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(dramatic music)
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Mastrelli: This face turned an
all but forgotten woman
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00:00:05,161 --> 00:00:06,839
Into a global icon.
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00:00:08,121 --> 00:00:13,119
She is nefertiti,
revolutionary, queen of egypt.
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00:00:14,361 --> 00:00:18,279
But what if her modern
reputation is built on a lie?
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00:00:20,274 --> 00:00:24,719
Could the nefertiti bust be
a stunning, sensational fake?
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00:00:27,481 --> 00:00:31,392
For centuries the
mysteries of the past
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00:00:31,401 --> 00:00:34,279
Have kept their secrets,
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00:00:34,354 --> 00:00:39,319
But there are clues cast
in gold, etched in stone,
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Written in blood.
(yelling)
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00:00:45,961 --> 00:00:48,159
We can unlock them.
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00:01:05,954 --> 00:01:08,999
Along with the pyramids,
the face of tutankhamen,
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00:01:11,234 --> 00:01:14,832
And the sphinx, the
head of nefertiti,
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00:01:14,841 --> 00:01:17,232
Resplendent in its blue crown,
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00:01:17,241 --> 00:01:19,799
Is one of egypt's
defining symbols.
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00:01:21,314 --> 00:01:22,919
This is the hope diamond.
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00:01:23,954 --> 00:01:27,559
At 45.52 carats, it's
some serious bling.
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00:01:29,481 --> 00:01:32,199
Except it's not, it's a fake.
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00:01:32,274 --> 00:01:34,199
The real one is in
the smithsonian.
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00:01:34,274 --> 00:01:37,479
These white gloves make it
seem pretty authentic though.
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00:01:37,554 --> 00:01:39,319
And if you were tricked,
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It certainly wouldn't be the
first time someone misjudged
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00:01:41,474 --> 00:01:44,119
A seemingly priceless artifact.
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00:01:44,194 --> 00:01:45,719
Back in the 20th century,
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The appetite for exotic
antiques enabled a market
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00:01:48,361 --> 00:01:49,959
Where even the smartest experts
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00:01:50,034 --> 00:01:53,119
And finest museums weren't
immune to being duped.
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Is that what happened
when curators,
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Hungry for new discoveries,
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00:01:57,081 --> 00:01:59,719
Came face to face with a
forgotten egyptian queen?
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00:02:01,714 --> 00:02:05,519
Berlin, germany,
the neues museum,
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00:02:06,601 --> 00:02:08,999
Where a single
object stands alone.
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00:02:11,161 --> 00:02:14,319
It is the blue crowned
bust of an egyptian queen.
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00:02:18,434 --> 00:02:20,439
Carved from a
block of limestone,
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00:02:21,474 --> 00:02:25,199
Smoothed with plaster,
richly painted,
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00:02:26,281 --> 00:02:30,272
Its image has become one of
the most recognizable on earth,
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Reproduced countless times.
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00:02:34,594 --> 00:02:37,839
Wherever it's displayed
it's big box office.
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00:02:38,994 --> 00:02:40,279
Seyfried: We have between
40
00:02:40,354 --> 00:02:43,392
800,000 and one million
visitors a year,
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00:02:43,401 --> 00:02:45,279
Looking at the famous bust.
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00:02:47,314 --> 00:02:50,679
The painted bust of
nefertiti is really
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00:02:50,754 --> 00:02:53,479
A masterpiece of egyptian art.
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Mastrelli: But
it's more than that.
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Without this bust,
the name nefertiti
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00:02:59,001 --> 00:03:00,999
Would be known only to scholars.
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00:03:02,441 --> 00:03:03,792
While tutankhamen is famous
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00:03:03,801 --> 00:03:06,592
Because his tomb
was found intact,
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00:03:06,601 --> 00:03:11,599
With nefertiti there is no
tomb, no gold, no rich burial.
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00:03:13,314 --> 00:03:15,552
The fact this
sculpture has survived
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00:03:15,561 --> 00:03:18,672
Is in and of itself a miracle.
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00:03:18,681 --> 00:03:20,999
So who was the real
-life nefertiti?
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00:03:22,681 --> 00:03:24,759
Nefertiti was the
great royal wife
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00:03:24,834 --> 00:03:26,719
Of controversial
pharaoh akhenaten
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00:03:27,634 --> 00:03:30,439
Who shook up egypt in
the 14th century bce.
