1 00:00:01,810 --> 00:00:05,515 [narrator] canopus, a sacred city beloved by cleopatra, 2 00:00:05,524 --> 00:00:08,315 Lost for over 1,000 years. 3 00:00:08,350 --> 00:00:10,242 [prof. Salima ikram] when cleopatra would have gone 4 00:00:10,317 --> 00:00:11,595 Down this canal, 5 00:00:11,670 --> 00:00:15,675 People lining the banks, musicians, priests praying. 6 00:00:15,710 --> 00:00:18,075 [narrator] it was a city, gleaming with treasures 7 00:00:18,110 --> 00:00:20,555 And rich in wonders. 8 00:00:20,590 --> 00:00:24,075 [franck goddio] the great temple. Beautiful statue. 9 00:00:24,110 --> 00:00:26,075 Gold everywhere. Everywhere. 10 00:00:26,150 --> 00:00:29,042 [narrator] famous for its holy rituals. 11 00:00:29,117 --> 00:00:30,795 [dr. Rebecca bradshaw] pilgrims from across the known world 12 00:00:30,830 --> 00:00:34,395 Would come to receive healing from the gods. 13 00:00:34,430 --> 00:00:36,995 [narrator] and infamous for its earthly pleasures. 14 00:00:37,070 --> 00:00:40,195 [dr. Bob bianchi] anything you ever desired or wanted 15 00:00:40,270 --> 00:00:43,795 Could be found in the city of canopus. 16 00:00:43,870 --> 00:00:46,475 [narrator] but it was doomed to destruction. 17 00:00:46,550 --> 00:00:49,595 [rebecca] the whole city was right on the edge of the land, 18 00:00:49,630 --> 00:00:52,995 Extremely vulnerable, very exposed. 19 00:00:53,070 --> 00:00:54,635 [narrator] now, thanks to a unique, 20 00:00:54,670 --> 00:00:56,242 Cutting-edge excavation, 21 00:00:56,317 --> 00:01:00,475 Cleopatra's lost city of canopus has been found. 22 00:01:00,510 --> 00:01:05,275 An ancient egyptian atlantis submerged beneath the waves. 23 00:01:05,310 --> 00:01:08,315 [franck] the discovery is far bigger 24 00:01:08,350 --> 00:01:12,715 Than we dream we will ever find. 25 00:01:12,750 --> 00:01:16,315 It is the single most important archeological discovery 26 00:01:16,350 --> 00:01:18,482 Of this, the 21st century. 27 00:01:21,070 --> 00:01:23,755 [narrator] the relics of the past hold secrets. 28 00:01:23,830 --> 00:01:26,835 [dramatic music] 29 00:01:26,910 --> 00:01:27,835 [men yelling] 30 00:01:27,844 --> 00:01:29,162 Written in gold, 31 00:01:30,350 --> 00:01:31,362 Stone, 32 00:01:32,190 --> 00:01:33,835 And blood. 33 00:01:33,844 --> 00:01:37,115 We can unlock them. 34 00:01:37,150 --> 00:01:41,922 These are the secrets of history's greatest treasures. 35 00:01:51,390 --> 00:01:55,115 [suspenseful mysterious music] 36 00:01:55,190 --> 00:01:58,722 Ancient egypt, an empire that produced 37 00:01:58,797 --> 00:02:02,235 Some of the world's greatest treasures. 38 00:02:02,270 --> 00:02:05,522 For centuries scholars have marveled at its wonders 39 00:02:05,597 --> 00:02:09,002 And puzzled at its complex religions and rituals. 40 00:02:10,590 --> 00:02:13,435 But there are still secrets to be uncovered. 41 00:02:13,470 --> 00:02:16,955 Including one of egypt's greatest mysteries, 42 00:02:16,990 --> 00:02:20,315 The lost city of canopus. 43 00:02:20,390 --> 00:02:23,522 [rebecca] canopus was actually a really very famous city, 44 00:02:23,597 --> 00:02:25,155 Situated right on the mediterranean coast 45 00:02:25,230 --> 00:02:26,882 Of the egyptian delta, 46 00:02:26,957 --> 00:02:29,202 And one that really captured the imagination 47 00:02:29,277 --> 00:02:30,562 Of ancient writers. 48 00:02:31,630 --> 00:02:33,195 It was known for being 49 00:02:33,230 --> 00:02:35,955 An incredibly important religious center. 50 00:02:36,030 --> 00:02:40,555 This was a cosmopolitan, lively, busy, bustling city, 51 00:02:40,564 --> 00:02:42,875 That would have had people coming in from outside 52 00:02:42,884 --> 00:02:45,795 To go to the temples and maybe also to partake 53 00:02:45,870 --> 00:02:47,915 In the annual festivals. 54 00:02:47,950 --> 00:02:50,555 [narrator] egypt's pharaohs were regular visitors, 55 00:02:50,564 --> 00:02:52,962 Including the legendary cleopatra. 56 00:02:55,150 --> 00:02:56,955 But despite the city's fame, 57 00:02:56,990 --> 00:03:01,195 Canopus has been lost for over 1,000 years. 58 00:03:01,230 --> 00:03:04,675 [rebecca] let's say, for example, if venice vanished, 59 00:03:04,750 --> 00:03:08,555 That's the kind of level that we're talking about here. 60 00:03:08,590 --> 00:03:11,475 [salima] people have been speculating as to where it was 61 00:03:11,550 --> 00:03:13,515 And how to find it? 62 00:03:13,524 --> 00:03:17,522 But it is surprisingly difficult to find a lost city. 63 00:03:17,597 --> 00:03:19,202 [narrator] now, a team led 64 00:03:19,277 --> 00:03:22,115 By renowned maritime archeologist franck goddio, 65 00:03:22,190 --> 00:03:23,842 Is scouring the seafloor 66 00:03:23,917 --> 00:03:27,042 In search of this ancient egyptian sunken city. 67 00:03:27,117 --> 00:03:31,515 I thought that if canopus has not been found on land, 68 00:03:31,524 --> 00:03:35,115 It was for the very good reasons that it was not on land, 69 00:03:35,190 --> 00:03:37,522 And most probably under the sea. 70 00:03:37,597 --> 00:03:39,362 [narrator] and what they find is bigger 71 00:03:39,437 --> 00:03:42,562 And more spectacular than they could ever have dreamt. 72 00:03:42,637 --> 00:03:45,475 [eric] something tiny would have thrilled us. 73 00:03:45,550 --> 00:03:48,402 But instead, we found something much more amazing. 74 00:03:50,724 --> 00:03:55,802 -[water bubbling] -[gentle thoughtful music] 75 00:03:57,390 --> 00:03:59,915 [narrator] the late 1990s. 76 00:03:59,950 --> 00:04:01,842 Franck goddio and his team are searching 77 00:04:01,917 --> 00:04:04,522 For canopus in egypt's nile delta. 78 00:04:06,004 --> 00:04:10,155 Goddio has pinpointed a site in abukir bay, 79 00:04:10,230 --> 00:04:13,675 16 miles northeast of alexandria, 80 00:04:13,710 --> 00:04:17,802 Based on a handful of cryptic references in ancient texts. 81 00:04:19,710 --> 00:04:23,635 [franck] it was the exact distance between alexandria 82 00:04:23,710 --> 00:04:28,482 And the city of canopus, as written in many documents. 83 00:04:29,524 --> 00:04:31,115 [man speaks in foreign language] 84 00:04:31,150 --> 00:04:32,235 [narrator] using cutting-edge 85 00:04:32,244 --> 00:04:34,635 Geophysical scanning technology, 86 00:04:34,710 --> 00:04:38,002 It takes a team of 50 leading experts and archeologists 87 00:04:38,077 --> 00:04:43,475 Two years to scour the bay's 200 square miles. 88 00:04:43,550 --> 00:04:47,362 But identifying a possible site is just the start. 89 00:04:47,437 --> 00:04:48,875 Then they're faced with the challenge 90 00:04:48,910 --> 00:04:51,035 Of an archeological investigation under 91 00:04:51,070 --> 00:04:54,555 20 feet of seawater. 92 00:04:54,590 --> 00:04:56,715 [eric] archeology's difficult. 93 00:04:56,750 --> 00:05:01,362 Archeology underwater is 10 times harder. 94 00:05:01,437 --> 00:05:04,795 The visibility for the divers is very poor. 95 00:05:04,830 --> 00:05:09,155 And you can't see anything except the immediate area 96 00:05:09,230 --> 00:05:10,522 That you're working in. 97 00:05:11,830 --> 00:05:14,235 [narrator] but finally, in 1999, 98 00:05:14,244 --> 00:05:16,195 Goddio's team make a discovery 99 00:05:16,270 --> 00:05:20,555 That will unearth the great lost city of canopus 100 00:05:20,590 --> 00:05:24,555 And rewrite the history of ancient egypt. 