00:44,032 It was a resurrection machine. 12 00:00:44,067 --> 00:00:46,279 [narrator] mysterious rituals. 13 00:00:48,187 --> 00:00:50,752 These are things that help the deceased 14 00:00:50,787 --> 00:00:54,192 Re-energize and live for eternity. 15 00:00:54,227 --> 00:00:58,239 [narrator] back-breaking work and palace intrigue. 16 00:00:59,394 --> 00:01:01,879 Unlock the deepest secrets of the pharaohs. 17 00:01:02,947 --> 00:01:04,312 [man] every mummy is different, 18 00:01:04,387 --> 00:01:05,959 You never know exactly what to expect. 19 00:01:06,614 --> 00:01:09,872 [narrator] explore the lives of ancient workers 20 00:01:09,907 --> 00:01:15,272 And uncover the remarkable story of egypt's old kingdom. 21 00:01:15,347 --> 00:01:18,992 [woman] not only did ancient egypt make the pyramids, 22 00:01:19,027 --> 00:01:22,032 The pyramids made ancient egypt. 23 00:01:22,067 --> 00:01:25,279 [soft music] 24 00:01:38,547 --> 00:01:41,312 [narrator] egypt's pyramid building age. 25 00:01:41,321 --> 00:01:46,632 500 years of history during which builders constructed some 26 00:01:46,707 --> 00:01:49,952 Of the world's most iconic monuments 27 00:01:49,987 --> 00:01:53,319 Including the great pyramid of giza. 28 00:01:53,394 --> 00:01:56,559 The only wonder of the ancient world still standing. 29 00:02:01,554 --> 00:02:04,832 To understand how the pyramid age began 30 00:02:04,841 --> 00:02:07,472 And how it transformed the country, 31 00:02:07,481 --> 00:02:12,879 We need to travel some 4,700 years back in time 32 00:02:14,914 --> 00:02:19,119 To the city of memphis and the palace of a powerful king. 33 00:02:21,507 --> 00:02:25,839 His people call him netjerikhet meaning divine of body. 34 00:02:27,667 --> 00:02:30,519 But today, we know this pharaoh as djoser. 35 00:02:32,307 --> 00:02:36,272 Rules a country of more than 1 million people. 36 00:02:36,307 --> 00:02:40,272 As pharaoh, his first priority is maintaining control 37 00:02:40,347 --> 00:02:43,679 Of his kingdom and strengthening his dynasty. 38 00:02:51,267 --> 00:02:56,719 Djoser was born into a life of privilege around 2,620 bc. 39 00:03:03,481 --> 00:03:07,799 It was common for pharaoh to have multiple wives 40 00:03:07,874 --> 00:03:11,632 But djoser was probably married to just one woman, 41 00:03:11,667 --> 00:03:16,359 Hetephernebti, his half sister. 42 00:03:17,107 --> 00:03:21,799 Normal people did not have incestual relationships 43 00:03:21,874 --> 00:03:24,192 With their brothers and sisters in ancient egypt. 44 00:03:24,201 --> 00:03:26,079 That wasn't a common thing to do. 45 00:03:28,067 --> 00:03:31,479 [narrator] by marrying his sister, djoser ensures that only 46 00:03:31,554 --> 00:03:34,992 His own blood will have a claim to the throne. 47 00:03:35,027 --> 00:03:39,079 It's really a desire to keep power within the family. 48 00:03:41,667 --> 00:03:44,672 [narrator] djoser's incestuous marriage reinforces 49 00:03:44,707 --> 00:03:48,199 The immense power that he now enjoys. 50 00:03:48,274 --> 00:03:50,832 The pharaoh in ancient egypt is everything, 51 00:03:50,867 --> 00:03:54,752 Commander in chief, high priest, in charge of making 52 00:03:54,787 --> 00:03:56,519 All the laws and decrees. 53 00:03:56,594 --> 00:03:59,239 So, the most important person obviously in the land. 54 00:04:00,754 --> 00:04:02,679 [narrator] and like other kings before him, 55 00:04:02,754 --> 00:04:05,752 He claims to rule alongside the gods 56 00:04:05,827 --> 00:04:09,599 Working together to keep order and unity in egypt. 57 00:04:11,427 --> 00:04:15,432 From the very origins of ancient egyptian kingship, 58 00:04:15,507 --> 00:04:20,672 The king is a mediator between humans and the gods. 59 00:04:20,707 --> 00:04:25,072 And that seems to be something fundamental to ancient egypt. 60 00:04:25,107 --> 00:04:30,592 >> the king was responsible for keeping the gods happy 61 00:04:30,627 --> 00:04:34,192 And if the gods were happy, then the people would be fed 62 00:04:34,227 --> 00:04:37,879 And the kingdom would continue to go on in a world of order. 63 00:04:39,481 --> 00:04:42,512 [narrator] but a devastating catastrophe is about to put 64 00:04:42,547 --> 00:04:45,399 Djoser's authority to the ultimate test. 65 00:04:49,234 --> 00:04:52,359 Clues to the disaster lie 400 miles south 66 00:04:52,434 --> 00:04:54,632 Of the ancient capital of memphis, 67 00:04:54,707 --> 00:04:56,679 In a region called elephantine. 68 00:05:01,587 --> 00:05:04,032 In the eyes of ancient egyptians, 69 00:05:04,067 --> 00:05:06,559 This is the source of the river nile. 70 00:05:08,987 --> 00:05:12,472 Egyptologist jean-pierre patznick is a specialist 71 00:05:12,547 --> 00:05:14,879 In deciphering long-lost languages. 72 00:05:17,001 --> 00:05:20,999 Today he's investigating a stone plaque known as a stela. 73 00:05:22,507 --> 00:05:27,919 There it is, the famine stela. 74 00:05:37,714 --> 00:05:40,592 [translator] this is an absolutely unique document, 75 00:05:40,627 --> 00:05:42,679 Because it tells a story that would have happened 76 00:05:42,754 --> 00:05:44,839 During the reign of djoser. 77 00:05:44,914 --> 00:05:46,912 [narrator] the words engraved on this rock 78 00:05:46,947 --> 00:05:49,719 Tell a story of death and disaster. 79 00:05:52,547 --> 00:05:55,552 The nile is the life blood of egypt 80 00:05:55,587 --> 00:05:57,719 Flowing from the south towards the north. 81 00:05:59,267 --> 00:06:01,799 Every year, between June and September, 82 00:06:01,874 --> 00:06:04,999 Floodwaters carried fertile silt and water towards farms 83 00:06:05,074 --> 00:06:07,479 In the north where most people lived. 84 00:06:10,707 --> 00:06:14,679 But in the 18th year of djoser's reign, the floods fail. 85 00:06:16,754 --> 00:06:20,992 [translator] this stela tells us an absolutely amazing story. 86 00:06:21,027 --> 00:06:24,679 A famine that would have lasted seven years. 87 00:06:24,754 --> 00:06:26,512 Seven years of poverty. 88 00:06:26,521 --> 00:06:30,192 Seven years during which the nile failed to water the crops. 89 00:06:30,227 --> 00:06:32,359 For a pharaoh, there is nothing worse. 90 00:06:37,667 --> 00:06:41,072 And naturally, djoser tries to figure out what is happening. 