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00:03:31,961 --> 00:03:35,712
For 17 years, he upended
egyptian religious beliefs,
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00:03:35,721 --> 00:03:38,272
Abandoning the tradition
of multiple gods
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00:03:38,281 --> 00:03:42,239
To worship just one,
the sun, or aten.
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00:03:43,801 --> 00:03:45,792
To mark this break
with the past,
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00:03:45,801 --> 00:03:47,959
He uprooted the royal
centers of power
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00:03:48,034 --> 00:03:49,439
In memphis and thebes,
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00:03:50,354 --> 00:03:53,439
Moving to a new capital
in the desert, amarna.
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00:03:56,434 --> 00:04:00,832
After 17 years on the
throne, akhenaten died.
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00:04:00,841 --> 00:04:03,872
There was nobody to
uphold his revolution.
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00:04:03,881 --> 00:04:06,679
The people of egypt
abandoned his religion
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00:04:06,754 --> 00:04:08,599
And his capital
city in the desert,
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00:04:10,274 --> 00:04:14,199
And akhenaten and nefertiti
were branded as heretics.
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00:04:15,561 --> 00:04:18,119
Gangs were commissioned
by the new royal court
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00:04:18,194 --> 00:04:21,552
To seek out images of
akhenaten and nefertiti
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00:04:21,561 --> 00:04:25,679
And then destroy them, to
erase them from history.
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00:04:27,314 --> 00:04:30,832
But on December 12th,
1912, while excavating
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00:04:30,841 --> 00:04:33,079
In an area of ancient amarna,
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00:04:33,154 --> 00:04:35,799
German archeologist
ludwig borchardt
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00:04:35,874 --> 00:04:38,119
Made a stunning discovery.
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00:04:38,194 --> 00:04:40,359
When the find was
announced to the world,
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00:04:40,434 --> 00:04:43,079
It revived the
memory of a queen,
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All but forgotten
for 3000 years.
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This moment would define
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How both borchardt and
nefertiti are remembered.
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00:04:52,594 --> 00:04:54,352
(intriguing music)
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00:04:54,361 --> 00:04:56,639
And this is where the modern
story of nefertiti begins.
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00:04:57,961 --> 00:04:59,632
There are many
unanswered questions
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00:04:59,641 --> 00:05:01,839
Since the discovery
of the bust in 1912.
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00:05:04,921 --> 00:05:06,719
Is this really what
she looked like?
85
00:05:07,881 --> 00:05:11,319
How could the bust have
survived, almost pristine,
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00:05:11,394 --> 00:05:13,279
For more than 3000 years?
87
00:05:15,801 --> 00:05:18,352
The paints are all made
from materials commonly
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Found in the desert landscape.
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00:05:21,801 --> 00:05:25,959
It's the fact they've endured
that makes them so remarkable.
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00:05:26,034 --> 00:05:30,992
Simon: There is no real
parallel comparative object
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00:05:31,001 --> 00:05:33,879
In that state of
preservation, she's so unique.
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00:05:35,481 --> 00:05:37,232
Mastrelli: So what can
modern science tell us
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About this sculpture?
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00:05:39,561 --> 00:05:44,559
A ct scan reveals a solid rock
core, made from limestone,
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00:05:44,834 --> 00:05:47,319
That is wrapped in layers
of plaster material,
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00:05:47,394 --> 00:05:51,239
Known as stucco, and it's
the stucco that forms
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00:05:51,314 --> 00:05:54,512
The more intricate
features, like the ears.
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00:05:54,521 --> 00:05:57,639
This layering is very
rare in egyptian art.
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00:06:01,321 --> 00:06:04,599
In her lifetime, nefertiti
became the embodiment
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00:06:04,674 --> 00:06:08,112
Of beauty and 3000 years later,
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00:06:08,121 --> 00:06:11,359
Thanks to the bust, the
same thing happened again.
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00:06:13,394 --> 00:06:17,232
But did the sculptor really
carve a realistic portrait?
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00:06:17,241 --> 00:06:18,359
Laboury: She's
absolutely perfect,
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00:06:18,434 --> 00:06:20,192
She's absolutely
symmetrical,
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00:06:20,201 --> 00:06:24,479
With not a single
default, she's flawless.
106
00:06:25,714 --> 00:06:28,039
Mastrelli: Egyptologist
dimitri laboury
107
00:06:28,114 --> 00:06:31,799
Believes he's pieced together
the method the sculptor used.