101 00:05:24,590 --> 00:05:26,795 [eric] so we start and we dig down through the sand 102 00:05:26,870 --> 00:05:28,475 And we start finding, "oh my gosh, 103 00:05:28,510 --> 00:05:30,315 "it's a portion of a sphinx." 104 00:05:30,350 --> 00:05:32,795 There's a haunch, there's a paw, there's a tail. 105 00:05:32,870 --> 00:05:35,515 We know that we're on the trail, 106 00:05:35,524 --> 00:05:37,515 We know that there's something nearby. 107 00:05:37,524 --> 00:05:39,675 But we don't know, you know, what it is, 108 00:05:39,710 --> 00:05:43,482 We don't have a feeling that this is the spot, not yet. 109 00:05:46,590 --> 00:05:50,075 [dramatic music] 110 00:05:50,110 --> 00:05:51,595 [narrator] close to the sphinx, 111 00:05:51,630 --> 00:05:54,762 Goddio and his team make a monumental discovery. 112 00:05:56,910 --> 00:06:01,042 We found the remain of a beautiful, 113 00:06:01,117 --> 00:06:03,802 Large foundation wall. 114 00:06:05,550 --> 00:06:08,995 [narrator] it becomes clear this was once a building, 115 00:06:09,070 --> 00:06:12,315 Of truly colossal proportions. 116 00:06:12,350 --> 00:06:16,555 [franck] it was three-meter thick, and it started to extend 117 00:06:16,590 --> 00:06:19,282 And extend as we were excavating it. 118 00:06:21,597 --> 00:06:24,635 30 meter, 50 meter, 80 meter, 119 00:06:24,710 --> 00:06:29,755 100 meter, 103 meter long. 120 00:06:29,790 --> 00:06:32,555 Beautifully built. 121 00:06:32,590 --> 00:06:34,235 [eric] it's the size of a football field 122 00:06:34,270 --> 00:06:36,475 With these immense foundation walls. 123 00:06:36,550 --> 00:06:38,875 And you realize that if the walls 124 00:06:38,884 --> 00:06:42,715 That had sat on top of this foundation were still intact, 125 00:06:42,724 --> 00:06:45,682 They would come out of the surface of the sea 126 00:06:45,757 --> 00:06:47,042 At sea level today. 127 00:06:48,957 --> 00:06:51,035 [narrator] the structure's size and quality mean 128 00:06:51,044 --> 00:06:52,722 It could only have been one thing. 129 00:06:55,350 --> 00:06:56,322 A temple. 130 00:06:58,190 --> 00:07:00,402 [suspenseful music] 131 00:07:00,477 --> 00:07:03,035 And this temple is so enormous it must have sat 132 00:07:03,070 --> 00:07:06,642 At the heart of a large, and seemingly, holy city. 133 00:07:08,350 --> 00:07:11,275 [eric] sometimes the visibility improves 134 00:07:11,310 --> 00:07:13,275 And you stand up and you look up 135 00:07:13,310 --> 00:07:16,235 And you really get the sense of the grandeur of the city, 136 00:07:16,270 --> 00:07:18,795 Of the size of the temple, 137 00:07:18,830 --> 00:07:21,522 And of the importance and the impact 138 00:07:21,597 --> 00:07:23,835 It must have had on the people visiting it 139 00:07:23,870 --> 00:07:25,402 Thousands of years ago. 140 00:07:26,590 --> 00:07:28,395 [narrator] but is it canopus, 141 00:07:28,430 --> 00:07:31,522 The city goddio and the team set out to find? 142 00:07:34,590 --> 00:07:36,475 [tense music] 143 00:07:36,550 --> 00:07:40,555 The answer lies just a few feet from the vast temple, 144 00:07:40,590 --> 00:07:45,595 With a discovery of equally colossal proportions. 145 00:07:45,670 --> 00:07:49,922 [franck] we found a huge colossus head, made in marble. 146 00:07:51,524 --> 00:07:54,635 It must correspond to a statue 147 00:07:54,670 --> 00:07:57,282 Which was four, five-meter high. 148 00:07:58,910 --> 00:08:00,242 [narrator] a statue of that size 149 00:08:00,317 --> 00:08:04,402 Must have represented the temple's main god. 150 00:08:04,477 --> 00:08:09,035 [franck] little by little, when we uncover that statue 151 00:08:09,070 --> 00:08:10,835 From the sand covering him, 152 00:08:10,910 --> 00:08:13,635 It was obvious that we were in front 153 00:08:13,710 --> 00:08:17,835 Of the main god of that city, the god serapis. 154 00:08:17,870 --> 00:08:19,435 [suspenseful music] 155 00:08:19,470 --> 00:08:21,362 [narrator] it was the breakthrough goddio and his team 156 00:08:21,437 --> 00:08:22,682 Had been searching for. 157 00:08:24,030 --> 00:08:25,835 Because the egyptian god serapis 158 00:08:25,870 --> 00:08:29,082 Was intimately linked with the city of canopus. 159 00:08:30,637 --> 00:08:31,995 Ancient egyptian cities 160 00:08:32,030 --> 00:08:33,755 Were known for one thing or another. 161 00:08:33,830 --> 00:08:35,722 They would have a specialty, let's say. 162 00:08:37,310 --> 00:08:40,002 At canopus, this was an extremely famous temple 163 00:08:40,077 --> 00:08:42,882 That was called the serapeum. 164 00:08:42,957 --> 00:08:46,555 [narrator] this temple was dedicated to the god serapis 165 00:08:46,590 --> 00:08:50,115 And described by the first-century 166 00:08:50,190 --> 00:08:52,555 Greek scholar strabo in his account of the city. 167 00:08:52,590 --> 00:08:55,682 [rebecca] strabo writes, "it contains the temple of serapis, 168 00:08:55,757 --> 00:08:57,275 Held in great veneration, 169 00:08:57,350 --> 00:09:00,515 And celebrated for the cure of diseases." 170 00:09:00,590 --> 00:09:02,475 So what strabo is referring to here 171 00:09:02,550 --> 00:09:05,355 Is a temple that was extremely important, 172 00:09:05,390 --> 00:09:07,515 Extremely well known at that time, 173 00:09:07,550 --> 00:09:11,515 Where people would come to receive healing powers 174 00:09:11,550 --> 00:09:13,362 From the gods. 175 00:09:13,437 --> 00:09:14,715 [narrator] to goddio and the team, 176 00:09:14,750 --> 00:09:17,795 Finding the colossal head of serapis, 177 00:09:17,870 --> 00:09:20,315 Next to a huge temple, 178 00:09:20,350 --> 00:09:22,475 In a city at the exact same distance 179 00:09:22,550 --> 00:09:25,522 From alexandria mentioned in ancient accounts, 180 00:09:26,510 --> 00:09:28,842 Could mean only one thing. 181 00:09:31,550 --> 00:09:32,882 We found canopus. 182 00:09:32,957 --> 00:09:35,275 [gentle pensive music] 183 00:09:35,310 --> 00:09:40,995 It was exciting and all the team was extremely happy. 184 00:09:41,070 --> 00:09:44,402 [eric] we had no idea the amount of detail 185 00:09:44,477 --> 00:09:49,115 And the amount of artifacts that we would find. 186 00:09:49,190 --> 00:09:50,395 [rebecca] it's certainly not every day 187 00:09:50,404 --> 00:09:53,035 That you find an entire city 188 00:09:53,044 --> 00:09:56,515 And a city that has been sunk no less. 189 00:09:56,590 --> 00:09:59,515 [salim] it's really exciting, to have this city 190 00:09:59,550 --> 00:10:01,515 That you've heard about or read about, 191 00:10:01,550 --> 00:10:03,562 Become real before your very eyes. 192 00:10:04,957 --> 00:10:06,475 [narrator] as the excavation spreads out 193 00:10:06,550 --> 00:10:08,002 Across the seafloor, 194 00:10:08,077 --> 00:10:10,835 A dazzling treasure trove emerges from the sand. 195 00:10:10,910 --> 00:10:14,002 Statues, buildings, jewelry, 196 00:10:14,077 --> 00:10:18,475 And religious artifacts spanning at least 2,500 years. 197 00:10:18,550 --> 00:10:22,475 These paint a picture of a city steeped in religion. 198 00:10:22,550 --> 00:10:25,315 And reveal what was, until now, 199 00:10:25,390 --> 00:10:28,562 One of ancient egypt's most secret rituals. 200 00:10:28,637 --> 00:10:31,522 A ceremony witnessed by the most iconic queen 201 00:10:31,597 --> 00:10:34,442 In egyptian history, cleopatra. 202 00:10:38,590 --> 00:10:41,115 [dramatic mysterious music] 203 00:10:41,150 --> 00:10:44,315 One mile off egypt's mediterranean coast, 204 00:10:44,390 --> 00:10:45,955 Archeologists have discovered 205 00:10:46,030 --> 00:10:47,962 The lost ancient city of canopus. 