Would you like to inspect the original subtitles? These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated:
1
00:00:00,105 --> 00:00:01,996
Shared by http://DJJ.HOME.SAPO.PT/
2
00:00:05,687 --> 00:00:08,679
NARRATOR: In the year 1255 BC,
3
00:00:08,807 --> 00:00:13,597
Egypt's Pharaoh Ramesses the Greatand his queen Nefertari
4
00:00:13,687 --> 00:00:16,440
travelled to the southern tip of their empire...
5
00:00:17,807 --> 00:00:20,799
to inaugurate a new temple,
6
00:00:20,887 --> 00:00:23,321
a wonder of the ancient world.
7
00:00:25,007 --> 00:00:27,840
It was hewn out of the mountainside
8
00:00:27,927 --> 00:00:32,842
and fronted by four 60-foot statuesof the Pharaoh himself.
9
00:00:42,207 --> 00:00:45,836
3,000 years later, in 1816,
10
00:00:45,927 --> 00:00:49,397
the explorers Giovanni and Sarah Belzoni
11
00:00:49,487 --> 00:00:51,603
stood on the same spot.
12
00:00:55,607 --> 00:00:58,167
- Come on.
- Giovanni.
13
00:01:01,207 --> 00:01:03,960
There was a local legend that inside,
14
00:01:04,047 --> 00:01:06,083
the temple was full of gold.
15
00:01:08,527 --> 00:01:09,755
(Sarah exclaims)
16
00:01:09,847 --> 00:01:14,363
The entrance, covered in sand.
It would take an army of men to clear that away.
17
00:01:14,447 --> 00:01:16,358
Giovanni, look at this.
18
00:01:17,087 --> 00:01:20,523
Is it not the finest building
the world has ever seen?
19
00:01:20,847 --> 00:01:23,156
Think of the treasure inside it.
20
00:01:24,207 --> 00:01:26,482
To remove centuries of sand
21
00:01:26,567 --> 00:01:29,161
would require a massive feat of excavation.
22
00:01:29,887 --> 00:01:33,277
It would test Belzoni's ingenuity to the limit.
23
00:01:35,487 --> 00:01:38,718
This is the story of how an eccentric adventurer
24
00:01:38,807 --> 00:01:42,083
became inspired by the works of one pharaoh...
25
00:01:43,887 --> 00:01:46,526
so that he went on a personal quest
26
00:01:46,607 --> 00:01:50,077
for a treasure worth far more than gold.
27
00:02:17,407 --> 00:02:21,480
After just a few daysat the temple of Abu Simbel in Nubia,
28
00:02:21,567 --> 00:02:24,718
Belzoni and Sarah were forced to return to Cairo.
29
00:02:25,367 --> 00:02:29,883
They needed money and supplies to attemptthe massive task of uncovering the temple.
30
00:02:31,887 --> 00:02:34,321
On his expeditions so far through Egypt,
31
00:02:34,407 --> 00:02:38,844
Belzoni had already accumulatedmany antiquities for the British Museum.
32
00:02:39,407 --> 00:02:43,480
The centrepiece,a magnificent seven ton head of Ramesses.
33
00:02:46,807 --> 00:02:50,959
The whole collection was to be deliveredto his patron, the British Consul.
34
00:03:00,207 --> 00:03:03,244
- Mr Belzoni?
- Yes.
35
00:03:03,567 --> 00:03:05,239
I thought it was you. Good morning.
36
00:03:05,327 --> 00:03:07,795
My name is William Beechy.
I'm the Consul's Secretary.
37
00:03:07,887 --> 00:03:09,206
He told me to expect you.
38
00:03:09,287 --> 00:03:13,246
By the way, he said that you could leave
the other antiquities in the courtyard here.
39
00:03:13,327 --> 00:03:15,602
I think you'll find there's enough space.
40
00:03:16,487 --> 00:03:17,761
What?
41
00:03:18,167 --> 00:03:21,204
Everything should go to England
and the British Museum.
42
00:03:21,527 --> 00:03:25,361
The Consul was quite clear on the matter.
Only the head was to go on.
43
00:03:25,847 --> 00:03:27,599
I'm sure he'll explain everything.
44
00:03:37,687 --> 00:03:42,556
Belzoni hoped not just that his collectionwould build him a reputation in England,
45
00:03:43,207 --> 00:03:47,962
but that it would encourage the Consulto fund another expedition up the Nile.
46
00:03:54,207 --> 00:03:55,276
Ah!
47
00:03:55,367 --> 00:03:57,358
There you are, Belzoni.
48
00:03:57,447 --> 00:04:00,405
Congratulations. You've done a wonderful job.
49
00:04:00,487 --> 00:04:02,955
The head of Memnon
and all the other antiquities as well.
50
00:04:03,047 --> 00:04:06,244
- Mr Beechy says you wish to leave them here?
- Yes, that's right.
51
00:04:06,327 --> 00:04:09,842
I think it's for the best.
You don't want to spoil the museum all at once.
52
00:04:13,367 --> 00:04:15,927
Now, what next? What are your plans?
53
00:04:16,607 --> 00:04:18,598
I must go south again.
54
00:04:18,687 --> 00:04:23,238
There is much more I have collected
waiting at Thebes and Philae.
55
00:04:23,327 --> 00:04:28,799
And most exciting is the buried temple
of Abu Simbel in Nubia, but we have to move fast.
56
00:04:28,887 --> 00:04:33,244
Drovetti and the French are not to be trusted.
They will steal everything if they can.
57
00:04:33,327 --> 00:04:34,806
Will they really?
58
00:04:34,887 --> 00:04:37,526
- Well, we mustn't have that, must we, Bill?
- No, sir, not at all.
59
00:04:37,607 --> 00:04:40,565
And I suggest the British Museum send an artist.
60
00:04:40,647 --> 00:04:43,480
The temple at Nubia needs to be recorded.
61
00:04:43,567 --> 00:04:45,637
I don't think we need to get them involved.
62
00:04:45,727 --> 00:04:49,606
Besides, I'm not sure my funds can stretch
all the way to Nubia.
63
00:04:49,687 --> 00:04:51,120
Why not try a bit nearer?
64
00:04:51,207 --> 00:04:53,516
As for artists, why not take Bill with you?
65
00:04:53,607 --> 00:04:56,758
- He's a wonderful painter, aren't you, Bill?
- But, sir, I need experts.
66
00:04:56,847 --> 00:04:59,998
You're the expert, Mr Belzoni.
Look at what you've got already.
67
00:05:00,087 --> 00:05:01,520
Now, you find any more of that,
68
00:05:01,607 --> 00:05:03,723
you have my full authority to take it,
you understand?
69
00:05:03,807 --> 00:05:06,924
- Yes, but...
- Good. Now, where's Yanni?
70
00:05:07,007 --> 00:05:08,645
Yanni, a word if you please.
71
00:05:08,727 --> 00:05:10,319
By 1816,
72
00:05:10,407 --> 00:05:14,195
there was a growing demand in Europefor Egyptian antiquities.
