In the Land of the Pharaohs - Travel Video.

DVD. Cosmos Global Documentaries. 52 Minutes. The Pyramids Of Gizeh are undoubtedly one of the most impressive and famous historic sites of ancient Egypt, the land of the Pharaohs, a land whose treasures are still, more than four thousand years after their construction, remarkable. A total of 2.3 million stone blocks form the largest pyramid, the Cheops, that was built in around 2560 B.C. on an elevated plateau on the edge of the western desert. The huge contours of the pyramids of Gizeh still dominate Cairo's surrounding landscape. Their dimensions symbolize timeless power and in red shining colours the sky announces the fall of dusk and highlights the dramatic, magical beauty of these monuments. The Step Pyramid of King Djoser rises up almost seventy metres above the ground and it was the world's first monumental stone building. Thus the Step Pyramid is often referred to as the `mother of all pyramids'. A narrow maze-like corridor leads from the outside world into the dark depths of the pyramid and the Pharaoh?s tomb. The flowering period of Thebes began in the Middle Empire when it became the new capital and lasted up until around the 14th century B.C. when Memphis regained its importance and influence. Today Thebes is closely connected with this town of death along the western shore of the Nile and the legendary Valley Of The Kings. In 1922 the discovery of the royal tomb of Tutenkhamen by British archaeologist, Howard Carter, was particularly important. After five years of excavation the scientists were successful and the spectacular treasures surpassed their highest expectations. Although Tutenkhamen died at the tender age of nineteen, his rule thus having little historical significance, the treasures in his tomb made him one of the most famous kings of Ancient Egypt. Today his legendary sarcophagus, that is made entirely of gold, is exhibited in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Up until now more than seventy tombs have been found in the neighbouring Valley Of The Queens. Princes who died at an early age were also buried there and the grave of Nefertari, the wife of Ramses the Second, is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the valley. The Land of the Pharaohs is a fantastic and colourful journey into the intriguing depths of ancient history.