206 00:10:51,390 --> 00:10:55,155 [eric] to find a legendary missing city. 207 00:10:55,230 --> 00:10:58,402 It's something beyond the wildest imagination. 208 00:10:58,477 --> 00:10:59,482 But we did. 209 00:11:00,590 --> 00:11:02,002 [narrator] over three decades, 210 00:11:02,077 --> 00:11:04,475 Underwater archeologist franck goddio 211 00:11:04,510 --> 00:11:07,435 And a team of experts and archeological divers, 212 00:11:07,470 --> 00:11:11,115 Have uncovered a spectacular treasure trove of finds 213 00:11:11,190 --> 00:11:14,395 In this ancient egyptian sunken city. 214 00:11:14,404 --> 00:11:17,922 Coins, gold coins, everywhere, everywhere. 215 00:11:19,390 --> 00:11:21,675 Statue from different period. 216 00:11:21,710 --> 00:11:27,955 Red granite statues, marble statues, head of pharaohs. 217 00:11:28,030 --> 00:11:31,162 And, a lot of ceramic, intact ceramic. 218 00:11:32,750 --> 00:11:33,995 [narrator] the city dates back 219 00:11:34,030 --> 00:11:36,522 To at least the sixth century bc. 220 00:11:38,110 --> 00:11:40,475 But the discovery of a spectacular statue 221 00:11:40,550 --> 00:11:41,915 Reveals canopus 222 00:11:41,950 --> 00:11:45,162 Flourished during the reign of one particular dynasty. 223 00:11:46,564 --> 00:11:49,595 Notorious in the history of ancient egypt, 224 00:11:49,630 --> 00:11:51,595 The family of cleopatra, 225 00:11:51,630 --> 00:11:56,195 Egypt's last pharaoh and most celebrated queen. 226 00:11:56,270 --> 00:11:59,595 [franck] we found a fantastic statue. 227 00:11:59,630 --> 00:12:02,315 [gentle thoughtful music] 228 00:12:02,350 --> 00:12:07,362 The impression we had when we found that statue underwater, 229 00:12:08,244 --> 00:12:10,082 Was unbelievable. 230 00:12:12,244 --> 00:12:15,115 It's one of the most beautiful statues 231 00:12:15,190 --> 00:12:17,442 Ever made in the world. 232 00:12:20,590 --> 00:12:23,155 [bob] the statue is hands down, 233 00:12:23,230 --> 00:12:25,275 The most aesthetically accomplished, 234 00:12:25,310 --> 00:12:27,475 The most spectacular, 235 00:12:27,550 --> 00:12:29,322 Beautiful masterpiece I've ever seen. 236 00:12:30,510 --> 00:12:31,675 [narrator] to egyptologist 237 00:12:31,684 --> 00:12:34,155 And art historian dr. Bob bianchi 238 00:12:34,190 --> 00:12:37,515 This statue is more than simply beautiful. 239 00:12:37,524 --> 00:12:40,395 Its exquisite craftsmanship reveals the people 240 00:12:40,404 --> 00:12:42,355 Who propelled the city to new heights 241 00:12:42,430 --> 00:12:44,955 Of splendor and wealth. 242 00:12:44,990 --> 00:12:46,955 And they did it by blending the culture 243 00:12:46,990 --> 00:12:50,715 Of two great civilizations. 244 00:12:50,750 --> 00:12:54,715 [bob] we have a completely new statue type! 245 00:12:54,750 --> 00:12:57,515 Something new and novel, 246 00:12:57,550 --> 00:13:00,922 That no one had ever thought of creating before. 247 00:13:02,390 --> 00:13:05,435 It is created in black granite, 248 00:13:05,470 --> 00:13:10,075 Which is a quintessential egyptian hard stone. 249 00:13:10,110 --> 00:13:13,682 But the treatment of the body, the treatment of the drapery, 250 00:13:13,757 --> 00:13:16,402 And how the body reacts to the drapery, 251 00:13:16,477 --> 00:13:19,762 Those are details that are decidedly greek. 252 00:13:21,310 --> 00:13:23,202 [narrator] the statue's new style heralds the 253 00:13:23,277 --> 00:13:27,242 Arrival of a new power in egypt in 305 bc. 254 00:13:28,750 --> 00:13:31,882 The family of cleopatra, the ptolemies. 255 00:13:34,077 --> 00:13:35,915 [salima] the ptolemies were originally 256 00:13:35,950 --> 00:13:37,755 From northern greece. 257 00:13:37,790 --> 00:13:41,675 They took over egypt after the death of alexander the great. 258 00:13:41,710 --> 00:13:44,835 And they've ruled egypt for about 300 years, 259 00:13:44,910 --> 00:13:48,155 With the last ptolemy, being perhaps the most famous, 260 00:13:48,230 --> 00:13:49,682 The great cleopatra. 261 00:13:51,550 --> 00:13:53,195 [narrator] the ptolemies cemented their power 262 00:13:53,230 --> 00:13:56,315 By blending their own beliefs, culture, and gods 263 00:13:56,350 --> 00:13:59,675 With those of their egyptian subjects. 264 00:13:59,684 --> 00:14:02,635 [salima] they wanted to maintain hold of such a rich 265 00:14:02,670 --> 00:14:05,515 And strategically important country. 266 00:14:05,550 --> 00:14:07,635 And so there was a lot of propaganda, 267 00:14:07,710 --> 00:14:10,842 A lot of tactful maneuvering with religion. 268 00:14:12,670 --> 00:14:14,715 [narrator] this statue of a ptolemy queen 269 00:14:14,750 --> 00:14:17,242 Was part of this propaganda campaign. 270 00:14:18,670 --> 00:14:21,275 It's evidence of the ptolemies' supreme skill 271 00:14:21,350 --> 00:14:23,835 In rebranding themselves. 272 00:14:23,870 --> 00:14:25,675 And of their close personal connection 273 00:14:25,710 --> 00:14:28,675 With the city of canopus. 274 00:14:28,750 --> 00:14:31,315 [bob] the fact that we have such a beautiful statue 275 00:14:31,390 --> 00:14:33,995 Simply gives us visual proof 276 00:14:34,004 --> 00:14:36,522 Of the importance of the city of canopus. 277 00:14:38,550 --> 00:14:40,315 In the dynasty of the ptolemies, 278 00:14:40,390 --> 00:14:42,875 Beauty, sculptural achievement, 279 00:14:42,884 --> 00:14:46,195 And political-religious importance blend together. 280 00:14:46,270 --> 00:14:48,675 [dramatic music] 281 00:14:48,750 --> 00:14:50,555 [narrator] with the city just 16 miles 282 00:14:50,564 --> 00:14:54,715 From their capital alexandria, egyptologists are convinced 283 00:14:54,750 --> 00:14:59,522 The ptolemy pharaohs themselves would have visited canopus. 284 00:14:59,597 --> 00:15:01,842 Pharaohs that included cleopatra. 285 00:15:03,710 --> 00:15:06,635 [franck] we have found very close to the temple, 286 00:15:06,670 --> 00:15:12,075 Many coins from cleopatra, with her profile. 287 00:15:12,110 --> 00:15:15,355 [narrator] 2,000 years ago, this city would have welcomed 288 00:15:15,390 --> 00:15:17,922 The ancient world's most celebrated queen. 289 00:15:19,950 --> 00:15:22,282 She would have gazed at its statues. 290 00:15:23,710 --> 00:15:25,322 Visited its temples. 291 00:15:26,670 --> 00:15:29,435 But what drew cleopatra here? 292 00:15:29,510 --> 00:15:31,642 What made the city so important? 293 00:15:34,750 --> 00:15:37,915 Egyptologists believe a clue lies in an inscription 294 00:15:37,990 --> 00:15:43,202 Written in 238 bc during the reign of cleopatra's ancestor 295 00:15:43,277 --> 00:15:47,282 Ptolemy iii, "the canopus decree." 296 00:15:49,710 --> 00:15:51,195 [rebecca] we know from this decree 297 00:15:51,230 --> 00:15:53,755 That canopus was seen as extremely important. 298 00:15:53,790 --> 00:15:55,755 It says that it was the first and foremost 299 00:15:55,790 --> 00:15:58,955 Temple in the country and the one that was the most precious 300 00:15:58,990 --> 00:16:00,602 To pharaoh and his family. 301 00:16:02,670 --> 00:16:03,682 [narrator] the decree describes 302 00:16:03,757 --> 00:16:06,235 A grand religious procession. 303 00:16:06,244 --> 00:16:09,435 Along a custom-built ceremonial waterway, 304 00:16:09,510 --> 00:16:12,315 Leading directly to the great temple in canopus. 