Great Canal Journeys

Timothy West and Prunella Scales journey down the River Nile, navigating its historic banks. During the trip they discover how the ancient Egyptians constructed the first ever canals to aid the building of a temple and examine their engineering techniques.

The River Nile is a programme presented as an episode‑long feature. It follows a familiar format, taking viewers on a specific journey rather than offering a broader series. The title itself signals that the focus will be on the famous African waterway and the history that runs alongside it. In this instalment, veteran actors Timothy West and Prunella Scales set off together to travel the length of the River Nile. As they move downstream, they uncover the way ancient Egyptians built the very first canals. Their investigation shows how those early waterways were created specifically to aid the construction of a temple, linking the river’s natural flow with purposeful human engineering. The pair’s expedition carries them past the landscapes that once hosted these pioneering canals. While on the water, they discuss the techniques the Egyptians employed, noting how the canals were carved to channel the Nile’s resources toward the building site. Their commentary remains centred on the practical aspects of the construction, keeping the focus firmly on the historical engineering feat. By the episode’s end, West and Scales have highlighted the direct relationship between the Nile’s course and the early canal system that supported temple building. Their journey offers a concise look at how the ancient Egyptians harnessed the river to achieve their architectural ambitions.