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NARRATOR: Abusir,
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an ancient necropolis in
the heart of Egypt,
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where a dynasty of
mysterious pharaohs,
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the Sun Kings, turn Egyptian
society on its head
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and reimagine its iconic
mega structures.
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CéDRIC: This was the place
where creation started.
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This is the place
where the world was born.
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NARRATOR:
Strange structures
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stand alongside
the pyramids here.
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Now a team of experts
has special
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access to investigate
this little known burial site.
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We are on top of
the Sun Temple of Niuserre,
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and from here,
we touch the sky and the sun.
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NARRATOR:
Who are the Sun Kings?
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And why do they create
these new structures
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not seen in
Egypt before?
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This place is
absolutely massive.
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NARRATOR: And what can
Abusir reveal about
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the radical changes sweeping
ancient Egypt
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at the time of
their construction?
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To solve the mysteries of
this extraordinary necropolis,
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we blow Abusir apart.
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We explore astonishing tombs,
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investigate forgotten rituals,
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decode ancient inscriptions,
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and digitally reconstruct
this lost wonder in its prime
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to reveal the rise
of the Sun Kings.
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Abusir,
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10 miles south of Cairo,
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a mysterious necropolis
between Giza and Saqqara.
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It is one of ancient Egypt's
great royal sites,
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but one that is currently
closed to the public.
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Archaeologists only begin
excavations at
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this extraordinary cemetery
in the 1900s.
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Now, our cameras have been
granted rare access
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to follow teams as
they investigate this site.
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Much remains here
to be uncovered.
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The Abusir necropolis
covers more than 400 acres.
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Four millennia ago,
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the ancient Egyptians build
three huge pyramids here,
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along with a host
of smaller pyramids
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and tombs scattered
around them.
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Each is a tomb designed to
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Each is a tomb designed to
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help the deceased journey
into the afterlife.
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In the north sit
two mysterious
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mega structures unlike
anything else in Egypt.
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These unique complexes
feature enormous obelisks that
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soar over 180 feet
into the sky.
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What are these mysterious
monuments, and who builds them?
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{\an8}Max Nuzzolo has excavated
here for most of his career.
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This is really
an impressive, huge site.
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NARRATOR:
He investigates the remains of
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one of
these mysterious structures.
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You can see
the rectangular-like shape
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with a big enclosure wall,
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paved area, and the kind of
pyramid, which, in fact, was
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probably not a pyramid,
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but the trunk of pyramid
with a huge obelisk on top.
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NARRATOR: In the center
of the enclosure,
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an unusual feature
stands out.
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an unusual feature
stands out.
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And something even more
interesting, before the obelisk,
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which is the altar.
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These are all features
that look like temple.
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NARRATOR: Max wants to know
who builds this strange temple.
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An impressive block of
decorated stone
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catches his eye.
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This is a very interesting
element of the site.
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It's a door frame
composed of two door jambs.
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As you can see here, they are
shaped to host a door.
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As you can see here, they are
shaped to host a door.
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NARRATOR: Strange inscriptions
are carved into the doorframe.
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What is very interesting here
is that one of these two
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door jambs has
a hieroglyphic inscription
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with the name
of King Niuserre.
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NARRATOR: Niuserre
rules ancient Egypt
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in the 25th century BCE,
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81 years after Pharaoh Khufu
is entombed in Egypt's
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famous great pyramid of Giza.
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Max wants to
know why Niuserre
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builds this curious temple.
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He examines the pharaoh's
cartouche, an oval
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box that contains
his name, for clues.
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This cartouche is associated
with a specific element,
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which is called
Golden Horus name.
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The Golden Horus is
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one of
the Sun God Ra's titles.
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Niuse adopts
the divine title
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and becomes Niuserre.
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Niuserre wanted to be presented
as the direct son
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of the Sun God Ra.
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The ancient Egyptians
believe the falcon-headed Ra
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The ancient Egyptians
believe the falcon-headed Ra
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is the supreme divinity.
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He creates every aspect of
the living world.
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From his own tears,
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he creates humans.
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Ra is one with the sun.
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He crosses the heavens in
the day and descends into
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the underworld at night
to rise again in the morning.
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Ra also directs
the three seasons
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of the Egyptian calendar.
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He makes the Nile flood
every year
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and is the energy
that grows the crops.
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and is the energy
that grows the crops.
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Ra is all powerful.
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Niuserre claims to be
his incarnation on earth,
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allowing him to rule
with absolute power.
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Niuserre is
a self-declared Sun King,
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ruling with the power of Ra
behind him.
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Max believes Niuserre's
association with
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the all-powerful Sun God
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could be the key to why
he builds
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this pioneering monument.
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He searches for evidence
among the ruins
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He searches for evidence
among the ruins
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and finds hieroglyphic clues.
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In this hieroglyphic
inscription,
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we have the original name of
the monument, described as
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Shesep-ib-re --
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that means something like
"the place of
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the joy of Ra," the Sun God.
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NARRATOR: The inscription
is proof that this mysterious
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ruin is the sun temple
of Niuserre.
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MAX: So here, we really find
a confirmation that this is
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a sun temple,
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the center of the sun culture
during the Sun King time.
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the center of the sun culture
during the Sun King time.
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Niuserre builds his sun temple
in 2400 BCE.
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He constructs
a four-pillar portico
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and an entrance sheathed
in gleaming white limestone.
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Beyond it,
a 400-foot causeway ascends
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to an impressive terrace.
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Here, an imposing gateway
leads into a vast enclosure,
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dominated by a 65-foot
truncated pyramid
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and cased in lavish
red granite.
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Sitting on top
is a monumental 118-foot-tall
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obelisk made of
solid white limestone.
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What is the purpose
of this strange temple?
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Max investigates a key feature
of the temple to find out.
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This is an altar composed of
four huge alabaster slabs.
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This is an altar composed of
four huge alabaster slabs.
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NARRATOR: He thinks
the choice of this rare
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and precious stone
and the altar's shape
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are both significant.
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Alabaster is the main symbol
of purity, the symbol of
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the Sun God, and these slabs are
done in a peculiar shape,
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with this rounded edge
and elongated side,
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which is a so-called
hetep sign --
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means offer --
offer to whom?
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Offer to the Sun God,
who is
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represented in the center with
this impressive and huge disk.
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represented in the center with
this impressive and huge disk.
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NARRATOR: This alabaster altar
at the heart of the temple
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is where priests make
offerings to Ra, the Sun God.
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Max believes the temple
marks a turning point in
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ancient Egypt,
the rise of the Sun Kings.
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MAX: Here,
we really see the apex of
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the solar cult
for the first time.
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Here, we see the manifestation
of the direct association
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of the cult of the sun
with the king.
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Here we have, really, the center
of the Sun King era.
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Here we have, really, the center
of the Sun King era.
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NARRATOR: The Sun Kings
put themselves at
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the center of the cult
and transform ancient Egypt.
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We are actually on top of
the obelisk of the sun temple
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of Niuserre, and from here,
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we really touch the sky
and the sun.
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For ancient Egyptians,
afterlife was at the core
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of their religious system
and of their beliefs.
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But here in the sun temple,
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what is in the center of
attention is everyday life, is
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what is in the center of
attention is everyday life, is
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everyday cult of the sun, and
the king connected to the sun.
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NARRATOR: The pharaohs of
previous dynasties are revered
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as supreme leaders
during their rule
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and become gods
in the afterlife.