305 00:16:12,350 --> 00:16:14,195 [tense pensive music] 306 00:16:14,270 --> 00:16:17,115 [rebecca] it says that canopus was linked by a canal 307 00:16:17,190 --> 00:16:20,475 To a neighboring town and that this was extremely important 308 00:16:20,510 --> 00:16:22,282 As a processional way. 309 00:16:23,757 --> 00:16:26,555 [narrator] incredibly, goddio has now found 310 00:16:26,590 --> 00:16:29,675 The very same canal mentioned in the decree. 311 00:16:29,684 --> 00:16:31,995 And it's full of archeological evidence 312 00:16:32,004 --> 00:16:36,235 That suggests a religious or ritual purpose. 313 00:16:36,244 --> 00:16:40,722 All along the channel we found ritual instruments. 314 00:16:42,110 --> 00:16:44,762 A kind of bronze ladle. 315 00:16:47,950 --> 00:16:50,955 Sometimes we were finding 316 00:16:50,990 --> 00:16:54,882 A lead model of a processional barge. 317 00:16:56,510 --> 00:17:01,595 And also we found statuettes of the god osiris. 318 00:17:01,670 --> 00:17:03,635 [suspenseful music] 319 00:17:03,710 --> 00:17:06,195 [narrator] it seemed the statuettes depicting osiris 320 00:17:06,270 --> 00:17:08,282 Had been thrown into the canal. 321 00:17:09,550 --> 00:17:11,595 But during conservation, it becomes clear 322 00:17:11,670 --> 00:17:15,922 These were undamaged, and in some cases, brand new. 323 00:17:17,550 --> 00:17:20,475 People hadn't discarded them in the canal, 324 00:17:20,510 --> 00:17:22,795 They'd placed them there deliberately, 325 00:17:22,830 --> 00:17:25,635 As ritual offerings. 326 00:17:25,710 --> 00:17:28,075 -[dramatic music] -[flame whooshing] 327 00:17:28,110 --> 00:17:31,675 But what ritual were they celebrating? 328 00:17:31,710 --> 00:17:35,115 The answer plunges egyptologists deep into a world 329 00:17:35,150 --> 00:17:37,722 Of ancient myth and obscure magic. 330 00:17:40,190 --> 00:17:42,242 And reveals the secret ceremony 331 00:17:42,317 --> 00:17:45,035 That drew cleopatra and her dynasty, 332 00:17:45,070 --> 00:17:48,475 To this extraordinary, enigmatic city. 333 00:17:48,550 --> 00:17:52,122 [dramatic music continues] 334 00:17:54,350 --> 00:17:56,675 [suspenseful music] 335 00:17:56,750 --> 00:17:59,522 Beneath the waves of the mediterranean sea, 336 00:17:59,597 --> 00:18:01,595 Excavations are revealing the fabled 337 00:18:01,630 --> 00:18:04,995 Ancient egyptian city of canopus, 338 00:18:05,070 --> 00:18:08,402 That flourished under the royal dynasty of cleopatra. 339 00:18:10,350 --> 00:18:12,635 A canal, packed with offerings, 340 00:18:12,670 --> 00:18:14,555 Suggests she and her ancestors 341 00:18:14,564 --> 00:18:16,075 May have been drawn to the city 342 00:18:16,110 --> 00:18:19,355 By some kind of religious ritual. 343 00:18:19,364 --> 00:18:22,722 But what mystical rites did cleopatra witness here? 344 00:18:24,550 --> 00:18:26,395 The answer comes with one of the most 345 00:18:26,430 --> 00:18:28,515 Extraordinarily preserved discoveries 346 00:18:28,590 --> 00:18:30,722 From the underwater site. 347 00:18:30,797 --> 00:18:34,875 The remains of a 2,500-year-old wooden boat, 348 00:18:34,884 --> 00:18:36,995 Found in the canal leading directly 349 00:18:37,070 --> 00:18:39,915 To the city's great temple. 350 00:18:39,950 --> 00:18:43,035 [franck] we found a very special shipwreck 351 00:18:43,044 --> 00:18:47,275 That attracted our interest from the very beginning, 352 00:18:47,310 --> 00:18:48,602 Like a magnet. 353 00:18:50,797 --> 00:18:53,115 [narrator] this boat is strikingly similar 354 00:18:53,150 --> 00:18:57,635 To those depicted on the walls of egypt's temples and tombs. 355 00:18:57,710 --> 00:19:00,242 A ceremonial barge which the ancient egyptians 356 00:19:00,317 --> 00:19:03,362 Believed transported the dead to the afterlife. 357 00:19:05,390 --> 00:19:08,002 But the material the canopus barge was made of 358 00:19:08,077 --> 00:19:09,995 Leads franck goddio to suspect 359 00:19:10,030 --> 00:19:12,002 It wasn't intended for a mortal. 360 00:19:13,150 --> 00:19:14,795 It belonged to a god, 361 00:19:14,830 --> 00:19:19,682 Inextricably linked with the city, osiris. 362 00:19:19,757 --> 00:19:22,002 [franck] we were intrigued by the wood 363 00:19:22,077 --> 00:19:24,482 That ship has been built in. 364 00:19:26,110 --> 00:19:27,882 It was sycamore wood. 365 00:19:28,957 --> 00:19:33,035 For the egyptian, everything made of wood 366 00:19:33,044 --> 00:19:37,602 Referring to the god osiris is made in sycamore wood. 367 00:19:39,310 --> 00:19:41,595 [narrator] egyptologists suspect the barge, 368 00:19:41,670 --> 00:19:44,155 Along with the offerings scattered around it, 369 00:19:44,230 --> 00:19:48,075 Are physical evidence of one of ancient egypt's most sacred, 370 00:19:48,110 --> 00:19:51,202 And secret, ceremonies. 371 00:19:51,277 --> 00:19:55,275 A series of rituals, re-enactments, and processions, 372 00:19:55,310 --> 00:19:59,675 That cleopatra herself would undoubtedly have witnessed. 373 00:19:59,710 --> 00:20:02,235 Known as the mysteries of osiris. 374 00:20:02,244 --> 00:20:04,075 [dramatic rhythmic music] 375 00:20:04,150 --> 00:20:06,355 [rebecca] the mysteries of osiris was one of the biggest, 376 00:20:06,430 --> 00:20:09,675 If not the biggest event in the ancient egyptian calendar 377 00:20:09,710 --> 00:20:13,115 And was intimately tied up with canopus. 378 00:20:13,150 --> 00:20:16,155 [narrator] osiris was the lord of the underworld, 379 00:20:16,190 --> 00:20:18,002 The king of the dead, 380 00:20:18,077 --> 00:20:21,435 And the original ancient egyptian mummy. 381 00:20:21,510 --> 00:20:24,715 [salima] one of the key themes about osiris and his myth 382 00:20:24,750 --> 00:20:27,202 Is the promise of resurrection, 383 00:20:27,277 --> 00:20:30,682 Which was an integral part of egyptian belief. 384 00:20:32,350 --> 00:20:35,675 Osiris is shown to us as a mummiform figure, 385 00:20:35,684 --> 00:20:39,082 He's got these bandages and then a shroud over him. 386 00:20:40,510 --> 00:20:42,955 [narrator] according to ancient egyptian legend, 387 00:20:42,990 --> 00:20:47,522 The god osiris was murdered and dismembered by his brother. 388 00:20:47,597 --> 00:20:49,675 His sister and wife, the goddess isis, 389 00:20:49,684 --> 00:20:52,155 Reassembled and rebuilt his body. 390 00:20:52,190 --> 00:20:53,995 [ominous music] 391 00:20:54,030 --> 00:20:55,682 She wrapped it in bandages 392 00:20:55,757 --> 00:20:58,315 And molded new body parts from clay 393 00:20:58,350 --> 00:21:00,562 In order to bring osiris back to life. 394 00:21:02,150 --> 00:21:04,675 So osiris is the first mummy, 395 00:21:04,750 --> 00:21:06,835 And therefore mummification became a part 396 00:21:06,910 --> 00:21:09,242 Of ancient egyptian religion. 397 00:21:13,044 --> 00:21:16,002 Osiris was crucial for the ancient egyptians 398 00:21:16,077 --> 00:21:19,115 Because he helped guarantee their afterlife. 399 00:21:19,190 --> 00:21:22,635 And also, because he ensured, to a large extent, 400 00:21:22,670 --> 00:21:27,162 The fertility of the soil and the rebirth of egypt itself. 401 00:21:28,830 --> 00:21:31,035 [narrator] it was believed the worship of osiris, 402 00:21:31,070 --> 00:21:33,915 And in particular, the mysteries of osiris 403 00:21:33,950 --> 00:21:35,842 Was essential for the survival 404 00:21:35,917 --> 00:21:37,755 Of the pharaoh and the nation. 