73
00:05:14,287 --> 00:05:16,642
And for someone in Henry Salt's position,
74
00:05:16,727 --> 00:05:20,197
such a lucrative marketoffered great opportunities.
75
00:05:33,127 --> 00:05:34,765
I can't go with you.
76
00:05:35,727 --> 00:05:38,639
- You must go alone.
- I can't leave you here.
77
00:05:38,727 --> 00:05:42,003
You were with me on my first voyage,
you'll be there on my second.
78
00:05:42,087 --> 00:05:43,839
I can wait a week until you are well.
79
00:05:43,927 --> 00:05:47,556
No! You must go now before word leaks out.
80
00:05:48,967 --> 00:05:52,277
Already there are rumours
that you've found more treasure down south.
81
00:05:52,367 --> 00:05:54,278
What if Drovetti knows?
82
00:05:54,967 --> 00:05:57,117
You must go now. Be careful.
83
00:05:58,367 --> 00:06:00,437
Besides, I don't trust Salt.
84
00:06:00,527 --> 00:06:03,200
- Mr Salt is an honourable man.
- Yes.
85
00:06:03,847 --> 00:06:06,236
Then, why does he insist on Mr Beechy
86
00:06:06,327 --> 00:06:09,444
and that Greek man Yanni Athanasiou
coming with you?
87
00:06:10,007 --> 00:06:11,201
Yanni wants your job.
88
00:06:11,287 --> 00:06:14,085
Yanni is an interpreter and Beechy is a painter.
89
00:06:14,167 --> 00:06:17,364
And treasurer. And is in charge of the money.
90
00:06:17,447 --> 00:06:19,438
And he's Salt's watchdog.
91
00:06:22,647 --> 00:06:26,162
Look, you go now and I'll join you later.
92
00:06:26,487 --> 00:06:29,320
Please, before it's too late.
93
00:06:31,127 --> 00:06:35,040
Very well, but I'm leaving James here
to look after you.
94
00:06:45,887 --> 00:06:51,484
Belzoni left his wife behind in Cairoand set sail for Luxor,
95
00:06:51,567 --> 00:06:54,639
and then further south to the temple of Philae.
96
00:06:56,487 --> 00:06:59,843
He hoped that by uncovering more antiquities,
97
00:06:59,927 --> 00:07:04,079
he could convince Salt to take a gambleand fund his dream.
98
00:07:04,167 --> 00:07:06,123
A return to Abu Simbel.
99
00:07:08,127 --> 00:07:10,083
But it wouldn't be easy.
100
00:07:10,767 --> 00:07:16,000
BELZONl: Mr Salt entertained strong doubtsof the existence of a temple there,
101
00:07:16,087 --> 00:07:19,716
for he said that he thoughtwe should find no entrance.
102
00:07:20,927 --> 00:07:24,522
NARRATOR: Belzoni pressed ontowards the ancient city of Thebes.
103
00:07:24,607 --> 00:07:26,325
Today's Luxor.
104
00:07:31,527 --> 00:07:34,758
- Slow, huh?
- Too slow.
105
00:07:50,527 --> 00:07:52,199
NARRATOR: With his ship becalmed,
106
00:07:52,287 --> 00:07:56,166
Belzoni had little optionbut to moor at a place called Minya.
107
00:08:02,607 --> 00:08:05,326
- What is this place?
- I don't know.
108
00:08:06,047 --> 00:08:09,517
They say traders come here
to buy and sell antiquities.
109
00:08:10,687 --> 00:08:14,202
NARRATOR: From the start,Belzoni's expedition was under threat.
110
00:08:14,287 --> 00:08:18,519
Most seriously he faced renewed rivalrywith Bernardino Drovetti,
111
00:08:18,607 --> 00:08:22,156
a ruthless and highly successful dealerin antiquities.
112
00:08:22,247 --> 00:08:27,958
For Drovetti, Egypt was about one thingand one thing only.' making money.
113
00:08:33,767 --> 00:08:35,246
Where's Yanni?
114
00:08:41,447 --> 00:08:43,961
(People chattering)
115
00:08:56,287 --> 00:08:58,596
That's Drovetti he's talking to.
116
00:09:12,047 --> 00:09:15,278
- What did you tell him?
- Tell who? What are you talking about?
117
00:09:15,367 --> 00:09:18,359
- That was Drovetti. What did you say?
- I just said hello.
118
00:09:18,447 --> 00:09:21,041
Did he ask where you were going?
Did you say you were with me?
119
00:09:21,127 --> 00:09:24,005
Look, it was just a conversation.
120
00:09:24,767 --> 00:09:26,723
- It was nothing.
- Idiot.
121
00:09:38,567 --> 00:09:43,960
BELZONl: We learnt that agents of Mr Drovettiwere making a forced march to Thebes.
122
00:09:45,647 --> 00:09:49,242
And I had no doubtif they reached Thebes before us,
123
00:09:49,327 --> 00:09:51,682
they would take possession of that ground
124
00:09:51,767 --> 00:09:56,158
that was so evidently pregnantwith objects worthy of excavation,
125
00:09:56,247 --> 00:09:59,762
and we should no longer have a right to explore it.
126
00:10:01,167 --> 00:10:05,240
Look, I'm sorry, all right. I'm sorry.
How could I know?
127
00:10:05,327 --> 00:10:08,319
You should tell me if there's a problem
with who I can or can't talk to.
128
00:10:08,407 --> 00:10:11,558
- Too late now, he is a thief.
- BEECHY: I'm sure it'll be all right.
129
00:10:11,647 --> 00:10:13,922
We should return to our boat and keep sailing.
130
00:10:14,007 --> 00:10:16,123
We'll never catch him that way.
131
00:10:16,207 --> 00:10:19,517
Look, our only chance is to ride over land.
132
00:10:19,607 --> 00:10:21,484
Yanni and I will go, you take the boat.
133
00:10:21,567 --> 00:10:23,842
Ride? Did you say ride?
134
00:10:24,407 --> 00:10:25,886
Yes, ride.
135
00:10:26,647 --> 00:10:27,966
Ride what?
136
00:10:28,967 --> 00:10:31,640
Come on! Keep up. Let's go.
137
00:10:32,567 --> 00:10:35,286
- Come on, Yanni.
- YANNl: He is cleverer than you.
138
00:10:35,367 --> 00:10:38,484
You son of a whore. Fish-stealing whore, you...
139
00:10:39,327 --> 00:10:41,602
(Speaking in Arabic)
140
00:10:43,247 --> 00:10:47,525
BELZONl: Come on, come on.
YANNl: I've never ridden a donkey before!
141
00:10:47,607 --> 00:10:51,361
Well, now you have four or five days to learn.
Hurry up!
142
00:10:53,407 --> 00:10:55,125
BELZONl: We set off immediately
143
00:10:55,207 --> 00:10:59,280
and forced marches brought uson the next evening to Manfalout.
144
00:10:59,367 --> 00:11:03,838
From this place, we hastened without delayand arrived at Siout before daylight.