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But with
the sun cult of Ra,
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the pharaohs are now worshiped
as gods in their lifetime.
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What can a buried tomb reveal
about this radical 5th dynasty?
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And can a mysterious
mummy help
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And can a mysterious
mummy help
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identify more of
these powerful god kings?
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NARRATOR: Abusir --
a mysterious necropolis where
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a pharaoh elevates himself
to god status
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and transforms ancient
Egyptian civilization.
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{\an8}Cédric Gobeil wants to find
out if these tombs
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{\an8}are connected to the cult
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and if this entire necropolis
is filled with Sun Kings.
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He explores
a vast stone structure
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hidden in the sand here.
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From above, he can see
the interior layout
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of a burial chamber,
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along with the remains of
a makeshift roof.
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Very strangely,
the top was capped
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by pebbles, stone, and sand,
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and the outside of the structure
was cased with limestones.
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NARRATOR: This is a mastaba,
a single-story tomb.
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NARRATOR: This is a mastaba,
a single-story tomb.
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They are built by
the ancient Egyptians
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throughout
their civilization.
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When archaeologists
excavate here,
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they make
a remarkable discovery.
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20 feet below ground,
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deep inside the tomb,
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they unearth pieces of
a red granite sarcophagus,
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fragments of four travertine
canopic jars,
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and pieces of a mummy,
including a complete left hand.
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and pieces of a mummy,
including a complete left hand.
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Hidden with these finds,
buried in the heart of
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the tomb, is a limestone block
painted with
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a mysterious
black inscription.
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Can these markings
reveal the identity
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of the pharaoh
who is entombed here?
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Cédric examines
the evidence
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discovered in
the original excavation.
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CéDRIC: The first one,
really striking,
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CéDRIC: The first one,
really striking,
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is a mummified hand,
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and anthropological analysis
have shown that this is
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the left hand of
a male individual
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that died between the age 20,
23 years old.
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NARRATOR: This is
likely the hand of
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the tomb's original occupant.
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The excavators unearth
a clue to his identity.
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CéDRIC: In another picture,
I see hieroglyphs.
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It's painted with black ink.
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It clearly shows the name of
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It clearly shows the name of
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a king,
because we see the cartouche.
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There's the design Ra,
nefer, and F,
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so three signs.
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This is the name of
the king, Neferefre.
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So this is it.
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We are in the mastaba
of Neferefre.
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This royal name,
Neferefre,
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features the same
distinctive ending as Niuserre.
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This pharaoh makes
the same statement of
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his divine link to Ra,
the Sun God,
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his divine link to Ra,
the Sun God,
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and asserts his claim that
he is also a living god.
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This quarry mark is proof
that the pharaoh buried
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here is also part of
the pioneering Sun Cult.
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Neferefre is a pharaoh
of the 5th Dynasty.
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He rules for just two years
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00:12:59,667 --> 00:13:02,367
and dies prematurely
at the age of 23.
248
00:13:04,300 --> 00:13:07,300
Cédric suspects this whole
necropolis could be filled
249
00:13:07,367 --> 00:13:08,640
with the rulers of
this mysterious Sun Cult.
250
00:13:08,640 --> 00:13:09,000
with the rulers of
this mysterious Sun Cult.
251
00:13:11,767 --> 00:13:13,166
He hunts for more evidence in
252
00:13:13,266 --> 00:13:15,867
the ruins of a once
grand mortuary temple.
253
00:13:17,567 --> 00:13:19,200
Oh, wow!
There it is.
254
00:13:21,367 --> 00:13:23,567
You see,
this block actually is
255
00:13:23,667 --> 00:13:26,100
giving me the name of
another king.
256
00:13:26,166 --> 00:13:29,100
So we clearly see
the cartouche inside,
257
00:13:29,166 --> 00:13:31,100
which you have then
the hieroglyph signs,
258
00:13:31,166 --> 00:13:34,266
giving the name
of Sa-hu-re.
259
00:13:34,266 --> 00:13:35,900
So the king, Sahure.
260
00:13:37,266 --> 00:13:38,640
NARRATOR: Sahure is now
the third king
261
00:13:38,640 --> 00:13:39,000
NARRATOR: Sahure is now
the third king
262
00:13:39,367 --> 00:13:43,667
identified here, alongside
Neferefre and his mastaba
263
00:13:43,767 --> 00:13:45,667
and Niuserre
with his sun temple.
264
00:13:47,567 --> 00:13:50,000
Cédric investigates
the connection between
265
00:13:50,066 --> 00:13:51,233
these pharaohs.
266
00:13:51,266 --> 00:13:54,500
He examines a huge inscription
known as the King List,
267
00:13:54,567 --> 00:13:58,467
discovered inside the temple
of Abydos in southern Egypt.
268
00:13:58,467 --> 00:14:01,767
Created by Pharaoh Seti I,
it lists
269
00:14:01,767 --> 00:14:05,367
the succession of kings
throughout ancient Egypt.
270
00:14:05,467 --> 00:14:08,640
It gives us the names of
the king in chronological order,
271
00:14:08,640 --> 00:14:09,000
It gives us the names of
the king in chronological order,
272
00:14:09,767 --> 00:14:12,567
and what I can see
when I zoom in
273
00:14:12,567 --> 00:14:14,667
is two names
that catch my attention.
274
00:14:14,667 --> 00:14:17,100
So Neferefre
in a cartouche,
275
00:14:17,166 --> 00:14:20,300
and in another cartouche,
we see Sahure.
276
00:14:20,367 --> 00:14:23,467
The list reveals
a close connection.
277
00:14:23,567 --> 00:14:26,367
There's only one king
between those two.
278
00:14:26,467 --> 00:14:29,800
So the impression
I have is that they --
279
00:14:29,867 --> 00:14:32,367
they could be part of
the same family,
280
00:14:32,367 --> 00:14:36,166
knowing that kings would
succeed from father to son.
281
00:14:37,400 --> 00:14:38,640
The king list enables Cédric
to trace the line of Sahure.
282
00:14:38,640 --> 00:14:39,000
The king list enables Cédric
to trace the line of Sahure.
283
00:14:42,100 --> 00:14:45,467
It reveals that Neferefre
and Niuserre follow in
284
00:14:45,567 --> 00:14:49,667
succession and are likely to
be his grandsons, two brothers.
285
00:14:49,767 --> 00:14:53,100
They are all in
one same family.
286
00:14:53,166 --> 00:14:56,266
Therefore, the Abusir site,
the necropolis,
287
00:14:56,266 --> 00:14:58,567
could be a necropolis
of a royal family.
288
00:15:02,100 --> 00:15:06,066
NARRATOR: Sahure is the second
ruler of Egypt's 5th Dynasty.
289
00:15:06,066 --> 00:15:08,640
He is father to Neferirkare
290
00:15:08,640 --> 00:15:08,767
He is father to Neferirkare
291
00:15:08,867 --> 00:15:09,000
and grandfather to
Neferefre and Niuserre.
292
00:15:14,667 --> 00:15:16,367
All Sun Kings,
293
00:15:16,467 --> 00:15:18,567
they are buried beside one
another in
294
00:15:18,567 --> 00:15:21,500
Abusir, along with
their wives and Children.
295
00:15:24,867 --> 00:15:28,367
Abusir is the Sun King's
family cemetery.
296
00:15:28,367 --> 00:15:31,900
These radical pharaohs
declare a new era for Egypt
297
00:15:32,000 --> 00:15:34,166
with their Sun Cult
at its heart.