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00:06:33,081 --> 00:06:36,559
It's a process that's part
science as well as art.
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We know from traces on other
ancient egyptian artworks
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That sculptors used a grid
system to rough out their ideas,
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00:06:49,241 --> 00:06:51,232
A simple but ingenious method
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00:06:51,241 --> 00:06:54,319
For turning a flat
image into a 3d object.
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00:06:57,714 --> 00:07:01,472
Every sculpture started with
horizontal and vertical lines,
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00:07:01,481 --> 00:07:04,439
Drawn onto the front and
side of a stone block.
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00:07:05,641 --> 00:07:07,079
Laboury: And to produce
that kind of grid,
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00:07:07,154 --> 00:07:09,712
They had rulers with
measurement units
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00:07:09,721 --> 00:07:12,592
And equal distance
between each line.
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00:07:12,601 --> 00:07:14,752
This is the technique
that they were using
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00:07:14,761 --> 00:07:17,559
From the very beginning of
ancient egyptian sculpture.
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00:07:19,401 --> 00:07:22,439
Mastrelli: This way, when he
came to draw a guide outline
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00:07:22,514 --> 00:07:27,079
Onto the block, a sculptor
could preserve perfect symmetry,
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00:07:27,154 --> 00:07:28,919
He wouldn't have
to judge it by eye.
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00:07:32,201 --> 00:07:35,319
But when a scholar named rolf
krauss worked out the grid
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00:07:35,394 --> 00:07:38,352
And the outline which
produced the nefertiti bust,
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00:07:38,361 --> 00:07:40,919
He made a startling discovery.
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00:07:40,994 --> 00:07:44,919
Laboury: He reproduced a grid
on each side of the block
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00:07:45,794 --> 00:07:49,399
To recreate the
design of this bust.
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00:07:51,154 --> 00:07:54,192
Mastrelli: The relationship
between the grid and the face
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00:07:54,201 --> 00:07:57,319
Suggests that there's some
sort of formula at work.
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Laboury: All the features of
the face of nefertiti
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Just fit on a line or at
the crossroad of two lines.
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Every feature fits on a
line like the bottom line
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00:08:09,401 --> 00:08:12,119
That defines the
positioning of the eyes,
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00:08:12,194 --> 00:08:16,719
The base of the nose, the
junction between the two lips.
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00:08:19,401 --> 00:08:22,759
Mastrelli: In statistical
terms, it's virtually impossible
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00:08:22,834 --> 00:08:27,152
That any real face would fit
so perfectly into this grid.
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00:08:27,161 --> 00:08:29,792
If this image bears
any resemblance at all
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00:08:29,801 --> 00:08:33,479
To the real nefertiti,
it's heavily stylized,
139
00:08:33,554 --> 00:08:36,879
The ancient egyptian equivalent
of a retouched photo.
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00:08:38,994 --> 00:08:41,159
Laboury: She's
absolutely too perfect
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00:08:41,234 --> 00:08:46,199
To be a rendering of the
actual face of nefertiti.
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00:08:46,921 --> 00:08:48,992
Mastrelli: Nefertiti may not
have been as perfect
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00:08:49,001 --> 00:08:51,399
In real life as her iconic bust,
144
00:08:51,474 --> 00:08:54,512
And unfortunately a closer
look at its discovery
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00:08:54,521 --> 00:08:57,439
May also prove a little
too good to be true.
146
00:09:03,001 --> 00:09:05,792
The nefertiti bust has
long puzzled experts
147
00:09:05,801 --> 00:09:08,512
And some have even
questioned its authenticity.
148
00:09:08,521 --> 00:09:11,719
The main reason, its
miraculously pristine condition.
149
00:09:11,794 --> 00:09:14,672
It certainly doesn't
look 3000 years old.
150
00:09:14,681 --> 00:09:16,919
While it was definitely
discovered in amarna,
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00:09:16,994 --> 00:09:20,799
The circumstances surrounding
that day seem a little fishy.
152
00:09:22,514 --> 00:09:26,752
There are photographs taken
on December 6th, 1912,
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00:09:26,761 --> 00:09:28,272
The day the bust was found
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00:09:28,281 --> 00:09:31,552
By german archeologist
ludwig borchardt.
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00:09:31,561 --> 00:09:34,192
At first glance
they appear simply
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00:09:34,201 --> 00:09:37,632
To document borchardt's
incredible find.