405 00:21:37,830 --> 00:21:39,675 [birds chirping] 406 00:21:39,710 --> 00:21:41,275 [salima] for the ancient egyptians, 407 00:21:41,310 --> 00:21:43,515 Religion was part of their daily life. 408 00:21:43,550 --> 00:21:46,075 It's something you don't even think about. 409 00:21:46,110 --> 00:21:50,555 So religion and rituals were very key to their existence. 410 00:21:50,590 --> 00:21:52,155 [suspenseful mysterious music] 411 00:21:52,190 --> 00:21:55,115 [narrator] but ancient inscriptions provide few details 412 00:21:55,150 --> 00:21:58,195 Of this most secret of festivals. 413 00:21:58,270 --> 00:22:00,875 [salima] we have very limited information 414 00:22:00,910 --> 00:22:02,715 About the osirian mysteries. 415 00:22:02,750 --> 00:22:06,955 There are occasional texts, we have bits and pieces, 416 00:22:06,990 --> 00:22:08,955 But you never really know if you're getting 417 00:22:08,990 --> 00:22:10,715 The original truth 418 00:22:10,750 --> 00:22:13,435 Or just something that someone had told someone else. 419 00:22:13,470 --> 00:22:16,115 [narrator] the one recurring detail is the procession 420 00:22:16,190 --> 00:22:19,355 Of an effigy of the god osiris. 421 00:22:19,390 --> 00:22:21,035 [rebecca] what we read from the ancient texts 422 00:22:21,070 --> 00:22:23,675 Is that a barge carrying his cult statue 423 00:22:23,710 --> 00:22:28,715 Would have come from a neighboring town to canopus. 424 00:22:28,750 --> 00:22:31,755 [narrator] and now, after centuries of speculation, 425 00:22:31,830 --> 00:22:34,315 Franck goddio has found physical proof 426 00:22:34,350 --> 00:22:36,442 Of this spectacular ceremony. 427 00:22:38,270 --> 00:22:39,682 The sacred barge, 428 00:22:41,710 --> 00:22:43,602 The ceremonial canal, 429 00:22:44,750 --> 00:22:47,995 And the ritual offerings. 430 00:22:48,030 --> 00:22:50,955 What makes franck goddio's discovery 431 00:22:51,030 --> 00:22:54,315 At canopus so spectacular, 432 00:22:54,350 --> 00:22:58,555 Is we now know what the boat looked like. 433 00:22:58,590 --> 00:23:02,635 He also found small votive boats that were deposited, 434 00:23:02,670 --> 00:23:05,515 We had no idea that they existed. 435 00:23:05,550 --> 00:23:09,315 And more significantly, he found the canal. 436 00:23:09,390 --> 00:23:14,235 So we now know the means and the route, 437 00:23:14,270 --> 00:23:18,875 And that discovery opens up a whole new window for us. 438 00:23:18,884 --> 00:23:20,475 [suspenseful music] 439 00:23:20,510 --> 00:23:22,715 [narrator] through these incredible discoveries, 440 00:23:22,750 --> 00:23:25,522 It's possible to picture this most spectacular 441 00:23:25,597 --> 00:23:28,355 And important of religious festivals, 442 00:23:28,430 --> 00:23:31,275 That promised eternal life for the pharaoh, 443 00:23:31,310 --> 00:23:33,155 And their nation. 444 00:23:33,230 --> 00:23:36,115 [franck] cleopatra came, for sure, 445 00:23:36,190 --> 00:23:39,595 Many time for different reason in canopus, 446 00:23:39,630 --> 00:23:44,675 But, of course, to celebrate the mysteries of osiris there. 447 00:23:44,750 --> 00:23:47,995 It was her duty, 448 00:23:48,004 --> 00:23:51,682 To celebrate the mysteries of osiris every year. 449 00:23:55,190 --> 00:23:57,475 [salima] when cleopatra went to celebrate 450 00:23:57,550 --> 00:23:59,155 The osirian mysteries, 451 00:23:59,230 --> 00:24:02,802 She would have gone down this canal to canopus. 452 00:24:05,390 --> 00:24:10,155 Incense burning and billowing out, people lining the banks, 453 00:24:10,190 --> 00:24:14,715 Musicians, priests praying, holding these osiris figurines, 454 00:24:14,750 --> 00:24:18,242 All believing in osiris, hailing this god. 455 00:24:18,317 --> 00:24:21,042 [crowd cheering] 456 00:24:22,670 --> 00:24:25,675 So it was a very, very festive occasion. 457 00:24:25,710 --> 00:24:29,995 And the modern analogy I make are festivals that we have 458 00:24:30,004 --> 00:24:33,755 On great holidays, mardi gras, rose bowl, thanksgiving day. 459 00:24:33,790 --> 00:24:35,675 [dramatic music] 460 00:24:35,710 --> 00:24:37,355 [narrator] the mysteries of osiris, 461 00:24:37,390 --> 00:24:40,515 With its public festivities and secret ceremonies, 462 00:24:40,590 --> 00:24:45,475 Is what drew cleopatra and the ptolemy dynasty to canopus. 463 00:24:45,550 --> 00:24:46,955 But cleopatra's earthly life 464 00:24:46,990 --> 00:24:49,755 Would soon be cut brutally short. 465 00:24:49,790 --> 00:24:51,995 [dramatic music continues] 466 00:24:52,004 --> 00:24:57,042 And once again, the evidence comes from the seafloor. 467 00:24:57,117 --> 00:25:01,595 [franck] we found inside it a beautiful statue, 468 00:25:01,670 --> 00:25:04,315 Nearly intact. 469 00:25:04,350 --> 00:25:05,802 Beautifully preserved. 470 00:25:07,710 --> 00:25:12,635 [narrator] this bust introduces a new power to canopus. 471 00:25:12,670 --> 00:25:15,802 One that would conquer egypt in 30 bc. 472 00:25:17,710 --> 00:25:20,802 And send cleopatra to her death. 473 00:25:23,710 --> 00:25:26,555 [suspenseful music] 474 00:25:26,590 --> 00:25:28,475 These sunken ruins are the remains 475 00:25:28,510 --> 00:25:31,082 Of one of egypt's most sacred cities. 476 00:25:32,910 --> 00:25:36,635 Canopus, beloved by generations of pharaohs, 477 00:25:36,710 --> 00:25:39,595 Including cleopatra. 478 00:25:39,670 --> 00:25:42,722 A 25-year excavation has revealed the great temple 479 00:25:42,797 --> 00:25:44,882 She would have visited, 480 00:25:44,957 --> 00:25:49,195 As well as the sacred rituals she witnessed there. 481 00:25:49,204 --> 00:25:51,042 But cleopatra's love affair with the city 482 00:25:51,117 --> 00:25:53,162 Was about to be cut cruelly short. 483 00:25:54,750 --> 00:25:58,635 In 30 bc the romans invaded egypt. 484 00:25:58,710 --> 00:26:02,195 Faced with imprisonment, humiliation, and perhaps death, 485 00:26:02,270 --> 00:26:03,275 -[blade swooshing] -[blood spatters] 486 00:26:03,310 --> 00:26:06,402 Cleopatra took her own life... 487 00:26:06,477 --> 00:26:09,835 And left the city's fate hanging in the balance. 488 00:26:09,870 --> 00:26:12,235 [suspenseful music] 489 00:26:12,270 --> 00:26:14,475 The romans, when they took over egypt you would think, 490 00:26:14,510 --> 00:26:16,475 "oh, they're taken over, they hate cleopatra, 491 00:26:16,550 --> 00:26:20,635 "they're going to destroy everything." 492 00:26:20,670 --> 00:26:23,835 [narrator] instead a large 2,000-year-old bust 493 00:26:23,870 --> 00:26:26,922 Reveals the romans didn't destroy canopus. 494 00:26:28,430 --> 00:26:31,035 They celebrated and embellished the city, 495 00:26:31,070 --> 00:26:35,515 Even adding their own hybrid egyptian and roman gods. 496 00:26:35,550 --> 00:26:38,115 This is a representation 497 00:26:38,190 --> 00:26:41,675 Of the nile river personified, 498 00:26:41,710 --> 00:26:42,842 Named nilus. 499 00:26:45,150 --> 00:26:48,235 The way the drapery is carved, the way the hair is carved, 500 00:26:48,270 --> 00:26:51,155 The treatment of the beard, the treatment of the anatomy. 501 00:26:51,230 --> 00:26:53,635 All of these details suggest the date 502 00:26:53,710 --> 00:26:55,435 In the roman imperial period 503 00:26:55,470 --> 00:26:57,442 After the death of cleopatra the great. 504 00:27:01,630 --> 00:27:04,562 [narrator] egypt's last pharaoh was dead. 505 00:27:04,637 --> 00:27:07,195 But canopus was very much alive. 