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Narrator: Egypt.
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00:00:08,409 --> 00:00:12,378
The richest source of
archaeological treasures
on the planet.
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00:00:13,514 --> 00:00:15,314
Male: Oh wow,
look at that.
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00:00:17,918 --> 00:00:22,521
Narrator: Hidden beneath
this desert landscape
lie the secrets
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00:00:22,556 --> 00:00:24,590
Of this ancient
civilisation.
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00:00:25,393 --> 00:00:26,959
Male: (foreign dialogue).
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00:00:26,994 --> 00:00:29,661
Alejandro: I've never
seen something like this.
8
00:00:29,697 --> 00:00:33,966
Narrator: Now for a full
season of excavations our
cameras have been given
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00:00:34,001 --> 00:00:39,304
Unprecedented access, to
follow teams on the front
line of archaeology.
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00:00:41,475 --> 00:00:43,108
Myriam: This is the
most critical moment.
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00:00:45,112 --> 00:00:46,945
Narrator: Revealing
buried treasures.
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00:00:46,981 --> 00:00:50,082
Salima: Oh!
Ahmed: We were lucky today.
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00:00:50,117 --> 00:00:52,217
Nozumo: Wow! Lots
of mummies.
14
00:00:52,253 --> 00:00:54,119
Kathleen: The smell
is horrible.
15
00:00:54,155 --> 00:00:57,890
Narrator: And making
discoveries that could
rewrite ancient history.
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00:00:57,925 --> 00:01:01,894
John: We've never had
the proof, until now.
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00:01:01,929 --> 00:01:05,097
Colleen: This is
where it all started.
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00:01:05,132 --> 00:01:08,200
Alejandro: My goodness,
I never expected this.
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00:01:08,235 --> 00:01:10,636
(applause)
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Narrator: This time, new
secrets of ancient egypt's
greatest structures.
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00:01:16,477 --> 00:01:17,743
The pyramids.
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00:01:19,580 --> 00:01:23,816
Chris explores the
origins of the first
pyramid ever built.
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00:01:23,851 --> 00:01:28,454
Chris: It's an
incredible achievement
architecturally.
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00:01:28,489 --> 00:01:30,722
Narrator: Miroslav hunts
for the lost tomb
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00:01:30,758 --> 00:01:34,126
Of the mastermind of
egypt's pyramid era.
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Miroslav: Evidence
for an entrance.
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Hamed: Move, move,
move, move, move.
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Narrator: Kamil unearths
new skeletons inside
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Egypt's oldest
pyramid complex.
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Kamil: We actually
find the remains of
the next mummy.
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00:01:50,444 --> 00:01:54,313
Worker: Looks like we
have an eyeball here.
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Narrator: And christelle
decodes ancient texts,
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To investigate the
mysterious beliefs that gave
rise to these structures.
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00:02:03,858 --> 00:02:06,291
Christelle: Oh wow!
It's incredible.
35
00:02:16,670 --> 00:02:18,437
Narrator: The pyramids
of egypt.
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Across the last
three hundred years
explorers have found
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Over one hundred and
thirty of these iconic
ancient structures.
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00:02:29,216 --> 00:02:31,283
But mysteries of
these monuments
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00:02:31,318 --> 00:02:35,187
And the pharaohs buried
inside remain unsolved.
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00:02:36,624 --> 00:02:41,560
To unlock the secrets of
these structures each year
teams of archaeologists
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Investigate the birthplace
of this revolutionary
ancient architecture.
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Ten miles south of the
great pyramids of giza
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Lies the necropolis
of saqqara.
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Today egyptologist chris
naunton travels here to
investigate what triggered
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00:03:03,350 --> 00:03:06,151
Over a thousand years
of pyramid building.
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00:03:07,922 --> 00:03:12,925
He's been granted rare
access to explore restricted
areas of this necropolis.
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00:03:14,428 --> 00:03:16,495
Chris: This is a pretty
exciting moment for me
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Because I've never
been inside before.
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00:03:20,634 --> 00:03:24,269
Narrator: This ancient
cemetery is home to
eleven pyramids
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00:03:24,305 --> 00:03:27,406
And hundreds of tombs,
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00:03:27,441 --> 00:03:33,312
But one structure
dominates all others, the
first pyramid ever built.
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00:03:34,582 --> 00:03:36,381
Chris: This is
where it all began.
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00:03:36,417 --> 00:03:41,453
It is the first monumental
building in stone
anywhere in the world.
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00:03:41,488 --> 00:03:45,324
Narrator: Constructed
more than four thousand
five hundred years ago,
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This is the step pyramid tomb
of pharaoh djoser, a king
of egypt's third dynasty.
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00:03:53,100 --> 00:03:55,367
It's a revolutionary
masterpiece designed
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By egypt's pioneer
architect, imhotep.
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Chris: His achievement
was massive, not just
for the egyptians,
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00:04:02,710 --> 00:04:04,042
But for humankind.
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00:04:07,648 --> 00:04:10,148
Narrator: Born as a
commoner imhotep rose
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To become pharaoh
djoser's trusted advisor,
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00:04:13,721 --> 00:04:17,889
And eventually
his chief architect.
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00:04:17,925 --> 00:04:24,830
He invented the stepped
pyramid, using stone blocks
instead of mud bricks,
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00:04:24,865 --> 00:04:28,934
Allowing him to
build ever bigger.
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00:04:28,969 --> 00:04:32,938
More than two thousand
years after imhotep's
death he was worshipped
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00:04:32,973 --> 00:04:36,775
As a god, all the way up
to greek and roman times.
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00:04:39,346 --> 00:04:43,482
Chris wants to discover
for himself what
inspired imhotep
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00:04:43,517 --> 00:04:47,019
To design his
ground-breaking
step pyramid.
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He climbs to higher
ground to examine
the shape
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Of older burial structures
that surround it.
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Chris: They're called
mastabas and they are
these sort of squat
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Square platforms,
slightly sloping inwardly
inclining walls.
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00:05:06,640 --> 00:05:09,574
Narrator: Chris can make
out traces of these
simple structures
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Within imhotep's design.
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Chris: Now that
we're getting closer
to the pyramid
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00:05:14,815 --> 00:05:20,118
You can really see the
series of platforms,
one on top of another.
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00:05:20,154 --> 00:05:22,754
So the bottom one, in
some sense, is a mastaba.
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00:05:22,790 --> 00:05:27,592
It's just the addition of
these successive layers
that make it into a pyramid
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00:05:27,628 --> 00:05:30,929
And it's an incredible
achievement
architecturally.
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00:05:35,436 --> 00:05:39,304
Narrator: Built from over
five hundred thousand
tons of limestone,
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Constructed in
mastaba-style layers,
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00:05:42,876 --> 00:05:46,712
The step pyramid
stands over two
hundred feet high,
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00:05:46,747 --> 00:05:50,315
Then the tallest
building in the world.
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00:05:50,351 --> 00:05:54,619
Its impact on the
ancient egyptian
landscape was huge.
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00:05:54,655 --> 00:05:58,256
Ten more kings replicated
imhotep's design,
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00:05:58,292 --> 00:06:03,729
Determined to attain the
same status as the pharaoh
of the first pyramid.
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00:06:03,764 --> 00:06:09,301
Their tombs became some
of the most iconic sacred
buildings on the planet.
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00:06:09,336 --> 00:06:14,373
Each growing the necropolis
until it stretched five
miles across the desert,
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00:06:14,408 --> 00:06:17,209
To create a sprawling
city of the dead.
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00:06:19,446 --> 00:06:25,083
Today imhotep's
masterpiece still dominates
the egyptian desert,
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00:06:25,085 --> 00:06:27,586
But while his
structures survive
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No trace of the man
himself has ever
been found.