157
00:09:37,641 --> 00:09:40,112
But after examining
them more closely,
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00:09:40,121 --> 00:09:44,279
Egyptologist christian loeben
reads them differently.
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00:09:44,354 --> 00:09:47,559
The photographs were taken
by a visiting dignitary,
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00:09:47,634 --> 00:09:49,919
Prince johann george of saxony.
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00:09:51,401 --> 00:09:53,872
The single day that
he spent at amarna
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00:09:53,881 --> 00:09:57,799
Just happened to be the day
when the bust was discovered.
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00:09:57,874 --> 00:10:01,719
Loeben: I think the bust has
been found somewhere else
164
00:10:01,794 --> 00:10:04,912
And for the occasion
brought to the find spot
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00:10:04,921 --> 00:10:06,992
Where it was
discovered by borchardt
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00:10:07,001 --> 00:10:10,839
And in the presence
of these royal people.
167
00:10:14,201 --> 00:10:15,632
Mastrelli: Loeben
has uncovered a letter
168
00:10:15,641 --> 00:10:18,272
That borchardt
wrote to his wife,
169
00:10:18,281 --> 00:10:21,632
And it appears to
support his suspicions.
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00:10:21,641 --> 00:10:25,232
Loeben: He writes a little poem
which goes as follows.
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00:10:25,241 --> 00:10:29,159
(speaking in foreign language)
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00:10:33,314 --> 00:10:35,152
Which is in english
something like,
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00:10:35,161 --> 00:10:38,672
If you find something, take
it into the house immediately
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00:10:38,681 --> 00:10:40,519
Where it's safe and secure.
175
00:10:40,594 --> 00:10:43,472
However, when a
prince is approaching,
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00:10:43,481 --> 00:10:45,839
Make sure you only
find it tomorrow.
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00:10:47,234 --> 00:10:49,079
Mastrelli: At
berlin's neues museum,
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00:10:49,154 --> 00:10:51,559
Where the bust is
the star attraction,
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00:10:51,634 --> 00:10:54,992
Any suggestion that borchardt
was less than honest
180
00:10:55,001 --> 00:10:58,639
Or that he stage-managed
the discovery is unpopular.
181
00:10:59,874 --> 00:11:02,919
Seyfried: Of course it is
really sensational
182
00:11:02,994 --> 00:11:05,959
That you have royal
visitors and then the day
183
00:11:06,034 --> 00:11:08,832
When you find the
most important,
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00:11:08,841 --> 00:11:12,199
Maybe the most important
things of the whole campaign,
185
00:11:12,274 --> 00:11:16,719
But that's, yeah, fortune,
that's, yeah, fate.
186
00:11:18,441 --> 00:11:19,552
(shutter clicks)
187
00:11:19,561 --> 00:11:21,479
It was not arranged, no never.
188
00:11:22,601 --> 00:11:25,239
Mastrelli: But the
debate doesn't end there.
189
00:11:25,314 --> 00:11:28,352
There are those who would go
even further in questioning,
190
00:11:28,361 --> 00:11:30,919
Not only the manner
of the discovery,
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00:11:30,994 --> 00:11:34,279
But also whether it is
in fact ancient at all.
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00:11:35,634 --> 00:11:38,679
One man believes that
the nefertiti bust
193
00:11:38,754 --> 00:11:40,759
Is a 20th century fake.
194
00:11:41,801 --> 00:11:44,399
Greenhalgh: It's supposed to be
the work of a master sculptor,
195
00:11:45,314 --> 00:11:47,639
But the technique
says otherwise.
196
00:11:47,714 --> 00:11:50,679
Mastrelli: Shaun
greenhalgh knows fakery.
197
00:11:50,754 --> 00:11:54,119
In 2007 he sold
this amarna statue
198
00:11:54,194 --> 00:11:57,712
To a uk museum for
a six figure sum.
199
00:11:57,721 --> 00:12:01,872
What he didn't reveal was
that he'd made it himself.
200
00:12:01,881 --> 00:12:04,592
Greenhalgh is a
convicted forger,
201
00:12:04,601 --> 00:12:07,399
His work has fooled
experts around the world.
202
00:12:08,434 --> 00:12:11,152
For greenhalgh, what
gives the game away
203
00:12:11,161 --> 00:12:13,392
Is the layer of stucco plaster
204
00:12:13,401 --> 00:12:15,552
That covers the limestone core
205
00:12:15,561 --> 00:12:18,399
And forms the bust's
most intricate features.
