7 Wonders of the World
In 2025, the Society was pleased to support SandStone Global’s Seven Wonders Project starring Professor Bettany Hughes. The grant offered from our Outreach and Engagement Fund was only made possible thanks to our supporters and a generous donation received from David and Molly Lowell Borthwick. Like the EES’ own charitable purpose, this series will promote Egypt’s cultural heritage to broader audiences and inspire the next generation of members and scholars.
7 Wonders of the World will air in the UK on Channel 5 at 18:30 on Saturday 2 August 2025. Viewers will see Bettany exploring the oldest of the ancient wonders of the world, the Great Pyramids of Giza, before investigating the last remaining clues of the Pharos of Alexandria. Viewers can also use their phones throughout the series to reveal the ancient wonders in their own homes using augmented reality created in partnership with SnapChat.
Ed Scrivens (EES Development Manager) tests the augmented reality glasses at UK SnapChat headquarters during the launch event for 7 Wonders of the World with Professor Bettany Hughes.
Book cover of the Sunday Times bestseller that provided inspiration for this upcoming TV series entitled 7 Wonders of the World with Professor Bettany Hughes.
On this journey of wonder, members of the EES heard from Bettany herself in our 2024 study day, ‘The Wonders of Egypt’ where she discussed the concept of ‘wonder’ and how we continue to be amazed by these marvels of art and architecture. This lecture, and now her TV series, are based on her best-selling book The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, which was reviewed by Charlotte Jordan in issue 64 of Egyptian Archaeology magazine.
International viewings will soon be announced, so if you cannot watch the UK showing this week, don’t panic, as it may soon be on a TV near you!