298
00:15:35,100 --> 00:15:37,467
They elevate themselves
to a higher status
299
00:15:37,467 --> 00:15:38,640
in life than any pharaoh
before them.
300
00:15:38,640 --> 00:15:39,000
in life than any pharaoh
before them.
301
00:15:40,700 --> 00:15:42,967
Their people worship them
as Sun Gods
302
00:15:42,967 --> 00:15:44,266
during their reign.
303
00:15:45,400 --> 00:15:48,266
Their Sun Cult thrives for
more than a century.
304
00:15:51,200 --> 00:15:52,500
And the Sun Kings rule
305
00:15:52,567 --> 00:15:54,600
over their people with
divine authority.
306
00:15:56,266 --> 00:16:00,066
Can discoveries beneath
the sand reveal macabre new
307
00:16:00,066 --> 00:16:03,100
rituals in the name
of their Sun Cult,
308
00:16:03,166 --> 00:16:06,266
and can evidence of
an uprising expose why these
309
00:16:06,266 --> 00:16:08,640
pharaohs go to such extreme
lengths in pursuit of power?
310
00:16:08,640 --> 00:16:09,000
pharaohs go to such extreme
lengths in pursuit of power?
311
00:16:20,467 --> 00:16:23,467
NARRATOR:
At Abusir, Max Nuzzolo
312
00:16:23,467 --> 00:16:25,400
investigates
the mysterious pyramids
313
00:16:25,467 --> 00:16:27,000
and mortuary temples
314
00:16:27,066 --> 00:16:30,000
of the 5th Dynasty
Sun Kings.
315
00:16:30,066 --> 00:16:32,200
What we can see here
is the remains of
316
00:16:32,266 --> 00:16:34,767
the hypostyle hall of
the pyramid complex
317
00:16:34,867 --> 00:16:36,066
of King Neferefre.
318
00:16:38,000 --> 00:16:41,166
Neferefre, a fourth generation
Sun King, builds
319
00:16:41,266 --> 00:16:43,400
this structure at the foot of
his pyramid.
320
00:16:44,900 --> 00:16:45,120
It is built largely
from mud brick
321
00:16:45,120 --> 00:16:46,000
It is built largely
from mud brick
322
00:16:46,867 --> 00:16:48,867
and has eroded
over the millennia.
323
00:16:50,000 --> 00:16:51,567
But the remains reveal
324
00:16:51,567 --> 00:16:54,467
it is once an extraordinary
feat of engineering.
325
00:16:59,066 --> 00:17:00,567
In its prime,
326
00:17:00,667 --> 00:17:02,767
this is a grand,
columned hall,
327
00:17:02,767 --> 00:17:06,767
the first of its kind
discovered in ancient Egypt.
328
00:17:06,767 --> 00:17:10,467
Twenty beautifully crafted
wooden columns are set on solid
329
00:17:10,467 --> 00:17:13,900
limestone bases and are painted
in striking color.
330
00:17:15,300 --> 00:17:16,000
In the main hall
stands a life-size
331
00:17:17,567 --> 00:17:20,800
statue of the pharaoh,
seated on a golden throne.
332
00:17:20,867 --> 00:17:24,367
Many more adorn the hall,
made from wood
333
00:17:24,467 --> 00:17:26,066
and polished limestone.
334
00:17:27,800 --> 00:17:30,800
But beneath them are small
wooden statuettes of
335
00:17:30,867 --> 00:17:32,066
Egypt's enemies,
336
00:17:32,066 --> 00:17:36,367
Nubians and Libyans, kneeling
with their hands tied.
337
00:17:37,367 --> 00:17:39,800
What can this sacred space
reveal about
338
00:17:39,867 --> 00:17:42,000
how the Sun Kings run
their cult?
339
00:17:45,467 --> 00:17:46,000
The hypostyle hall is at
340
00:17:47,100 --> 00:17:49,700
the heart of Neferefre's
mortuary temple.
341
00:17:51,467 --> 00:17:55,500
A mortuary temple in ancient
Egypt is a highly sacred space.
342
00:17:57,767 --> 00:18:01,100
It is a place to worship
the reign of the pharaoh,
343
00:18:01,166 --> 00:18:05,166
as well as to celebrate
his journey into the afterlife.
344
00:18:05,266 --> 00:18:07,767
The mortuary temple of
a king in the 5th Dynasty
345
00:18:07,767 --> 00:18:10,367
was a kind of
the resurrection machine,
346
00:18:10,467 --> 00:18:12,100
made through several steps.
347
00:18:12,166 --> 00:18:14,367
First of all,
specific rituals to be
348
00:18:14,367 --> 00:18:15,120
carried out in individual
part of the complex.
349
00:18:15,120 --> 00:18:16,000
carried out in individual
part of the complex.
350
00:18:17,066 --> 00:18:21,367
Secondly, with a huge decoration
showing the king as
351
00:18:21,467 --> 00:18:23,166
the legitimate son
of the Sun God
352
00:18:23,166 --> 00:18:26,000
accomplishing all
these tasks on Earth.
353
00:18:27,867 --> 00:18:29,767
NARRATOR:
The 5th Dynasty Sun Kings
354
00:18:29,767 --> 00:18:31,367
make their pyramids smaller
355
00:18:31,367 --> 00:18:33,066
than the massive
mega structures
356
00:18:33,066 --> 00:18:34,400
of the earlier pharaohs.
357
00:18:35,700 --> 00:18:38,500
But they build their mortuary
temples much bigger.
358
00:18:40,166 --> 00:18:42,600
They fill them with
powerful iconography of
359
00:18:42,667 --> 00:18:43,767
conquered enemies,
360
00:18:43,867 --> 00:18:45,120
so they are remembered
as successful rulers.
361
00:18:45,120 --> 00:18:46,000
so they are remembered
as successful rulers.
362
00:18:49,367 --> 00:18:51,467
Max visits
a remote corner of
363
00:18:51,467 --> 00:18:54,367
this vast pyramid complex
to investigate further.
364
00:18:56,400 --> 00:18:59,567
When we look at this site,
the first impression is void,
365
00:18:59,667 --> 00:19:01,600
emptiness, but, in fact,
this is
366
00:19:01,667 --> 00:19:04,166
only appearance, because here,
below our feet,
367
00:19:04,166 --> 00:19:06,300
once there was
the Sanctuary of the Knife,
368
00:19:06,367 --> 00:19:08,166
a very important monument
369
00:19:08,266 --> 00:19:11,166
connected to the mortuary
complex of King Neferefre.
370
00:19:15,100 --> 00:19:15,120
NARRATOR: When archaeologists
excavate the site,
371
00:19:15,120 --> 00:19:16,000
NARRATOR: When archaeologists
excavate the site,
372
00:19:17,767 --> 00:19:20,367
they unearth the ruins of
a mud brick building
373
00:19:20,367 --> 00:19:22,400
over 65 feet long,
374
00:19:22,467 --> 00:19:24,300
the Sanctuary of the Knife.
375
00:19:25,467 --> 00:19:27,600
Near the entrance of
one chamber,
376
00:19:27,667 --> 00:19:30,967
they find sharp flint knives
scattered in the sand.
377
00:19:33,367 --> 00:19:35,900
In a neighboring chamber,
they discover fragments of
378
00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:37,700
a jar.
379
00:19:37,767 --> 00:19:42,000
Close analysis reveals
traces of beef fat inside.
