'Mummy Detective' show examines a crypt

KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
Dr. Bob Brier, whose work usually involves Egyptian archeology, is crossing over into modern history when he follows an Italian team into the crypt of the Florentine family the Medicis when "Mummy Detective: Crypt of the Medici," airs Sunday on the Learning Channel.
Brier, who's done scores of shows about the artifacts of Egyptian culture, says, "The great thing about the Egyptians was they were a nation of accountants. They recorded everything -- the amount of grain they took from captive towns, they recorded prisoners brought back -- everything. We have a lot of written documents." They were also resolute warriors, says Brier. "We have peace as a value. No pharaoh ever boasted, 'There were no wars in my reign.' It was way of life. You went out, beat up the enemy, took everything that wasn't nailed down. And you did it again next year."