145
00:11:05,247 --> 00:11:09,206
At sunrise, we mounted againand arrived at dark at Tahta.
146
00:11:10,687 --> 00:11:13,440
Here we rested in the convent for four hours,
147
00:11:13,527 --> 00:11:18,362
and started afresh by the light of the moonand arrived at Gurgach in the night.
148
00:11:19,007 --> 00:11:22,158
We proceeded onward,rested a couple of hours at Banut
149
00:11:22,247 --> 00:11:24,363
and arrived at Luxor the following noon.
150
00:11:28,927 --> 00:11:32,476
The whole of our journey occupiedfive days and a half,
151
00:11:32,607 --> 00:11:35,405
during which I slept 11 hours.
152
00:11:41,807 --> 00:11:44,196
- BELZONl: Come on!
- All right, all right.
153
00:11:46,567 --> 00:11:50,242
NARRATOR: Luxor, the modern townbuilt on the ruins of ancient Thebes,
154
00:11:50,327 --> 00:11:53,603
boasts the highest concentrationof Egypt's temples.
155
00:11:54,487 --> 00:11:57,445
Here, Belzoni planned to uncover antiquities
156
00:11:57,527 --> 00:12:00,405
that would please his patron, Henry Salt.
157
00:12:44,527 --> 00:12:46,643
I've been talking to the local people.
158
00:12:46,727 --> 00:12:49,605
This whole area is licensed to Drovetti.
159
00:12:49,727 --> 00:12:52,321
I told you this ride was a waste of time.
160
00:12:52,407 --> 00:12:53,920
There is nowhere left to dig.
161
00:12:54,007 --> 00:12:56,237
There is always somewhere to dig.
162
00:12:56,367 --> 00:12:58,358
Oh, yeah? Where?
163
00:13:20,327 --> 00:13:21,840
NARRATOR: On his quest,
164
00:13:21,927 --> 00:13:26,637
Belzoni seemed to be in step with one figurefrom Egypt's past above all others.
165
00:13:31,127 --> 00:13:36,281
The king who left the most enduring markon the temples of Egypt, Ramesses the Great.
166
00:13:47,607 --> 00:13:51,316
Although the two menwere separated by 3,000 years,
167
00:13:51,407 --> 00:13:55,719
the Pharaoh's influence on Giovanni Belzoniwas to be profound.
168
00:13:57,047 --> 00:14:00,960
Ramesses came to the throne in 1279 BC,
169
00:14:01,087 --> 00:14:03,237
the son of the warrior king, Seti.
170
00:14:04,167 --> 00:14:08,604
From the beginning, he was determinedthat his name would live forever.
171
00:14:14,207 --> 00:14:19,156
He married Nefertari, who becamehis favourite queen and provided him with heirs.
172
00:14:26,007 --> 00:14:29,795
In the early years of his reign,he recorded how the gods blessed him.
173
00:14:30,207 --> 00:14:33,677
Harvests were bountifuland the country was prosperous.
174
00:14:38,367 --> 00:14:40,881
He became Egypt's most extravagant builder
175
00:14:40,967 --> 00:14:45,040
since the construction of the pyramids1,200 years before.
176
00:14:45,127 --> 00:14:48,483
He erected a string of massive buildingsalong the Nile
177
00:14:48,567 --> 00:14:53,436
and converted the historic temples of Thebesinto monuments to himself.
178
00:14:55,407 --> 00:14:57,967
But there would be nothing anywhere in the world
179
00:14:58,047 --> 00:15:02,802
to rival his plans for the great templeat Abu Simbel in Nubia.
180
00:15:28,287 --> 00:15:30,357
You're smiling at me.
181
00:16:23,767 --> 00:16:27,965
- There you are.
- Mr Beechy. You made it.
182
00:16:28,047 --> 00:16:31,517
Nobody knew where you were.
I've been looking all over.
183
00:16:31,887 --> 00:16:33,559
Where's Belzoni?
184
00:16:34,847 --> 00:16:36,041
There.
185
00:16:36,927 --> 00:16:38,918
Good morning, Mr Belzoni.
186
00:16:39,407 --> 00:16:41,284
- Beechy.
- What is that?
187
00:16:41,807 --> 00:16:43,763
- It looks perfect.
- It is.
188
00:16:43,847 --> 00:16:45,678
Salt will be pleased.
189
00:16:45,807 --> 00:16:49,322
All right, Yanni, your turn. In you get.
190
00:17:09,887 --> 00:17:13,323
He has uncovered a magnificent stone bust
in perfect condition.
191
00:17:13,407 --> 00:17:17,286
I thought we had arranged
for all these sites to be ours.
192
00:17:17,367 --> 00:17:20,803
We did, but when we searched the area
we found nothing.
193
00:17:20,887 --> 00:17:22,878
- So we let go of the licence.
- Idiots!
194
00:17:22,967 --> 00:17:25,117
I'd do better following him!
195
00:17:25,207 --> 00:17:28,085
Everyone said this man was a circus clown.
196
00:17:28,527 --> 00:17:30,757
Wherever he looks, he finds something.
197
00:17:31,287 --> 00:17:33,084
Get rid of him!
198
00:17:43,527 --> 00:17:48,203
NARRATOR: Drovetti's first step wasto get the local ruler to issue an edict.
199
00:17:49,887 --> 00:17:52,845
BELZONl: It is the will of the ruler of Upper Egypt
200
00:17:52,927 --> 00:17:56,886
that no person shall sell any antiquityto the English party.
201
00:17:58,047 --> 00:18:02,518
On the contrary, it is hereby orderedthat everything that may be found
202
00:18:02,607 --> 00:18:04,723
shall be sold to Mr Drovetti.
203
00:18:06,247 --> 00:18:09,762
I need not inform youhow I felt on hearing this mandate.
204
00:18:09,847 --> 00:18:13,283
...but anywhere else,
Drovetti will just twist the Caimakan and stop us.
205
00:18:13,367 --> 00:18:15,722
- They've got permits everywhere.
- Not everywhere, he doesn't.
206
00:18:15,807 --> 00:18:19,595
Hamet, I want you to spread the rumour
that we are giving up.
207
00:18:19,687 --> 00:18:22,440
We have no more stomach for this
and are going back to Cairo.
208
00:18:22,527 --> 00:18:24,404
Say we are leaving to sail north.
209
00:18:24,487 --> 00:18:26,478
- North? Mr Salt said we...
- North.
210
00:18:27,007 --> 00:18:30,397
Then, we stop five or six miles downriver.
211
00:18:30,487 --> 00:18:33,877
We wait a few hours,
we turn round and we head south.
212
00:18:34,007 --> 00:18:36,475
By dawn, Luxor will be far behind us.
213
00:18:47,407 --> 00:18:50,604
BELZONl: Under the circumstances,we deemed it of no use
214
00:18:50,687 --> 00:18:53,360
to attempt a renewal of our labours
215
00:18:53,447 --> 00:18:59,443
and contented ourselves with enteringon our intended journey to the island of Philae.