91 00:06:41,107 --> 00:06:43,632 Why don't the waters of the nile arrive? 92 00:06:43,641 --> 00:06:44,839 What's going on? 93 00:06:44,914 --> 00:06:47,592 Why is there no flood? 94 00:06:47,667 --> 00:06:49,112 [narrator] this stela was carved over 95 00:06:49,187 --> 00:06:51,912 2,000 years after the event, 96 00:06:51,987 --> 00:06:54,199 So for years, the story of the famine 97 00:06:54,274 --> 00:06:56,752 Was dismissed as legend. 98 00:06:56,787 --> 00:06:58,719 But the nile has many secrets... 99 00:07:02,707 --> 00:07:05,272 And in washington dc, researchers 100 00:07:05,347 --> 00:07:08,672 At the us geological institute have found evidence 101 00:07:08,707 --> 00:07:11,279 That could support the famine stela myth. 102 00:07:15,907 --> 00:07:19,639 Christopher bernhardt is a pollen specialist. 103 00:07:19,714 --> 00:07:22,679 He has analyzed dirt containing pollen grains 104 00:07:22,754 --> 00:07:24,432 That settled on the banks of the nile 105 00:07:24,467 --> 00:07:26,472 During the pyramid building age, 106 00:07:26,547 --> 00:07:29,479 Four and 1/2 thousand years ago. 107 00:07:29,554 --> 00:07:32,272 Pollen is really cool. It's such a powerful tool. 108 00:07:32,307 --> 00:07:35,639 So, it's not just this thing that every spring season 109 00:07:35,714 --> 00:07:37,712 Makes you sneeze, right? 110 00:07:37,747 --> 00:07:41,119 It provides so much information as it gets deposited. 111 00:07:43,467 --> 00:07:46,432 [narrator] these are core samples from the nile delta, 112 00:07:46,507 --> 00:07:50,592 Cylinders of earth bored out of the river's soil. 113 00:07:50,667 --> 00:07:54,472 These cores are like time machines, they allow scientists 114 00:07:54,547 --> 00:07:56,832 To peer back thousands of years, 115 00:07:56,841 --> 00:07:59,952 Revealing the secrets of the nile. 116 00:07:59,987 --> 00:08:03,552 We take a core and go through time looking at the pollen, 117 00:08:03,587 --> 00:08:05,752 It can give you information about regional climate, 118 00:08:05,827 --> 00:08:08,199 It can tell about sea level change, 119 00:08:08,274 --> 00:08:10,679 You can reconstruct past environments. 120 00:08:13,907 --> 00:08:17,272 We don't have the resolution in our records to get 121 00:08:17,347 --> 00:08:19,632 To see how variations happen from year to year 122 00:08:19,667 --> 00:08:21,799 Or even decade to decade, but there were actually 123 00:08:21,874 --> 00:08:23,792 Some episodic droughts during the time 124 00:08:23,827 --> 00:08:25,632 Of the pyramid building. 125 00:08:25,641 --> 00:08:28,352 Our record shows that's definitely 126 00:08:28,361 --> 00:08:29,959 Within the realm of possibility. 127 00:08:33,627 --> 00:08:34,952 [narrator] the famine stela 128 00:08:35,027 --> 00:08:37,479 Describes how seven years of drought 129 00:08:37,554 --> 00:08:40,919 And poor floods bring chaos to djoser's kingdom. 130 00:08:53,074 --> 00:08:56,432 Desperate to survive, brother turns on brother. 131 00:08:56,507 --> 00:08:58,672 Law and order break down. 132 00:08:58,707 --> 00:09:01,359 Egypt is on the brink of civil war. 133 00:09:16,914 --> 00:09:20,039 Djoser asks his priests for guidance, 134 00:09:24,667 --> 00:09:26,279 But they don't know what to do. 135 00:09:28,274 --> 00:09:29,599 He's feeling the pressure. 136 00:09:31,827 --> 00:09:33,792 Previous kings have been overthrown 137 00:09:33,827 --> 00:09:35,079 In the turmoil of famine. 138 00:09:37,667 --> 00:09:40,272 >> if the gods were unhappy with the king, 139 00:09:40,307 --> 00:09:42,112 There would be retribution. 140 00:09:42,147 --> 00:09:45,472 So there was a direct cause and effect relationship 141 00:09:45,507 --> 00:09:49,159 Between the king doing his job properly 142 00:09:49,234 --> 00:09:51,712 And the people being able to survive. 143 00:09:51,747 --> 00:09:55,872 >> so the king would certainly be aware of what would result 144 00:09:55,947 --> 00:09:59,239 From mismanaging such a situation. 145 00:10:02,387 --> 00:10:05,639 [narrator] djoser summons his most trusted advisor, 146 00:10:05,714 --> 00:10:08,672 A man called imhotep. 147 00:10:08,707 --> 00:10:12,112 >> he's asking his vizier imhotep to find out 148 00:10:12,147 --> 00:10:13,912 Why the flood is not coming. 149 00:10:13,987 --> 00:10:17,679 [speaking in foreign language] 150 00:10:22,627 --> 00:10:26,279 [narrator] the kingdom and both their lives may be at stake. 151 00:10:31,074 --> 00:10:34,272 Imhotep travels to the supposed source of the nile 152 00:10:34,307 --> 00:10:38,352 At elephantine island to investigate. 153 00:10:38,387 --> 00:10:40,432 Here, legend has it 154 00:10:40,467 --> 00:10:42,512 That imhotep bathes himself in the water 155 00:10:42,547 --> 00:10:45,639 Of the nile and then falls asleep on the bank. 156 00:10:48,754 --> 00:10:52,679 In his dream, imhotep is visited by a god called khnum. 157 00:11:05,641 --> 00:11:10,032 >> he found out that the god who is controlling the nile, 158 00:11:10,107 --> 00:11:14,199 God khnum, is unhappy because he is not receiving 159 00:11:14,274 --> 00:11:16,839 The sufficient offerings that he should receive. 160 00:11:20,467 --> 00:11:21,552 [narrator] imhotep wakes 161 00:11:21,627 --> 00:11:24,752 Convinced he has found the answer. 162 00:11:24,787 --> 00:11:27,472 [darnell] and if we're nice to khnum, khnum will be nice 163 00:11:27,507 --> 00:11:31,239 And good inundations, good floods will come back. 164 00:11:36,547 --> 00:11:40,032 [narrator] imhotep reports his vision to the king and djoser 165 00:11:40,107 --> 00:11:43,872 Gives the order to repair and reinstate a temple for khnum 166 00:11:43,907 --> 00:11:46,359 That had long been abandoned. 167 00:11:50,547 --> 00:11:51,312 [distant speaking in foreign language] 168 00:11:51,347 --> 00:11:52,992 [translator] this is djoser, 169 00:11:53,001 --> 00:11:56,952 With the crown of upper and lower egypt. 170 00:11:57,027 --> 00:11:59,792 He is making an offering to three deities, 171 00:11:59,801 --> 00:12:03,432 Including an important one, khnum, 172 00:12:03,507 --> 00:12:06,192 The god of the source of the nile. 173 00:12:06,227 --> 00:12:08,992 [narrator] the famine stela says that djoser's intervention 174 00:12:09,001 --> 00:12:10,839 Saves the day. 175 00:12:10,914 --> 00:12:15,319 Khnum allows the nile floods to return. 