206
00:12:19,881 --> 00:12:21,399
Greenhalgh: That's the work of,
if not an amateur,
207
00:12:21,474 --> 00:12:24,192
Then a second or
third-rate sculptor
208
00:12:24,201 --> 00:12:26,272
And none of those would
work for the pharaoh,
209
00:12:26,281 --> 00:12:27,479
He'd only have the best.
210
00:12:30,034 --> 00:12:32,672
That'd be like finding
a michelangelo sculpture
211
00:12:32,681 --> 00:12:35,639
In marble and then you find
out that the ears, the eyes,
212
00:12:35,714 --> 00:12:37,399
All the hands, the
difficult parts,
213
00:12:37,474 --> 00:12:39,872
Are all made in
stucco and added on,
214
00:12:39,881 --> 00:12:41,639
It just wouldn't be done.
215
00:12:41,714 --> 00:12:43,712
The damage on it
is the major point
216
00:12:43,721 --> 00:12:46,352
Of it being a later copy.
217
00:12:46,361 --> 00:12:49,399
It's something I've done myself,
I've seen on other fakes.
218
00:12:51,314 --> 00:12:53,919
It's quite obvious if you
look at where it's damaged.
219
00:12:55,714 --> 00:12:57,399
The ears are damaged,
220
00:12:57,474 --> 00:12:59,639
So obviously its been
dropped left and right sides.
221
00:12:59,714 --> 00:13:02,752
The back of the head has been
damaged, and most telling,
222
00:13:02,761 --> 00:13:06,999
The cobra on the conical
cap is almost obliterated.
223
00:13:09,314 --> 00:13:12,279
To remove it, it would
have taken off the nose,
224
00:13:12,354 --> 00:13:14,119
The brow ridges and the chin,
225
00:13:14,194 --> 00:13:16,159
There's absolutely no
damage to the face.
226
00:13:18,194 --> 00:13:21,799
The damage is selective and
that's a dead ringer for a fake.
227
00:13:23,394 --> 00:13:25,559
Mastrelli: Another
indication this could be a fake
228
00:13:25,634 --> 00:13:28,599
Is nefertiti's missing eye.
229
00:13:28,674 --> 00:13:32,112
The left socket is empty
while the right eye is made
230
00:13:32,121 --> 00:13:36,039
From an inlay of black
wax and rock crystal.
231
00:13:36,114 --> 00:13:40,199
Greenhalgh believes that the
right eye is genuinely ancient,
232
00:13:40,274 --> 00:13:43,152
Sourced to make
the bust look real.
233
00:13:43,161 --> 00:13:44,672
Greenhalgh: It's a major
pointer to its fakery
234
00:13:44,681 --> 00:13:47,239
Because it's the kind of
thing I've done myself,
235
00:13:47,314 --> 00:13:51,079
Sourcing beads or pearls
or whatever for in a piece.
236
00:13:51,154 --> 00:13:53,232
Mastrelli: Borchardt
searched the area
237
00:13:53,241 --> 00:13:55,232
Where the bust was discovered,
238
00:13:55,241 --> 00:13:57,479
Offering a cash reward to anyone
239
00:13:57,554 --> 00:13:59,799
Who could find the missing eye.
240
00:13:59,874 --> 00:14:01,312
It was never found
241
00:14:01,321 --> 00:14:04,359
And greenhalgh believes
it never existed.
242
00:14:04,434 --> 00:14:07,632
Greenhalgh: It would be possible
to source a quartzite eye,
243
00:14:07,641 --> 00:14:11,079
But to find a pair, well
that be would very long odds.
244
00:14:12,434 --> 00:14:15,159
Mastrelli: Greenhalgh
argues this is the only way
245
00:14:15,234 --> 00:14:17,152
To explain the empty socket.
246
00:14:17,161 --> 00:14:21,392
To ancient egyptians, the eyes
were a window to the soul.
247
00:14:21,401 --> 00:14:24,039
So representing the queen
with one eye missing
248
00:14:24,114 --> 00:14:26,439
Would be a shocking
sign of disrespect.
249
00:14:27,721 --> 00:14:30,279
Finally, greenhalgh
thinks he knows
250
00:14:30,354 --> 00:14:34,119
Why the forger picked nefertiti
and the amarna period.