216
00:19:02,967 --> 00:19:06,755
NARRATOR: At Philae,Belzoni intended to pick up his antiquities
217
00:19:06,847 --> 00:19:09,236
and await news from Salt.
218
00:19:21,087 --> 00:19:24,079
BELZONl: I suggested by messenger to Mr Salt
219
00:19:24,167 --> 00:19:26,397
that if he could send us a supply of money,
220
00:19:26,487 --> 00:19:29,684
we would proceed to openthe temple of Abu Simbel,
221
00:19:30,367 --> 00:19:34,565
a project that was deemed nearly imaginary,a castle in the air.
222
00:19:41,687 --> 00:19:46,602
NARRATOR: After 11 days sailing,Belzoni approached the island temple of Philae.
223
00:19:49,327 --> 00:19:52,285
We will stop here and pick up my collection.
224
00:19:59,287 --> 00:20:02,757
God! What have they done?
225
00:20:09,367 --> 00:20:13,645
"Operation manquee."Job spoilt.
Who would do such a thing?
226
00:20:13,727 --> 00:20:17,686
Drovetti. They are animals. This is vandalism.
227
00:20:18,287 --> 00:20:21,518
These things are thousands of years old.
228
00:20:21,607 --> 00:20:23,916
You think they've gone to Nubia?
229
00:20:26,167 --> 00:20:30,319
- Maybe it was the locals here.
- They don't write French.
230
00:20:31,887 --> 00:20:33,878
This is a message for me.
231
00:20:38,527 --> 00:20:40,438
I think we should go back to the boat.
232
00:20:40,527 --> 00:20:43,519
BELZONl: They won't harm us.
They're just curious.
233
00:20:44,567 --> 00:20:45,966
(Gun fires)
234
00:20:47,447 --> 00:20:49,165
(Gun fires)
235
00:20:50,007 --> 00:20:53,477
(Shots at short intervals)
236
00:20:55,967 --> 00:20:58,003
MAN: Five!
237
00:20:58,407 --> 00:20:59,806
Six!
238
00:21:02,047 --> 00:21:03,162
Seven!
239
00:21:05,087 --> 00:21:06,440
Eight!
240
00:21:14,367 --> 00:21:15,641
Nine!
241
00:21:17,807 --> 00:21:19,001
Ten!
242
00:21:19,847 --> 00:21:21,439
Eleven!
243
00:21:21,767 --> 00:21:22,995
Twelve!
244
00:21:23,527 --> 00:21:27,156
Good afternoon.
Captain Charles Irby at your service.
245
00:21:27,247 --> 00:21:29,522
- And Captain James Mangles.
- Gentlemen.
246
00:21:29,967 --> 00:21:34,757
Giovanni Belzoni.
And William Beechy and Yanni Athanasiou.
247
00:21:34,847 --> 00:21:37,361
Belzoni. I've heard of you.
248
00:21:38,007 --> 00:21:41,522
We're celebrating His Majesty's birthday.
21 -gun salute.
249
00:21:41,607 --> 00:21:44,280
- Couldn't use your guns, could we?
- Of course.
250
00:21:47,327 --> 00:21:49,079
Thirteen!
251
00:21:49,287 --> 00:21:50,686
Fourteen!
252
00:21:53,807 --> 00:21:56,799
NARRATOR: The two Royal Naval officerswere on a tour of Egypt
253
00:21:56,887 --> 00:21:59,321
following the Napoleonic Wars.
254
00:21:59,407 --> 00:22:03,161
Belzoni's encounter with themwas his first stroke of luck at Philae.
255
00:22:04,647 --> 00:22:07,719
His second was news that camefrom the British Consul.
256
00:22:08,927 --> 00:22:12,920
BELZONl: An Arab arrived from Cairowith a letter from Mr Salt.
257
00:22:13,407 --> 00:22:15,716
The letter brought us a supply of money.
258
00:22:15,807 --> 00:22:19,766
And to my great satisfaction,Mr Salt complied with my wishes
259
00:22:19,847 --> 00:22:22,486
of opening the temple of Abu Simbel.
260
00:22:24,087 --> 00:22:27,716
We're thinking of staying here for a few days,
then heading back north.
261
00:22:27,807 --> 00:22:29,445
Well, why stop here?
262
00:22:29,527 --> 00:22:33,805
A little further on and you will see
the finest monument in all Egypt.
263
00:22:33,887 --> 00:22:35,479
Abu Simbel.
264
00:22:35,567 --> 00:22:38,320
We are going there to try and find a way
into the temple.
265
00:22:38,407 --> 00:22:39,601
I could do with some help.
266
00:22:39,687 --> 00:22:42,440
We're collecting on behalf of Henry Salt,
the British Consul.
267
00:22:42,527 --> 00:22:44,040
The British Museum.
268
00:22:44,127 --> 00:22:47,278
And to get there before the French, if we're lucky.
269
00:22:47,367 --> 00:22:49,881
Consider us at your disposal, sir.
270
00:23:19,087 --> 00:23:21,317
NARRATOR: Five weeks after leaving Luxor,
271
00:23:21,407 --> 00:23:26,037
Belzoni and his unlikely band of adventurersapproached Abu Simbel.
272
00:23:39,567 --> 00:23:45,517
At last, the chance to discover whether beneaththe sands lay a temple filled with treasure.
273
00:23:51,967 --> 00:23:53,844
No sign of the French.
274
00:23:56,527 --> 00:23:59,200
That's an awful lot of digging, Giovanni.
275
00:24:00,127 --> 00:24:02,880
Don't worry. We'll get men.
276
00:24:04,367 --> 00:24:08,838
BELZONl: It was a mass of sandaccumulated by the winds for many centuries,
277
00:24:08,927 --> 00:24:11,680
and to have had it removedwould have been an undertaking
278
00:24:11,767 --> 00:24:16,795
that all the people of the adjacent countrycould not have effected in 12 months.
279
00:24:19,367 --> 00:24:21,323
He says he can get men.
280
00:24:31,367 --> 00:24:35,963
We need 100 men to help clear away sand
from the front of the temple.
281
00:24:36,047 --> 00:24:38,880
I shall pay 300 piastres for the work.
282
00:24:42,567 --> 00:24:44,717
(Speaking in Arabic)
283
00:24:47,487 --> 00:24:52,163
BELZONl: At length, with much ado,I made a bargain for two piastres a man.
284
00:24:58,647 --> 00:25:01,115
(Belzoni ordering workers)
285
00:25:05,127 --> 00:25:08,119
- God, it's hot.
- Bit of a lost cause this.
286
00:25:08,927 --> 00:25:11,521
Fast as they take it away, it keeps filling back up.
287
00:25:12,207 --> 00:25:15,324
BELZONl: That's it. That's it. Dig, Dig!
288
00:25:15,407 --> 00:25:17,682
Dig, that's it. Dig, that's it.
289
00:25:17,807 --> 00:25:21,117
Dig. What? Where are you going? Dig!