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Half a mile north
of the step pyramid.
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00:06:38,265 --> 00:06:42,701
A team digs an
un-excavated area they
hope could lead to a tomb.
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Narrator: Project
leader miroslav barta
has spent thirty years
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Searching saqqara
for imhotep's final
resting place.
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Finding his burial
chamber could help
reveal the origins
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Of egypt's greatest
structures.
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Miroslav: This is the
very heart of saqqara.
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00:07:02,956 --> 00:07:05,490
Full of treasures,
scientifically speaking.
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Narrator: It's two weeks
into the dig and site
inspector hamada shehata
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Is keen to explore
a new lead.
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Hamed: I am very excited to
see what is happening down,
because if this, I need to.
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Narrator: A shaft
filled with sand
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That leads straight
down into the bedrock.
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Miroslav: Who knows
where it will lead us to.
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Maybe to the tomb
of imhotep.
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We will see what happens
in the next few hours.
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00:07:36,089 --> 00:07:40,759
Narrator: Moments into the
day's dig a team clearing
dirt next to the shaft
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Makes an intriguing
discovery.
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Miroslav: We just came
across a large group
of beer jars.
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Wonderful. We are
lucky again.
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Narrator: It's a good sign.
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Pottery of this style
dates to the same era
as imhotep.
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The team dig further down
into the shaft, hoping to
hit the burial chamber.
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00:08:18,866 --> 00:08:20,332
Narrator: This may
be the desert,
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But groundwater
still exists deep
below the sand.
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Many egyptian tombs have
been destroyed by flooding.
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00:08:29,343 --> 00:08:32,410
Miroslav: I don't
want a deep shaft.
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00:08:32,446 --> 00:08:37,649
Narrator: If imhotep's tomb
lies below, miroslav's team
needs to hit an entrance
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00:08:37,684 --> 00:08:40,085
In the next few
baskets of sand.
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Hamed: Move, move,
move, move, move!
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00:08:44,458 --> 00:08:47,993
Narrator: At the edge of
djoser's pyramid complex,
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00:08:48,028 --> 00:08:51,296
A team investigates another
mysterious structure,
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Just one hundred and
fifty yards from the
stepped pyramid.
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00:08:55,969 --> 00:09:01,706
Archaeologist kamil
kuraszkiewicz heads
up the project.
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00:09:01,742 --> 00:09:06,945
This is his twenty-third
dig season investigating
ancient saqqara.
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00:09:06,980 --> 00:09:11,483
Kamil: We actually find
the remains of a huge
trench enclosing
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00:09:11,518 --> 00:09:13,585
The stepped pyramid
complex,
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00:09:13,620 --> 00:09:17,255
Like a moat around
a medieval castle.
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00:09:17,291 --> 00:09:20,659
Narrator: The trench
stretches over a hundred
and thirty feet wide
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00:09:20,694 --> 00:09:23,929
And sixty-five feet deep.
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00:09:23,964 --> 00:09:31,570
It's likely imhotep used the
extracted stone to build his
revolutionary pyramid.
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00:09:31,605 --> 00:09:35,607
But huge man-made
walls begin to emerge
from the dirt,
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00:09:35,642 --> 00:09:40,745
Suggesting kamil's
team dig more than a
simple stone quarry.
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00:09:40,781 --> 00:09:44,382
Discovering the true
purpose of the structure
could change what we know
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00:09:44,418 --> 00:09:47,185
About imhotep's
pioneering design.
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00:09:48,822 --> 00:09:50,889
After nineteen
days digging,
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00:09:50,924 --> 00:09:54,593
Bio-archaeologist iwona
kozieradzka-ogunmakin
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00:09:54,628 --> 00:09:58,997
Unearths more than
just sand and stone.
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She finds human remains.
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00:10:03,270 --> 00:10:07,005
Iwona: We just accidentally
come across it.
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00:10:07,040 --> 00:10:09,074
As you would.
144
00:10:09,109 --> 00:10:14,913
So yeah, it's quite
interesting, it's a young
individual, a teenager.
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00:10:14,948 --> 00:10:19,084
I reckon probably
around fourteen.
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00:10:19,119 --> 00:10:24,756
Narrator: Could these
bones hold clues to why
imhotep dug the trench?
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00:10:24,791 --> 00:10:31,396
Within moments the
team finds a second
entire skeleton.
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Kamil: Where is the
new one?
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00:10:34,801 --> 00:10:36,701
Iwona: This one.
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00:10:36,737 --> 00:10:40,271
Kamil: The next burial
is not yet visible,
151
00:10:40,307 --> 00:10:43,208
But you have to believe
us, it is here.
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00:10:43,243 --> 00:10:49,781
Iwona: Looks like
we might have an actual
eyeball preserved here.
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00:10:49,816 --> 00:10:52,717
Narrator: A burial this
close to the step
pyramid could reveal
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00:10:52,753 --> 00:10:57,922
A hidden chapter in
the history of this
revolutionary structure.
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But first kamil needs to
find out why the skeletons
were buried here.
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00:11:03,263 --> 00:11:04,529
Iwona: This one
looks suspicious.
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00:11:14,408 --> 00:11:18,643
From the ancient skeletons
buried in the trench.
158
00:11:18,679 --> 00:11:21,413
She wants to find out
why the bodies were
buried here.
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00:11:23,417 --> 00:11:27,218
Can they explain
imhotep's decision to
carve this huge structure
160
00:11:27,254 --> 00:11:29,821
Surrounding the world's
first pyramid?
161
00:11:31,024 --> 00:11:34,392
As she gradually unearths
the skulls vital clues
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To the burial practices
used begin to appear.
163
00:11:37,864 --> 00:11:41,866
Iwona: We can see a hole
made into the cranium
164
00:11:41,902 --> 00:11:47,739
Through the nasal passages,
to remove the brain.
165
00:11:47,774 --> 00:11:56,381
And I think they used
some linen scrubs to clean
the inside of the cavity.
166
00:11:57,350 --> 00:12:00,719
Narrator: Traces of linen
and evidence of brain
extraction are both
167
00:12:00,754 --> 00:12:04,656
Signs of mummification, a
form of body preservation
168
00:12:04,691 --> 00:12:09,227
Practised during the
time of imhotep.
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00:12:09,262 --> 00:12:13,498
But as the team clears
more sand kamil
doesn't see a link
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00:12:13,533 --> 00:12:16,367
Between the skeletons
and the trench.
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00:12:16,403 --> 00:12:21,573
Kamil: Without equipment
like coffins the
graves are very simple.
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00:12:21,608 --> 00:12:24,776
Narrator: The simple
burials are a sign that
they date to a time
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00:12:24,845 --> 00:12:26,978
Long after imhotep.
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00:12:27,013 --> 00:12:28,580
Kamil: At the time
of imhotep
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00:12:28,615 --> 00:12:33,051
It was absolutely
impossible for mortals
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To be buried close
to the king.
177
00:12:36,056 --> 00:12:39,390
Narrator: But they are
evidence that this is
a highly sacred site,
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Where people wanted
to be buried.
179
00:12:42,963 --> 00:12:48,900
Kamil: They knew about
the cemetery close to
the step pyramid complex.
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00:12:48,935 --> 00:12:52,537
To be buried close to the
creation of imhotep
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00:12:52,572 --> 00:12:55,940
Was the best thing
they could expect.
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00:12:55,976 --> 00:12:59,144
Narrator: Convinced more
clues to the trench's
purpose lie beneath
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00:12:59,179 --> 00:13:03,281
The dirt, kamil
instructs his team to
ramp up the excavation.