506 00:27:07,230 --> 00:27:09,595 [gentle pensive music] 507 00:27:09,630 --> 00:27:12,402 Under the romans the sacred city flourished, 508 00:27:12,477 --> 00:27:16,395 Attracting the rich and famous from across the empire. 509 00:27:16,430 --> 00:27:18,115 Even the roman emperor hadrian 510 00:27:18,190 --> 00:27:21,955 Was mesmerized by the city's charms. 511 00:27:22,030 --> 00:27:23,795 [rebecca] we know that hadrian was particularly 512 00:27:23,870 --> 00:27:25,522 Enchanted by canopus 513 00:27:25,597 --> 00:27:28,555 Because in his villa, the villa hadriana, 514 00:27:28,590 --> 00:27:30,722 In a place called tivoli, outside rome, 515 00:27:30,797 --> 00:27:34,202 He does seem to have made some sort of replica. 516 00:27:36,797 --> 00:27:38,795 [narrator] hadrian's tribute to the sacred city 517 00:27:38,870 --> 00:27:41,635 Was also known as canopus 518 00:27:41,710 --> 00:27:46,155 And featured a scaled-down version of its ceremonial canal. 519 00:27:46,190 --> 00:27:50,162 Lined with crocodiles and statues of egyptian gods. 520 00:27:51,524 --> 00:27:53,682 He was very much inspired by canopus, 521 00:27:53,757 --> 00:27:57,915 To the extent that he wanted to bring it home to rome. 522 00:27:57,950 --> 00:27:59,755 [narrator] by the first century ad, 523 00:27:59,790 --> 00:28:01,355 The egyptian city of canopus 524 00:28:01,390 --> 00:28:04,795 Was one of the most fashionable places on earth. 525 00:28:04,830 --> 00:28:08,402 Pilgrims flocked to it in search of holiness, healing, 526 00:28:08,477 --> 00:28:09,595 -And hedonism. -[dice rattling] 527 00:28:09,670 --> 00:28:11,115 [people chattering] 528 00:28:11,150 --> 00:28:12,835 [bob] the roman historian strabo, 529 00:28:12,910 --> 00:28:16,315 Writing shortly after the death of cleopatra, 530 00:28:16,350 --> 00:28:20,675 Describes how citizens of alexandria 531 00:28:20,750 --> 00:28:25,842 Would board pleasure yachts, and they would sail to canopus. 532 00:28:25,917 --> 00:28:29,435 And onboard, they would eat, drink, and be merry. 533 00:28:29,470 --> 00:28:32,555 And when they got to canopus, it was party city! 534 00:28:32,590 --> 00:28:34,635 [majestic dramatic music] 535 00:28:34,670 --> 00:28:36,315 [narrator] not surprisingly, 536 00:28:36,390 --> 00:28:39,795 Many visitors had more than religion on their minds. 537 00:28:39,870 --> 00:28:44,635 [bob] canopus, has a very, very salacious reputation 538 00:28:44,670 --> 00:28:46,235 Among the romans. 539 00:28:46,270 --> 00:28:50,242 The roman poet martial describes canopus 540 00:28:50,317 --> 00:28:52,475 In the following terms: 541 00:28:52,510 --> 00:28:56,155 "canopus is the place where you find 542 00:28:56,190 --> 00:28:58,882 The most beautiful women in the world. 543 00:28:58,957 --> 00:29:02,562 "and they're willing to oblige." 544 00:29:02,637 --> 00:29:06,242 He goes on to say that anything you ever desired 545 00:29:06,317 --> 00:29:10,082 Or wanted could be found in the city of canopus. 546 00:29:12,350 --> 00:29:17,995 So, canopus is this place of sensuous physical delights. 547 00:29:18,004 --> 00:29:21,202 [narrator] the city seduced the romans. 548 00:29:21,277 --> 00:29:25,675 Goddio's excavations reveal they vastly extended canopus, 549 00:29:25,710 --> 00:29:29,035 Building villas, baths, and temples. 550 00:29:29,070 --> 00:29:32,235 [franck] the city became even more important 551 00:29:32,270 --> 00:29:36,995 During the roman time than during the ptolemaic time. 552 00:29:37,070 --> 00:29:38,882 [narrator] from the age of the ancient pharaohs 553 00:29:38,957 --> 00:29:41,435 In the sixth century bc, 554 00:29:41,470 --> 00:29:45,795 Through the ptolemies and cleopatra, to the romans, 555 00:29:45,870 --> 00:29:49,275 Despite seismic political and cultural changes, 556 00:29:49,310 --> 00:29:52,922 Canopus had flourished for at least 1,000 years. 557 00:29:54,670 --> 00:29:56,795 But nothing lasts forever. 558 00:29:56,870 --> 00:29:59,642 [ominous music] 559 00:30:01,597 --> 00:30:05,035 As the divers continue to explore the sunken city, 560 00:30:05,070 --> 00:30:08,635 They begin to notice something strange. 561 00:30:08,670 --> 00:30:11,362 [franck] all sculptures have been broken. 562 00:30:12,750 --> 00:30:14,395 The head, cut. 563 00:30:14,404 --> 00:30:15,682 The hand, cut. 564 00:30:16,750 --> 00:30:19,755 The body sliced into pieces. 565 00:30:19,830 --> 00:30:24,675 That temple has been obviously ransacked. 566 00:30:24,750 --> 00:30:26,795 [dramatic music] 567 00:30:26,830 --> 00:30:31,035 [narrator] a sacred city that had survived for millennia. 568 00:30:31,044 --> 00:30:33,475 A temple that had stood for centuries, 569 00:30:33,550 --> 00:30:35,515 Attracting everyone who was anyone 570 00:30:35,550 --> 00:30:37,682 From across the ancient world. 571 00:30:37,757 --> 00:30:42,715 Wiped from history in a single, savage action. 572 00:30:42,750 --> 00:30:46,682 Something had turned the romans' love for canopus to hate. 573 00:30:48,830 --> 00:30:53,362 And clues to that something lie scattered in the ruins. 574 00:30:53,437 --> 00:30:57,035 [salima] egypt had gods that were egyptian gods, greek gods, 575 00:30:57,070 --> 00:30:59,682 Roman gods, gods from the near east, 576 00:30:59,757 --> 00:31:03,755 Persia, all sorts of divinities, all mixed together, 577 00:31:03,790 --> 00:31:06,962 And you would pray to different ones for different things. 578 00:31:08,750 --> 00:31:11,042 [narrator] but in the fourth century ad, 579 00:31:11,117 --> 00:31:15,115 The roman empire embraced a new official religion, 580 00:31:15,150 --> 00:31:17,675 Christianity. 581 00:31:17,710 --> 00:31:21,995 And the city's rulers would tolerate only one god. 582 00:31:22,030 --> 00:31:26,515 For over 3,000 years, egypt had been open and accepting 583 00:31:26,590 --> 00:31:27,682 To all kind of faith. 584 00:31:27,757 --> 00:31:30,402 And suddenly you have this, 585 00:31:30,477 --> 00:31:32,882 It is us and nothing else, going on. 586 00:31:34,750 --> 00:31:36,562 [narrator] in 391 ad, 587 00:31:36,637 --> 00:31:38,795 Emperor theodosius ordered the destruction 588 00:31:38,830 --> 00:31:42,075 Of all pagan monuments across egypt, 589 00:31:42,110 --> 00:31:44,875 Unleashing an orgy of violence in the sacred city. 590 00:31:44,884 --> 00:31:47,155 -[mob yelling] -[flames whooshing] 591 00:31:47,230 --> 00:31:49,915 [rebecca] the quite amazing thing is that we actually know 592 00:31:49,950 --> 00:31:52,562 How canopus was destroyed. 593 00:31:52,637 --> 00:31:55,195 There's a greek writer writing in the fourth century ad 594 00:31:55,230 --> 00:31:59,115 Called eunapius, who actually writes about it. 595 00:31:59,190 --> 00:32:00,715 "they demolished the temple of serapis, 596 00:32:00,750 --> 00:32:03,515 And made war against the temple offerings. 597 00:32:03,550 --> 00:32:06,722 Only the floor of the temple of serapis they did not take, 598 00:32:06,797 --> 00:32:09,042 Simply because of the weight of the stones, 599 00:32:09,117 --> 00:32:11,915 Which were not easy to move from that place." 600 00:32:11,950 --> 00:32:13,675 Now, this is quite extraordinary 601 00:32:13,710 --> 00:32:16,715 Because we know from the archeological investigations 602 00:32:16,750 --> 00:32:19,915 That the foundation stones were still in place. 603 00:32:19,950 --> 00:32:23,202 So this is really quite a sensational moment 604 00:32:23,277 --> 00:32:26,635 Where text meets archeology and they fit perfectly. 