290
00:25:36,447 --> 00:25:39,405
Come on, dig. Dig.
291
00:25:40,367 --> 00:25:42,164
This will take months.
292
00:25:42,247 --> 00:25:44,238
And the natives are losing interest.
293
00:25:46,087 --> 00:25:49,523
I, uh... I doubt any of them will turn up tomorrow.
294
00:25:49,607 --> 00:25:51,643
There were less than 40 today.
295
00:25:51,727 --> 00:25:54,639
- What if you tried paying them more money?
- There's no point.
296
00:25:55,807 --> 00:26:00,119
What we need is palm fronds and trunks.
And water.
297
00:26:00,687 --> 00:26:04,760
We need to build a palisade
either side of the entrance and wet the sand.
298
00:26:04,847 --> 00:26:08,635
- How? We have no labour.
- We have enough.
299
00:26:09,007 --> 00:26:10,599
There's five of us.
300
00:26:10,687 --> 00:26:13,963
Plus Hamet, plus the crew of the boat.
That's almost 20 people.
301
00:26:14,527 --> 00:26:16,836
We pay them extra, we can do it.
302
00:26:18,687 --> 00:26:23,158
- Of course we can. Hey, James?
- Quite so.
303
00:26:24,327 --> 00:26:25,646
No problem at all.
304
00:26:25,727 --> 00:26:26,842
Hmm.
305
00:26:44,167 --> 00:26:45,805
NARRATOR: Belzoni's plan
306
00:26:45,887 --> 00:26:49,562
was to construct a barrierthat would hold back the sand from the entrance.
307
00:26:53,527 --> 00:26:55,961
BEECHY: Come on. Yes.
308
00:26:57,047 --> 00:26:58,560
BEECHY: Good.
309
00:26:59,607 --> 00:27:01,757
BEECHY: More water.
IRBY: Yes.
310
00:27:01,887 --> 00:27:03,878
BEECHY: Yalla, Yalla.
311
00:27:10,247 --> 00:27:13,239
BEECHY: That's it. It's going in.
312
00:27:15,847 --> 00:27:17,724
BEECHY: Almost there, Giovanni.
313
00:27:17,807 --> 00:27:19,320
Come on.
314
00:27:19,927 --> 00:27:21,326
BEECHY: Yes.
315
00:27:23,567 --> 00:27:25,205
BEECHY: Here we go.
316
00:27:25,887 --> 00:27:29,323
BELZONl: Hold it steady! Steady!
317
00:27:52,967 --> 00:27:54,719
I think we're there.
318
00:27:56,807 --> 00:27:59,082
You're right. This is the entrance.
319
00:28:17,047 --> 00:28:20,005
- That's enough. I can get in now.
- No, stop!
320
00:28:21,047 --> 00:28:23,277
Clear the entrance, then wait until morning.
321
00:28:36,127 --> 00:28:41,724
NARRATOR: No one had set eyes on the interiorof Abu Simbel for over 2,000 years.
322
00:28:44,127 --> 00:28:45,924
Time to go in.
323
00:29:12,287 --> 00:29:15,484
No, wait. Put out the torches. Everyone!
324
00:29:49,927 --> 00:29:53,715
My God, it's huge. Amazing.
325
00:29:54,327 --> 00:29:56,477
- How did you know?
- You knew?
326
00:29:56,567 --> 00:29:58,285
Sure? No.
327
00:29:59,167 --> 00:30:02,284
But now I understand the man who built this.
328
00:30:02,967 --> 00:30:06,562
I don't know his name
but I know he's a real showman.
329
00:30:07,807 --> 00:30:12,278
Then, I see the entrance face due east. I think,
330
00:30:12,367 --> 00:30:14,801
"What would I do?"
331
00:30:14,887 --> 00:30:16,684
Some man, huh?
332
00:30:21,447 --> 00:30:24,757
BELZONl: We entered the mostmagnificent of temples.
333
00:30:24,847 --> 00:30:27,281
Superior than any other in Egypt.
334
00:30:46,407 --> 00:30:51,117
NARRATOR: The first hall is dominatedby colossal statues of Ramesses the Great.
335
00:30:51,407 --> 00:30:54,843
On the south side,they wear the crown of Upper Egypt.
336
00:30:55,287 --> 00:30:59,758
And on the north,the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt.
337
00:31:19,247 --> 00:31:23,923
Here, these pictures.
Looks like some sort of battle.
338
00:31:30,567 --> 00:31:33,639
NARRATOR: The pictures and hieroglyphsthat cover the walls
339
00:31:33,727 --> 00:31:37,766
tell the story at the heart of the legendof Ramesses the Great.
340
00:31:40,447 --> 00:31:42,961
I think he won. Don't you?
341
00:31:45,327 --> 00:31:47,443
(Soldiers yelling)
342
00:31:47,927 --> 00:31:52,205
NARRATOR: The battle was his first as Pharaoh,in the fifth year of his reign.
343
00:31:52,887 --> 00:31:57,677
Ramesses' objective wasa strategically vital fortress city, Kadesh,
344
00:31:57,767 --> 00:32:01,680
seized by the Egyptian's great enemies,the Hittites, 70 years before.
345
00:32:02,407 --> 00:32:04,318
It was of immense importance
346
00:32:04,407 --> 00:32:08,719
for it controlled lucrative trade routesto the Northern Mediterranean.
347
00:32:11,567 --> 00:32:14,445
Ramesses led the approach to the cityfrom the south.
348
00:32:17,007 --> 00:32:21,080
He soon received intelligencethat the Hittite army had fled.
349
00:32:21,167 --> 00:32:23,158
The gates were wide open.
350
00:32:26,487 --> 00:32:29,240
The young pharaoh made a swift decision.
351
00:32:29,327 --> 00:32:33,400
Taking a light force,he moved in for a rapid capture of the city.
352
00:32:38,407 --> 00:32:40,637
But Ramesses had been tricked.
353
00:32:44,007 --> 00:32:46,237
The Hittites were still there.
354
00:32:47,847 --> 00:32:50,361
With the Pharaoh isolated, their army,
355
00:32:50,447 --> 00:32:54,201
twice the size of Ramesses' entire force,prepared to attack.
356
00:33:03,127 --> 00:33:05,687
The moment he received the dreadful truth,
357
00:33:05,767 --> 00:33:09,237
Ramesses knew he facedthe greatest battle of his life.
358
00:33:17,927 --> 00:33:19,883
(Soldiers yelling)
359
00:33:29,007 --> 00:33:33,125
But what happened next,according to Ramesses' account at Abu Simbel,
360
00:33:33,207 --> 00:33:34,879
is extraordinary.
361
00:33:36,727 --> 00:33:40,766
Ramesses claimed to have had a visionof his own divinity.
362
00:33:56,727 --> 00:33:59,400
He wrote, "I was like fire.
363
00:34:00,727 --> 00:34:02,922
"I was like a falcon pouncing.
364
00:34:03,807 --> 00:34:06,196
"I was like a lion with its prey.