176 00:12:18,307 --> 00:12:21,112 One way or another, the famine ends. 177 00:12:21,187 --> 00:12:24,472 And during djoser's reign there's an extraordinary change 178 00:12:24,547 --> 00:12:27,079 In the way that ordinary people view the king. 179 00:12:33,554 --> 00:12:36,512 [darnell] really, with djoser we see probably 180 00:12:36,547 --> 00:12:39,912 A more powerful form of the king. 181 00:12:39,987 --> 00:12:43,319 The idea not just that the king is an intercessor, 182 00:12:43,394 --> 00:12:46,839 But that the king is a type of god on earth, 183 00:12:46,914 --> 00:12:50,672 Probably in a way that it hadn't been expressed before. 184 00:12:50,707 --> 00:12:52,992 [narrator] djoser may be part god 185 00:12:53,001 --> 00:12:56,159 But he still must prepare for his own death. 186 00:13:00,914 --> 00:13:03,632 In ancient egypt, the pharaoh djoser 187 00:13:03,641 --> 00:13:06,672 Wants to become immortal so he turns 188 00:13:06,707 --> 00:13:08,639 To the wise imhotep for help. 189 00:13:12,867 --> 00:13:16,359 >> imhotep is one of the most important characters 190 00:13:16,434 --> 00:13:19,879 In ancient egypt, he was a physician, he was an architect. 191 00:13:23,907 --> 00:13:25,632 Most of what we know about imhotep 192 00:13:25,641 --> 00:13:29,312 During the reign of djoser, whom he seems to have served 193 00:13:29,347 --> 00:13:33,319 As vizier, is name and titles on a statue base. 194 00:13:34,947 --> 00:13:37,792 [hartwig] in order for him to have his titles inscribed 195 00:13:37,801 --> 00:13:40,312 On a statue base of djoser, he must have been 196 00:13:40,387 --> 00:13:41,919 A very, very high official. 197 00:13:44,947 --> 00:13:46,999 [narrator] djoser decides to entrust imhotep 198 00:13:47,074 --> 00:13:49,199 With the care of his immortal soul. 199 00:13:51,347 --> 00:13:55,632 He commands imhotep to build a tomb worthy of a god, 200 00:13:55,667 --> 00:13:58,399 A landmark that will survive for eternity. 201 00:14:00,434 --> 00:14:03,799 [darnell] we call tombs houses of the dead sometimes. 202 00:14:03,874 --> 00:14:06,272 But I would say the egyptians don't think of them 203 00:14:06,307 --> 00:14:08,672 Quite so much that way. 204 00:14:08,707 --> 00:14:12,832 They are machines to help propel the deceased 205 00:14:12,867 --> 00:14:15,392 From this world into the next 206 00:14:15,427 --> 00:14:20,032 And to ensure a meaningful afterlife. 207 00:14:20,067 --> 00:14:24,192 [anthony] this was one of their primary prerogatives in their lives, 208 00:14:24,227 --> 00:14:28,032 Was to make sure that they would survive death 209 00:14:28,107 --> 00:14:30,799 And so they could live on for eternity. 210 00:14:32,841 --> 00:14:35,472 [narrator] traditionally, egyptians simply buried 211 00:14:35,507 --> 00:14:38,192 Their dead in the sand. 212 00:14:38,201 --> 00:14:40,839 The desert would naturally preserve the bodies 213 00:14:40,914 --> 00:14:43,479 Which came to be an essential part of their religion. 214 00:14:45,987 --> 00:14:48,912 >> they thought that by mummifying the body, 215 00:14:48,947 --> 00:14:50,112 Keeping the body, 216 00:14:50,147 --> 00:14:52,672 It would be very important for the afterlife. 217 00:14:52,707 --> 00:14:54,952 This afterlife was everything to the egyptians, 218 00:14:55,027 --> 00:14:57,639 Not only to the kings, but also to the individuals. 219 00:14:57,714 --> 00:15:01,879 Those people were, somehow looking for immortality. 220 00:15:04,507 --> 00:15:07,272 [narrator] but sandstorms would devastate grave sites and 221 00:15:07,347 --> 00:15:08,672 Scatter the remains, 222 00:15:08,707 --> 00:15:11,839 Jeopardizing survival in the afterlife. 223 00:15:15,187 --> 00:15:16,952 So long before djoser, 224 00:15:17,027 --> 00:15:19,152 The egyptians had abandoned the sand 225 00:15:19,187 --> 00:15:21,792 And begun to protect their pharaohs' bodies 226 00:15:21,827 --> 00:15:26,359 Underneath tombs made of mud bricks called mastabas. 227 00:15:26,434 --> 00:15:28,472 >> mastabas, the arabic word for bench. 228 00:15:28,547 --> 00:15:30,832 They look like big bench tombs. 229 00:15:30,867 --> 00:15:34,992 [anthony] so, there is a below-surface structure, 230 00:15:35,027 --> 00:15:39,792 Which is a shaft and a small room that keeps 231 00:15:39,827 --> 00:15:43,872 The sarcophagus and the body and the mummy underground. 232 00:15:43,907 --> 00:15:45,472 And then above it, they had a place 233 00:15:45,507 --> 00:15:48,079 For leaving offerings for the deceased. 234 00:15:56,787 --> 00:15:58,192 [narrator] for the tomb of djoser, 235 00:15:58,227 --> 00:16:01,872 Imhotep starts by thinking big. 236 00:16:01,907 --> 00:16:04,992 First, he imagines the largest and most imposing 237 00:16:05,001 --> 00:16:06,839 Brick mastaba ever built. 238 00:16:09,027 --> 00:16:11,879 But then he has a revolutionary idea. 239 00:16:13,907 --> 00:16:16,839 Instead of mud brick, he'll use stone. 240 00:16:19,827 --> 00:16:22,679 [anthony] he changes history somewhat. 241 00:16:22,754 --> 00:16:24,832 If the egyptians continued to build 242 00:16:24,841 --> 00:16:27,552 All of their major structures in mudbrick, 243 00:16:27,627 --> 00:16:32,592 We would know far less about them today because mudbrick, 244 00:16:32,627 --> 00:16:35,272 When it rains, it disappears. 245 00:16:35,347 --> 00:16:38,992 [hartwig] imhotep and djoser use stone because what they wanted 246 00:16:39,027 --> 00:16:41,872 Was to build for eternity. 247 00:16:41,907 --> 00:16:44,272 [narrator] it may sound like an obvious choice, 248 00:16:44,307 --> 00:16:47,472 But in the time before the wheel, executing it would be 249 00:16:47,507 --> 00:16:50,319 One of the greatest challenges in human history. 250 00:16:59,827 --> 00:17:02,832 Imhotep's first task is to select a location 251 00:17:02,867 --> 00:17:04,839 For djoser's mastaba tomb. 252 00:17:07,587 --> 00:17:11,079 He needs a solid building platform and space. 