I have always been fascinated by archaeology. This subject ISN’t just about digging up old bones and fossils or remnants of ages past. An archaeologist is just another historian. Whereas a historian in the traditional sense will use documents and stories and existing treasures to inform us of past events and how life was, the archaeologist works at the very bedrock (groan) of civilisation and unlocks many clues to our social evolution. When you first think of subjects for hollywood blockbusters, archaeological movies probably isn’t the first thing that springs to mind but there are a surprising amount of really good flicks where unearthing the Earth’s rich past is central to or plays a big part in the plot/story. Here are 8 Age-Defying Archaelogical Movies You Should Really dig:

1. The Mummy

The first in series of 3 very successful films starring Brendan Fraser, centres on a dig uncovering the City of the Dead at Hamunaptra. Seeking the valuables of its entombed kings the treasure seekers awaken The mummy. Having been buried alive for daring to love the Pharoah’s concubine, High Priest imoteph is awake again and intent on reviving his former love, wreaking a trail of death and mayhem across Egypt. Our heroine uncannily bears a distinct resemblance to the Mummy’s love interest and this sets up the plot for the next instalment.