184
00:13:08,421 --> 00:13:13,758
Just a hundred and fifty
yards away at djoser's
step pyramid
185
00:13:13,794 --> 00:13:18,229
Chris is keen to explore
the gigantic structure.
186
00:13:18,265 --> 00:13:21,699
He thinks it might
reveal imhotep's
incredible innovations
187
00:13:21,735 --> 00:13:27,105
That inspired over a
thousand years of
pyramid tombs.
188
00:13:27,140 --> 00:13:30,775
Djoser's burial complex
is a restricted area
189
00:13:30,811 --> 00:13:34,179
But chris secures
rare access through
archaeologist
190
00:13:34,214 --> 00:13:35,780
Ragab dawood.
191
00:13:51,965 --> 00:13:55,233
Narrator: They follow
tunnels that take them
into the burial shaft
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00:13:55,268 --> 00:13:57,535
Deep beneath the
pharaoh's pyramid.
193
00:14:00,240 --> 00:14:05,009
Chris: My god, wow, that
is amazing. It's huge.
194
00:14:05,045 --> 00:14:06,644
Ragab: Yeah.
195
00:14:06,680 --> 00:14:09,347
Chris: And so the pyramid is
ragab: Yeah.
196
00:14:09,382 --> 00:14:10,815
Chris: Above us now.
Ragab: Yeah.
197
00:14:10,851 --> 00:14:12,016
Chris: Wow.
198
00:14:14,221 --> 00:14:16,654
And what we're
looking at, at the
bottom of the shaft,
199
00:14:16,690 --> 00:14:18,356
So that's where he
was buried?
200
00:14:18,391 --> 00:14:19,691
That's where djoser
was buried?
201
00:14:19,726 --> 00:14:22,594
Ragab: Yes...
Chris: Amazing.
202
00:14:22,629 --> 00:14:25,063
Narrator: To create
one of the largest
burial chambers
203
00:14:25,098 --> 00:14:31,069
In egypt imhotep's
workers dug out thousands
of tons of limestone.
204
00:14:31,104 --> 00:14:35,340
Chris: It's amazing to
think that this is all
cut from the bedrock.
205
00:14:35,375 --> 00:14:36,941
Ragab: Be careful.
Chris: Thanks.
Ragab: Yeah.
206
00:14:39,546 --> 00:14:44,382
Watch your steps please,
and to the left, yeah.
207
00:14:44,417 --> 00:14:46,885
Chris: Go this way?
Ragab: Yeah, come this way.
208
00:14:48,655 --> 00:14:53,892
Narrator: Ninety
feet below ground ragab
spots a hidden carving.
209
00:14:53,927 --> 00:14:55,093
Ragab: Have a look.
210
00:14:55,128 --> 00:14:59,063
We found inside shaft
blocks and stars.
211
00:14:59,099 --> 00:15:00,965
Chris: Yeah, wow.
212
00:15:01,001 --> 00:15:04,369
Narrator: The original
tomb builders left
these blocks behind.
213
00:15:04,404 --> 00:15:08,940
Chris: It's amazing
to see here examples
of these stars,
214
00:15:08,975 --> 00:15:13,845
'cause you find them on
the ceilings of temples
and tombs in many places,
215
00:15:13,880 --> 00:15:18,416
But this is the first
instance of this motif
ever being used.
216
00:15:18,451 --> 00:15:19,784
This is where it all began.
217
00:15:19,819 --> 00:15:22,654
It's another innovation
of this pyramid.
218
00:15:22,689 --> 00:15:26,257
Narrator: Originally
painted gold on a blue
background imhotep's
219
00:15:26,293 --> 00:15:31,062
Stars decorate tombs
built over a thousand
years later.
220
00:15:31,097 --> 00:15:36,367
They offer a glimpse
into his vision for
this trailblazing tomb.
221
00:15:36,403 --> 00:15:39,137
Chris: These evoke the
night sky, so the idea is
222
00:15:39,172 --> 00:15:42,707
That even though djoser is
laid to rest underground,
223
00:15:42,742 --> 00:15:49,013
In pitch darkness, he can
see, symbolically, this
stone cut night sky,
224
00:15:49,049 --> 00:15:53,685
And in that way he would
have been able to make
the journey to the stars,
225
00:15:53,753 --> 00:16:00,358
Which is how imhotep
conceived of the journey
to the afterlife.
226
00:16:00,393 --> 00:16:02,593
Narrator: Imhotep's
underground labyrinth
227
00:16:02,629 --> 00:16:06,097
Was a pioneering
architectural experiment.
228
00:16:06,132 --> 00:16:08,866
One that became
the blueprint for
egypt's pyramids
229
00:16:08,902 --> 00:16:10,802
For hundreds of years.
230
00:16:14,474 --> 00:16:18,943
Two miles south of
djoser's monument is a
site where the pyramid
231
00:16:18,979 --> 00:16:21,379
Of pharaoh ibi once stood.
232
00:16:22,048 --> 00:16:23,815
Christelle: Oh! Oh!
233
00:16:23,850 --> 00:16:27,518
Narrator: Built five
hundred years after
the time of imhotep
234
00:16:27,554 --> 00:16:33,057
The structure was
ransacked for stone, to
build ancient cairo.
235
00:16:33,093 --> 00:16:37,295
But archaeologist
christelle alvarez things
fragments of hieroglyphs
236
00:16:37,330 --> 00:16:42,166
Here could reveal more
about the ancient beliefs
that inspired imhotep
237
00:16:42,202 --> 00:16:45,203
And later egyptians
to build pyramids.
238
00:16:45,238 --> 00:16:47,705
Christelle: Just in
the middle we have
the burial chamber,
239
00:16:47,741 --> 00:16:50,274
Which has preserved
some of the text that
were inscribed
240
00:16:50,310 --> 00:16:51,843
Four thousands years ago.
241
00:16:51,878 --> 00:16:54,512
Narrator: They're
known as pyramid texts.
242
00:16:54,547 --> 00:16:57,648
Christelle wants
to decipher these
ancient codes,
243
00:16:57,684 --> 00:17:01,452
But first she must
complete the damaged
inscriptions.
244
00:17:01,488 --> 00:17:05,390
Christelle: It actually
really fits and for this one
we can tell that it holds.
245
00:17:05,425 --> 00:17:07,592
So one fragment
has found his home.
246
00:17:11,398 --> 00:17:14,065
Narrator: But this is
a puzzle with many
missing pieces.
247
00:17:15,402 --> 00:17:18,636
Christelle: It's not
easy. (laughs)
248
00:17:18,671 --> 00:17:20,371
And I need some
other hands.
249
00:17:23,843 --> 00:17:26,811
This one is supposed
to be here somewhere.
Male: This one in here?
250
00:17:26,846 --> 00:17:29,947
Christelle: Maybe we need
to find more fragments.
251
00:17:29,983 --> 00:17:32,383
Narrator: Finding lost
sections of hieroglyphs
252
00:17:32,419 --> 00:17:35,486
Will help christelle
decode the ancient
writing.
253
00:17:35,522 --> 00:17:38,089
Christelle: Now if we
want to really have a
look at this whole area
254
00:17:38,124 --> 00:17:41,292
We need to remove
these two big blocks.
255
00:17:41,327 --> 00:17:45,363
Narrator: She thinks
mystic texts, unseen for
over four thousand years,
256
00:17:45,398 --> 00:17:48,466
Lie undiscovered in
the corner of the tomb.
257
00:17:48,468 --> 00:17:51,969
Christelle: Maybe there
will be some elements
that we will find.