380
00:19:42,066 --> 00:19:45,000
In a final room,
they unearth cattle horns
381
00:19:45,066 --> 00:19:45,120
and part of
an animal skull.
382
00:19:45,120 --> 00:19:46,000
and part of
an animal skull.
383
00:19:47,567 --> 00:19:49,500
Are these macabre discoveries
384
00:19:49,567 --> 00:19:51,567
evidence of extravagant
rituals
385
00:19:51,567 --> 00:19:53,467
invented by the Sun Kings?
386
00:20:00,266 --> 00:20:02,667
This was a slaughterhouse,
a big
387
00:20:02,667 --> 00:20:05,166
area for slaughtering
and production of meat.
388
00:20:06,400 --> 00:20:08,467
NARRATOR:
The size of the slaughterhouse
389
00:20:08,467 --> 00:20:10,667
discovered here
suggests it's used
390
00:20:10,667 --> 00:20:13,467
for large-scale events,
where huge numbers
391
00:20:13,567 --> 00:20:15,100
of animals are sacrificed.
392
00:20:17,900 --> 00:20:21,066
Extravagant rituals
like these allow the Sun Kings
393
00:20:21,066 --> 00:20:24,467
to demonstrate their divine
status and political power.
394
00:20:26,367 --> 00:20:29,000
This was, in the end,
an important means to create
395
00:20:29,066 --> 00:20:32,900
a social consensus
and a political stability among
396
00:20:33,000 --> 00:20:34,266
the people supporting the king.
397
00:20:36,200 --> 00:20:38,767
NARRATOR: The Sun Kings
live as self-proclaimed
398
00:20:38,867 --> 00:20:41,767
divine rulers,
descended from the Sun God,
399
00:20:42,867 --> 00:20:45,120
and keep their memory alive
through ritual
400
00:20:45,120 --> 00:20:45,166
and keep their memory alive
through ritual
401
00:20:45,266 --> 00:20:46,000
sacrifices, offerings,
402
00:20:46,867 --> 00:20:50,567
and worship with sprawling
temple complexes bigger
403
00:20:50,567 --> 00:20:51,667
than any before them.
404
00:20:57,867 --> 00:21:01,100
Why do they introduce
this radical new era of
405
00:21:01,166 --> 00:21:02,467
pharaoh adulation?
406
00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:06,967
Can an extraordinary
buried tomb reveal
407
00:21:06,967 --> 00:21:08,767
a threat to their power?
408
00:21:20,467 --> 00:21:23,166
NARRATOR: Abusir,
a necropolis spanning
409
00:21:23,166 --> 00:21:26,000
more than 400 acres,
packed with pyramids
410
00:21:26,100 --> 00:21:29,166
and temples that honor
the 5th Dynasty Sun Kings.
411
00:21:30,667 --> 00:21:32,667
But in the heart of
the royal cemetery,
412
00:21:32,767 --> 00:21:36,567
one revolutionary structure
reveals an existential threat
413
00:21:36,567 --> 00:21:37,700
to their rule.
414
00:21:42,467 --> 00:21:45,360
This is
an exquisitely built tomb.
415
00:21:45,360 --> 00:21:45,467
This is
an exquisitely built tomb.
416
00:21:45,567 --> 00:21:46,000
The entrance features
a monumental portico held
417
00:21:48,767 --> 00:21:52,266
by two 20-foot-tall,
lotus-shaped columns.
418
00:21:53,367 --> 00:21:55,467
This gateway leads
to a large-scale
419
00:21:55,567 --> 00:21:59,767
pillared courtyard, with
20 decorated limestone columns.
420
00:22:04,567 --> 00:22:07,867
And deep underground
lies a burial chamber
421
00:22:07,967 --> 00:22:10,667
with two enormous
red granite sarcophagi,
422
00:22:10,767 --> 00:22:13,100
protected
by a gabled ceiling of
423
00:22:13,166 --> 00:22:15,166
monolithic limestone blocks.
424
00:22:17,467 --> 00:22:20,266
Who is this extensive
tomb built for?
425
00:22:20,367 --> 00:22:22,800
And how do they threaten
the Sun Kings?
426
00:22:27,700 --> 00:22:31,100
{\an8}Kimberley Watt is on
a mission to find out.
427
00:22:31,166 --> 00:22:34,967
{\an8}She has been granted special
access to explore this tomb.
428
00:22:39,567 --> 00:22:42,667
This place is
absolutely massive.
429
00:22:42,667 --> 00:22:45,360
NARRATOR: The tomb is
grand and imposing.
430
00:22:45,360 --> 00:22:45,800
NARRATOR: The tomb is
grand and imposing.
431
00:22:45,867 --> 00:22:46,000
It includes royal
architectural features
432
00:22:48,367 --> 00:22:49,800
and extensive reliefs.
433
00:22:52,000 --> 00:22:57,166
KIMBERLEY: This courtyard is
filled with around 20 pillars,
434
00:22:57,166 --> 00:23:00,567
and all of them are covered
with the same figure.
435
00:23:00,567 --> 00:23:04,467
It's a relief of a man.
436
00:23:04,467 --> 00:23:07,967
NARRATOR: Kimberley spots
an inscription above the relief.
437
00:23:07,967 --> 00:23:10,567
It spells out his name
in hieroglyphs.
438
00:23:11,600 --> 00:23:14,800
His name up there
is Ptahshepses.
439
00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:19,266
Ptahshepses lives in the reign
of the Pharaoh Niuserre,
440
00:23:19,266 --> 00:23:20,967
the sixth Sun King.
441
00:23:22,166 --> 00:23:25,567
This is at a scale that we
normally see for royal people,
442
00:23:25,567 --> 00:23:28,467
However, we don't know
any royal by the name of
443
00:23:28,567 --> 00:23:31,100
Ptahshepses --
this individual is not
444
00:23:31,166 --> 00:23:35,367
a royal person, because
he has a staff here,
445
00:23:35,367 --> 00:23:37,367
which you can see
in his left hand.
446
00:23:37,367 --> 00:23:39,300
It's a sign that
he's an official.
447
00:23:39,367 --> 00:23:44,400
So this huge complex of
nearly 40 rooms
448
00:23:44,467 --> 00:23:45,360
belonged to an official
that must have
449
00:23:45,360 --> 00:23:46,000
belonged to an official
that must have
450
00:23:46,867 --> 00:23:50,367
been so high up in
the administration, that he was
451
00:23:50,467 --> 00:23:52,667
able to organize for himself
452
00:23:52,667 --> 00:23:54,367
a tomb to this scale.
453
00:23:55,767 --> 00:23:58,066
NARRATOR:
It's a lavish tomb.
454
00:23:58,066 --> 00:24:00,667
Ptahshepses clearly
accumulates vast wealth in
455
00:24:00,767 --> 00:24:02,567
his service of the Sun Kings.
456
00:24:03,667 --> 00:24:05,867
He's represented
on all the walls,
457
00:24:05,867 --> 00:24:09,200
and actually, the courtyards,
they go into this direction.
458
00:24:10,667 --> 00:24:13,400
NARRATOR: Kimberley follows
the direction indicated by
459
00:24:13,467 --> 00:24:15,360
the reliefs and heads
to the heart of the tomb.
460
00:24:15,360 --> 00:24:16,000
the reliefs and heads
to the heart of the tomb.
461
00:24:17,867 --> 00:24:20,300
KIMBERLEY: This is the burial
chamber of Ptahshepses.
