What the Ancients Did for Us - Episode 07: The Egyptians

Description

This episode features reports from Zain in Egypt elaborated by demonstrations from Adam Hart Davis, Marty Jopson and expert guests that examine developments of the Ancient Egyptians.

    * Boat building, like the sewn-plank vessel reconstructed by Jopsom, allowed trade along the Nile and beyond.
    * Mass-production, using the foot-bellows reconstructed by Jopsom, supplied the tools used to construct the great monuments.
    * Early dam building, like the Dam of the Pagans reconstructed by Jopsom, failed to control flooding and was abandoned.
    * Mummification techniques, demonstrated by Hart-Davies, indicate an advanced understanding of human anatomy.
    * Propaganda, like that visited by Zain at Luxor Temple, was carved to demonstrate the power of the Pharaohs.
    * Hieroglyphs, decoded from the Rosetta Stone explained to Hart-Davies, were used to record the civilisation.
    * Glass making, using core-forming demonstrated to Hart-Davies, provided a material now taken for granted.
    * Craftsmanship, demonstrated by the treasures of Tutankhamun visited, is still greatly admired.
    * Furniture making, using techniques and tools demonstrated by Jopsom, are little changed today.
    * Recreational fishing, demonstrated by Hart-Davies, originated with the Ancient Egyptian nobility.
    * Astronomical observations, demonstrated by Hart-Davies, allowed for the perfect alignment of the pyramids.
    * Wooden sledges, reconstructed by Jopsom, transported the blocks used to construct the Pyramids.

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