258
00:17:54,374 --> 00:17:58,443
Narrator: Two miles
north, at miroslav's
tomb excavation
259
00:17:58,478 --> 00:18:03,414
It's week three of the
dig, and he finally gets
news of a breakthrough.
260
00:18:13,526 --> 00:18:15,726
Miroslav: Evidence
for an entrance.
261
00:18:15,762 --> 00:18:17,295
So we are on time.
262
00:18:17,997 --> 00:18:20,465
Narrator: At the bottom of
the shaft the team finds
263
00:18:20,533 --> 00:18:23,568
What they think is the
entrance to an ancient
burial chamber.
264
00:18:30,543 --> 00:18:33,244
Narrator: But the
excitement is put on hold.
265
00:18:33,279 --> 00:18:37,982
Reports from the bottom
of the shaft are not what
miroslav is hoping for.
266
00:18:38,017 --> 00:18:39,183
Miroslav: It's open.
267
00:18:39,219 --> 00:18:40,685
They say it's open.
268
00:18:43,223 --> 00:18:45,823
Narrator: Tombs are always
sealed after burial.
269
00:18:45,859 --> 00:18:49,861
An open tomb is evidence
of ancient looters.
270
00:18:49,896 --> 00:18:54,031
Miroslav: We basically
follow in the footsteps
of the ancient robbers.
271
00:18:54,067 --> 00:18:57,735
Narrator: But crucial
discoveries may still
be inside.
272
00:18:57,770 --> 00:18:59,570
Hamed: Let's do it.
Hurry up.
273
00:19:09,949 --> 00:19:12,250
Chris and ragab navigate
the labyrinth
274
00:19:12,285 --> 00:19:15,920
Of tunnels inside
pharaoh djoser's tomb.
275
00:19:15,955 --> 00:19:20,424
They want to investigate
why imhotep dug out
thousands of tons of rock
276
00:19:20,460 --> 00:19:23,327
To bury his master so
far underground.
277
00:19:23,363 --> 00:19:25,196
Chris: Can we go this way?
Ragab: Yeah.
278
00:19:25,231 --> 00:19:28,199
Chris: It's very confusing.
279
00:19:28,234 --> 00:19:32,170
Narrator: At ninety feet
below ground level they
emerge into a chamber
280
00:19:32,205 --> 00:19:35,439
Dominated by a huge
stone structure.
281
00:19:35,475 --> 00:19:39,076
Chris: Wow! Oh my god!
That's immense.
282
00:19:39,112 --> 00:19:43,681
So this is a giant
sarcophagus for djoser,
283
00:19:43,716 --> 00:19:46,350
And he would have
been buried inside
284
00:19:46,386 --> 00:19:53,491
And it's made of
these massive pieces
of granite.
285
00:19:53,526 --> 00:19:55,293
There's no way in.
286
00:19:55,328 --> 00:19:58,996
Exactly as imhotep
would have intended,
287
00:19:59,032 --> 00:20:03,768
But of course imhotep
didn't have any idea that
after his time robbers,
288
00:20:03,803 --> 00:20:07,972
Somehow, did manage
to find a way in.
289
00:20:08,007 --> 00:20:11,242
Narrator: When
archaeologists discovered
djoser's sarcophagus,
290
00:20:11,277 --> 00:20:14,845
His body and treasure
were missing.
291
00:20:14,881 --> 00:20:19,650
Imhotep's underground
burial couldn't protect
his master's corpse,
292
00:20:19,686 --> 00:20:22,486
But it wasn't dug
just for security.
293
00:20:22,522 --> 00:20:28,159
Chris: The ancients were
bringing the body of djoser
a long way underground,
294
00:20:28,194 --> 00:20:33,231
So that's partly about
placing him physically
underneath the world
295
00:20:33,266 --> 00:20:35,666
And in the kind
of underworld.
296
00:20:35,702 --> 00:20:39,704
Narrator: This pioneering
pyramid tomb was built as
a grand gateway
297
00:20:39,739 --> 00:20:42,673
For the deceased king
to pass into life
after death.
298
00:20:46,646 --> 00:20:50,348
Beneath the pyramid's
thousands of blocks
of limestone
299
00:20:50,383 --> 00:20:53,851
Lies djoser's
underground palace.
300
00:20:53,886 --> 00:20:59,056
A central shaft descends
to the pharaoh's tomb.
301
00:20:59,092 --> 00:21:02,026
A granite vault in which
djoser's mummy once lay.
302
00:21:05,265 --> 00:21:09,600
Almost four miles of
tunnels, with over four
hundred chambers,
303
00:21:09,636 --> 00:21:11,535
Branch out around it.
304
00:21:11,571 --> 00:21:14,472
Some full of riches,
305
00:21:14,507 --> 00:21:17,975
To make sure the pharaoh
had all he needed in the
afterlife.
306
00:21:22,849 --> 00:21:27,418
Crowned with a vast
pyramid the tomb of king
djoser was a beacon
307
00:21:27,453 --> 00:21:29,320
For early archaeologists.
308
00:21:34,594 --> 00:21:39,797
Just over eight hundred
yards from the step pyramid
miroslav's team search
309
00:21:39,832 --> 00:21:43,434
For the tomb of its
mastermind, the
great imhotep.
310
00:21:46,306 --> 00:21:50,374
It's twenty-four days into
the dig and they've caught
a glimpse of an opening
311
00:21:50,410 --> 00:21:52,043
At the bottom of the shaft.
312
00:21:59,452 --> 00:22:03,788
We are going down now,
to see the entrance.
313
00:22:03,823 --> 00:22:05,089
Cross the fingers.
314
00:22:08,027 --> 00:22:11,562
Narrator: This is the
moment miroslav has
been waiting for.
315
00:22:11,597 --> 00:22:13,431
Miroslav: The excitement
is rising right now.
316
00:22:17,603 --> 00:22:21,906
Narrator: He could be
on the brink of an
historic discovery.
317
00:22:27,313 --> 00:22:28,779
Miroslav: So here we are.
318
00:22:28,815 --> 00:22:34,218
Oh! Oh there is a
wonderful limestone
sarcophagus.
319
00:22:34,253 --> 00:22:37,822
Untouched for more than
four thousand years.
320
00:22:37,857 --> 00:22:41,792
Narrator: But up
close miroslav discovers
evidence of destruction.
321
00:22:44,364 --> 00:22:46,664
Miroslav: That's sad.
That's very sad.
322
00:22:46,699 --> 00:22:50,768
The mummy is completed
disarticulated.
323
00:22:50,803 --> 00:22:56,307
There is a very sad pile
of bones in the northern
part of the sarcophagus.
324
00:22:56,342 --> 00:23:00,211
So it's not a very nice
end for this gentleman.
325
00:23:00,246 --> 00:23:02,913
Narrator: The ancient
thieves who first
opened the tomb
326
00:23:02,949 --> 00:23:05,282
Have broken into
the sarcophagus.
327
00:23:05,318 --> 00:23:10,321
Miroslav: It was torn
apart in antiquity because
the most important
328
00:23:10,356 --> 00:23:15,826
Target for the tomb
robbers was his
personal jewellery.
329
00:23:15,862 --> 00:23:21,599
Narrator: With this level
of devastation identify
the body seems impossible,
330
00:23:21,634 --> 00:23:27,271
But could evidence
survive to reveal if this
is the great imhotep?
331
00:23:27,306 --> 00:23:29,840
Miroslav: I think most
parts of the burial
equipment survived,
332
00:23:29,876 --> 00:23:34,979
Which is quite a
valuable source of
information for us.
333
00:23:35,014 --> 00:23:38,482
Narrator: Further
inside miroslav
discovers vital clues
334
00:23:38,518 --> 00:23:42,319
To the tomb owner's status.