251
00:14:34,194 --> 00:14:35,392
Greenhalgh: If you're
gonna pick a period
252
00:14:35,401 --> 00:14:37,879
Of egyptian art to fake,
253
00:14:37,954 --> 00:14:40,272
The amarna period
is really the best
254
00:14:40,281 --> 00:14:44,359
Because the sculpture
wasn't any more difficult
255
00:14:44,434 --> 00:14:46,039
Than any other period,
256
00:14:46,114 --> 00:14:48,912
But it is the most valuable
today to collectors.
257
00:14:48,921 --> 00:14:50,592
Mastrelli: Even
though the discovery
258
00:14:50,601 --> 00:14:53,632
Of nefertiti's bust seems
strangely fortuitous,
259
00:14:53,641 --> 00:14:57,079
Could this iconic
sculpture really be a fake?
260
00:14:57,154 --> 00:14:59,712
If so, this actually
wouldn't be the only time
261
00:14:59,721 --> 00:15:02,559
Borchardt had been
connected with a forgery.
262
00:15:03,801 --> 00:15:06,912
Experts are expressing
concerns over the discovery
263
00:15:06,921 --> 00:15:11,479
And authenticity of the
iconic bust of nefertiti.
264
00:15:11,554 --> 00:15:13,632
Could it be that
ludwig borchardt,
265
00:15:13,641 --> 00:15:16,272
Germany's most
celebrated archeologist,
266
00:15:16,281 --> 00:15:19,479
Was duped by, or worse
still, took part in,
267
00:15:19,554 --> 00:15:21,919
The greatest art
fraud of all time?
268
00:15:22,994 --> 00:15:26,279
At the August kesner museum
in hanover, christian loeben
269
00:15:26,354 --> 00:15:29,879
Is uncovering further reason
to mistrust borchardt.
270
00:15:35,554 --> 00:15:37,239
In a storeroom, he's looking
271
00:15:37,314 --> 00:15:39,239
For an ancient
egyptian sculpture
272
00:15:39,314 --> 00:15:41,119
That is no longer on display.
273
00:15:44,201 --> 00:15:48,359
It was bought by
the museum in 1926.
274
00:15:48,434 --> 00:15:51,719
Loeben: It represents a young
man with a happy vague,
275
00:15:53,234 --> 00:15:57,152
Really nice piece
of the 12th dynasty,
276
00:15:57,161 --> 00:15:59,159
Which is approximately 2000 bc.
277
00:16:00,834 --> 00:16:02,672
Mastrelli: The documentation
that comes with it
278
00:16:02,681 --> 00:16:05,159
Clearly identifies the seller
279
00:16:05,234 --> 00:16:07,999
As none other than
ludwig borchardt.
280
00:16:09,794 --> 00:16:11,799
Loeben: It says,
borchardt, cairo
281
00:16:11,874 --> 00:16:17,639
In 1926, for 2,550 piasters.
282
00:16:18,521 --> 00:16:22,672
To sell things onto museums
was certainly something
283
00:16:22,681 --> 00:16:26,199
Which not every archeologist
would have done.
284
00:16:26,274 --> 00:16:28,119
Mastrelli: But borchardt's
prominent reputation
285
00:16:28,194 --> 00:16:31,552
As an archeologist meant
there was no reason
286
00:16:31,561 --> 00:16:34,672
To doubt the authenticity
of his goods.
287
00:16:34,681 --> 00:16:37,152
Loeben: A lot of people were
relying on borchardt
288
00:16:37,161 --> 00:16:40,759
To get beautiful objects for
them on the cairo market.
289
00:16:41,954 --> 00:16:43,959
Mastrelli: But just
four years later,
290
00:16:44,034 --> 00:16:46,479
Borchardt made an
incredible admission.
291
00:16:47,481 --> 00:16:50,199
Loeben: Borchardt himself
published an article
292
00:16:50,274 --> 00:16:54,359
Including this object, in which
he states that it is a fake.
293
00:16:55,321 --> 00:16:57,152
The museum was not very happy
294
00:16:57,161 --> 00:17:00,359
To learn that it
had bought a fake.
295
00:17:00,434 --> 00:17:02,119
Mastrelli: Either
borchardt had been complicit
296
00:17:02,194 --> 00:17:04,272
In the sale of a forged object,
297
00:17:04,281 --> 00:17:06,672
Or he himself had been fooled.