253 00:17:16,547 --> 00:17:18,632 [speaks in foreign language] 254 00:17:18,707 --> 00:17:22,839 He settles on the saqqara plateau, a rocky escarpment 255 00:17:22,914 --> 00:17:24,239 On the west bank of the nile. 256 00:17:26,147 --> 00:17:28,792 [hartwig] saqqara was a great place to build simply 257 00:17:28,867 --> 00:17:32,839 Because you had very solid bedrock there and you also had 258 00:17:32,914 --> 00:17:34,592 Local stone that you could quarry 259 00:17:34,627 --> 00:17:36,592 So you wouldn't have to go far afield 260 00:17:36,627 --> 00:17:38,352 In order to quarry stone 261 00:17:38,361 --> 00:17:40,719 That would be needed for structures. 262 00:17:42,467 --> 00:17:44,792 [narrator] saqqara is in an elevated position 263 00:17:44,867 --> 00:17:47,152 Overlooking the capital city of memphis 264 00:17:47,161 --> 00:17:49,239 On the opposite shore of the nile. 265 00:17:50,034 --> 00:17:53,872 >> so that meant that anything that was constructed 266 00:17:53,907 --> 00:17:58,512 On this high plateau could be seen by the people below. 267 00:17:58,547 --> 00:18:00,752 Plus, the fact it was very easy for the king to go 268 00:18:00,827 --> 00:18:03,312 And visit his monument as it was under construction 269 00:18:03,321 --> 00:18:05,839 Because his palace happened to be in memphis. 270 00:18:09,874 --> 00:18:12,832 [narrator] imhotep plans to build a structure so daunting 271 00:18:12,867 --> 00:18:15,792 And impressive that future generations would think 272 00:18:15,801 --> 00:18:19,319 It could have only been built by aliens. 273 00:18:19,394 --> 00:18:23,239 He'll need a strong team and plan to achieve his dream. 274 00:18:24,841 --> 00:18:27,872 People to organize the stone quarrying, 275 00:18:27,947 --> 00:18:30,832 Direct the cutting of building blocks, 276 00:18:30,867 --> 00:18:35,639 Oversee their transport and manage the huge workforce 277 00:18:35,714 --> 00:18:37,399 That imhotep will assemble. 278 00:18:42,227 --> 00:18:45,312 This trusted group of men will form the elite 279 00:18:45,347 --> 00:18:47,872 Of the emerging administration. 280 00:18:47,907 --> 00:18:50,512 Taking on this construction project will call 281 00:18:50,547 --> 00:18:53,712 For the mobilization of the entire country 282 00:18:53,747 --> 00:18:56,879 And influence the very future of egypt. 283 00:18:58,914 --> 00:19:02,192 [darnell] this would have been an epoch changing event. 284 00:19:02,227 --> 00:19:04,112 This is not just the first time 285 00:19:04,147 --> 00:19:07,392 That a major large freestanding stone monument 286 00:19:07,467 --> 00:19:11,552 Is constructed in egypt, but the amount of labor 287 00:19:11,587 --> 00:19:13,472 That would have to be harnessed, the number 288 00:19:13,507 --> 00:19:16,352 Of people that would have to be housed and fed 289 00:19:16,387 --> 00:19:19,839 In order to set it up, would have been rather staggering. 290 00:19:22,387 --> 00:19:26,072 [narrator] the plan will bring revolutionary advances, 291 00:19:26,147 --> 00:19:29,152 New engineering techniques, literacy, 292 00:19:29,187 --> 00:19:32,839 A national census and unparalleled organization. 293 00:19:35,267 --> 00:19:36,912 [hartwig] probably the most important thing 294 00:19:36,987 --> 00:19:39,072 Is the administrative structure because the egyptians 295 00:19:39,107 --> 00:19:43,079 Are known as bureaucrats and they took it to new heights. 296 00:19:44,547 --> 00:19:46,839 [narrator] the success of the project will depend on 297 00:19:46,914 --> 00:19:50,439 Good communication, so writing will be key. 298 00:19:52,867 --> 00:19:55,312 The scribes are the literate class, 299 00:19:55,347 --> 00:19:57,712 Trained to write hieroglyphs, but also 300 00:19:57,747 --> 00:20:03,272 In the hieratic script, a more common form of hieroglyphs 301 00:20:03,347 --> 00:20:05,639 Which are highly abbreviated, speeding up 302 00:20:05,714 --> 00:20:07,199 The recording of information. 303 00:20:11,267 --> 00:20:13,712 The scribes are an essential part of imhotep 304 00:20:13,747 --> 00:20:16,912 And djoser's gigantic new project. 305 00:20:16,947 --> 00:20:18,672 They need to know what resources 306 00:20:18,681 --> 00:20:22,592 And which people are available to execute their plan. 307 00:20:22,627 --> 00:20:26,432 So they create a census, drawn up by their scribes 308 00:20:26,467 --> 00:20:28,512 To find out. 309 00:20:28,547 --> 00:20:30,832 [translator] they started listing people; 310 00:20:30,867 --> 00:20:32,112 Where they're from, 311 00:20:32,147 --> 00:20:35,072 Where they live, what's their lineage. 312 00:20:35,107 --> 00:20:37,232 Whole lists of people. 313 00:20:37,267 --> 00:20:40,192 Because of this they go to look for them in the villages 314 00:20:40,201 --> 00:20:41,632 Throughout egypt, 315 00:20:41,667 --> 00:20:43,872 People who are going to be ordered to work. 316 00:20:43,907 --> 00:20:45,912 If they had digital, they would have created 317 00:20:45,987 --> 00:20:49,432 Massive databases. 318 00:20:49,507 --> 00:20:50,999 A whole country is being mobilized 319 00:20:51,074 --> 00:20:52,592 To supply this monument 320 00:20:52,667 --> 00:20:56,839 With men, equipment, and provisions. 321 00:20:56,914 --> 00:21:00,359 An unstoppable and relentless logistics network is in place. 322 00:21:03,907 --> 00:21:06,472 [narrator] imhotep uses this network to gather 323 00:21:06,547 --> 00:21:10,352 A huge workforce from all over egypt. 324 00:21:10,361 --> 00:21:13,632 Now he needs them to carry out a seemingly impossibly 325 00:21:13,641 --> 00:21:14,879 Ambitious design. 326 00:21:23,507 --> 00:21:26,592 [narrator] imhotep gathers thousands of workers at saqqara 327 00:21:26,667 --> 00:21:30,199 To build the pharaoh djoser's tomb. 328 00:21:30,274 --> 00:21:33,912 Just getting them here is a monumental achievement. 329 00:21:33,987 --> 00:21:37,312 But now, he has to build a monument fit for a king 330 00:21:37,321 --> 00:21:38,959 Who was also a god. 331 00:21:41,001 --> 00:21:44,912 Imhotep's plan is to carve a vertical shaft 92 feet 332 00:21:44,987 --> 00:21:46,079 Into the bedrock. 333 00:21:48,681 --> 00:21:51,152 His team will put the king's sarcophagus coffin 334 00:21:51,187 --> 00:21:54,192 At the base of this shaft and then build 335 00:21:54,201 --> 00:21:57,159 The massive stone mastaba over the top. 336 00:22:00,914 --> 00:22:03,712 [hartwig] he was following what had been done previously 337 00:22:03,747 --> 00:22:06,519 Where the kings were buried underground. 