462
00:24:20,367 --> 00:24:23,567
We see the huge sarcophagus
in red granite.
463
00:24:24,800 --> 00:24:27,066
Just next to it,
there's a smaller one.
464
00:24:28,200 --> 00:24:29,800
NARRATOR:
The smaller sarcophagus
465
00:24:29,867 --> 00:24:31,400
is an intriguing discovery.
466
00:24:32,867 --> 00:24:35,266
Kimberley heads deeper into
the tomb to
467
00:24:35,266 --> 00:24:37,967
hunt for clues to
Ptahshepses' companion.
468
00:24:37,967 --> 00:24:40,567
They could reveal more
about this unique
469
00:24:40,667 --> 00:24:44,200
official and how he becomes
so powerful.
470
00:24:44,266 --> 00:24:45,360
Here, we see him again in
the entrance hall of
471
00:24:45,360 --> 00:24:46,000
Here, we see him again in
the entrance hall of
472
00:24:47,567 --> 00:24:48,967
the funerary chapel,
473
00:24:48,967 --> 00:24:51,900
and, as you can see,
the colors are extremely
474
00:24:52,000 --> 00:24:53,000
well preserved.
475
00:24:53,000 --> 00:24:56,967
We can see here that
he is seated, and we may
476
00:24:56,967 --> 00:24:59,367
have found the identity of
the person
477
00:24:59,467 --> 00:25:01,100
who has a second sarcophagus.
478
00:25:02,367 --> 00:25:05,066
NARRATOR: Kimberley decodes
the hieroglyphs to decipher
479
00:25:05,066 --> 00:25:06,300
their identity.
480
00:25:07,400 --> 00:25:10,800
This is his wife,
Khamerernebty,
481
00:25:10,867 --> 00:25:14,400
and she is not just his wife,
she is also,
482
00:25:14,467 --> 00:25:15,360
and we can see it here in
the inscription,
483
00:25:15,360 --> 00:25:16,000
and we can see it here in
the inscription,
484
00:25:16,967 --> 00:25:19,066
in the second column here,
485
00:25:19,066 --> 00:25:21,667
she is a princess.
486
00:25:21,667 --> 00:25:23,467
She is a daughter
of a king.
487
00:25:24,800 --> 00:25:26,600
NARRATOR: It's
an incredible revelation.
488
00:25:26,667 --> 00:25:28,867
It's one of the first times
in the history
489
00:25:28,967 --> 00:25:33,100
of ancient Egypt that
a princess marries a commoner.
490
00:25:33,166 --> 00:25:36,100
Kimberley wants to find out
how Ptahshepses rises to
491
00:25:36,166 --> 00:25:39,000
this remarkable position
and what it means
492
00:25:39,100 --> 00:25:40,266
for the Sun Kings.
493
00:25:41,767 --> 00:25:44,400
She hunts for further
hieroglyphic clues.
494
00:25:45,567 --> 00:25:46,000
So here,
we find Ptahshepses.
495
00:25:47,567 --> 00:25:50,700
You can see his name just here,
and then we have a very
496
00:25:50,767 --> 00:25:54,000
interesting title --
he is a iry nfr .
497
00:25:54,100 --> 00:25:57,767
Iry nfr means that he is
the keeper of the hairdress,
498
00:25:57,767 --> 00:26:00,667
so the wig of the king,
and that gives him
499
00:26:00,767 --> 00:26:03,166
very close proximity
to the king.
500
00:26:05,767 --> 00:26:08,567
NARRATOR: Kimberley uncovers
a series of hieroglyphs
501
00:26:08,667 --> 00:26:11,467
that reveal Ptahshepses's
final status.
502
00:26:11,467 --> 00:26:15,000
Two of the titles that
we see here are very important.
503
00:26:15,066 --> 00:26:15,360
He's a judge,
and he's a vizier,
504
00:26:15,360 --> 00:26:16,000
He's a judge,
and he's a vizier,
505
00:26:17,266 --> 00:26:21,100
so the highest official in
the entire government in Egypt.
506
00:26:23,767 --> 00:26:25,567
NARRATOR: Ptahshepses starts
his career as
507
00:26:25,667 --> 00:26:28,467
the Pharaoh Niuserre's
hairdresser and manicurist.
508
00:26:28,467 --> 00:26:31,166
The role gives him special
access to the pharaoh
509
00:26:31,266 --> 00:26:33,967
and smoothes the path
to ever-higher offices
510
00:26:33,967 --> 00:26:35,166
of the royal court.
511
00:26:36,700 --> 00:26:38,767
He rises through
the ranks to become
512
00:26:38,867 --> 00:26:43,000
overseer of all royal
construction projects in Egypt,
513
00:26:43,066 --> 00:26:45,100
including those in Abusir.
514
00:26:46,500 --> 00:26:50,600
Finally, Ptahshepses becomes
vizier to the king,
515
00:26:50,667 --> 00:26:53,400
the equivalent to a modern-day
prime minister.
516
00:26:53,467 --> 00:26:56,000
He only answers
to the pharaoh himself.
517
00:26:57,600 --> 00:27:00,367
Ptahshepses becomes
so influential in the royal
518
00:27:00,467 --> 00:27:03,266
court that Niuserre has him
marry his daughter,
519
00:27:03,266 --> 00:27:04,700
Khamerernebty,
520
00:27:04,767 --> 00:27:07,567
to guarantee his allegiance
and loyalty.
521
00:27:09,600 --> 00:27:12,900
The rise of Ptahshepses reveals
a power shift taking
522
00:27:13,000 --> 00:27:15,360
place where even a god king
finds himself compromised.
523
00:27:15,360 --> 00:27:16,000
place where even a god king
finds himself compromised.
524
00:27:18,166 --> 00:27:21,767
When all the kings built
their pyramids and their temple,
525
00:27:21,867 --> 00:27:24,200
every time, they use
the resource of the country.
526
00:27:24,266 --> 00:27:26,367
The resource
were overstretched.
527
00:27:26,367 --> 00:27:30,200
What happened after this
overstretching resource of
528
00:27:30,266 --> 00:27:32,000
the kings,
they relied
529
00:27:32,100 --> 00:27:34,767
on the loyalty of
their officials, and that's how
530
00:27:34,767 --> 00:27:37,900
we see it in
Ptahshepses's tomb, that he
531
00:27:38,000 --> 00:27:41,467
made sure that this very high
official actually was loyal to
532
00:27:41,567 --> 00:27:44,266
him by marrying
his daughter to him.
533
00:27:44,367 --> 00:27:45,360
NARRATOR: The 5th Dynasty
pharaohs suffer
534
00:27:45,360 --> 00:27:46,000
NARRATOR: The 5th Dynasty
pharaohs suffer
535
00:27:46,467 --> 00:27:49,166
the consequences
of centuries of excess.
536
00:27:51,667 --> 00:27:55,367
In Egypt's 1st and 2nd
Dynasties, the pharaohs build
537
00:27:55,367 --> 00:27:57,400
simple single-story mastabas,
538
00:27:57,467 --> 00:28:01,000
but by the 3rd Dynasty,
the pharaohs start to build
539
00:28:01,100 --> 00:28:02,667
elaborate step pyramids.
540
00:28:02,767 --> 00:28:05,867
By the 4th Dynasty,
the construction of
541
00:28:05,867 --> 00:28:09,400
the giant pyramids at Giza
nearly bankrupts the state.
