Pyramid

00:00:14 and there is nothing to be seen in this part of the Sahara Desert...

00:03:13 They brought me here to labor on a task that mystified me.

00:05:19 about great stone steps he'd built into the sky.

00:07:28 The landscape still looked like it did near our village -

00:09:33 in the shape of a pyramid.

00:11:47 that we were nearing our destination

00:14:23 Within that square was a natural limestone outcrop

00:17:25 I'll never forget it.

00:20:18 but it still blunts easily - within about 100 blows or so -

00:22:28 The best part of a working day was evening, when we washed and ate.

00:24:48 I'll never forget climbing the ramp for the first time.

00:27:03 and so was a huge internal gallery by which it would be reached.

00:29:50 We were all a little drunk by now

00:32:26 but to do so they were also unifying their nation

00:34:21 Hand-finishing over two million blocks was an immense task

00:36:58 It was then that I knew that I, too, would die at Giza.

00:39:25 archaeologists working on the pyramid of a later king called Unas

00:41:37 words that were to change my life.

00:43:28 The words of Hemiunu's blessing were ringing in my ears.

00:45:39 supported on the stepped sides of the pyramid

00:47:59 Most of its outer stones have also been taken away

00:51:36 According to the ancient ritual

00:53:50 the beginning of a narrow shaft

00:56:21 It's as close as anything on Earth to eternity.