338 00:22:10,754 --> 00:22:13,799 [narrator] when the underground burial chamber is complete, 339 00:22:13,874 --> 00:22:17,399 Imhotep turns his attention to the stone monument above. 340 00:22:21,347 --> 00:22:23,159 Stone is not an entirely unknown 341 00:22:23,234 --> 00:22:26,512 Building material for the egyptians. 342 00:22:26,547 --> 00:22:27,959 For more than a century, 343 00:22:28,034 --> 00:22:30,192 Craftsman had been carving stone vases 344 00:22:30,227 --> 00:22:31,719 For use in temples. 345 00:22:34,347 --> 00:22:38,912 >> ancient egyptians were already experienced in using 346 00:22:38,947 --> 00:22:41,552 The stones, manufacturing of the stone, they were making 347 00:22:41,587 --> 00:22:45,632 Stone vessels, they were making also small pieces 348 00:22:45,641 --> 00:22:49,432 And even we have some sculptures made of limestone 349 00:22:49,507 --> 00:22:50,559 And different stones. 350 00:22:52,227 --> 00:22:54,912 [narrator] but now, for the first time in the world, 351 00:22:54,947 --> 00:22:58,919 Imhotep would need to turn stone masonry into an industry. 352 00:23:03,827 --> 00:23:06,272 The first challenge: Getting the huge stones 353 00:23:06,307 --> 00:23:08,679 Out of the ground and to the site. 354 00:23:10,841 --> 00:23:14,192 Today, their quarry is filled with sand but part of it 355 00:23:14,227 --> 00:23:18,839 Once encircled djoser's tomb like a giant overlapping moat, 356 00:23:18,914 --> 00:23:23,112 Over a mile long on each side. 357 00:23:23,187 --> 00:23:25,872 The snaking quarry cleverly reduces the distance 358 00:23:25,907 --> 00:23:27,679 They have to haul the stone. 359 00:23:33,987 --> 00:23:37,912 In the cairo museum, egyptologist salima ikram 360 00:23:37,987 --> 00:23:41,152 Is investigating ancient technology. 361 00:23:41,187 --> 00:23:42,792 [ikram] this is one of my favorite cases 362 00:23:42,867 --> 00:23:44,359 In the egyptian museum 363 00:23:44,434 --> 00:23:48,032 Because it has all the tools that the egyptians used. 364 00:23:48,067 --> 00:23:50,912 Some are very basic, where you have even now 365 00:23:50,947 --> 00:23:54,319 People use the plumb bob to see if things are straight. 366 00:23:56,227 --> 00:23:59,552 Over here we have measuring tools, 367 00:23:59,587 --> 00:24:03,792 Where you have pieces of wood linked by rope and that, 368 00:24:03,801 --> 00:24:05,959 Though it's marked in a particular way so you can say 369 00:24:06,034 --> 00:24:08,912 It's a cubit, basically this long. 370 00:24:08,947 --> 00:24:11,879 We have chisels, just like you have them today. 371 00:24:17,027 --> 00:24:18,112 [narrator] ancient quarry workers 372 00:24:18,147 --> 00:24:20,192 Used copper chisels and saws 373 00:24:20,201 --> 00:24:23,559 To cut their blocks into shapes suitable for building with. 374 00:24:25,874 --> 00:24:29,872 It's estimated that some 140,000 pounds of copper 375 00:24:29,907 --> 00:24:32,279 Were needed for the construction of djoser's tomb. 376 00:24:36,434 --> 00:24:40,112 No wonder people say "ah, the pyramids are made by aliens 377 00:24:40,147 --> 00:24:41,959 Or people from outer space." 378 00:24:42,034 --> 00:24:45,392 Because nowadays in the world of technology that we live in 379 00:24:45,427 --> 00:24:49,912 It's very hard to imagine that such basic simple tools 380 00:24:49,987 --> 00:24:53,839 Could achieve such great and beautiful stuff. 381 00:24:58,467 --> 00:24:59,912 [narrator] so who were the workers 382 00:24:59,987 --> 00:25:01,712 Who toiled to build this giant 383 00:25:01,787 --> 00:25:04,159 And unique tomb for the pharaoh djoser? 384 00:25:05,874 --> 00:25:08,839 [anthony] they really came from everywhere around egypt. 385 00:25:08,914 --> 00:25:12,359 So this project was one that was national. 386 00:25:12,434 --> 00:25:15,799 >> we know that during the nile flood 387 00:25:15,874 --> 00:25:17,952 When it was impossible for farmers to work, 388 00:25:17,987 --> 00:25:19,312 Some of those people 389 00:25:19,347 --> 00:25:23,712 Would have provided an excellent base of workmen. 390 00:25:23,747 --> 00:25:26,832 [hartwig] it's estimated that for the building 391 00:25:26,867 --> 00:25:31,072 It was roughly 1% of the egyptian population 392 00:25:31,147 --> 00:25:34,839 Close to about 5,000 to 10,000 people 393 00:25:34,914 --> 00:25:36,679 Working over a period of time. 394 00:25:38,914 --> 00:25:41,479 [der manuelian] people were conscripted to build the pyramids. 395 00:25:41,554 --> 00:25:44,592 So, yes, someone living in a village 400 miles south 396 00:25:44,627 --> 00:25:46,072 Probably didn't have much of a choice 397 00:25:46,147 --> 00:25:48,032 When the administrators came by and said, 398 00:25:48,107 --> 00:25:50,119 "for the next season we need you." 399 00:25:53,907 --> 00:25:56,032 [narrator] the egyptians don't use money 400 00:25:56,067 --> 00:25:58,792 So the pyramid builders are paid with goods 401 00:25:58,867 --> 00:26:02,352 Bread and beer in particular. 402 00:26:02,387 --> 00:26:05,639 [megahed] beer for ancient egyptians was something very important, 403 00:26:05,714 --> 00:26:09,319 Because it represents for them a kind of food 404 00:26:09,394 --> 00:26:13,872 Because beer was made of bread, it was not the same beer 405 00:26:13,907 --> 00:26:17,159 That we have today, it was thicker, maybe whiter. 406 00:26:17,234 --> 00:26:20,839 So, it was somehow a kind of food for ancient egyptians. 407 00:26:23,347 --> 00:26:25,872 [narrator] ancient egyptian home brew has a hidden 408 00:26:25,907 --> 00:26:29,632 And surprisingly beneficial side effect. 409 00:26:29,667 --> 00:26:33,112 >> one of the really significant aspects of beer 410 00:26:33,187 --> 00:26:36,912 In ancient egypt is that the fermentation process 411 00:26:36,947 --> 00:26:40,839 Also decreases the number of microbes in the water. 412 00:26:40,914 --> 00:26:44,999 [anthony] the fermentation process made it so that you weren't able 413 00:26:45,074 --> 00:26:49,632 To get the diseases that were in the nile naturally. 414 00:26:49,667 --> 00:26:52,512 So, if you couldn't boil your water, you had to ferment it 415 00:26:52,547 --> 00:26:56,032 To be able to drink nile water. 