335
00:23:42,355 --> 00:23:45,523
Miroslav: So here we
are. This is called
'canopic jar'.
336
00:23:45,558 --> 00:23:50,494
They were used
to contain mummified
organs of the deceased.
337
00:23:53,566 --> 00:23:56,500
Narrator: Only very
high status people
were mummified,
338
00:23:56,536 --> 00:23:59,703
Imhotep included.
339
00:23:59,739 --> 00:24:03,240
But to be sure of the
identity of the body
the team hauls up
340
00:24:03,276 --> 00:24:05,843
The evidence for
closer inspection.
341
00:24:07,346 --> 00:24:10,915
Miroslav: Oh!
Thirteen meters up.
342
00:24:10,950 --> 00:24:14,051
It's okay, we finished.
343
00:24:14,086 --> 00:24:19,323
Narrator: Two miles south,
at pharaoh ibi's pyramid
christelle needs to move
344
00:24:19,358 --> 00:24:22,426
Two huge stone blocks,
that she thinks hide
345
00:24:22,462 --> 00:24:27,264
Fragments of pyramid
texts lost for
thousands of years.
346
00:24:27,300 --> 00:24:29,800
They could help decipher
the hieroglyphic codes
347
00:24:29,836 --> 00:24:34,572
And reveal the vision of
the pyramid builders.
348
00:24:34,607 --> 00:24:36,874
Christelle: That will
take a little bit of
time because they need
349
00:24:36,909 --> 00:24:40,144
The wood and ropes
to drag them away.
350
00:24:40,179 --> 00:24:43,080
Narrator: Her team
sets to work moving
the blocks,
351
00:24:43,115 --> 00:24:45,749
Slowly exposing a section
of wall she hopes
352
00:24:45,785 --> 00:24:49,687
Will reveal inscriptions
unseen for millennia.
353
00:24:49,722 --> 00:24:53,424
Christelle: We hope
that maybe we will find
some extra fragments.
354
00:24:53,459 --> 00:24:56,660
Narrator: But if
christelle is to decode
the pyramid texts
355
00:24:56,696 --> 00:24:59,230
She'll need the
fragments intact.
356
00:24:59,265 --> 00:25:03,200
Christelle: I hope they
haven't damaged too much
the text that was going
357
00:25:03,236 --> 00:25:05,970
All the way down,
'cause it's very easy
for the hieroglyph
358
00:25:06,005 --> 00:25:09,073
At the base of the block
to disappear in dust.
359
00:25:09,108 --> 00:25:11,609
Narrator: Each stone
weighs almost a ton.
360
00:25:11,644 --> 00:25:14,211
Any sudden move could
shatter the fragile
361
00:25:14,247 --> 00:25:18,482
Four thousand year
old inscription.
362
00:25:18,518 --> 00:25:21,685
Christelle: I think
the far one is going
away here.
363
00:25:21,721 --> 00:25:26,156
No, I give it, I can
take it. No, it broke!
364
00:25:35,268 --> 00:25:39,069
Christelle has removed
two obstructing stone
blocks
365
00:25:39,105 --> 00:25:41,906
And continues her hunt for
sections of ancient writing
366
00:25:41,941 --> 00:25:44,975
Unseen for thousands
of years.
367
00:25:45,011 --> 00:25:47,344
She's convinced they can
shed light on the belief
368
00:25:47,380 --> 00:25:49,813
Systems that compelled
the egyptians,
369
00:25:49,849 --> 00:25:53,584
Starting with imhotep,
to build the pyramids.
370
00:25:53,619 --> 00:25:57,588
Christelle: This is the
corner where we where never
able to actually look at,
371
00:25:57,623 --> 00:26:00,190
Because it was behind
those big blocks.
372
00:26:00,226 --> 00:26:05,229
Narrator: As she digs
away the sand christelle
makes her first discovery.
373
00:26:05,264 --> 00:26:09,466
Christelle: There is one
fragment that they just
found in this corner.
374
00:26:09,502 --> 00:26:12,603
It's the bottom of
the cartouche of ibi,
375
00:26:12,638 --> 00:26:16,206
So we'll just have a look
if there is some more.
376
00:26:16,208 --> 00:26:18,375
Narrator: This royal
hieroglyphic sign.
377
00:26:18,411 --> 00:26:20,544
Christelle: Oh, yes,
here there is one.
378
00:26:20,580 --> 00:26:23,514
Narrator: Is a clue that
the texts were written
to reinforce
379
00:26:23,549 --> 00:26:26,383
The pyramid's
sacred function,
380
00:26:26,419 --> 00:26:29,587
To transport the king
into the afterlife.
381
00:26:29,622 --> 00:26:32,323
Christelle: There
is another one.
382
00:26:32,358 --> 00:26:35,926
Narrator: Among the
hieroglyphs christelle
recognises a figure known
383
00:26:35,962 --> 00:26:40,664
To all egypt and much
of the ancient world.
384
00:26:40,700 --> 00:26:47,171
Christelle: You can see
the cartouche, looks like
the sign of the god osiris.
385
00:26:47,206 --> 00:26:51,442
Narrator: This is one
of the earliest ever
descriptions of osiris.
386
00:26:51,477 --> 00:26:53,811
A god of resurrection
and the underworld,
387
00:26:53,846 --> 00:26:58,382
Who features in later
greek and roman religion.
388
00:26:58,417 --> 00:27:01,819
The hieroglyphs here reveal
the rise of belief systems
389
00:27:01,854 --> 00:27:04,755
That lasted for
thousands of years.
390
00:27:04,790 --> 00:27:08,926
They pyramid texts are
the oldest copies of
religious text.
391
00:27:08,961 --> 00:27:13,764
Found in eleven pyramids
across saqqara these
pyramid texts record
392
00:27:13,799 --> 00:27:16,100
The spiritual beliefs
of the pyramid
builders.
393
00:27:19,238 --> 00:27:22,006
With her time at ibi's
pyramid running out
394
00:27:22,041 --> 00:27:25,809
Christelle still has
hundreds of pieces
missing.
395
00:27:25,844 --> 00:27:28,846
To help fill the gaps she
wants to explore another
396
00:27:28,881 --> 00:27:31,782
Major discovery of
pyramid texts.
397
00:27:31,817 --> 00:27:34,885
Christelle: When we're
able to compare from
one version
398
00:27:34,920 --> 00:27:39,289
To another we can
sometimes get a
better sense.
399
00:27:39,325 --> 00:27:42,693
Narrator: Christelle sets
off to find hieroglyphs
inside a tomb
400
00:27:42,728 --> 00:27:45,863
That has lain untouched
for almost fifty years.
401
00:27:45,898 --> 00:27:48,198
Christelle: And it's
exciting to see
what's awaiting us.
402
00:27:50,936 --> 00:27:55,305
Narrator: In the centre of
the saqqara necropolis
kamil's team works hard
403
00:27:55,341 --> 00:27:58,909
To excavate imhotep's
vast moat shaped trench
404
00:27:58,944 --> 00:28:01,378
Surrounding
djoser's pyramid.
405
00:28:01,414 --> 00:28:05,149
Kamil: We are looking
for any structures
that could have been
406
00:28:05,184 --> 00:28:08,352
The parts of the
original design.
407
00:28:08,387 --> 00:28:11,255
Narrator: As they dig
chambers, begin to appear,
408
00:28:11,290 --> 00:28:14,825
Cut into the sides of
the ancient structure.
409
00:28:14,860 --> 00:28:17,161
Kamil: We uncovered the
entrance to this room
410
00:28:17,196 --> 00:28:20,564
Which is hewn in the back
of the moat.
