In this revealing documentary, Stephen Fry investigates the story of one of the most important machines ever invented - the Gutenberg Press. The printing press was the world's first mass-production machine. Its invention in the 1450s changed the world as dramatically as splitting the atom or sending men into space, sparking a cultural revolution that shaped the modern age. It is the machine that made us who we are today. Stephen's investigation combines historical detective work and a hands-on challenge. He travels to France and Germany on the trail of Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press and early media entrepreneur. Along the way he discovers the lengths Gutenberg went to keep his project secret, explores the role of avaricious investors and unscrupulous competitors, and discovers why printing mattered so much in medieval Europe. But to really understand the man and his machine, Stephen gets his hands dirty - assembling a team of craftsmen and helping them build a working replica of Gutenberg's original press. He learns how to make paper the 15th-century way and works as an apprentice in a metal foundry in preparation for the experiment to put the replica press through its paces. Can Stephen's modern-day team match the achievement of Gutenberg's medieval craftsmen?
a new historical documentary series probing the secrets of Ancient Egypt. In the first episode, scientists attempt to unravel the mystery of a 3,000-yearold âscreamingâ mummy. The man was recovered from a tomb devoid of the usual trappings of Egyptian burial, with his features locked in a screaming expression. Who was this man and what does his fate reveal about the ancient Egyptian attitude to the afterlife? 8/8 - Alexander's Tomb The historical documentary series concludes. This instalment looks at the ongoing hunt for the tomb of Alexander the Great â conqueror and self- proclaimed pharaoh of Egypt. Gathering together old sources and new evidence, the search moves from the necropolis of ancient Egypt to the city that the king founded, Alexandria. For centuries archaeologists have scoured Egypt for the missing tomb of Alexander the Great. The story begins in 332 BC, when the Macedonian general arrived in Egypt and expelled the occupying Persians. He was hailed as a liberator by the Egyptians and promptly set about claiming the throne for himself.
a new historical documentary series probing the secrets of Ancient Egypt. In the first episode, scientists attempt to unravel the mystery of a 3,000-yearold âscreamingâ mummy. The man was recovered from a tomb devoid of the usual trappings of Egyptian burial, with his features locked in a screaming expression. Who was this man and what does his fate reveal about the ancient Egyptian attitude to the afterlife? 4/8 - Cleopatra The historical documentary series continues. This episode explores the extraordinary life of Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of Egypt. Depicted throughout history as a temptress who ruined two generals of Rome, scholars now believe that Cleopatra possessed great political ability and knowledge. Despite a lack of physical evidence of her reign, they are able to piece together the story of her rule during the dying days of Ancient Egypt. Cleopatra has been popularly remembered as the great beauty whose affairs with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony precipitated the conquest of Egypt by the Romans. But historians now believe that she was the victim of Roman âspinâ intended to blacken her name. âThey turned her into a salacious harlot â this bubble-headed sex kitten whoâs jumping in and out of bed with any available Roman,â says Dr Robert Steven Bianchi.
a new historical documentary series probing the secrets of Ancient Egypt. In the first episode, scientists attempt to unravel the mystery of a 3,000-yearold âscreamingâ mummy. The man was recovered from a tomb devoid of the usual trappings of Egyptian burial, with his features locked in a screaming expression. Who was this man and what does his fate reveal about the ancient Egyptian attitude to the afterlife?2/8 - Scorpion King Historical documentary series probing the secrets of Ancient Egypt. The Scorpion King was a mythical Egyptian ruler who predated the pharaohs. Recent developments, such as the excavation of the king's tomb, have revealed surprising new details about early Egyptian civilisation.
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For more great documentaries visit my blog at www.thedocumentarycenter.blogspot.com