416 00:26:56,067 --> 00:26:59,432 [narrator] the workers may get food and drink, but this new 417 00:26:59,507 --> 00:27:02,879 Industrial scale quarrying is dangerous work. 418 00:27:04,387 --> 00:27:06,999 [screaming] 419 00:27:17,107 --> 00:27:20,352 [megahed] accidents happened, people were injured, 420 00:27:20,387 --> 00:27:21,872 Arms were broken, 421 00:27:21,907 --> 00:27:24,752 Legs were broken, stones were falling down 422 00:27:24,787 --> 00:27:28,952 So it was a kind of a dangerous work. 423 00:27:29,027 --> 00:27:31,472 [narrator] despite the injuries that workers must have been 424 00:27:31,481 --> 00:27:35,719 Sustaining, imhotep is able to keep his project on track. 425 00:27:44,274 --> 00:27:48,432 Until finally six years after work had begun, 426 00:27:48,467 --> 00:27:51,399 The cut stone mastaba tomb is complete. 427 00:27:54,754 --> 00:27:57,072 The monument is colossal. 428 00:27:57,107 --> 00:28:00,312 It rises over 25 feet in height. 429 00:28:00,387 --> 00:28:03,279 It's base stretching over 200 feet in length 430 00:28:05,874 --> 00:28:10,239 But inspecting his completed work, imhotep isn't satisfied. 431 00:28:11,907 --> 00:28:15,072 [anthony] imhotep had really high aspirations. 432 00:28:15,107 --> 00:28:21,872 So, when djoser asked him to create a space 433 00:28:21,907 --> 00:28:24,912 For the eternal world that's really something 434 00:28:24,987 --> 00:28:28,759 Like nobody has seen before, I think he takes this to heart. 435 00:28:30,521 --> 00:28:32,752 [narrator] imhotep approaches djoser 436 00:28:32,787 --> 00:28:35,392 With an ambitious new idea 437 00:28:35,427 --> 00:28:38,159 That will transform the course of history. 438 00:28:46,361 --> 00:28:49,792 [narrator] in ancient egypt, the architect imhotep 439 00:28:49,801 --> 00:28:53,799 Is pitching an innovative new idea to his king, djoser. 440 00:28:55,907 --> 00:28:59,312 The rectangular mastaba tomb that he's built from stone 441 00:28:59,347 --> 00:29:03,792 Isn't grand enough for a god on earth. 442 00:29:03,801 --> 00:29:07,712 He wants to stack several mastabas one on top of the other 443 00:29:07,747 --> 00:29:09,919 Forming a step pyramid. 444 00:29:20,547 --> 00:29:22,752 >> one of the beauties of the step pyramid is that 445 00:29:22,827 --> 00:29:26,192 You can see how imhotep was thinking 446 00:29:26,201 --> 00:29:28,359 Through every single one of the stages. 447 00:29:28,434 --> 00:29:31,152 They build mastaba on top of mastaba, 448 00:29:31,187 --> 00:29:35,432 Each one slightly smaller than the rest. 449 00:29:35,507 --> 00:29:39,752 And so, we see that imhotep has this brilliant idea 450 00:29:39,827 --> 00:29:42,632 Of really creating the first pyramid 451 00:29:42,707 --> 00:29:46,632 In permanent material in ancient egypt. 452 00:29:46,707 --> 00:29:47,959 The question is why? 453 00:29:48,034 --> 00:29:50,832 Why did they pick this form? 454 00:29:50,841 --> 00:29:55,632 And the idea is that it literally in hieroglyphs, 455 00:29:55,667 --> 00:29:59,632 The step pyramid hieroglyph has to do with ascend. 456 00:29:59,667 --> 00:30:02,999 And so, it's literally djoser's stairway to heaven. 457 00:30:07,267 --> 00:30:10,432 [narrator] imhotep's plan may seem simple but stacking 458 00:30:10,507 --> 00:30:13,632 Each layer flat could cause the monument to collapse 459 00:30:13,667 --> 00:30:16,679 Under its own weight so once more 460 00:30:16,754 --> 00:30:19,039 He solves the problem with innovation. 461 00:30:22,107 --> 00:30:26,672 Imhotep develops an entirely new construction technique. 462 00:30:26,707 --> 00:30:29,272 He will place the stones so they're inclined 463 00:30:29,347 --> 00:30:31,319 Towards the center of the monument. 464 00:30:33,987 --> 00:30:35,912 The arrangement directs forces 465 00:30:35,987 --> 00:30:39,399 To the heart of the pyramid, preventing it from collapsing. 466 00:30:44,754 --> 00:30:48,912 By carefully distributing the forces, imhotep ensures that, 467 00:30:48,987 --> 00:30:51,712 As the pyramid takes shape, it doesn't collapse 468 00:30:51,747 --> 00:30:53,079 Under its own weight. 469 00:31:01,467 --> 00:31:04,679 When this second phase of the project is complete, 470 00:31:04,754 --> 00:31:09,472 The first pyramid in history has taken shape. 471 00:31:09,507 --> 00:31:11,999 It's formed from four stepped levels. 472 00:31:13,347 --> 00:31:15,879 But imhotep is still not content. 473 00:31:18,547 --> 00:31:22,112 Emboldened by the stability of his innovative new building, 474 00:31:22,147 --> 00:31:25,599 He gives orders to add two more steps to the top. 475 00:31:32,754 --> 00:31:35,872 Imhotep must have decided that he has enough time left 476 00:31:35,907 --> 00:31:39,439 To complete these new changes before the king dies. 477 00:31:56,547 --> 00:31:59,232 After some 19 years of toil, 478 00:31:59,307 --> 00:32:02,072 Imhotep's masterpiece is complete. 479 00:32:02,147 --> 00:32:04,912 He succeeded in his mission to create a grand 480 00:32:04,947 --> 00:32:09,472 And brand new type of tomb out of stone. 481 00:32:09,507 --> 00:32:13,592 Something never seen before in the history of mankind. 482 00:32:13,667 --> 00:32:18,879 And it's still standing today, almost 4,700 years later. 483 00:32:24,034 --> 00:32:26,912 Imhotep's team built a pyramid that stands 484 00:32:26,947 --> 00:32:32,472 Over 200 feet high with sides over 330 feet long 485 00:32:32,547 --> 00:32:37,519 Said to contain 850,000 tons of limestone blocks. 486 00:32:42,867 --> 00:32:47,712 This marvel of engineering still inspires awe today 487 00:32:47,747 --> 00:32:51,312 But incredibly the step pyramid is only a small part 488 00:32:51,347 --> 00:32:54,879 Of the work carried out by imhotep and his team at saqqara. 489 00:32:56,547 --> 00:32:59,632 [anthony] so not only do you have six layers 490 00:32:59,641 --> 00:33:02,032 Of this really large structure, 491 00:33:02,067 --> 00:33:07,432 But you also have an entire set of other buildings 492 00:33:07,507 --> 00:33:10,839 In this mortuary space surrounding the tomb. 493 00:33:10,914 --> 00:33:12,912 [lehner] there's nothing like djoser, I mean, 494 00:33:12,947 --> 00:33:15,792 The djoser complex covers 16 hectares, 495 00:33:15,827 --> 00:33:18,279 The size of a small town for that period. 