298
00:17:06,681 --> 00:17:08,519
Loeben: It's quite a good fake,
299
00:17:08,594 --> 00:17:11,392
Only for knowledgeable
egyptologists
300
00:17:11,401 --> 00:17:14,199
Who have really looked
at a lot of egyptian art
301
00:17:14,274 --> 00:17:19,079
And also at forgeries would
really say that it is a fake.
302
00:17:19,154 --> 00:17:20,679
Mastrelli: A history
of selling fakes
303
00:17:20,754 --> 00:17:23,599
Should bring borchardt's
credibility into question,
304
00:17:24,441 --> 00:17:27,072
But does it mean that we
need to think differently
305
00:17:27,081 --> 00:17:29,479
About the nefertiti bust?
306
00:17:29,554 --> 00:17:33,392
Professor stefan simon is a
leading conservation scientist
307
00:17:33,401 --> 00:17:37,152
And the director of the
rathgen research lab in berlin.
308
00:17:37,161 --> 00:17:40,272
He preserves
historical artifacts,
309
00:17:40,281 --> 00:17:43,039
But also knows how
to spot a forgery.
310
00:17:44,761 --> 00:17:48,919
Simon: As a conservation
scientist, I see chemical faces,
311
00:17:48,994 --> 00:17:51,879
I look at the process of
how an object was made.
312
00:17:51,954 --> 00:17:54,512
What was the first, the
second, the third layer?
313
00:17:54,521 --> 00:17:56,359
It's important to
take a close look.
314
00:17:57,561 --> 00:17:58,912
Mastrelli: For a long time,
315
00:17:58,921 --> 00:18:00,679
Simon's investigations
were restricted
316
00:18:00,754 --> 00:18:04,199
By the fact that the bust is
so fragile and so valuable.
317
00:18:05,394 --> 00:18:07,239
The destructive
testing normally used
318
00:18:07,314 --> 00:18:10,839
To establish the age of an
artifact was not an option.
319
00:18:12,514 --> 00:18:15,312
But when a tiny fragment
of paint was dislodged
320
00:18:15,321 --> 00:18:17,319
While the bust was in transit,
321
00:18:17,394 --> 00:18:21,119
Simon seized the opportunity
to examine its chemical makeup.
322
00:18:22,114 --> 00:18:25,952
Simon: Today we're taking a look
at a tiny flake of paint
323
00:18:25,961 --> 00:18:28,759
Off decorated surface
which fell off the bust.
324
00:18:28,834 --> 00:18:31,152
We were looking at its
chemical composition,
325
00:18:31,161 --> 00:18:34,352
At the ground layer, how it
was prepared before painting,
326
00:18:34,361 --> 00:18:37,399
Also at the texture, what is
the grain size distribution.
327
00:18:38,281 --> 00:18:39,792
Mastrelli: Under
the microscope,
328
00:18:39,801 --> 00:18:42,759
The paint sample is
magnified 800 times,
329
00:18:42,834 --> 00:18:45,552
Giving stefan simon
a unique insight
330
00:18:45,561 --> 00:18:47,232
Into its chemical structure.
331
00:18:47,241 --> 00:18:49,639
Simon: We are searching for
hints and indications
332
00:18:49,714 --> 00:18:52,432
Which are contradicting
authenticity.
333
00:18:52,441 --> 00:18:56,432
We're looking for materials
which were not used
334
00:18:56,441 --> 00:18:59,079
At the time they were
supposed to be used.
335
00:18:59,954 --> 00:19:02,039
Mastrelli: The analysis
reveals why the colors
336
00:19:02,114 --> 00:19:04,319
Have not dulled
after so many years.
337
00:19:06,194 --> 00:19:09,479
Simon: Most of the colors
are very, very strong
338
00:19:09,554 --> 00:19:12,512
And stable inorganic pigments.
339
00:19:12,521 --> 00:19:14,672
Mastrelli: The chemical
composition of these pigments
340
00:19:14,681 --> 00:19:17,079
Means that no matter
how long they were left,
341
00:19:17,154 --> 00:19:18,799
The colors would remain vivid.
342
00:19:19,881 --> 00:19:24,752
Simon: All these paints are
part of the palette
343
00:19:24,761 --> 00:19:27,792
Of the egyptian
artists 3000 years ago.
