Secrets of Ancient Egypt DVD Review

 Exploring various facets of ancient Egyptian civilization, the entrancing value-priced collection Secrets of Ancient Egypt debuts on DVD on January 14, 2014 from Athena, an RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE) brand. Featuring Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass and geologist Farouk el-Baz, consultant to NASA’s Apollo space program, the programs showcase leaders in the fields of biology, archaeology, geology, zoology, and Egyptology, seeking to unearth the mysteries of the great civilization through the power of modern science. The DVD 2-Disc set includes four documentaries produced between 1994-2006, plus bonus program, Realm of the Dead (50 min.), 12-page viewer’s guide, and more (207 min., plus bonus, $49.99, AcornOnline.com).

Comprising the fertile banks of the Nile River and the dusty edges of the Sahara, Egypt developed one of the world’s earliest advanced civilizations. For millennia—after the pharaohs fell and sand reclaimed the Sphinx—the mysteries of this ancient people have fascinated scientists and laymen alike.

Programs:

Secrets of the Pharaohs: A Quest for Ancient DNA—Did genetics lead to the downfall of Tutankhamen’s dynasty?

Oasis of the Golden Mummies—Archaeologist Zahi Hawass excavates a catacomb filled with mummies to learn the legacy of a lost people.

Secrets of the Sands—A former Apollo program scientist looks beneath the sands of the Sahara to discover the origins of the pyramids.

The Sacred Animals of the Pharaohs—How did the ancient world view animals? A massive cache of mummified creatures provides clues.

Bonus Features: Bonus program: Realm of the Dead (50 min.) explores funerary practices, 12-page viewer’s guide with a map and articles on the eras of ancient Egypt, the story of the Sahara, Pharaoh Akhenaten, and Egyptian gods 

Street Date: Jan 14, 2014                             SRP: $49.99  

DVD 2-Disc Set: 4 programs – Approx. 207 min., plus bonus program – Documentary - SDH Subtitles – UPC: 0-54961-2117-9-1

 My Thoughts

If you have any interest at all in Ancient Egypt, this series is a must-watch. You'll feel like you're stepping back in time when you follow modern Egyptologists through unearthed tombs and into the heart of their ancient world. There are four different episodes as well as a bonus episode, each of which can stand independently . 

Secrets of the Pharaohs: A Quest for DNA - This one uses new technologies to take a fresh look at an old story. By studying the DNA of the mummy, scientists have discovered more about King Tut and his family. What they learned has nullified a lot of the former beliefs about the young king. Just more evidence that Egypt holds mysteries we may never filly unravel. 

Oasis of the Golden Mummies - A tomb filled with mummies might be evidence of a severe leprosy outbreak. Ironically, this tomb was discovered by accident, miles from the Nile and still has many secrets to be revealed.

Secrets of the Sands - Scientists look under the sand to try to determine the secrets of the pyramids. They use images from space to give things a new prospective, looking at them from the skies.  Makes you wonder if the alien theory doesn't have some fact to it.

The Sacred Animals of the Pharaohs - As someone who has studied totems, I found this one of particular interest. Animals were believed to be held sacred by the Ancients, but it also seems that at times animals were sacrificed. How else can you explain a tomb with hundreds of mummified hawks?

Realm Of the Dead - This is the bonus episode and it gives you a detailed look at the funeral process of the Ancient Egyptians. Both the mummy process and funeral rites are explained in detail.

In addition to the DVDs, this box set also includes a 12-page viewer's guide with articles on Ancient Egypt and lovely pictures. This is definitely an amazing DVD set. Anyone who is interested in history or spiritual practices of Ancient Egypt should definitely check it out.

You can order Secrets of Ancient Egypt for only $49.99 at Acorn Media.