496 00:33:23,307 --> 00:33:25,959 [narrator] imhotep's team was transforming the style of 497 00:33:26,034 --> 00:33:29,632 Building in egypt with innovative stone buildings 498 00:33:29,667 --> 00:33:32,879 But also elaborate new architectural features. 499 00:33:34,707 --> 00:33:37,792 [lehner] so, it wasn't just an explosion of stone building 500 00:33:37,827 --> 00:33:42,672 On a gigantic scale, the artistic motifs had such finesse 501 00:33:42,707 --> 00:33:45,159 That they impressed and put their stamp 502 00:33:45,234 --> 00:33:48,439 On egyptian architecture for the next three millennia. 503 00:33:53,507 --> 00:33:54,999 [hartwig] his pyramid complex 504 00:33:55,074 --> 00:33:58,512 Required a new kind of professionalism. 505 00:33:58,547 --> 00:34:00,032 Craftsman, architects, 506 00:34:00,107 --> 00:34:02,192 Basically people who were brought in 507 00:34:02,201 --> 00:34:06,839 To create the monument and professionalize the workforce. 508 00:34:08,914 --> 00:34:11,872 [narrator] djoser has his monumental tomb 509 00:34:11,907 --> 00:34:16,832 But what happens inside is just as important. 510 00:34:16,867 --> 00:34:20,032 [der manuelian] all of these buildings are meant to ensure immortality. 511 00:34:20,107 --> 00:34:21,632 And this is where the funeral services 512 00:34:21,667 --> 00:34:24,192 And the rituals are held and the king's cult 513 00:34:24,201 --> 00:34:28,079 Is perpetuated, ideally forever, for generations. 514 00:34:29,907 --> 00:34:31,312 [narrator] the king wants to make sure 515 00:34:31,347 --> 00:34:34,992 He is worshiped long after death. 516 00:34:35,027 --> 00:34:38,512 [hartwig] you have to think of pyramids as resurrection machines. 517 00:34:38,547 --> 00:34:41,912 They were a place that would preserve the king's body. 518 00:34:41,987 --> 00:34:44,792 Also, it was a place to celebrate the king's cult. 519 00:34:44,867 --> 00:34:47,632 And make no mistake, it was also a way to show 520 00:34:47,667 --> 00:34:49,919 The power of the pharaonic state. 521 00:34:53,427 --> 00:34:56,432 [narrator] if djoser is to successfully become immortal, 522 00:34:56,467 --> 00:34:58,832 He'll need to ensure that his body and soul 523 00:34:58,867 --> 00:35:00,759 Are looked after for eternity. 524 00:35:07,507 --> 00:35:10,199 Egyptians believed that when a pharaoh dies, 525 00:35:10,274 --> 00:35:14,399 His soul is divided into two parts, the ba and the ka. 526 00:35:17,347 --> 00:35:22,672 These two elements of the human spirit that live on, 527 00:35:22,707 --> 00:35:26,272 The ba and the ka, are separate but they're both necessary 528 00:35:26,347 --> 00:35:28,672 To live on into eternity. 529 00:35:28,707 --> 00:35:32,032 [narrator] the ba rises to the heavens to join the gods, 530 00:35:32,107 --> 00:35:33,999 While the ka remains in the tomb. 531 00:35:36,707 --> 00:35:39,472 They painted their tombs with images of offerings 532 00:35:39,507 --> 00:35:42,679 Such as meat and wine that they believed were essential 533 00:35:42,754 --> 00:35:46,912 To feed the ka soul and keep it alive. 534 00:35:46,947 --> 00:35:50,432 So, the whole offering formula at a tomb 535 00:35:50,467 --> 00:35:54,879 Is just to provide for the sustenance of the deceased. 536 00:35:56,467 --> 00:36:00,519 [narrator] but the ka is more than just a prisoner in a temple. 537 00:36:00,594 --> 00:36:03,639 On the north side of the complex is the serdab, 538 00:36:03,714 --> 00:36:06,759 A sealed chamber with a small hole in the front. 539 00:36:09,907 --> 00:36:11,799 [translator] this is the statue of djoser, 540 00:36:11,874 --> 00:36:13,392 The statue of the royal ka. 541 00:36:13,427 --> 00:36:15,872 It's in the serdab, an enclosed place devoted 542 00:36:15,907 --> 00:36:18,592 To the statue and to the worship of it 543 00:36:18,667 --> 00:36:22,359 Because this statue is alive. 544 00:36:22,434 --> 00:36:24,432 [narrator] the hole isn't to see in, 545 00:36:24,467 --> 00:36:26,112 It's so that djoser's ka soul 546 00:36:26,147 --> 00:36:29,392 Can oversee the rituals being held in his honor 547 00:36:29,427 --> 00:36:31,879 Ensuring that his legacy lives on. 548 00:36:35,507 --> 00:36:37,152 [translator] what's interesting with this statue, 549 00:36:37,161 --> 00:36:39,632 Is that it looks towards the northern sky. 550 00:36:39,641 --> 00:36:42,479 That's where you have a group of very special stars. 551 00:36:44,547 --> 00:36:47,712 [narrator] these northern stars, which the egyptians call 552 00:36:47,747 --> 00:36:51,632 The imperishable ones are the constellation of orion 553 00:36:51,667 --> 00:36:53,112 And the star sirius, 554 00:36:53,187 --> 00:36:56,079 The brightest star in the night sky. 555 00:36:58,787 --> 00:37:02,792 [darnell] so, by facing the statue towards those stars, 556 00:37:02,867 --> 00:37:07,632 They were associating djoser's spirit with astral bodies 557 00:37:07,641 --> 00:37:10,599 That never disappeared from the horizon. 558 00:37:14,467 --> 00:37:16,952 [narrator] after some two decades on the throne 559 00:37:17,027 --> 00:37:21,639 And overseeing the construction of the world's first pyramid, 560 00:37:21,714 --> 00:37:30,192 Djoser dies around 2,560 bc and joins the eternal gods. 561 00:37:30,227 --> 00:37:32,199 Priests mummify his body, 562 00:37:32,274 --> 00:37:35,799 Preserving it so that it remains recognizable to the ka soul. 563 00:37:38,147 --> 00:37:41,712 Archaeological evidence suggests that djoser's pyramid 564 00:37:41,747 --> 00:37:47,432 Was nearly complete upon his death and that was significant 565 00:37:47,507 --> 00:37:51,592 So that the pyramid, the tomb, was ready to receive 566 00:37:51,667 --> 00:37:55,432 Djoser's mummy as well as any of the burial goods 567 00:37:55,507 --> 00:37:58,879 That would have accompanied him to the afterlife. 568 00:38:00,987 --> 00:38:02,999 [narrator] djoser's carefully prepared body 569 00:38:03,074 --> 00:38:06,152 Is transported to his grand pyramid, 570 00:38:06,227 --> 00:38:08,719 Which hides one last secret. 571 00:38:15,667 --> 00:38:17,552 [narrator] at djoser's step pyramid, 572 00:38:17,587 --> 00:38:20,032 Egyptologist jean-pierre patznick 573 00:38:20,067 --> 00:38:22,839 Has been given special access to investigate 574 00:38:22,914 --> 00:38:25,759 Mysterious passages hidden underneath. 