605 00:32:26,710 --> 00:32:28,475 [suspenseful music] 606 00:32:28,510 --> 00:32:30,242 [narrator] christianity destroyed 607 00:32:30,317 --> 00:32:33,042 Cleopatra's sacred city 608 00:32:33,117 --> 00:32:35,795 And then resurrected it. 609 00:32:35,870 --> 00:32:40,555 Excavations reveal a vast monastery, shrines, and churches 610 00:32:40,590 --> 00:32:42,795 Were built on top of the ruined city, 611 00:32:42,830 --> 00:32:45,642 Using rubble from the great temple itself. 612 00:32:48,190 --> 00:32:49,995 [rebecca] what this suggests was that the christians 613 00:32:50,030 --> 00:32:53,322 Still appreciated this as a holy place. 614 00:32:54,750 --> 00:32:56,955 What we see then is the religion changing 615 00:32:56,990 --> 00:32:59,355 From ancient egyptian to christian, 616 00:32:59,390 --> 00:33:04,395 But that the sacred nature of the space remains intact. 617 00:33:04,404 --> 00:33:07,035 [narrator] over a millennia, canopus had been shaped 618 00:33:07,044 --> 00:33:11,275 By four of the ancient world's great civilizations: 619 00:33:11,310 --> 00:33:16,322 The ancient egyptians, greeks, romans, and christians. 620 00:33:18,750 --> 00:33:21,315 [salima] one of the things that's wonderful about canopus 621 00:33:21,390 --> 00:33:25,115 Is that you can see the layers of its flourishing, 622 00:33:25,150 --> 00:33:28,115 Its destruction, its resurrection. 623 00:33:28,190 --> 00:33:30,675 [solemn music] 624 00:33:30,750 --> 00:33:32,675 [narrator] now, as a christian city, 625 00:33:32,750 --> 00:33:37,155 Canopus continued to thrive for another 400 years. 626 00:33:37,230 --> 00:33:40,475 But it was living on borrowed time. 627 00:33:40,510 --> 00:33:43,795 Modern geological research reveals the city was doomed 628 00:33:43,870 --> 00:33:46,675 To disappear beneath the waves 629 00:33:46,750 --> 00:33:50,675 Because this corner of egypt sits at the junction of four 630 00:33:50,750 --> 00:33:52,075 Of the great tectonic plates 631 00:33:52,110 --> 00:33:54,635 That make up the earth's surface. 632 00:33:54,710 --> 00:33:56,715 [salima] because of canopus' location, 633 00:33:56,750 --> 00:34:00,515 It was susceptible to natural disasters. 634 00:34:00,590 --> 00:34:01,915 [narrator] over the centuries, 635 00:34:01,950 --> 00:34:03,795 The city was blighted by earthquakes, 636 00:34:03,870 --> 00:34:08,682 Tsunamis, and floods, but its appeal remained undiminished. 637 00:34:10,430 --> 00:34:12,795 [salima] whether you are in ancient egypt or in california, 638 00:34:12,830 --> 00:34:14,995 People sometimes live in places 639 00:34:15,070 --> 00:34:16,955 Where they know it's dangerous and are sort of, 640 00:34:16,990 --> 00:34:19,515 "let's keep our fingers crossed and our eyes closed 641 00:34:19,524 --> 00:34:21,522 And it might not happen to us." 642 00:34:22,910 --> 00:34:25,042 [narrator] now, one extraordinary discovery 643 00:34:25,117 --> 00:34:27,435 Could reveal how the people of canopus 644 00:34:27,510 --> 00:34:29,635 Tried to protect this most precious 645 00:34:29,710 --> 00:34:31,035 And vulnerable of cities. 646 00:34:31,070 --> 00:34:32,675 [dramatic music] 647 00:34:32,750 --> 00:34:34,642 Using a supernatural weapon. 648 00:34:35,990 --> 00:34:39,722 It was the atomic bomb of egypt. 649 00:34:42,477 --> 00:34:45,562 [suspenseful music] 650 00:34:47,310 --> 00:34:49,355 [narrator] franck goddio's 25-year mission 651 00:34:49,390 --> 00:34:52,675 Has revealed the complex history of egypt's greatest 652 00:34:52,750 --> 00:34:57,442 And most sacred lost city, canopus. 653 00:34:59,230 --> 00:35:01,042 For at least 1,000 years, 654 00:35:01,117 --> 00:35:04,075 The low-lying city teetered on the water's edge, 655 00:35:04,150 --> 00:35:09,635 Blighted by earthquakes, floods, and rising seawater. 656 00:35:09,710 --> 00:35:12,995 The whole city of canopus was extremely vulnerable, 657 00:35:13,070 --> 00:35:17,675 Very exposed, and in a really precarious situation. 658 00:35:17,710 --> 00:35:20,555 [narrator] yet despite the dangers, egyptians, greeks, 659 00:35:20,564 --> 00:35:24,042 Romans, and christians were irresistibly drawn to canopus. 660 00:35:27,150 --> 00:35:29,675 Why did they risk the wrath of nature 661 00:35:29,710 --> 00:35:32,482 To build their most sacred monuments here? 662 00:35:33,710 --> 00:35:36,315 [water bubbling] 663 00:35:36,390 --> 00:35:37,915 [tense music] 664 00:35:37,950 --> 00:35:40,715 Now, one of goddio's most breathtaking discoveries 665 00:35:40,750 --> 00:35:42,955 Reveals they may have believed the city 666 00:35:42,990 --> 00:35:48,355 Was protected by a divine magical talisman. 667 00:35:48,430 --> 00:35:53,275 We were finding some broken statue. 668 00:35:53,350 --> 00:35:55,035 And all the sudden, 669 00:35:55,070 --> 00:35:59,915 We found a big fragment 670 00:35:59,990 --> 00:36:02,635 Of black granite. 671 00:36:02,670 --> 00:36:07,922 I thought such a flat surface, it's strange. 672 00:36:10,670 --> 00:36:12,515 [eric] everybody gathered around it 673 00:36:12,590 --> 00:36:14,715 And were checking it out. 674 00:36:14,750 --> 00:36:16,475 But even with that buzz, 675 00:36:16,510 --> 00:36:19,482 We had no idea how important it would actually be. 676 00:36:21,364 --> 00:36:22,795 [narrator] the slab's surface 677 00:36:22,830 --> 00:36:25,842 Is covered with hundreds of inscriptions. 678 00:36:25,917 --> 00:36:29,202 It's only when one of the team's experts deciphers them 679 00:36:29,277 --> 00:36:32,395 That the stone's true importance becomes clear. 680 00:36:32,404 --> 00:36:36,155 She look at me and say, "but this is a joke. 681 00:36:36,190 --> 00:36:39,155 I cannot believe what I see." 682 00:36:39,230 --> 00:36:41,275 [narrator] it was a piece of one of ancient egypt's 683 00:36:41,310 --> 00:36:44,635 Most enigmatic monuments, a naos, 684 00:36:44,710 --> 00:36:47,682 A shattered 2,500-year-old shrine. 685 00:36:47,757 --> 00:36:50,722 [tense pensive music] 686 00:36:50,797 --> 00:36:53,522 Over the years, several pieces had been found 687 00:36:53,597 --> 00:36:56,682 Close to where goddio would eventually discover canopus. 688 00:36:59,710 --> 00:37:02,155 Together, these suggested the naos 689 00:37:02,230 --> 00:37:04,802 Was a complex astronomical manual. 690 00:37:08,230 --> 00:37:09,595 [bob] the naos would have been used 691 00:37:09,630 --> 00:37:11,835 By learned priest astronomers 692 00:37:11,870 --> 00:37:14,675 In order to understand the workings of the universe. 693 00:37:14,750 --> 00:37:18,635 It would be like going to a planetarium today 694 00:37:18,670 --> 00:37:20,715 To try to understand how the planets move 695 00:37:20,750 --> 00:37:22,395 And how the stars move. 696 00:37:22,430 --> 00:37:24,075 [suspenseful music] 697 00:37:24,110 --> 00:37:27,635 [narrator] the naos is an ancient egyptian calendar. 698 00:37:27,710 --> 00:37:29,682 It calculates the length of the year 699 00:37:29,757 --> 00:37:32,115 Based on the movement of 36 stars 700 00:37:32,190 --> 00:37:33,635 That appear in the night sky 701 00:37:33,710 --> 00:37:37,002 One after the other at regular 10-day intervals. 702 00:37:39,710 --> 00:37:43,522 The astronomical event is interesting 703 00:37:43,597 --> 00:37:48,395 Because if you multiply the 36 stars 704 00:37:48,404 --> 00:37:53,842 Times their 10-day interval, you end up with 360. 