344
00:19:27,801 --> 00:19:30,752
They are to be
expected to be there
345
00:19:30,761 --> 00:19:35,239
And they are quite stable,
and that's probably the reason
346
00:19:35,314 --> 00:19:37,239
Why they are still in
such a pristine condition
347
00:19:37,314 --> 00:19:38,719
After so many years.
348
00:19:40,041 --> 00:19:41,792
Mastrelli: Simon believes
that the patterns he sees
349
00:19:41,801 --> 00:19:43,792
On the bust were
most likely formed
350
00:19:43,801 --> 00:19:45,519
Over a period of centuries.
351
00:19:46,681 --> 00:19:49,312
Simon: Most important
finding was the aging
352
00:19:49,321 --> 00:19:51,792
Over long periods of time,
353
00:19:51,801 --> 00:19:55,152
Changing partly the
chemical composition
354
00:19:55,161 --> 00:19:58,112
In processes which are
really slow processes,
355
00:19:58,121 --> 00:19:59,952
Which take a long time.
356
00:19:59,961 --> 00:20:03,319
Mastrelli: But is this enough
to conclude, with certainty,
357
00:20:03,394 --> 00:20:05,999
That this is an
original ancient work?
358
00:20:08,681 --> 00:20:10,439
Simon: You cannot prove
that it's an original,
359
00:20:10,514 --> 00:20:15,079
You can prove that's a fake
if you find the evidence.
360
00:20:15,154 --> 00:20:17,072
If you find materials
which are not consistent
361
00:20:17,081 --> 00:20:19,472
With the time, yeah,
362
00:20:19,481 --> 00:20:23,079
Then you can say well
there's a problem,
363
00:20:23,154 --> 00:20:25,959
But if you don't find,
you cannot prove.
364
00:20:26,034 --> 00:20:29,552
Mastrelli: The paint on the
bust appears to be old enough.
365
00:20:29,561 --> 00:20:31,399
Professor simon is
able to rule out
366
00:20:31,474 --> 00:20:33,479
The presence of modern pigments,
367
00:20:33,554 --> 00:20:35,312
But that alone is insufficient
368
00:20:35,321 --> 00:20:38,559
To confirm the overall
authenticity of the sculpture.
369
00:20:40,441 --> 00:20:43,799
Simon: Unfortunately,
we are not able
370
00:20:43,874 --> 00:20:48,559
To say yes, for 100%, here
we have an authentic object.
371
00:20:51,401 --> 00:20:53,632
Mastrelli: The nefertiti
bust continues to attract
372
00:20:53,641 --> 00:20:55,559
Up to a million visitors a year,
373
00:20:55,634 --> 00:20:58,759
Despite lingering concerns
about its provenance.
374
00:21:00,674 --> 00:21:03,639
Greenhalgh: I don't believe
that it's genuine,
375
00:21:03,714 --> 00:21:05,679
It just looks modern.
376
00:21:06,041 --> 00:21:08,432
Loeben: I am 100% sure it's an
377
00:21:08,441 --> 00:21:11,152
Original ancient
egyptian object,
378
00:21:11,161 --> 00:21:12,759
But it has not been discovered
379
00:21:12,834 --> 00:21:16,512
Where borchardt says
he discovered it.
380
00:21:16,521 --> 00:21:20,592
Seyfried: It is quite
sure that she is
381
00:21:20,601 --> 00:21:23,719
A key piece of
ancient egyptian art.
382
00:21:25,961 --> 00:21:28,519
Mastrelli: As the debate over
the bust of nefertiti grinds on,
383
00:21:28,594 --> 00:21:31,559
Forgeries continue to
inundate the art world.
384
00:21:31,634 --> 00:21:33,312
Today european police estimate
385
00:21:33,321 --> 00:21:35,399
That as much as half of
the art in circulation
386
00:21:35,474 --> 00:21:37,959
On the international
market is fake,
387
00:21:38,034 --> 00:21:41,319
And even renowned fakes have
become so prized that they too
388
00:21:41,394 --> 00:21:44,839
Have been purchased for
incredible sums of money.
389
00:21:44,914 --> 00:21:47,639
As is the case with this
iconic egyptian queen,
390
00:21:47,714 --> 00:21:50,119
It seems the provenance
of a work of art
391
00:21:50,194 --> 00:21:54,199
Sometimes matters less than how
it captures our imagination.
392
00:21:54,274 --> 00:21:55,872
Kind of like that phrase,
393
00:21:55,881 --> 00:21:58,679
I don't know much about
art, but I know what I like.
35321
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