575 00:38:27,667 --> 00:38:29,799 [translator] oh, wow, this is superb. 576 00:38:29,874 --> 00:38:32,679 [narrator] concealed beneath the world's first pyramid 577 00:38:32,754 --> 00:38:35,712 Is a network of tunnels and chambers stretching 578 00:38:35,747 --> 00:38:38,512 Nearly four miles. 579 00:38:38,547 --> 00:38:40,992 The tunnels were built to hide the burial chambers 580 00:38:41,001 --> 00:38:43,799 Of djoser's royal family and warehouses 581 00:38:43,874 --> 00:38:45,359 Packed with offerings. 582 00:38:54,667 --> 00:38:57,479 Imhotep's workers carved these mysterious tunnels 583 00:38:57,554 --> 00:39:02,519 Through solid bedrock reaching 145 feet below ground level. 584 00:39:11,641 --> 00:39:13,439 [translator] this is incredible. 585 00:39:16,434 --> 00:39:18,839 [narrator] the pyramid builders carved this central shaft 586 00:39:18,914 --> 00:39:22,472 In the open air before building the monument on top, 587 00:39:22,547 --> 00:39:25,319 Allowing them to lower these massive granite blocks 588 00:39:25,394 --> 00:39:28,672 Into place to create an immense sarcophagus 589 00:39:28,707 --> 00:39:30,479 For the mummy of their pharaoh. 590 00:39:37,267 --> 00:39:40,679 [translator] this is over four and a 1/2 thousand years old. 591 00:39:40,754 --> 00:39:42,512 It's like a big vault that shuts 592 00:39:42,521 --> 00:39:45,879 From above with a granite cap that seals everything. 593 00:39:53,107 --> 00:39:56,719 [narrator] djoser's body no longer lies inside this sarcophagus. 594 00:39:58,467 --> 00:40:01,719 It was probably looted by tomb raiders in ancient times. 595 00:40:08,707 --> 00:40:12,192 One special passageway once completely covered 596 00:40:12,227 --> 00:40:15,712 In expensive blue tiles contains a secret. 597 00:40:15,747 --> 00:40:17,159 [translator] wow. 598 00:40:17,234 --> 00:40:18,992 [narrator] a chance to come face to face 599 00:40:19,027 --> 00:40:21,119 With the great pharaoh himself. 600 00:40:29,507 --> 00:40:31,752 [translator] so here, we have king djoser. 601 00:40:31,827 --> 00:40:35,319 I am absolutely amazed to see him like this 602 00:40:35,394 --> 00:40:40,032 Because it is such high-quality, such great finesse. 603 00:40:40,067 --> 00:40:41,999 It's an incredible artwork. 604 00:40:45,187 --> 00:40:46,752 The detail of the lines! 605 00:40:46,787 --> 00:40:48,752 Look at his face! 606 00:40:48,787 --> 00:40:50,839 The nostril is so well represented 607 00:40:50,914 --> 00:40:53,279 That you can still feel the breath of life. 608 00:40:55,394 --> 00:40:58,912 We see a muscular, slender, athletic body. 609 00:40:58,947 --> 00:41:03,039 We see a living king and that's what they wanted to depict. 610 00:41:07,961 --> 00:41:10,839 [instrumental music] 611 00:41:18,947 --> 00:41:21,479 [narrator] djoser has been celebrated in saqqara 612 00:41:21,554 --> 00:41:24,039 For thousands of years. 613 00:41:26,787 --> 00:41:29,752 His aim was to be remembered forever and thanks 614 00:41:29,827 --> 00:41:34,752 To the first pyramid in history, it worked. 615 00:41:34,787 --> 00:41:38,312 >> it's a commemorative monument because in ancient egypt, 616 00:41:38,387 --> 00:41:40,999 A man lives when his name is called. 617 00:41:41,074 --> 00:41:44,072 And so, this was also a guarantee by djoser 618 00:41:44,147 --> 00:41:45,759 That people would remember him. 619 00:41:47,907 --> 00:41:50,679 [narrator] but it isn't just king djoser who will achieve 620 00:41:50,754 --> 00:41:52,999 An immortality of sorts. 621 00:41:53,074 --> 00:41:56,352 Imhotep, his genius architect, will become 622 00:41:56,387 --> 00:41:58,279 Worshiped as a god too. 623 00:42:00,754 --> 00:42:07,072 >> imhotep actually enjoys a legacy even greater 624 00:42:07,107 --> 00:42:10,312 Than the king for whom he worked. 625 00:42:10,387 --> 00:42:15,232 [anthony] the legend of this man's brilliance continues on 626 00:42:15,267 --> 00:42:17,072 Into the greek period. 627 00:42:17,107 --> 00:42:22,472 So eventually, imhotep merges with the greek god of medicine 628 00:42:22,547 --> 00:42:26,072 Because his brilliance was just so well known 629 00:42:26,147 --> 00:42:27,839 For thousands of years. 630 00:42:30,107 --> 00:42:33,959 [narrator] with innovative engineering, a massive workforce 631 00:42:34,034 --> 00:42:36,839 And an organized structure to deploy them, 632 00:42:36,914 --> 00:42:41,319 Imhotep and djoser's pyramid plan transforms the country. 633 00:42:42,321 --> 00:42:44,832 [megahed] I think they know, by building the step pyramid, 634 00:42:44,867 --> 00:42:46,199 They are building egypt, 635 00:42:46,274 --> 00:42:47,879 They are building the future of egypt. 636 00:42:49,507 --> 00:42:52,752 [anthony] there are so many new options for what future kings 637 00:42:52,787 --> 00:42:54,472 Are going to be able to do. 638 00:42:54,547 --> 00:42:57,359 They've really started the pyramid age. 639 00:43:00,547 --> 00:43:04,479 [narrator] this organizational structure will be key to egypt's future. 640 00:43:05,341 --> 00:43:08,792 >> in terms of the organization of the workforce, 641 00:43:08,867 --> 00:43:10,792 This is when it all started. 642 00:43:10,867 --> 00:43:16,032 [darnell] an increasing number of people are employed by the state 643 00:43:16,067 --> 00:43:18,672 And are then available and trained 644 00:43:18,681 --> 00:43:21,632 For state-sponsored projects. 645 00:43:21,667 --> 00:43:24,592 [anthony] for the commoner during the reign of djoser, 646 00:43:24,627 --> 00:43:30,839 If they were to look upon this new exciting step pyramid, 647 00:43:30,914 --> 00:43:33,959 Would they be able to understand 648 00:43:34,034 --> 00:43:37,479 How much life is changing, how much society is changing? 649 00:43:37,554 --> 00:43:39,879 They have no idea what's to come. 650 00:43:42,187 --> 00:43:45,952 [narrator] soon, new and even more mighty pharaohs 651 00:43:45,987 --> 00:43:48,192 Will stretch the limits of their power 652 00:43:48,227 --> 00:43:49,759 And their imagination. 653 00:43:52,387 --> 00:43:54,752 How far will they go? 654 00:43:54,787 --> 00:43:58,479 Where will their extraordinary expansion stop? 59689

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