Tal der Könige: Ägyptens verlorene Schätze

Ancient Egypt junkie and what I like about this series is a focus on the archeological digs and analysis, the discovery and attempt to better understand this civilization. It blows your mind when you realize how long the Egyptians held onto their culture and way of life.

This series explores some previously well covered topics (Tutankhamun, Rameses II, Hatshepsut) but in a novel way. Without rehashing the same angles, their active research projects are adding new questions to explore on future expeditions.

The Darnells. They're Translation Tourists. They don't appear to have active research projects. They don't have an active dig site. The 1920's gear feels in bad taste and makes me think about the troubled relationship that western archeologists have had with Egypt such as Howard Carter's proposal that he and Carnarvon split the "treasure" 50/50 if he funded one last season.

This is human history but more importantly, Egyptian history. Which is why I love that this series shows how the Egyptian government has imposed strict regulations to protect their workers in these digs, artifacts recovered on site, and the repatriation of stolen goods from the black market. Archeology in Egypt still seems predominantly western funded but there are now more Egyptians featured in more prominent positions discovering their own history and it's so much better to see.

Overall, a well done series.

This National Geographic show presents archaeologists as they excavate dig sites and make big discoveries. They present the latest understanding of these past Egyptian civilizations. What I love most is finding new discoveries. It's great finding a new opening and going down a new tunnel. It's amazing to uncover that cartouche still with its original paint. It's great to see that discoveries continue. On the other hand, I can do without the lady in 20's outfit. Someone is too in love with Merchant and Ivory movies. It's too much of a gimmick. The show does threaten to overload the information. Overall, it's nice to see these places and things. It's even better to know that more are being discovered.

While there is some very interesting history presented in this series, the big downside was the incessant moving from one excavation location to another every few minutes. It would have been much better if they just stuck with one story for a longer period. I suppose this style was chosen in a weird attempt to hold the interest of those that have a short attention span, but I found it to be extremely annoying.

Most of the historical experts do a pretty good job of hosting their segments. There is one notable exception, that being Colleen Darnell. Her obsession with 1920s period clothing comes across as unprofessional while she parades along as though she's on a fashion show catwalk. Along with her mousy voice, it just makes her segments cringe-worthy.

All said, I feel the production method really downgraded the effort and left me disappointed with what could have been a much better series from National Geographic.

I really enjoyed this series. There is a lot of information about things I hadn't seen or heard of before. The photography is very well done and so is the narration; he just gives the information with no fake drama and no repetition. Most of the archeologists and egyptologists are very informative and obviously know their stuff. I have to agree with all of the other reviewers however on the Darnells; they are absolutely ridiculous. Her voice alone is enough to make your ears bleed, and the way she talks, emphasizing every other word, she talks like she's announcing a sporting event. There is no way she in her vintage dresses and heels with her little straw hat and umbrella, 20's hair bob and enough makeup to sink the Titanic, and him in his linen suits and bow ties, have ever been on any kind of actual archeological dig in their lives. I honestly can't take anything either one of them says seriously.

At last programmes about Ancient Egypt that are not dumbed down, nor making extravagant conclusions without supporting facts. Archaeologists at work showing the highs and lows of excavating and the excitement they still feel even after working at the same site for many years, this is infectious and exciting to follow their progress. As for the Darnells what a couple of jerks. Scholarly they may be but they make their appearances all about them. We were even treated to a tour of her wardrobe! I have to fast forward as I cannot stand to look at nor listen to them.