It appears that Dr Zahi Hawass, Egypt's Minister of State for Antiquities, is upset about media reports about how satellite infrared images had identified 17 lost pyramids and thousands of ancient Egyptian settlements.
“These anomalies could be anything: a house, a tomb, a temple or even geological features,” Hawass told Ahram Online.
Dr Hawass singled out the BBC for particular criticism over a radio broadcast. On Monday 30th May 2011 20:30 (BST), BBC1 will screen a new 90 minute documentary called Egypt's Lost Cities which will show how satellites probed beneath the sands, and found cities, temples and pyramids.
This will feature the work of Dr Sarah Parcak has pioneered space archaeology from a Nasa-sponsored laboratory at the University of Alabama in USA.
Dr Hawass maintains that satellite infrared images are only able to locate anomalies beneath the sand, which cannot be identified until archaeological research is carried out.
For his part, Harvey Lilley, a producer at the BBC sent his apologies to Dr Hawass. He emailed: “Many apologies to you but this story was published before the official BBC press release was approved and released by us.... So as things stand I am not quite sure yet how the story broke without us doing you the courtesy of consulting you beforehand.”
“These anomalies could be anything: a house, a tomb, a temple or even geological features,” Hawass told Ahram Online.
Dr Hawass singled out the BBC for particular criticism over a radio broadcast. On Monday 30th May 2011 20:30 (BST), BBC1 will screen a new 90 minute documentary called Egypt's Lost Cities which will show how satellites probed beneath the sands, and found cities, temples and pyramids.
This will feature the work of Dr Sarah Parcak has pioneered space archaeology from a Nasa-sponsored laboratory at the University of Alabama in USA.
Dr Hawass maintains that satellite infrared images are only able to locate anomalies beneath the sand, which cannot be identified until archaeological research is carried out.
For his part, Harvey Lilley, a producer at the BBC sent his apologies to Dr Hawass. He emailed: “Many apologies to you but this story was published before the official BBC press release was approved and released by us.... So as things stand I am not quite sure yet how the story broke without us doing you the courtesy of consulting you beforehand.”
After waiting nearly a fortnight,looking forward to watching Egypt,s hidden cities,I was so disappointed that yet again an extremly good documetery was spoilt by most of the dialogue being drowned out by music.Like many other viewers I have to wear hearing aids,it is very frustrating not being able to hear what is being said.There is simply no need for this,especially when the subtitals were out of synchronisation.What a disappointment.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more. Where on earth did they find the two presenters? What did they really add to the programme, apart from saying "Wow!" a lot? Silly CGI, pointless and annoying split screen shots and, as you say, over the top music.
ReplyDeleteBut, when all is said and done, the technology being used is pretty impressive, don't you think?