Dara O Briain returns to Egypt in the second and final episode of “Mysteries of the Pyramids with Dara O Briain,” airing on Channel 5 on Monday, May 27, 2024, at 9:00 p.m. In this installment, Dara explores two compelling mysteries: how the eternal conflict between pharaohs and tomb raiders influenced the evolution of pyramids, and why the pyramids ultimately failed to withstand the test of time.
Dara is joined once again by Egyptologist Dr. Chris Naunton and archaeologist Raksha Dave as they look into the intricate connection between tomb builders and raiders, which shaped the very existence of the pyramids. Visiting the Cairo Museum, Dara marvels at the golden treasures and riches within, understanding the allure they held for past looters. The construction of these majestic structures became a battle of wits, sparking innovations in design, including labyrinthine passages, decoy corridors, and increasingly complex and massive pyramids aimed at protecting the pharaoh and his treasures.
For ancient Egyptians, the primary purpose of the pyramids was to safeguard the pharaoh’s body, ensuring their passage into the afterlife. Despite their efforts, however, the pharaohs’ eternal rest was always disturbed, and their treasures plundered. Eventually, they abandoned the pyramids, opting to bury their dead in the mountainous desert of the Valley of the Kings. Here, Dara encounters the boy king Tutankhamun, whose tomb evaded looters for over 3,000 years, leading to a discovery that ignited a frenzy of ancient Egypt mania that continues to this day.
While the pyramids may have failed in their original purpose of providing eternal rest, their mysteries continue to captivate us even after nearly 5,000 years. In their quest for immortality, the pharaohs inadvertently succeeded, as the pyramids still stand as enduring testaments to their legacy.
Mysteries of the Pyramids with Dara O Briain: Season 1, Episode 2 airs Monday, May 27, 2024, at 9:00 p.m. on Channel 5.
