The Race for Ancient Egypt in Colour

The first episode begins in 1922, when Howard Carter's discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun transformed Egyptology into a global sensation and European and American institutions looked to unearth, and control, Egypt's ancient heritage. A tense stand-off between Carter and Egypt's new government begins, as the authorities seeks a greater say in how their nation's ancient past is managed.

Through the 1930s, Egypt presses for authority over its own antiquities but foreign archaeologists race to acquire more 'star' discoveries as World War II closes in.