411
00:28:20,599 --> 00:28:23,901
Narrator: The rock
surrounding the
chamber is weak.
412
00:28:23,936 --> 00:28:28,038
Cracks mean it's too
dangerous for kamil
to explore,
413
00:28:28,074 --> 00:28:32,176
But he is keen to
investigate a tunnel
that has been secured.
414
00:28:32,211 --> 00:28:35,879
Kamil: The first thing we
saw, it was the beginning
of the corridor,
415
00:28:35,915 --> 00:28:39,550
Was quite unusual, and
during the exploration,
416
00:28:39,585 --> 00:28:42,853
As we progressed deeper and
deeper towards the pyramid
417
00:28:42,888 --> 00:28:45,089
It became more and
more strange.
418
00:28:47,793 --> 00:28:50,894
Narrator: Kamil thinks
it could hold clues to
the true function
419
00:28:50,930 --> 00:28:53,697
Of the giant trench.
420
00:28:53,733 --> 00:28:58,969
Kamil: It's really
impressive piece of work,
of ancient stone cutters.
421
00:28:59,004 --> 00:29:01,739
So the pyramid is
ahead of us.
422
00:29:01,774 --> 00:29:07,044
The corridor points
almost exactly its
middle.
423
00:29:07,079 --> 00:29:11,215
Narrator: The shaft
seems to lead directly
towards the pyramid
424
00:29:11,250 --> 00:29:14,251
But kamil's team has
dirt to dig before
they can discover
425
00:29:14,286 --> 00:29:17,321
What lies at the end
of this mysterious tunnel.
426
00:29:19,558 --> 00:29:23,761
Half a mile north of the
step pyramid miroslav
427
00:29:23,796 --> 00:29:29,466
And his team are hunting for
the identity of the body in
the newly discovered tomb.
428
00:29:29,502 --> 00:29:32,903
To search for clues
they excavate a
separate structure,
429
00:29:32,938 --> 00:29:35,539
Constructed next to
the opening of the
burial shaft.
430
00:29:38,244 --> 00:29:42,212
Miroslav has found part
of the original mastaba,
431
00:29:42,248 --> 00:29:46,884
A large chamber fifty
feet above where he
found the body.
432
00:29:46,919 --> 00:29:52,122
It's the tomb's chapel,
where visitors would have
come to leave offerings.
433
00:29:52,158 --> 00:29:54,224
A wall, with a
small peephole,
434
00:29:54,260 --> 00:29:59,196
Seals off a tiny cell that
would have contained a
statue of the deceased
435
00:29:59,231 --> 00:30:02,266
And may have
preserved clues to
his or her identity.
436
00:30:04,770 --> 00:30:08,872
Miroslav: We have two
workers inside that are
about to clean the floor,
437
00:30:08,908 --> 00:30:11,909
But we must be extremely
careful, as you can see.
438
00:30:11,944 --> 00:30:13,777
Narrator: It's a big job.
439
00:30:13,813 --> 00:30:18,015
Keeping the desert sand
out of the chamber is an
endless task.
440
00:30:18,050 --> 00:30:21,285
Miroslav: So far, so
good, but still we have
to mind especially
441
00:30:21,320 --> 00:30:23,453
When the windblown
sand starts to flow.
442
00:30:23,489 --> 00:30:25,389
It's like a flood coming in.
443
00:30:25,424 --> 00:30:28,458
I'm just going down to
check out what is there.
444
00:30:28,494 --> 00:30:32,262
Narrator: This is
miroslav's last chance to
figure out the identity
445
00:30:32,298 --> 00:30:34,998
Of the body in the tomb.
446
00:30:35,034 --> 00:30:37,835
Just as he reaches
the chamber's
entrance the workers
447
00:30:37,870 --> 00:30:40,737
At the dig surface discover
something intriguing.
448
00:30:45,211 --> 00:30:49,179
Narrator: Miroslav is
keen to climb down to
examine the find.
449
00:30:49,215 --> 00:30:51,381
Miroslav: Now comes the
moment when we go down
450
00:30:51,417 --> 00:30:55,986
And inspect the walls for
any possible inscriptions,
451
00:30:56,021 --> 00:30:59,656
Which may tell us
more about the owner.
452
00:30:59,692 --> 00:31:02,059
Let's hope for some
surprises.
453
00:31:14,773 --> 00:31:18,675
In the saqqara tomb
miroslav scours the walls
454
00:31:18,711 --> 00:31:22,479
Of the newly excavate
mastaba chamber.
455
00:31:22,514 --> 00:31:27,451
Miroslav: See, oh! It's a
red painted graffito.
456
00:31:27,486 --> 00:31:30,721
It starts here, I guess.
457
00:31:30,756 --> 00:31:33,724
Oh, here's one,
here's another one.
458
00:31:33,759 --> 00:31:37,794
Narrator: The four
thousand five hundred
year old paint has faded,
459
00:31:37,830 --> 00:31:42,232
But miroslav recognises
sections of the graffiti.
460
00:31:42,268 --> 00:31:47,304
Miroslav: I'm not sure
about the proper reading
at the moment though,
461
00:31:47,339 --> 00:31:55,345
We can discern some,
it's double I, and
'ha', b t perhaps.
462
00:31:55,381 --> 00:32:00,651
Narrator: These symbols
represent the sounds
'huh', 'tuh' and 'puh'.
463
00:32:00,686 --> 00:32:04,288
Could it be part of
the name imhotep?
464
00:32:04,323 --> 00:32:10,460
Miroslav: We are coming up
to the total of four
red-painted graffiti
465
00:32:10,496 --> 00:32:14,498
Which seem to be all
the same, and turned
upside down,
466
00:32:14,533 --> 00:32:18,135
So I would say it's
the name of the owner.
467
00:32:18,170 --> 00:32:21,772
Narrator: Why are some
of the inscriptions
upside down?
468
00:32:21,807 --> 00:32:27,144
The key lies in how the
egyptians built this tomb.
469
00:32:27,179 --> 00:32:30,113
Before construction the
builders would mark
470
00:32:30,149 --> 00:32:34,384
Some stones with the
name of the tomb owner,
471
00:32:34,420 --> 00:32:39,256
And then didn't care
which way round they
installed the blocks,
472
00:32:39,291 --> 00:32:46,863
Explaining why some of the
inscriptions miroslav has
found are upside down.
473
00:32:46,899 --> 00:32:49,900
But until miroslav can
decode the hieroglyphs
474
00:32:49,935 --> 00:32:52,269
He can't be sure
whose tomb this is.
475
00:32:55,040 --> 00:32:59,876
Just over seven
hundred yards from
miroslav's site,
476
00:32:59,912 --> 00:33:04,214
Kamil's team has
excavate the entire
rock cut corridor.
477
00:33:04,249 --> 00:33:06,850
It doesn't lead to
the pyramid,
478
00:33:06,885 --> 00:33:10,787
But kamil thinks a
strange object discovered
inside this tunnel
479
00:33:10,823 --> 00:33:15,826
Can finally reveal
why imhotep built
the giant trench.
480
00:33:15,861 --> 00:33:19,562
Kamil climbs inside to
investigate further.
481
00:33:19,565 --> 00:33:22,866
Kamil: At the end
of this corridor, in a
small room to the right,
482
00:33:22,901 --> 00:33:28,271
We found a huge wooden
harpoon placed
483
00:33:28,307 --> 00:33:32,142
In a special
cylindrical container.
484
00:33:32,177 --> 00:33:34,111
It's really impressive.
