A University of Memphis professor will lend his expertise in Egyptian history and art to a series set to air internationally.
Dr. Stephen Harvey , assistant director of the Institute of Egyptian Art and Archaeology at The U of M will offer his perspective on the ancient empire.
Harvey, who is also a U of M professor, was selected for the series because of his extensive knowledge of the Egyptian Empire, which is known for its magnificent artwork and other astonishing archaeological finds.
The program, “Egypt’s Golden Empire” is one installment in a group of episodes covering Egypt that will be part of the Public Broadcasting Service series “Empire.” The series consists of documentaries about many ancient civilizations.
“The Golden Empire will focus on Egypt’s richest time after its oppression from Syria and Israel,” said Harvey. The program will discuss the rise and expansion of the ancient empire, from 1550 to 1085 B.C.
Harvey said the series will include three segments on ancient Egypt, one hour for each part, which will discuss warrior pharaohs, pharaohs of the sun and the last great pharaoh.
Harvey’s expertise is in the 1550 B.C. era, the early years, and he will be interviewed during the first episode. Harvey said the episode will also feature consulting scholars who have expertise in the many different areas and phases of Egypt.
“The viewer could learn a lot, because it assumes the viewer doesn’t know much,” Harvey said.
The series will include reconstructions of past battles and activities that actually occurred, re-enacted by actors in Egypt.
The ancient ruins in the Egyptian cities will be digitally reconstructed and repaired, so viewers can get a feel of what it felt like to live in ancient Egypt.
Harvey, who has traveled to Egypt for his research, said there are a lot of misconceptions about ancient Egypt.
“The Empire series about Egypt are a painless and enjoyable way to both learn something and get reliable information about Egypt that is not about mummies, flesh-eating bugs and heartless pharaohs that the movies often portray,” Harvey said.
The series, which is set to air on the British Broadcasting Corp. in the UK, and on PBS in the United States, will not air on WKNO, the local PBS station.
Viewers can instead go to the PBS Web site, at www.pbs.org/empires/egypt, to see “Egypt’s Golden Empire.”