705 00:37:54,657 --> 00:37:57,515 [narrator] to this, the naos adds five days 706 00:37:57,550 --> 00:37:59,482 For the creation of the world. 707 00:38:07,630 --> 00:38:10,635 [narrator] this 2,500-year-old slab of granite 708 00:38:10,670 --> 00:38:15,442 Was one of the world's first accurate 365-day calendars. 709 00:38:18,750 --> 00:38:20,875 But during goddio's excavation, 710 00:38:20,910 --> 00:38:24,402 He discovered a total of four new pieces. 711 00:38:24,477 --> 00:38:27,515 And they reveal the naos is even more important 712 00:38:27,550 --> 00:38:29,635 Than experts imagined. 713 00:38:29,710 --> 00:38:31,842 Because, like an ancient egyptian version 714 00:38:31,917 --> 00:38:33,675 Of the book of genesis, 715 00:38:33,710 --> 00:38:38,002 It describes how the world itself was formed. 716 00:38:38,077 --> 00:38:40,635 [franck] that monument is one of the most 717 00:38:40,670 --> 00:38:43,675 Important monuments of egypt. 718 00:38:43,710 --> 00:38:47,042 It refers back to the beginning of time. 719 00:38:48,670 --> 00:38:55,275 This text is the text of the creation of the world, 720 00:38:55,310 --> 00:38:57,562 According to the egyptians. 721 00:38:59,550 --> 00:39:03,435 [bob] this particular naos contained the cult statue 722 00:39:03,470 --> 00:39:05,755 Of the god of atmosphere, 723 00:39:05,790 --> 00:39:09,595 Who in the very, very beginning was responsible 724 00:39:09,630 --> 00:39:15,602 For raising up the sky and placing all the stars in it. 725 00:39:16,530 --> 00:39:21,202 So it explains the origin of what we would call 726 00:39:21,277 --> 00:39:22,402 Our solar system. 727 00:39:24,270 --> 00:39:27,275 [narrator] but as well as describing how egypt was born, 728 00:39:27,310 --> 00:39:32,075 The naos was created to ensure the country would never die. 729 00:39:32,110 --> 00:39:35,315 [franck] for each period of 10 days, 730 00:39:35,390 --> 00:39:38,282 There is astrological curse 731 00:39:39,790 --> 00:39:43,595 Saying what will happen to the enemy of egypt, 732 00:39:43,670 --> 00:39:48,235 If ever they tried to harm egypt during that period. 733 00:39:48,270 --> 00:39:52,155 And they are terrible curses. 734 00:39:52,190 --> 00:39:53,915 [narrator] the naos threatened egypt's enemies 735 00:39:53,950 --> 00:39:57,675 With a terrifying litany of painful fates. 736 00:39:57,710 --> 00:40:03,755 Plagues, blood clots, paralysis, and death. 737 00:40:03,790 --> 00:40:07,595 [franck] this monument was the ultimate weapon 738 00:40:07,670 --> 00:40:09,355 Protecting egypt. 739 00:40:09,390 --> 00:40:12,675 It was the atomic bomb of egypt. 740 00:40:12,750 --> 00:40:15,675 [ominous music] 741 00:40:15,710 --> 00:40:17,682 [narrator] but in the eighth century ad, 742 00:40:17,757 --> 00:40:19,882 This ultimate weapon failed. 743 00:40:21,710 --> 00:40:23,675 A catastrophic natural disaster 744 00:40:23,710 --> 00:40:26,122 Plunged the city below the waves. 745 00:40:28,884 --> 00:40:31,042 It toppled the christian monastery's 746 00:40:31,117 --> 00:40:32,882 Mighty granite columns, 747 00:40:32,957 --> 00:40:36,395 Forcing its citizens and visitors to flee, 748 00:40:36,430 --> 00:40:40,555 Dropping their possessions on the monastery floor. 749 00:40:40,590 --> 00:40:41,955 [franck] the fact that we can discover 750 00:40:42,030 --> 00:40:44,715 All those pieces of jewelry 751 00:40:44,750 --> 00:40:47,682 And gold coins, is a proof that that monastery 752 00:40:47,757 --> 00:40:50,955 Has disappeared in a fraction of a second. 753 00:40:51,030 --> 00:40:52,555 [suspenseful music] 754 00:40:52,564 --> 00:40:54,875 [narrator] 13 centuries later, 755 00:40:54,910 --> 00:40:57,315 The shattered ruins of the city's monastery 756 00:40:57,390 --> 00:40:59,722 Capture the violence of this moment. 757 00:41:01,550 --> 00:41:06,315 [franck] across from the monastery, we found a fault 758 00:41:06,350 --> 00:41:10,875 Which had cut the monastery into two pieces. 759 00:41:10,910 --> 00:41:12,475 [explosion blasts] 760 00:41:12,510 --> 00:41:14,675 [narrator] goddio believes this massive chasm 761 00:41:14,750 --> 00:41:17,522 Can only have been caused by a violent earthquake, 762 00:41:17,597 --> 00:41:21,522 That shook the ground until it turned to liquid. 763 00:41:21,597 --> 00:41:25,635 [bob] if you look at the size of the architectural remains, 764 00:41:25,710 --> 00:41:27,682 That franck has recovered from the seabed, 765 00:41:27,757 --> 00:41:31,595 It had to have been a major, major earthquake, 766 00:41:31,670 --> 00:41:35,435 To topple such enormous stone monuments. 767 00:41:35,470 --> 00:41:38,075 [ominous music] 768 00:41:38,150 --> 00:41:39,795 [narrator] the holy city's final moments 769 00:41:39,870 --> 00:41:41,675 Would have been a vision of hell. 770 00:41:41,684 --> 00:41:45,275 [earth rumbling] 771 00:41:45,310 --> 00:41:48,162 As the shaken, sodden ground liquefied, 772 00:41:49,684 --> 00:41:52,875 The monastery's mighty columns toppled, 773 00:41:52,884 --> 00:41:54,715 And its walls cracked in two. 774 00:41:54,724 --> 00:41:56,715 [explosion blasts] 775 00:41:56,750 --> 00:42:01,595 It was a complete, sudden, unexpected, cataclysmic end 776 00:42:01,670 --> 00:42:03,962 To this bustling, brilliant city. 777 00:42:07,150 --> 00:42:10,642 [serene thoughtful music] 778 00:42:13,470 --> 00:42:16,555 [narrator] now, 13 centuries later, 779 00:42:16,590 --> 00:42:20,675 Thanks to the dedication of goddio and his team, 780 00:42:20,750 --> 00:42:23,442 Canopus has resurfaced 781 00:42:26,710 --> 00:42:30,762 To reveal a spectacular city populated by saints 782 00:42:31,870 --> 00:42:32,922 And sinners. 783 00:42:34,750 --> 00:42:37,162 Pharaohs and emperors 784 00:42:38,724 --> 00:42:43,675 That witnessed obscure rites and illicit pleasures, 785 00:42:43,710 --> 00:42:47,275 Great wonders and terrible disasters. 786 00:42:47,350 --> 00:42:49,035 [rubble crashing] 787 00:42:49,044 --> 00:42:51,915 If you think about the broad arc of history, 788 00:42:51,950 --> 00:42:54,875 This one site has withstood so much. 789 00:42:54,910 --> 00:43:00,235 The egyptians, the ptolemies, the romans, the christians. 790 00:43:00,270 --> 00:43:03,595 And I think that's really quite special. 791 00:43:03,630 --> 00:43:06,155 [salima] there you have a real ancient city 792 00:43:06,230 --> 00:43:08,195 That you can imagine what it's like 793 00:43:08,270 --> 00:43:10,355 To walk down the streets. 794 00:43:10,430 --> 00:43:11,835 You know which temple is here, what temple is there. 795 00:43:11,844 --> 00:43:14,115 And that makes you so close to the past. 796 00:43:14,190 --> 00:43:17,675 It's fantastic. It's a really amazing discovery. 797 00:43:17,710 --> 00:43:20,675 [upbeat dramatic music] 798 00:43:20,750 --> 00:43:25,475 [franck] the discovery is far bigger and far more interesting 799 00:43:25,550 --> 00:43:29,682 Than we ever could dream we will ever find. 800 00:43:32,710 --> 00:43:35,682 [bob] if you look at the years 801 00:43:35,757 --> 00:43:37,595 That franck goddio has been excavating, 802 00:43:37,670 --> 00:43:40,795 With the persistence, with the scientific tools, 803 00:43:40,870 --> 00:43:46,242 That tenacity, and the knowledge of the ancient texts, 804 00:43:46,317 --> 00:43:50,675 All combine, to make this remarkable discovery, 805 00:43:50,750 --> 00:43:55,675 Which really ranks as one of the most amazing discoveries 806 00:43:55,710 --> 00:43:56,842 Of the 21st century.