Vintage Video - The Giza Pyramids, Sphinx and the Valley of the Kings in the 1920s

Travelling through Egypt is still today an experience you are bound to remember; wide deserts, gigantic monuments and a whole different culture. But imagine how it must have been for those 19th and early 20th Century explorers? Surely it must have been a once in a lifetime experience, which we now - thanks to this footage from the Travel Film Archive and the Human Studies Film Archives - can relive, be it in black and white and without sound. Enjoy this footage from the era when Carter and Lord Carnarvon discovered King Tut's tomb:

The Pyramids and the Sphinx at Giza (John V. Hansen)

We start off with a silent black & white film sequence of the pyramids and Sphinx at Giza, Egypt from award-winning amateur film maker John V. Hansen's travel footage, circa 1926-1930.

I can't help but absolutely love the 'Come along to the top! Elevation 450 feet. Fine Views" statement, and wish this was still possible nowadays.

This film clip comes from the Human Studies Film Archives, Smithsonian Institute collection of historical moving images.

Aladdin's Motion Pictures of Travel Gems:  Pyramid Land

Also shot in the Egypt of the 1920s, this film introduces us to the "oldest of all things old - riddle of the ages - The Sphinx - half a woman and half a lion."

Must note though, that it also describes the Bedouin as "a nice sociable little race - these desert rovers - robbing caravans is their chief occupation and murdering travellers their principal pastime."

But that rather crude statement is easy to forget once you behold the Colossi of Memnon at Thebes in this 'ancient' footage. I would not have mind being on this tour!

Tombs and Temples of the Pharaohs (Kodak Cinegraph)

This journey you start by train, travelling through the Nubian Desert to Rameses II's temple at Abu-Simbel.

Travelling further down the Nile, we see the ruins of an old Roman fort and then 'stumble up' the Philae Temple, continuing onwards to the Valley of the Kings anno 1920.

The film clearly shows the entrance of KV62, the - at that time recently excavated - tomb of Tutankhamun, to then take us to the temple of Hatshepsut.

A huge fan of 'vintage egyptology'? Then you must most definitely check out the Egypt Exploration Society's photo archives, visit the 'Framing the Egyptologist' exhibition at the Petrie Museum (or the Rediscovering Ur exhibition at the Penn) after which you can get another dose of vintage archaeology with this video about the excavations at King Midas' Tomb. Rather discover the Valley of the Kings yourself? You don't even have to leave your seat, the quickest way to Tutankhamun's treasures and astonishing wall paintings is through King Tut Virtual.

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Ann Wuyts (follow me: e-mail or )

Last three pieces by this author:

'No ceremonial burial for the Iceman', respond Otzi researchers | Fiery Pool: The Maya, the Mythic Sea and the Turtle | Stonehenge Acoustics: England's First Ministry of Sound?

Ann 'Vint' Wuyts is looking after the Heritage Key community and avatar health & entertainment. She is slightly fascinated by everything to do with 3D technology and what's commonly defined as 'Web 2.0'. When she grows up, Ann - eventually - wants to be a mummy. Favourite game: Buzzword Bingo /…