Mysteries of the Pyramids with Dara Ó Briain

Mysteries of the Pyramids with Dara Ó Briain (2024- )

RunningDocumentary showHistory

Dara Ó Briain will be joined by archaeologist Raksha Dave and Egyptologist Dr Chris Naunton to explore the most compelling questions surrounding pyramids – ‘How were they built using massive chunks of stone, so heavy that even today a modern crane would struggle?' or ‘What were the Egyptian pyramid's true function?'; ‘If, as Egyptologists suggest, they're tombs, why has no-one ever discovered a Pharaoh in any of them?'    

They will also explore the more far-fetched theories surrounding the pyramids: Was one a giant power station? Were they built for, or even by, aliens? And the biggest mystery of all – why did the Ancient Egyptians start building them and then stop?    

Debunking the many myths that encompass them, this definitive series will uncover the fascinating archaeological, historical, and scientific findings which tell the story of the Pyramids – revealing the secrets of these mega structures –- and will share eye-opening facts that will both surprise and captivate the audience.

Network
Scheduleevery Monday at 21:00 (60 min)

Last Episode

Episode 2
Season 1Episode 260 min

Episode 2

In the second episode of the series that explores the mysteries of the world's pyramids Dara returns to Egypt in search of answers to the two most compelling mysteries of all: how did the battle between Pharaohs and tomb raiders shape the evolution of the pyramids? And why did the pyramids then ultimately fail?

Dara teams up again with Egyptologist Dr Chris Naunton and archaeologist Raksha Dave.On his journey Dara learns how the pyramid's very existence came from the constant battle between tomb raider and tomb builder.

Visiting Cairo Museum, Dara is in awe of the treasures and golden riches found in these structures, but so, of course, were the tomb raiders of the past. It became a battle of wits, ingenuity, and innovation. Labyrinthine passages, dummy corridors and increasingly larger and more complex pyramid designs were built in an attempt protect the Pharaoh and his treasures. For the ancient Egyptians the pyramid's most important role was to keep the Pharoah's body safely inside so that he could then enter the afterlife.

But ultimately, no matter what they did, they never managed to protect their Pharaoh… the king's eternal rest was always disturbed, his treasure looted. Eventually they changed tack and headed for the mountainous desert to bury their dead in the Valley of the Kings.

Here, Dara comes face to face with the boy king Tutankhamun who managed to evade the looters for over 3000 years, leading to one of the most incredible discoveries of the 20th century, causing a frenzy of ancient Egypt mania that persists to this day.

The ancient Egyptian pyramids may have failed in providing eternal rest, but nearly 5000 years since their invention, their mysteries still captivate us and so, in providing Pharaohs with immortality, they have succeeded after all.

May 27, 2024

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
S01E02Episode 2May 27, 2024
S01E01Episode 1May 20, 2024
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