365
00:34:08,927 --> 00:34:13,842
"I, alone, against millions of foreign enemieswas triumphant.
366
00:34:14,527 --> 00:34:19,647
"I killed and killed until they lay thrown togetherin their own blood. "
367
00:34:27,327 --> 00:34:29,318
In the aftermath of victory,
368
00:34:29,447 --> 00:34:33,281
Ramesses' soldiers walked amongst the dead,cutting off hands.
369
00:34:35,167 --> 00:34:37,044
A gruesome body count.
370
00:34:49,327 --> 00:34:52,558
The message to the Egyptian nationwould be clear.
371
00:34:57,887 --> 00:35:02,642
As the god Amun presented himwith a khopesh, symbolic sword of victory,
372
00:35:02,727 --> 00:35:05,719
Ramesses became the ultimate warrior king.
373
00:35:07,567 --> 00:35:09,797
Both fighter and god.
374
00:35:32,487 --> 00:35:37,561
As Belzoni explored deep into the temple,he discovered the inner sanctuary
375
00:35:37,647 --> 00:35:42,675
and the statues of the three great gods,Ra, Amun and Ptah,
376
00:35:42,767 --> 00:35:45,486
sitting alongside Ramesses himself.
377
00:35:56,047 --> 00:36:00,757
Twice a year, the rising sun shines up the hallto the inner sanctuary,
378
00:36:00,847 --> 00:36:03,407
illuminating three of the four statues.
379
00:36:03,887 --> 00:36:07,721
Only Ptah, god of the underworld,remains in the shadows.
380
00:36:09,367 --> 00:36:12,723
There's nothing like itin any other temple in Egypt.
381
00:36:13,647 --> 00:36:16,161
YANNl: These things are worth nothing.
382
00:36:16,687 --> 00:36:19,326
This whole place is a waste of time.
383
00:36:20,167 --> 00:36:23,125
There was supposed to be gold. It's empty.
384
00:36:23,207 --> 00:36:26,199
Empty? Maybe.
385
00:36:27,527 --> 00:36:30,439
But this place is worth more than gold.
386
00:36:30,807 --> 00:36:33,879
We must make sure all this is recorded.
387
00:36:33,967 --> 00:36:36,765
Make detailed drawings, pictures, plans.
388
00:36:46,447 --> 00:36:49,757
NARRATOR: Belzoni's life changed here,in this temple.
389
00:36:50,567 --> 00:36:52,683
Despite sweltering temperatures,
390
00:36:52,767 --> 00:36:56,077
and with the knowledgethat there was no gold or precious stones,
391
00:36:56,167 --> 00:36:59,239
Belzoni began to record every detail.
392
00:37:08,407 --> 00:37:12,798
BELZONl: The heat was so great in the templethat the perspiration from our hands
393
00:37:12,887 --> 00:37:15,526
soon rendered the paper quite wet.
394
00:37:48,927 --> 00:37:53,159
NARRATOR: By the time Ramesses attendedthe opening of the temple, aged 50,
395
00:37:53,247 --> 00:37:57,763
it seemed his place in historyas the divine warrior king was secure.
396
00:38:05,447 --> 00:38:08,086
But this was not the end of his story.
397
00:38:14,887 --> 00:38:18,277
And for Belzoni, it was just the beginning.
398
00:38:18,367 --> 00:38:20,597
He now set himself a new mission.
399
00:38:20,687 --> 00:38:23,963
To learn, discover and bring to the world
400
00:38:24,047 --> 00:38:27,801
all he could about this extraordinaryancient civilisation.
401
00:38:29,287 --> 00:38:32,643
He'd always been proud of his connectionwith the British Museum.
402
00:38:33,447 --> 00:38:38,840
Now he wanted to go further and becomeone of the first scholars of ancient Egypt.
403
00:38:40,687 --> 00:38:43,076
But he faced one huge problem.
404
00:38:44,167 --> 00:38:46,522
It was Thebes which represented for him
405
00:38:46,607 --> 00:38:50,361
the best chance of unearthingmore wonders of Egypt's past.
406
00:38:51,087 --> 00:38:53,362
And unfortunately for Belzoni,
407
00:38:53,447 --> 00:38:57,998
its monuments were controlledby his great enemy Drovetti.
408
00:38:59,247 --> 00:39:04,401
Nevertheless, Belzoni hurried back to Luxorand the ancient ruins of Thebes.
409
00:39:20,487 --> 00:39:25,242
At last, reunited with his wife Sarahand servant James Curtin.
410
00:39:32,207 --> 00:39:36,678
Signore Belzoni. Signora. You're back.
411
00:39:37,247 --> 00:39:39,636
- For a short time.
- That's good.
412
00:39:39,967 --> 00:39:43,164
Because this is a very dangerous place to stay.
413
00:39:43,247 --> 00:39:46,637
- So I see.
- I suggest you leave for Cairo.
414
00:39:47,447 --> 00:39:50,280
I wouldn't like any accidents to happen.
415
00:39:50,367 --> 00:39:52,403
Thank you for your advice.
416
00:39:59,287 --> 00:40:02,563
- I think he just threatened to shoot you.
- Possibly.
417
00:40:03,727 --> 00:40:06,958
Did you know that William Hamilton says
418
00:40:07,047 --> 00:40:11,802
that at the beginning of the Christian era
there were 18 open tombs in one valley?
419
00:40:11,887 --> 00:40:14,003
- He didn't say where they were, did he?
- No.
420
00:40:14,087 --> 00:40:18,365
But Napoleon's savants listed 11 tombs
that they knew about in the Qurna area.
421
00:40:18,447 --> 00:40:21,644
Well, we can't go to Qurna.
Drovetti has all the licenses.
422
00:40:21,727 --> 00:40:25,037
I know. But he hasn't found any new tombs,
423
00:40:25,127 --> 00:40:28,881
which means either he can't find them
or the place is dry.
424
00:40:29,967 --> 00:40:32,117
So let's think.
425
00:40:32,207 --> 00:40:35,916
If you were an ancient Egyptian pharaoh
and there was no more room at Qurna,
426
00:40:36,007 --> 00:40:39,920
where would you go if you wanted
your tomb to be safe for all eternity?
427
00:40:40,007 --> 00:40:44,159
Me? Well, I'd be happy in Lyme Regis, Dorset.
My local churchyard.
428
00:40:45,367 --> 00:40:47,801
Nobody is going to rob your tomb, William.
429
00:40:48,287 --> 00:40:51,677
But if I were a king, I'd go beyond Qurna,
430
00:40:51,767 --> 00:40:54,361
into the Western Valley, deeper into the hills.
431
00:40:54,447 --> 00:40:56,961
That place is a wilderness. Nobody goes there.
432
00:40:57,047 --> 00:41:00,722
So... a good place to be buried.
433
00:41:08,767 --> 00:41:12,555
BELZONl: The sacred valley,named Biban el-Muluk, begins at Qurna,
434
00:41:12,647 --> 00:41:16,356
runs toward the southwestand gradually turns due south.
