Egypt: Beyond the Pyramids

Ancient Egyptians believed the body could transcend the trauma of death and--in the words of Jim Morrison--"break on through to the other side." Requiring a complex ritual/ceremony, wonderfully detailed in "Death and the Journey to Immortality," the fourth volume in the Egypt: Behind the Pyramids boxed set, the complicated trip to the afterlife warranted a checklist. Mysterious "weighing of the heart" trial presided over by Osiris, God of the Underworld? Check. Maps with directions and routes written all over the tomb walls to help navigate the soul? Check. Enough food, clothing and, perhaps, a favorite pet to make the journey as comfortable as possible? Check. All of which was only preliminary to the most important step of all: mummification. Egyptians spared no expense in truly perfecting this art (and really, when you need something guaranteed for all eternity, there's no reason to scrimp), described in detail here. In addition, the program looks at the range of cemetery "plots" (one's semi-final location dependent, of course, on one's economic standing), from cities of the dead for the common folk, all the way up to well-stocked pyramids. Obviously, the 'keeping up with the Tut's mentality' of bigger is better eventually put serious strain on Egypt's economy, leaving its people vulnerable to outside attacks from the Persians, Greeks and Romans. Viewers have a front row seat, literally on the brink of discovery, as scientists using state-of-the-art archeological equipment, are seen unearthing new secrets of the ancients. Combining informative interviews with exciting new footage from legendary sites such as the Dear el Bahari Temple and the Abydos Boat Graves, this engaging program brings the past to life. Highly recommended. The other titles in the series are: The Daily Life of Ancient Egyptians, The Great Pharaoh and His Lost Children and Mansions of the Spirits. [Note: the DVD includes a behind-the-scenes featurette.] Aud: J, H, C, P. (N. Plympton)