Product Details

• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Wgbh Boston
• VHS Release Date: March 28, 2000
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304463162
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #462,902 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Egypt is the spawning ground of mystery. How, for example, did they erect their massive obelisks, shaped like our own Washington Monument and weighing up to 400 tons, without the benefit of modern engineering? In Nova's Secrets of Lost Empires: Obelisk, part of the Secrets of Lost Empires series, we see many ideas tested using only ancient Egyptian technology. Join Egyptologist Mark Lehner and stonemason Roger Hopkins as they struggle to carve, transport, and erect their own, smaller, obelisk. The story of their effort is full of small heartbreaks and joys that add up to a better understanding of ancient life. It's fascinating to see the power of the imagination at work, unhindered by a trip back in time. --Rob Lightner

Product Description

Uncover the secrets of ancient civilizations as NOVA journeys to an archaeological site where teams of experts use traditional techniques to test their hypotheses. Face the challenge of quarrying, chiseling, hauling, and mounting an obelisk, using stones, ropes, logs, and dirt.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Historical Re-Enactment Roller Coaster, November 8, 2000

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nova: Secrets of Lost Empires Obelisk [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Drama, suspense, action, adventure, and a heap of mystery make this a great video for everyone on your list. My Carpenter Step-Mom will get this for Christmas; she was interested to hear that you don't need a degree in anthropology to reveal one of the greatest mysteries of the world. You'll love the surprise ending, and the insight you'll get into human problem-solving, watching the process of frustration that evolves from it, and the mind boggling results of some very hard work.

5.0 out of 5 stars Roller Coaster of Historical Re-enactment, November 8, 2000

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nova: Secrets of Lost Empires Obelisk [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Wow, this was a great glimpse into human problem solving, historical re-enactment, and intuition. You'll love seeing how many men is really takes to raise an obelisk, and the surprise ending is worth the wait. I'm buying this video for my carpenter-step mom who was enthralled by the idea that you don't need a degree in anthropology to figure out one of the great mysteries of our time. A great show for any viewer; action, suspense, mystery and drama. Get it now!