435
00:41:18,647 --> 00:41:22,720
The ground can be visited eitherby a single natural entrance,
436
00:41:22,847 --> 00:41:24,599
that is formed like a gateway,
437
00:41:24,687 --> 00:41:27,759
or by the craggy paths across the mountains.
438
00:41:30,767 --> 00:41:33,839
NARRATOR: Belzoni's researchhad brought him to the wilderness,
439
00:41:33,927 --> 00:41:36,487
now known as the Valley of the Kings,
440
00:41:36,567 --> 00:41:40,640
the burial ground of Egyptian pharaohsfor over 400 years.
441
00:41:44,807 --> 00:41:47,924
Belzoni believed that the discovery of new tombs
442
00:41:48,007 --> 00:41:51,602
would offer him a window on this lost civilisation.
443
00:42:19,927 --> 00:42:21,565
(Exclaiming)
444
00:42:24,407 --> 00:42:25,920
Who's that?
445
00:42:40,167 --> 00:42:42,886
Don't tell me, out shooting for ducks?
446
00:42:42,967 --> 00:42:45,606
No, no, there was a thief.
447
00:42:46,287 --> 00:42:48,801
- He robbed our camp.
- He ran all the way out here?
448
00:42:49,567 --> 00:42:52,684
He looked a lot like you. You should be careful.
449
00:42:52,767 --> 00:42:55,201
I think you are the one who should be careful.
450
00:42:55,287 --> 00:42:58,836
Tell Mr Drovetti
I shall hold him personally responsible
451
00:42:58,927 --> 00:43:02,806
if anything should happen to myself
or my team. Hear?
452
00:43:17,727 --> 00:43:20,002
- What's the matter?
- This is crazy.
453
00:43:20,087 --> 00:43:23,921
I've had enough of following you around.
What are we doing, huh?
454
00:43:24,327 --> 00:43:27,956
There's nothing here, nothing. I'm sick of it.
455
00:43:28,367 --> 00:43:32,360
You don't know what you are doing and now
you bring us out here and risk us being shot at.
456
00:43:32,447 --> 00:43:34,802
Well, I have no wish to be food for vultures.
457
00:43:35,447 --> 00:43:38,644
- We should go back.
- He was shooting at me, not at you.
458
00:43:38,727 --> 00:43:42,481
- He's only trying to warn us off.
- (Laughing) From what?
459
00:43:42,567 --> 00:43:45,127
From this? Warn us off from this?
460
00:43:45,207 --> 00:43:47,801
- You are mad.
- You don't like it, you leave.
461
00:43:47,887 --> 00:43:52,358
- But this is my expedition and I say we stay.
- Your expedition?
462
00:43:53,247 --> 00:43:56,045
Ha! Who do you think you are?
463
00:43:56,127 --> 00:44:00,279
You're nothing but a hired man
employed by Mr Salt to pick things up.
464
00:44:00,847 --> 00:44:03,884
That's what you do, isn't it? Pick things up?
465
00:44:04,567 --> 00:44:07,525
- Mr Circus Strongman.
- You know that's not true!
466
00:44:07,607 --> 00:44:09,757
You're so dumb, aren't you?
467
00:44:09,847 --> 00:44:14,637
Always talking about your expedition and being
the great collector for the British Museum.
468
00:44:14,727 --> 00:44:17,082
- Yanni, please!
- You understand nothing!
469
00:44:17,647 --> 00:44:19,922
None of this is for the British Museum!
470
00:44:20,567 --> 00:44:23,798
It is all for Mr Salt to collect so he can sell it.
471
00:44:24,487 --> 00:44:27,604
You are just the cheapest idiot he could find.
472
00:44:29,207 --> 00:44:32,563
Why do you think he pays you himself,
not the British government?
473
00:44:34,247 --> 00:44:35,965
That's not true.
474
00:44:38,127 --> 00:44:40,960
- Tell him, Bill.
- It is true.
475
00:44:41,767 --> 00:44:44,406
Everything we collect is for Salt himself.
476
00:44:44,887 --> 00:44:47,606
He wants to get
a large enough collection and sell it.
477
00:44:48,327 --> 00:44:50,158
I'm sorry, I thought you knew.
478
00:44:51,367 --> 00:44:54,279
Understand, Mr Strongman?
479
00:44:55,327 --> 00:44:56,840
He fooled you.
480
00:44:57,407 --> 00:44:59,841
He only let you believe the Museum was involved
481
00:44:59,927 --> 00:45:02,760
because he thought that you'd be
easier to persuade.
482
00:45:15,927 --> 00:45:20,398
I don't care whether they pay you or not,
you're the one that finds everything.
483
00:45:21,247 --> 00:45:23,158
Without you they'd have nothing.
484
00:45:23,247 --> 00:45:26,159
People will remember you, not Salt.
485
00:45:27,367 --> 00:45:30,996
Look at what you've found. Everything on the boat.
486
00:45:32,007 --> 00:45:35,966
The obelisk, Abu Simbel, Philae.
487
00:45:36,087 --> 00:45:39,238
Everything last year. It's incredible.
488
00:45:39,887 --> 00:45:42,879
But it will all be in Salt's name.
489
00:45:43,967 --> 00:45:45,400
Not for long.
490
00:45:46,047 --> 00:45:48,402
You're like a painter.
491
00:45:48,487 --> 00:45:53,322
No matter who pays him, it's the artist
we remember, not the man with the money.
492
00:45:56,167 --> 00:45:59,284
We must go on. You can't give up now.
493
00:45:59,367 --> 00:46:00,846
How?
494
00:46:00,927 --> 00:46:03,760
You have me and Curtin.
495
00:46:04,087 --> 00:46:06,760
And Beechy. He believes in you.
496
00:46:07,647 --> 00:46:12,846
Please, Giovanni, you must go on.
You are a great explorer.
497
00:46:16,367 --> 00:46:19,677
Do you really believe there is something out here?
498
00:46:20,407 --> 00:46:21,442
Yes.
499
00:46:22,807 --> 00:46:24,126
Yes, I do.
500
00:46:26,167 --> 00:46:28,397
Then you must find it.
501
00:47:20,567 --> 00:47:23,764
Look up there. That's a water run for the rain.
502
00:47:23,847 --> 00:47:26,645
- BEECHY: It rains here?
- Not often, but sometimes.
503
00:47:27,127 --> 00:47:31,837
And look, the erosion is clear all the way down
until just in front of us.
504
00:47:32,367 --> 00:47:34,881
Then it vanishes. Why is that?
505
00:47:37,607 --> 00:47:39,723
Because the rock is not solid.
506
00:47:40,447 --> 00:47:43,644
- There's a tomb there.
- You really think so?
507
00:47:43,727 --> 00:47:45,479
I can't be sure.
508
00:47:45,567 --> 00:47:48,559
- But tell the men to start digging.
- Hamet.
509
00:47:49,527 --> 00:47:50,721
Gentlemen?
510
00:47:50,807 --> 00:47:53,116
(Speaking in Arabic)
511
00:47:56,327 --> 00:47:58,318
This way, come on.
