The idea of finding forgotten historical treasures is something many people find captivating, particularly when we get to see those discoveries unfold firsthand. That’s precisely what the Netflix “Unknown” documentary series aims to do, documenting such events across the globe. The newest episode focuses on filmmaker Max Salomon's portrayal of Egyptologist Zahi Hawass and his team as they search for the lost pyramid belonging to Pharaoh Huni—a relatively obscure ruler from Egypt’s Old Kingdom—within Saqqara’s necropolis. Because the suspected location is in an area that hasn’t been explored before, it raises hopes among the archaeological group about what they might uncover, and also suggests that grave robbers haven't disturbed the site. It’s notable that this project largely involves Egyptian researchers, a change from past digs which were almost exclusively led by Westerners; the hope is that this will give these investigators greater recognition. They have only nine months to dig before harsh desert conditions halt work until next year, so time is of the essence. The film showcases some truly extraordinary finds—some of the most important in Egyptology’s history. Yet, even with the importance of these discoveries, the documentary tends to overemphasize what Hawass and his colleagues have achieved. Their self-promoting praise becomes quite wearing and repetitive, ultimately distracting from the film's more worthwhile elements. Furthermore, despite uncovering some truly remarkable artifacts, excavation on what is thought to be Huni’s pyramid itself remains in its early stages when the nine-month timeframe ends, implying that further work will be needed next season. This means that documenting this project, while admirable, feels a bit rushed. It might have been better to hold off until the entire excavation was finished before sharing it with audiences, as doing so could have resulted in a more complete and impressive final result. Ultimately, this documentary comes across as an unfinished project rather than a comprehensive account—something I would’ve preferred to see completed before watching.

Source on TMDB