485
00:33:34,146 --> 00:33:36,947
Narrator: Carved from
a solid piece of wood
from the juniper tree,
486
00:33:36,982 --> 00:33:39,916
The harpoon is a
precious object,
487
00:33:39,952 --> 00:33:45,022
And a snake motif dates
it to the time of imhotep.
488
00:33:45,057 --> 00:33:46,490
Kamil: It was a
ritual device.
489
00:33:46,525 --> 00:33:50,427
It could not be used
for an actual fight
or hunting,
490
00:33:50,462 --> 00:33:52,696
Because it was too large
and too heavy.
491
00:33:55,267 --> 00:33:57,067
Narrator: The position
of the harpoon,
492
00:33:57,102 --> 00:34:00,103
Tucked into a chamber set
inside the trench,
493
00:34:00,139 --> 00:34:02,305
Could be a clue to the
function of the trench
494
00:34:02,341 --> 00:34:08,011
Surrounding imhotep's
revolutionary pyramid.
495
00:34:08,047 --> 00:34:13,550
Kamil: It was a
three-dimensional model of
the road into the afterlife.
496
00:34:13,585 --> 00:34:18,588
It was a path
intended for the king
to ascend to heaven,
497
00:34:18,624 --> 00:34:22,759
So the harpoon was a
weapon prepared for the
king, for his afterlife.
498
00:34:26,665 --> 00:34:29,900
Narrator: The king was
buried deep below ground,
499
00:34:29,935 --> 00:34:33,970
Taking him close to the
underworld, and the
path to resurrection.
500
00:34:36,775 --> 00:34:40,210
The egyptians
believed the king's
spirit was fortified
501
00:34:40,245 --> 00:34:42,913
With offerings left
inside the tunnels.
502
00:34:44,817 --> 00:34:50,620
And with weapons stashed
inside the trench walls
he'd defeat his foes,
503
00:34:50,656 --> 00:34:53,190
Until he finally
reached the afterlife,
504
00:34:53,225 --> 00:34:55,892
To complete his
transformation into a god.
505
00:34:59,498 --> 00:35:02,966
The trench may be
imhotep's idea of
the sacred journey
506
00:35:03,001 --> 00:35:06,136
That awaited the king
after he died.
507
00:35:06,839 --> 00:35:10,474
If kamil is right he has
exposed the true scale
508
00:35:10,509 --> 00:35:14,511
Of imhotep's ambition
for the world's first
pyramid.
509
00:35:14,546 --> 00:35:18,949
Kamil: The step pyramid
complex was completely
experimental because
510
00:35:18,984 --> 00:35:22,018
Imhotep tried to
integrate religious
511
00:35:22,054 --> 00:35:27,157
And ideological concepts
and he translated it
into stone.
512
00:35:31,096 --> 00:35:33,396
Narrator: In the desert
two miles south
513
00:35:33,432 --> 00:35:37,434
Is the pyramid of
pharaoh pepi ii.
514
00:35:37,469 --> 00:35:42,939
Built centuries
after imhotep's
pioneering monument,
515
00:35:42,975 --> 00:35:46,143
Christelle thinks it hides
ancient pyramid texts
516
00:35:46,178 --> 00:35:50,614
That can shed light on the
missing inscriptions back
at ibi's pyramid.
517
00:35:50,649 --> 00:35:55,051
Christelle: This is the
first time since the
1930's that some work
518
00:35:55,087 --> 00:35:59,022
Is happening again in
the pyramid of pepi ii.
519
00:35:59,057 --> 00:36:04,528
Narrator: Unlike ibi's
destroyed monument pepi's
pyramid survives intact,
520
00:36:04,563 --> 00:36:08,465
Preserving many of its
archaeological treasures.
521
00:36:08,500 --> 00:36:15,539
It's been locked up for
decades, but christelle
has the keys to go inside.
522
00:36:15,574 --> 00:36:17,874
Christelle: It's
incredible. Wow!
523
00:36:29,254 --> 00:36:33,223
With the largest display
of pyramid texts ever
discovered.
524
00:36:33,258 --> 00:36:36,860
Inscriptions that could
offer a glimpse into the
beliefs that inspired
525
00:36:36,895 --> 00:36:39,329
The building of these
enigmatic structures.
526
00:36:42,367 --> 00:36:47,370
Christelle: Oh wow!
So much was preserved
in this pyramid.
527
00:36:47,406 --> 00:36:48,905
It's really cool.
528
00:36:48,941 --> 00:36:51,441
I really wanna have a
look at the west wall.
529
00:36:54,580 --> 00:36:55,879
Oh yeah.
530
00:36:55,914 --> 00:36:58,448
Oh, the text goes
all the way down.
531
00:36:58,483 --> 00:37:00,083
That's pretty impressive.
532
00:37:00,118 --> 00:37:04,988
I can see the white
paint, the green.
533
00:37:05,023 --> 00:37:07,390
Even the line at the end,
these are all things
534
00:37:07,426 --> 00:37:10,160
That I cannot see in
the pyramid of ibi.
535
00:37:10,195 --> 00:37:13,663
Narrator: Christelle hunts
for sections that match up
with the inscriptions
536
00:37:13,699 --> 00:37:16,233
She found inside
ibi's tomb.
537
00:37:16,268 --> 00:37:21,204
Christelle: You can
really see the very similar
arrangement between a line,
538
00:37:21,240 --> 00:37:24,374
Where you have some
times a text written
horizontally,
539
00:37:24,409 --> 00:37:26,343
And then you have
the columns.
540
00:37:26,378 --> 00:37:28,845
Narrator: Christelle
uses a database of
inscriptions,
541
00:37:28,880 --> 00:37:34,084
To track down and decode
familiar sections of the
ancient hieroglyphics.
542
00:37:34,119 --> 00:37:39,723
Christelle: It tells me that
it's in the antechamber,
west wall, column eleven.
543
00:37:39,758 --> 00:37:42,726
The beginning
starts just here.
544
00:37:42,761 --> 00:37:46,830
So the title of the
spell is invoking the
ferryman and doorkeeper.
545
00:37:52,437 --> 00:37:59,009
Narrator: This is one of
the oldest carvings of the
ferryman spell in existence.
546
00:37:59,044 --> 00:38:03,513
In later myths he is
known as nemty, the
falcon-headed god,
547
00:38:03,548 --> 00:38:08,485
Who ferries the souls
of the dead through
the afterlife.
548
00:38:08,520 --> 00:38:12,455
The deceased pharaoh must
summon the ferryman to
help him navigate
549
00:38:12,491 --> 00:38:14,391
The treacherous waters
of the underworld.
550
00:38:17,729 --> 00:38:22,999
And deliver him safely
to the realm of the
sun god ra.
551
00:38:23,035 --> 00:38:26,636
Carving the hieroglyph
of the ferryman inside
a pyramid
552
00:38:26,672 --> 00:38:29,839
Was meant to guarantee
protection for the dead.
553
00:38:35,480 --> 00:38:40,250
Complete spells written on
the walls of pepi's pyramid
give christelle a clue
554
00:38:40,285 --> 00:38:44,487
To the meaning of
the texts back
inside ibi's tomb.
555
00:38:44,523 --> 00:38:46,956
Christelle: Perhaps the
fact of carving them
inside the burial chamber
556
00:38:46,992 --> 00:38:51,094
Tells us that the pyramid
complex had really a
ritual function.
557
00:38:51,129 --> 00:38:52,929
It was a place of
remembrance of the king.
558
00:38:52,964 --> 00:38:57,067
It was a place to perform
the ritual activities,
559
00:38:57,102 --> 00:38:59,703
To be sure that the
king would actually
560
00:38:59,738 --> 00:39:04,908
Be able to maintain his
status as a spirit in
the afterlife.
