Global Treasures: Karnak

Television Director: Ullman, Frank

Producer: Scarson, Peter O.

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Catalogue Number: GTR-DVD-1118

UPC: 879061007170

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Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.

The Egyptian temples of Karnak are located 3 kilometres north of Luxor.

The awe-inspiring Avenue of the Sphinxes leads to the entrance of this magnificent location. It was here, during more than 2,000 years, that the kings of numerous epochs had their final resting places.

Artistically-carved hieroglyphs and paintings can be found on all the buildings in Karnak. They relate to various gods and also to the royal builders of the respective temples. Pinedjem, the high priest of Amun in Thebes and Pharaoh of the 21st dynasty, has been immortalized by a fifteen-metre-high colossus.

The impressive courtyard of Ramses III's temple is flanked on three sides with imposing Osiris pillars that are adorned with hieroglyphs that depict the Pharaoh in his finest jubilee clothes.

A hundred and thirty-four columns, each with a circumference of ten metres, once supported the roof of the Great Column Hall that has long since disappeared. Like a wonder of the world, this hall contains each of the breathtaking twenty-metre-high columns. Even today, hieroglyphs cover a large part of the gigantic columns that originally stood in the darkness of the main temple and were covered by a massive ceiling.

Due to its beautiful buildings and art treasures, the temple area of Karnak is a much-prized and unique jewel of ancient Egyptian history and culture.