In the world of excavation and wonderous breakthroughs, Unknown: The Lost Pyramid is a refreshing take on archaeology by showing the discoveries of Egyptian history from native Egyptian archaeologists. Following Dr. Hawass and his mentee, Dr. Waziri, as they race against the elements of the desert, the documentary uses their passion and egos to spearhead the narrative. Thus, every step closer feels both prideful and invasive with the constant reminder that they're excavating 2000+-year-old tombs. Comprehensive explanations and illustrative cinematography illuminate the meticulous labor that goes into Egyptology.
Synopsis
Egyptian archeologists dig into history, discovering tombs and artifacts over 4,000 years old as they search for a buried pyramid in this documentary.
Storyline
Before the end of the digging season, Drs. Hawass and Waziri race to find new discoveries hidden in the sands of Egypt.
TLDR
"With confidence of a white man", at its finest.
What stands out
Allowing Dr. Hawass to emphasize the long history of foreign (mainly white) archaeologists directs attention to the topical issue of Western claims of stolen artifacts. With this, there's a greater investment in the success of Egyptology led by Egyptian professionals. Dr. Hawass and Dr. Waziri, boastful and self-aggrandizing, keep the documentary interesting; their awe of the beauty of Egyptian history never lets it falter.