561
00:39:04,943 --> 00:39:08,044
Narrator: Like the
structures themselves
the ancient hieroglyphs
562
00:39:08,080 --> 00:39:13,149
Inside egypt's pyramids
served deeply sacred
functions.
563
00:39:13,185 --> 00:39:17,387
They carved out
a smooth passage into the
underworld, for the pharaoh,
564
00:39:17,422 --> 00:39:19,989
And ensured he was still
king when he got there.
565
00:39:22,761 --> 00:39:26,963
At miroslav's
saqqara base.
566
00:39:26,998 --> 00:39:30,333
He examines records of
ancient inscriptions,
567
00:39:30,369 --> 00:39:32,836
Hoping to find a match
for the graffiti,
568
00:39:32,871 --> 00:39:37,540
And discover the identity
of the four thousand five
hundred year old body.
569
00:39:37,576 --> 00:39:39,542
Miroslav: This now,
it is exciting.
570
00:39:39,578 --> 00:39:43,246
Narrator: Hieroglyphic
markings discovered at
another pyramid complex
571
00:39:43,281 --> 00:39:46,950
Appear similar to the
mason's graffiti on the
walls of the tomb.
572
00:39:46,985 --> 00:39:48,585
Miroslav: There is
the same name,
573
00:39:48,620 --> 00:39:51,788
Referring to a
particular official
from the same period.
574
00:39:51,823 --> 00:39:54,824
Basically from the
same context.
575
00:39:54,860 --> 00:39:57,961
Narrator: A figure sits
next to the symbols.
576
00:39:57,996 --> 00:40:00,697
Miroslav: This could
be the tomb owner.
577
00:40:00,732 --> 00:40:05,502
Narrator: Miroslav is
able to fully translate
the hieroglyphic name.
578
00:40:05,537 --> 00:40:11,808
Miroslav: This part of
the scene, the reading
is ptah, wer.
579
00:40:11,843 --> 00:40:13,109
So that was him.
580
00:40:13,145 --> 00:40:15,245
Ptah wer.
581
00:40:15,280 --> 00:40:19,649
Narrator: Incredibly
he has tracked down the
owner of the ancient tomb.
582
00:40:19,684 --> 00:40:23,386
It's not imhotep, but
another high ranking
egyptian official
583
00:40:23,422 --> 00:40:26,456
Known as ptah wer.
584
00:40:26,491 --> 00:40:28,925
Miroslav: Imagine that
you have someone who
lived more than
585
00:40:28,960 --> 00:40:33,029
Four thousand four
hundred years ago and
you have his tomb.
586
00:40:33,064 --> 00:40:35,732
You also have pictorial
evidence for him.
587
00:40:35,767 --> 00:40:39,235
It's quite an
exceptional case I think.
588
00:40:39,271 --> 00:40:41,771
Narrator: But who is
ptah wer?
589
00:40:41,807 --> 00:40:46,009
And why does he merit
a tomb so close to
djoser's step pyramid?
590
00:40:46,044 --> 00:40:50,413
The clues could
lie hidden in the rest of
this ancient inscription,
591
00:40:50,449 --> 00:40:52,415
At the other end of
the saqqara plateau.
592
00:40:57,022 --> 00:40:59,189
The pyramid complex
of sahure,
593
00:40:59,224 --> 00:41:02,225
Ruler of egypt a
hundred years after
the time of imhotep.
594
00:41:04,729 --> 00:41:07,730
Miroslav's colleague,
mohamed ismail khaled,
595
00:41:07,766 --> 00:41:12,101
Comes here to investigate
the inscription.
596
00:41:12,137 --> 00:41:17,173
It is hidden behind this
protective modern wall and
could reveal more clues
597
00:41:17,209 --> 00:41:19,843
About ptah wer's
life and work.
598
00:41:19,878 --> 00:41:21,578
Mohamed: This is
the moment that I'm
waiting for,
599
00:41:21,613 --> 00:41:23,213
To see actually
the relief.
600
00:41:38,063 --> 00:41:44,834
Wow, if you begin like
to clean little bit of the
dust, it's really amazing,
601
00:41:44,870 --> 00:41:52,408
To see how the artisan
was really carving
every single detail.
602
00:41:52,444 --> 00:41:56,379
Narrator: Mohamed's
restorer gets to work
cleaning the stone,
603
00:41:56,414 --> 00:41:59,382
And glimpses of the ancient
scene begin to emerge.
604
00:42:02,621 --> 00:42:06,289
Mohamed: This is really
a kind of detective work.
605
00:42:06,324 --> 00:42:10,960
Narrator: As they clear
the dust the ancient
original image of ptah wer
606
00:42:10,996 --> 00:42:17,867
Is revealed, along
with the symbols that
spell out his name.
607
00:42:17,903 --> 00:42:22,372
Mohamed: This is his
title and this is his
name, ptah wer,
608
00:42:22,407 --> 00:42:24,774
And his title is
written above him,
609
00:42:24,809 --> 00:42:32,615
As the sculptor and also
the one who's in charge
of the stone vessels.
610
00:42:32,651 --> 00:42:36,986
Narrator: A century after
the great imhotep built
the first pyramid
611
00:42:37,022 --> 00:42:43,059
This inscription reveals
ptah wer is another master
craftsman of pyramids.
612
00:42:43,094 --> 00:42:45,495
His work honoured by
the pharaoh sahure.
613
00:42:48,633 --> 00:42:52,835
The carving shows
ptah wer feasting at
a royal banquet,
614
00:42:52,871 --> 00:42:57,874
A reward for his
services to the pharaoh.
615
00:42:57,909 --> 00:43:02,612
Ptah wer had led an
expedition to the
lands east of egypt,
616
00:43:02,647 --> 00:43:06,983
And brought back precious
stones, ivory and minerals.
617
00:43:07,018 --> 00:43:11,154
Materials he used
to revolutionise
pyramid decoration.
618
00:43:14,059 --> 00:43:19,095
Commanding hundreds of
skilled craftsman he
continued imhotep's legacy
619
00:43:19,130 --> 00:43:21,030
And built in honour
of his king.
620
00:43:22,968 --> 00:43:26,135
In return for his
groundbreaking work
621
00:43:26,171 --> 00:43:28,905
He was buried near
imhotep's great pyramid,
622
00:43:28,940 --> 00:43:33,142
At saqqara, the most
sacred burial ground
in egypt.
623
00:43:36,982 --> 00:43:39,749
Mohamed: It's something
extraordinary for ptah wer,
624
00:43:39,784 --> 00:43:42,685
To be depicted in such
scenes like this,
625
00:43:42,721 --> 00:43:46,022
That he's only just
sitting, eating and
relaxing.
626
00:43:46,057 --> 00:43:50,026
We are now sure that
ptah wer was really
a high official
627
00:43:50,061 --> 00:43:57,100
And that's why the king
was able to reward him
for what he has done.
628
00:43:57,135 --> 00:44:00,436
Narrator: Miroslav and his
team have found ptah wer,
629
00:44:00,472 --> 00:44:05,642
A key figure in the rise
of egypt's incredible
pyramid landscape,
630
00:44:05,677 --> 00:44:09,045
But the hunt for
imhotep continues.
631
00:44:09,080 --> 00:44:13,016
Thousands of years
after imhotep built
the first pyramid
632
00:44:13,051 --> 00:44:17,654
His revolutionary
tomb design is a
spectacular success.
633
00:44:17,689 --> 00:44:20,890
Kings who sought
immortality live on
634
00:44:20,925 --> 00:44:22,892
Through these
incredible structures.
635
00:44:25,196 --> 00:44:25,895
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