512
00:48:15,247 --> 00:48:18,159
(Men chanting in time with swings)
513
00:48:24,047 --> 00:48:27,278
BELZONl: I made a machinenot unlike a battering ram.
514
00:48:30,447 --> 00:48:34,406
The walls resisted the blowsof the Arabs for some time.
515
00:48:35,327 --> 00:48:37,124
Come on. Nearly there!
516
00:48:39,207 --> 00:48:40,322
Nearly there.
517
00:48:40,407 --> 00:48:42,284
Come on! Once more.
518
00:48:47,047 --> 00:48:49,277
(All cheering)
519
00:48:56,927 --> 00:48:58,121
Yeah!
520
00:49:51,007 --> 00:49:52,725
(Belzoni screaming)
521
00:49:53,287 --> 00:49:54,481
Giovanni!
522
00:49:56,967 --> 00:49:59,242
Hang on, Mr B. Hang on.
523
00:50:06,087 --> 00:50:07,839
We got you.
524
00:50:09,207 --> 00:50:10,765
Safe now, Mr B.
525
00:50:11,527 --> 00:50:13,518
- Are you all right?
- I'm fine, fine.
526
00:50:13,607 --> 00:50:16,838
- Then this must be the end.
- No. No.
527
00:50:16,927 --> 00:50:19,885
Look, someone's been here before us.
528
00:50:21,727 --> 00:50:23,160
Get some planks.
529
00:50:42,407 --> 00:50:46,480
Anything there? What can you see?
530
00:50:48,487 --> 00:50:52,480
You won't believe it. It's wonderful.
531
00:51:09,607 --> 00:51:11,006
Ah!
532
00:51:15,927 --> 00:51:18,236
BELZONl: When we had passedthrough the little aperture,
533
00:51:18,327 --> 00:51:20,716
we found ourselves in a beautiful hall.
534
00:51:43,327 --> 00:51:45,557
BELZONl: Oh, it's amazing.
535
00:51:46,447 --> 00:51:49,678
Oh, Sarah. Sarah, look.
536
00:51:52,127 --> 00:51:55,278
BELZONl: We perceived that the paintingsbecame more perfect
537
00:51:55,367 --> 00:51:58,279
as we advanced farther into the interior.
538
00:52:00,687 --> 00:52:02,803
BEECHY: This is incredible.
539
00:52:03,527 --> 00:52:05,119
Congratulations.
540
00:52:10,047 --> 00:52:12,607
NARRATOR: Belzoni had discoveredthe tomb of Seti,
541
00:52:12,687 --> 00:52:15,645
the father of Ramesses the Great.
542
00:52:15,727 --> 00:52:18,560
Though, like Abu Simbel, empty of treasure,
543
00:52:18,647 --> 00:52:23,277
it's the most lavishly decoratedand largest tomb in the Valley of the Kings.
544
00:52:23,367 --> 00:52:25,198
Look here. Come and look at this.
545
00:52:25,287 --> 00:52:28,962
NARRATOR: Where Tutankhamun's tomb,discovered 100 years later,
546
00:52:29,047 --> 00:52:34,758
is the size of a garage, this oneis almost the length of St Paul's Cathedral.
547
00:52:35,247 --> 00:52:37,920
My God. Look at that.
548
00:52:53,767 --> 00:52:56,235
BELZONl: What we foundin the centre of the saloon
549
00:52:56,327 --> 00:53:00,878
merits the most particular attention,not having its equal in the world.
550
00:53:03,727 --> 00:53:05,319
It's wonderful.
551
00:53:06,247 --> 00:53:08,636
It's the most amazing thing I've ever seen.
552
00:53:09,727 --> 00:53:13,197
BELZONl: A sarcophagusof the finest Oriental alabaster.
553
00:53:15,487 --> 00:53:19,719
I cannot give an adequate ideaof this beautiful piece of antiquity.
554
00:53:22,567 --> 00:53:24,762
You can see right through it.
555
00:53:27,647 --> 00:53:30,798
Some fellow, eh? For a man to build all this.
556
00:53:31,447 --> 00:53:32,880
SARAH: Quite a king.
557
00:53:33,887 --> 00:53:36,526
And now it will be known after you, Giovanni.
558
00:53:37,527 --> 00:53:41,042
This shall be the tomb
that Giovanni Belzoni found,
559
00:53:42,287 --> 00:53:44,357
the greatest of them all.
560
00:53:51,567 --> 00:53:55,401
NARRATOR: This was indeedto become known as Belzoni's tomb.
561
00:53:57,007 --> 00:54:00,317
And 3,096 years before,
562
00:54:00,407 --> 00:54:04,878
Ramesses himself looked for the last timeupon the same sarcophagus,
563
00:54:05,007 --> 00:54:08,124
which then contained the remains of his father.
564
00:54:12,007 --> 00:54:15,522
For Ramesses' own rule had begun on this spot.
565
00:54:21,407 --> 00:54:25,559
Ramesses was to reign until he was 92 years old.
566
00:54:25,647 --> 00:54:29,435
He would go down in history as a heroic warrior.
567
00:54:29,567 --> 00:54:34,402
But it's less well known that 16 yearsafter his famous battle at Kadesh,
568
00:54:34,487 --> 00:54:37,559
he signed a treaty with his enemies, the Hittites.
569
00:54:38,287 --> 00:54:42,599
It was the world's first recorded peace treatybetween superpowers.
570
00:54:42,687 --> 00:54:45,565
And it brought great prosperity to Egypt.
571
00:54:46,647 --> 00:54:48,877
Ramesses' most lasting achievement,
572
00:54:48,967 --> 00:54:52,403
contrary to the war-like propagandaon his temple walls,
573
00:54:52,487 --> 00:54:54,921
was as a bringer of peace.
574
00:55:04,087 --> 00:55:08,922
Belzoni recorded the tombthat he'd discovered in unprecedented detail.
575
00:55:15,367 --> 00:55:17,483
(Audience applauding)
576
00:55:18,007 --> 00:55:21,682
And in May, 1821, in London's Piccadilly,
577
00:55:21,767 --> 00:55:24,884
a reproduction of part of Belzoni's tomb
578
00:55:24,967 --> 00:55:27,800
was the centrepiece of an extraordinary exhibition
579
00:55:27,887 --> 00:55:30,799
celebrating the explorer's discoveries.
580
00:55:30,887 --> 00:55:33,959
I wanted to come to London with him.
581
00:55:34,687 --> 00:55:38,202
Belzoni became one of the mostfamous figures in London.
582
00:55:41,247 --> 00:55:46,640
And many of the artefacts that he collecteddid actually end up in the British Museum.
583
00:55:49,727 --> 00:55:53,561
Still today, its Egyptian galleries are dominated
584
00:55:53,647 --> 00:55:56,684
by the findings of this extraordinary man,
585
00:55:56,767 --> 00:55:59,486
the gentle giant from Padua.
48984
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get subtitles in any language from opensubtitles.com, and translate them here.