Intricately depicted Egyptian funerary temple carvings tell the story of a magnificent trading vessel that embarked on a royal expedition to a
mysterious, treasure-laden land called Punt, near modern-day Sudan. Little other record of its success or failure exists, however. So was
this journey for incense and other valuable then-exotic commodities mere myth, or was it a reality?

Directed by Stéphane Bégoin, this hour-long NOVA special travels to the legendary temple, built some 3,500
years ago for the celebrated female pharaoh Queen Hapshepsut, who ruled Egypt around 1,500 B.C., in search of answers to this tantalizing archeological mystery. Did the ancient Egyptians, who built elaborate barges to sail down the Nile River, also have the expertise to embark on long sea voyages? Using the history of Hapshepsut’s temple and the corollary model of a reconstructed Khufu boat as guides, Building Pharaoh’s Ship, as the title might suggest, centers on a tantalizing project, spearheaded by Coastal Carolina University
professor Cheryl Ward, to reconstruct the mighty vessel shown in the mysterious carvings, and then launch it in to the Red Sea on a unique voyage of discovery.

Part historical examination, part myth-busting construction project, Building Pharaoh’s Ship is a nice mixture of History Channel staidness and Discovery Channel noodling. If not outright stars, Bégoin at least makes interesting parallel figures of engagement out of Ward’s team of archeologists and nativist boat builders, while talking heads like Boston University’s Kathryn Bard and others provide valuable context to their efforts. It’s interesting to see all the traditional methods and tools used in the modern-day construction of the boat, as well as how Egyptians threaded rope through planks to provide essential structural support but also some give-and-take. I won’t give away the ending, but this title provides a bit of ammunition for both camps — those that think modernity and technology naturally solve all of mankind’s problems, and those that believe there are valuable lessons to be learned in how past civilizations traveled, built, healed and lived.

Housed in a regular plastic Amaray case, Building Pharaoh’s Ship comes to DVD presented in 1.76:1 anamorphic widescreen, with an English language stereo audio track. Its static menu screen yields to seven segmented chapters, but apart from link information to the PBS web site, there is no additional supplemental material, which comes across as especially disappointing considering the hearty commingling of past history and present effort that this title represents. To purchase the DVD, phone (800) PLAY-PBS, or simply click here. B (Movie) D+ (Disc)