542
00:28:09,467 --> 00:28:12,367
So the Abusir pyramids
are much smaller.
543
00:28:15,700 --> 00:28:16,000
To combat
their waning authority,
544
00:28:18,567 --> 00:28:21,867
the 5th Dynasty pharaohs
claim they are Sun Kings,
545
00:28:23,266 --> 00:28:25,066
and they secure
the loyalty of
546
00:28:25,066 --> 00:28:27,166
powerful officials
like Ptahshepses
547
00:28:27,166 --> 00:28:29,367
through royal marriage.
548
00:28:29,467 --> 00:28:31,767
Their Sun Cult revolution
is a desperate
549
00:28:31,867 --> 00:28:33,967
attempt to cling on
to their rule.
550
00:28:38,867 --> 00:28:42,667
Do these god kings manage
to hold onto their power,
551
00:28:42,667 --> 00:28:45,360
or is the Sun Cult
destined to fall?
552
00:28:45,360 --> 00:28:46,000
or is the Sun Cult
destined to fall?
553
00:28:55,767 --> 00:28:59,200
NARRATOR: Abusir, a royal
necropolis and power base
554
00:28:59,266 --> 00:29:02,266
to a family of
self-appointed god kings.
555
00:29:04,367 --> 00:29:08,600
Their rule relies on an elite
class of royal courtiers.
556
00:29:14,767 --> 00:29:18,166
Max Nuzzolo investigates
how the sun finally
557
00:29:18,266 --> 00:29:20,767
sets on the rule
of the Sun Kings.
558
00:29:21,867 --> 00:29:22,000
He heads two miles south
of Abusir
559
00:29:24,166 --> 00:29:27,367
to Saqqara to examine
the tomb of Ty,
560
00:29:27,367 --> 00:29:31,567
one of the most spectacular
tombs from the 5th Dynasty.
561
00:29:33,166 --> 00:29:35,667
Ty is a powerful official.
562
00:29:35,667 --> 00:29:38,400
He rises to high priest
under the rule of
563
00:29:38,467 --> 00:29:41,166
the Pharaoh Niuserre,
the 6th Sun King.
564
00:29:43,166 --> 00:29:45,467
MAX: The outstanding quality
of the decoration
565
00:29:45,467 --> 00:29:48,266
and architecture of his tomb
demonstrated Ty
566
00:29:48,266 --> 00:29:49,867
was really
a very powerful man,
567
00:29:49,967 --> 00:29:51,720
even competing somehow with
the king, because he had inside
568
00:29:51,720 --> 00:29:52,000
even competing somehow with
the king, because he had inside
569
00:29:53,667 --> 00:29:55,567
elements of royal architecture.
570
00:29:56,767 --> 00:30:00,600
The tomb of Ty is as lavish
as that of Ptahshepses.
571
00:30:00,667 --> 00:30:02,500
It is evidence of yet another
572
00:30:02,567 --> 00:30:05,300
radical shift in ancient
Egyptian society.
573
00:30:09,400 --> 00:30:12,567
Max ventures deeper into
the very heart of the tomb.
574
00:30:15,500 --> 00:30:19,200
He examines the walls for
reference to the Sun God Ra,
575
00:30:19,266 --> 00:30:20,500
but can't see any.
576
00:30:23,266 --> 00:30:25,367
MAX: We are now in
the inner chamber,
577
00:30:25,367 --> 00:30:27,567
inner offering chamber
of the tomb of Ty.
578
00:30:27,667 --> 00:30:28,600
Here on the first door,
579
00:30:28,667 --> 00:30:31,100
we have the entire career
of the life of Ty.
580
00:30:32,400 --> 00:30:35,300
On the top of the first door,
on the [indistinct],
581
00:30:35,367 --> 00:30:37,500
we have the very,
very first mention
582
00:30:37,567 --> 00:30:39,667
known so far of
the god Osiris.
583
00:30:41,667 --> 00:30:44,400
NARRATOR: Osiris is
a new and powerful god
584
00:30:44,467 --> 00:30:45,667
in Egyptian belief.
585
00:30:49,000 --> 00:30:51,720
Ancient Egyptian mythology
describes Osiris
586
00:30:51,720 --> 00:30:52,000
Ancient Egyptian mythology
describes Osiris
587
00:30:52,100 --> 00:30:53,500
as a king who brings
588
00:30:53,567 --> 00:30:57,166
the Egyptian people new laws
and teaches them about
589
00:30:57,266 --> 00:30:59,066
agriculture and civilization.
590
00:31:01,300 --> 00:31:04,467
His brother, Seth,
grows jealous of his power.
591
00:31:04,567 --> 00:31:06,800
He cruelly murders
and dismembers
592
00:31:06,867 --> 00:31:10,500
Osiris and scatters his body
across Egypt.
593
00:31:11,700 --> 00:31:13,800
The wife of Osiris,
Isis,
594
00:31:13,867 --> 00:31:16,867
sews the pieces of his body
back together.
595
00:31:16,867 --> 00:31:19,567
She wraps them in linen
and uses
596
00:31:19,567 --> 00:31:21,720
a powerful spell
to bring him back to life.
597
00:31:21,720 --> 00:31:22,000
a powerful spell
to bring him back to life.
598
00:31:24,000 --> 00:31:27,367
Osiris is unable to stay in
the world of the living.
599
00:31:27,467 --> 00:31:30,567
He travels to the underworld
to become king of
600
00:31:30,667 --> 00:31:31,700
the afterlife.
601
00:31:37,000 --> 00:31:38,367
In a way,
we can say that this is
602
00:31:38,467 --> 00:31:40,400
the beginning of the end of
the Sun Kings.
603
00:31:41,767 --> 00:31:45,100
NARRATOR: The promotion of
Osiris over Ra in Ty's tomb
604
00:31:45,166 --> 00:31:48,000
marks the end of
the 5th Dynasty Sun Cult
605
00:31:49,200 --> 00:31:51,720
and heralds a revolution in
ancient Egypt.
606
00:31:51,720 --> 00:31:52,000
and heralds a revolution in
ancient Egypt.
607
00:31:53,166 --> 00:31:55,700
Ty is not just worshiping
a new god.
608
00:31:55,767 --> 00:31:59,400
He plans to join Osiris
in the afterlife.
609
00:31:59,467 --> 00:32:02,166
In this moment in the middle of
the 5th Dynasty,
610
00:32:02,166 --> 00:32:06,200
one private individual is able
to take over royal prerogatives
611
00:32:06,266 --> 00:32:08,200
and the cult of a very important
612
00:32:08,266 --> 00:32:10,367
god like the god Osiris,
to whom
613
00:32:10,367 --> 00:32:13,100
you want to be assimilated in
the afterlife,
614
00:32:13,166 --> 00:32:15,967
exactly as kings wanted to do.
615
00:32:17,367 --> 00:32:20,100
Resurrection --
once the gift of Ra
616
00:32:20,166 --> 00:32:21,720
and the preserve of royalty --
is now for commoners, too.
617
00:32:21,720 --> 00:32:22,000
and the preserve of royalty --
is now for commoners, too.
618
00:32:26,100 --> 00:32:30,767
Ty and Ptahshepses can now
rise in life and in death.
619
00:32:32,266 --> 00:32:35,800
The pharaohs, the Sun Kings,
are losing their unique
620
00:32:35,867 --> 00:32:39,066
authority and their grip
on the levers of power.
621
00:32:42,300 --> 00:32:46,367
Saqqara has more to reveal
about the end of the Sun Kings.
622
00:32:48,166 --> 00:32:50,467
Max ventures
inside the pyramid of
623
00:32:50,567 --> 00:32:51,720
the last pharaoh of
the 5th Dynasty, Unas.
624
00:32:51,720 --> 00:32:52,000
the last pharaoh of
the 5th Dynasty, Unas.
625
00:32:57,767 --> 00:33:00,900
Unas is buried here in
Saqqara, not in
626
00:33:01,000 --> 00:33:02,767
the family necropolis
in Abusir.
627
00:33:04,600 --> 00:33:06,567
Clues here could reveal
628
00:33:06,667 --> 00:33:09,367
the Sun King's ultimate
fall from power.
629
00:33:12,266 --> 00:33:13,767
Oh, wow.
630
00:33:13,867 --> 00:33:17,100
This is astonishing,
incredibly amazing.
631
00:33:17,166 --> 00:33:20,467
The room looks like a small one,
but it's full of
632
00:33:20,567 --> 00:33:21,720
funerary offering formula.
633
00:33:21,720 --> 00:33:22,000
funerary offering formula.
634
00:33:22,867 --> 00:33:26,100
Every single space of this
room is packed with inscription,
635
00:33:26,166 --> 00:33:30,166
because this is about funerary
formulas for the afterlife.
636
00:33:30,166 --> 00:33:31,567
In the end,
the purpose of all of
637
00:33:31,667 --> 00:33:34,967
this was to allow
the resurrection of the king.
638
00:33:36,367 --> 00:33:38,400
Here, you can see
the name of the king
639
00:33:38,467 --> 00:33:41,667
and Osiris, to whom the king
wants to be assimilated.
640
00:33:42,700 --> 00:33:46,166
NARRATOR: It's evidence Unas
puts his faith in Osiris, too.
641
00:33:47,166 --> 00:33:48,700
What we have here
on this wall
642
00:33:48,767 --> 00:33:51,720
is the final assimilation
of King Unas.
643
00:33:51,720 --> 00:33:51,867
is the final assimilation
of King Unas.
644
00:33:51,967 --> 00:33:52,000
You see here the cartouche
and the god Osiris.
645
00:33:54,767 --> 00:33:57,567
So Unas has now become
the god Osiris.
646
00:33:58,867 --> 00:34:00,767
NARRATOR:
Unas now embraces Osiris,
647
00:34:00,767 --> 00:34:02,367
the god of the afterlife.
648
00:34:03,500 --> 00:34:05,266
He never builds
a sun temple.
649
00:34:06,200 --> 00:34:09,000
The 5th Dynasty Sun Cult
is over,
650
00:34:10,400 --> 00:34:13,100
and with it,
the era of the Sun Kings.
651
00:34:14,300 --> 00:34:17,400
This is definitely the turning
point of Egyptian history
652
00:34:17,467 --> 00:34:20,467
and the end of the solar time
and the Sun King's era.
653
00:34:20,567 --> 00:34:21,720
Now the dominant god
is Osiris,
654
00:34:21,720 --> 00:34:22,000
Now the dominant god
is Osiris,
655
00:34:22,967 --> 00:34:25,367
and the king wanted to be
assimilated to Osiris.
656
00:34:25,367 --> 00:34:27,000
This is evidently
the beginning of
657
00:34:27,066 --> 00:34:28,567
a new phase of
Egyptian history.
658
00:34:34,300 --> 00:34:36,767
NARRATOR: Unas dies
without a male heir,
659
00:34:36,867 --> 00:34:39,367
and the 5th dynasty ends,
660
00:34:39,367 --> 00:34:42,767
now only remembered through
its family necropolis.
661
00:34:48,867 --> 00:34:51,720
Egypt's great dynasties come
and go over the millennia,
662
00:34:51,720 --> 00:34:52,000
Egypt's great dynasties come
and go over the millennia,
663
00:34:52,467 --> 00:34:55,266
but the pyramids
they build remain.
664
00:34:55,266 --> 00:34:59,066
They are ancient
engineering wonders.
665
00:34:59,066 --> 00:35:03,667
Cédric believes the ruins at
Abusir hold one final mystery
666
00:35:03,667 --> 00:35:08,000
that could unlock secrets of
all the pyramids in Egypt.
667
00:35:08,066 --> 00:35:12,700
Why is the necropolis built
here, in this exact location?
668
00:35:12,767 --> 00:35:15,567
Can an aerial investigation
shine new light
669
00:35:15,567 --> 00:35:18,467
on Egypt's underlying
obsession with the sun?
670
00:35:28,400 --> 00:35:32,000
Abusir -- this ancient
necropolis charts
671
00:35:32,100 --> 00:35:35,200
the rise and fall
of Egypt's Sun Kings.
672
00:35:36,867 --> 00:35:39,100
Cédric Gobeil
believes one final
673
00:35:39,166 --> 00:35:41,266
mystery remains
to be solved here,
674
00:35:41,266 --> 00:35:45,867
more than 4,000 years after
this site is abandoned.
675
00:35:45,867 --> 00:35:48,867
He's on a mission to
investigate why the pharaohs of
676
00:35:48,867 --> 00:35:51,700
the 5th Dynasty build
their eternal homes
677
00:35:51,767 --> 00:35:53,600
in this exact location.
678
00:35:54,767 --> 00:35:56,900
He thinks Abusir
could be linked to
679
00:35:57,000 --> 00:36:00,467
the wider landscape of
Egypt's most famous pyramids.
680
00:36:00,467 --> 00:36:03,467
CéDRIC: The site of Abusir
covers many acres.
681
00:36:03,467 --> 00:36:08,066
Walking through the pyramids
doesn't give us that many clue
682
00:36:08,066 --> 00:36:09,367
and understanding
683
00:36:09,367 --> 00:36:12,500
of why this site has been
built here, right between Giza
684
00:36:12,567 --> 00:36:13,667
and Saqqara.
685
00:36:13,767 --> 00:36:15,967
NARRATOR:
Abusir sits between Giza,
686
00:36:15,967 --> 00:36:19,467
home of the great pyramids,
and Saqqara, where the first
687
00:36:19,467 --> 00:36:21,266
step pyramids are built.
688
00:36:23,600 --> 00:36:23,800
All three sites are on
the Nile's west bank,
689
00:36:23,800 --> 00:36:24,000
All three sites are on
the Nile's west bank,
690
00:36:26,567 --> 00:36:27,900
where the sun sets.
691
00:36:28,900 --> 00:36:30,800
The ancient Egyptians
believe this is
692
00:36:30,867 --> 00:36:32,867
where the dead can enter
the underworld
693
00:36:32,967 --> 00:36:34,467
as the sun goes down.
694
00:36:36,967 --> 00:36:39,000
Cédric hunts
for more clues about
695
00:36:39,066 --> 00:36:42,100
the precise position
of each pyramid.
696
00:36:42,166 --> 00:36:47,900
I'm looking at a satellite
image of the Cairo area, and we
697
00:36:48,000 --> 00:36:50,967
can see clearly the pyramids of
Giza and the pyramids of
698
00:36:50,967 --> 00:36:53,800
Abusir, and when we look at
the pyramids of Giza,
699
00:36:53,800 --> 00:36:54,000
Abusir, and when we look at
the pyramids of Giza,
700
00:36:54,367 --> 00:36:57,400
we know that they are facing
in a particular direction,
701
00:36:57,467 --> 00:36:59,100
and the pyramids of Abusir
702
00:36:59,166 --> 00:37:02,000
are also facing
in that same direction.
703
00:37:03,367 --> 00:37:06,066
NARRATOR: The aerial evidence
reveals that the northeast
704
00:37:06,066 --> 00:37:07,300
corners of the pyramids
705
00:37:07,367 --> 00:37:10,567
at Giza and Abusir
all aligned in one
706
00:37:10,667 --> 00:37:12,567
particular direction.
707
00:37:12,567 --> 00:37:15,066
So when you take
these two lines,
708
00:37:15,066 --> 00:37:16,567
you see that
they are converging
709
00:37:16,667 --> 00:37:18,066
in one particular spot.
710
00:37:24,600 --> 00:37:28,166
NARRATOR: Cédric heads 17 miles
northeast to examine
711
00:37:28,266 --> 00:37:29,567
what lies at the point
712
00:37:29,600 --> 00:37:33,166
on the map where all the sight
lines of the pyramids converge.
713
00:37:40,300 --> 00:37:43,500
He hopes to find ancient
clues here that could reveal
714
00:37:43,567 --> 00:37:47,000
why the Sun Kings align
their tombs to this point.
715
00:37:52,400 --> 00:37:53,800
This is remarkable,
absolutely.
716
00:37:53,800 --> 00:37:54,000
This is remarkable,
absolutely.
717
00:37:56,266 --> 00:37:57,467
A huge obelisk,
718
00:37:58,667 --> 00:38:01,800
standing there
since millennia.
719
00:38:01,867 --> 00:38:03,000
Wow.
720
00:38:04,700 --> 00:38:10,100
All the pyramid sides are
pointing to that very spot.
721
00:38:11,467 --> 00:38:14,166
NARRATOR: The pyramids
at Abusir and Giza
722
00:38:14,266 --> 00:38:17,367
are all orientated
to face this obelisk.
723
00:38:21,266 --> 00:38:23,800
Cédric scours
the ruins around its base
724
00:38:23,800 --> 00:38:24,000
Cédric scours
the ruins around its base
725
00:38:24,066 --> 00:38:27,166
for clues to this iconic
monument's purpose.
726
00:38:29,400 --> 00:38:32,467
Sitting right in front of
the obelisk, we have here
727
00:38:32,567 --> 00:38:35,100
the depiction of
the god Ra himself,
728
00:38:35,166 --> 00:38:39,000
easily recognizable with his
falcon head carrying
729
00:38:39,066 --> 00:38:40,767
the sun disk
above his head.
730
00:38:42,567 --> 00:38:45,166
NARRATOR: The evidence suggests
this location has
731
00:38:45,166 --> 00:38:48,367
special meaning for the Sun
Kings and the Sun God Ra.
732
00:38:50,266 --> 00:38:53,800
Looking at the inscriptions,
it was built roughly around
733
00:38:53,800 --> 00:38:54,000
Looking at the inscriptions,
it was built roughly around
734
00:38:54,066 --> 00:38:57,967
1950 BC -- clearly,
this is an ancient place,
735
00:38:57,967 --> 00:39:01,867
and the name of this
place is Heliopolis,
736
00:39:01,967 --> 00:39:03,700
the City of the Sun.
737
00:39:04,867 --> 00:39:07,400
NARRATOR:
Heliopolis, the Sun City,
738
00:39:07,467 --> 00:39:10,467
is the birthplace
of the world.
739
00:39:10,567 --> 00:39:13,300
It's one of Egypt's
oldest cities,
740
00:39:13,367 --> 00:39:15,400
the old capital of
lower Egypt.
741
00:39:16,400 --> 00:39:19,166
It's also ancient Egypt's
great religious center,
742
00:39:21,166 --> 00:39:23,800
and this granite colossus
at its heart
743
00:39:23,800 --> 00:39:23,900
and this granite colossus
at its heart
744
00:39:24,000 --> 00:39:27,100
is the oldest surviving
obelisk in the world.
745
00:39:29,166 --> 00:39:31,000
CéDRIC:
The sun was born here,
746
00:39:31,066 --> 00:39:35,900
and an obelisk is the perfect
symbol of this sun.
747
00:39:36,000 --> 00:39:38,867
Like when you're a child,
you draw a sun right?
748
00:39:38,867 --> 00:39:41,300
You have a circle
with all the rays around.
749
00:39:41,367 --> 00:39:45,066
Well actually, the obelisk is
just a petrified ray
750
00:39:45,066 --> 00:39:47,667
of sunlight --
this is what it symbolizes.
751
00:39:49,867 --> 00:39:53,367
Clearly, there was a temple
of the sun right here.
752
00:39:53,467 --> 00:39:53,800
So Ra,
the god Ra,
753
00:39:53,800 --> 00:39:54,000
So Ra,
the god Ra,
754
00:39:56,066 --> 00:39:59,367
one of the most important of
ancient Egypt, he was worshiped
755
00:39:59,467 --> 00:40:03,600
here, and this place must have
been unique to the ancient
756
00:40:03,667 --> 00:40:05,800
Egyptians,
because in their mind,
757
00:40:05,867 --> 00:40:09,467
this was the place
where creation started.
758
00:40:09,467 --> 00:40:12,800
This is the place
where the world was born.
759
00:40:14,367 --> 00:40:16,600
NARRATOR: The Sun Kings
of the 5th Dynasty
760
00:40:16,667 --> 00:40:20,000
hold Heliopolis in
especially high regard.
761
00:40:20,100 --> 00:40:23,800
What links these kings to
this place is actually this
762
00:40:23,800 --> 00:40:24,000
What links these kings to
this place is actually this
763
00:40:24,467 --> 00:40:28,900
is the place where the sun was
being reborn every day.
764
00:40:29,000 --> 00:40:33,867
So these kings were also being
reborn like the sun forever.
765
00:40:39,000 --> 00:40:41,967
NARRATOR: Abusir --
an enigmatic necropolis
766
00:40:41,967 --> 00:40:43,300
filled with pyramids,
767
00:40:43,367 --> 00:40:46,667
elaborate mortuary temples,
and sun temples.
768
00:40:48,400 --> 00:40:52,667
An ancient site that sees
the rise of the Sun Kings,
769
00:40:52,667 --> 00:40:53,800
where the pharaohs rule
as gods with the cult of Ra,
770
00:40:53,800 --> 00:40:54,000
where the pharaohs rule
as gods with the cult of Ra,
771
00:40:57,266 --> 00:40:59,100
until its collapse
and fall to
772
00:40:59,166 --> 00:41:02,400
the cult of Osiris,
god of the underworld.
773
00:41:03,767 --> 00:41:07,867
A site of amazing discoveries
and home to a dynasty of
774
00:41:07,867 --> 00:41:09,600
kings who promote themselves
775
00:41:09,667 --> 00:41:12,867
with extravagant events
and costly rituals,
776
00:41:12,867 --> 00:41:14,467
at the expense of
the state.
777
00:41:15,600 --> 00:41:19,900
A site where an emerging class
of elite officials attain high
778
00:41:20,000 --> 00:41:22,900
status and compete with
the pharaohs for wealth,
779
00:41:23,000 --> 00:41:23,800
power, and a place in eternity
and transform
780
00:41:23,800 --> 00:41:24,000
power, and a place in eternity
and transform
781
00:41:27,166 --> 00:41:29,066
ancient Egypt forever.