Silver Spring, MD — Featuring four epic journeys into ancient Africa’s art and culture, Lost Kingdoms of Africa debuts on DVD on October 5, 2010 from documentary specialist Athena. Prominent art historian Dr. Gus Casely-Hayford journeys to Africa’s "lost" lands to uncover the continents hidden past. Unlike most documentaries on Africa, this eye-opening, four-part series provides a new look at Africa outside of Egypt and on Ethiopia, Nubia, Great Zimbabwe, and West Africa. Their ancient civilizations feature mysterious cities, magnificent ruins, remarkable artwork, and tragic histories. Lost Kingdoms of Africa was broadcast on UK’s BBC4 in May 2010 but is available to U.S. audiences for the first time with its DVD release (DVD 2-Vol., $49.99, www.AthenaLearning.com).

Now home to a billion people, Africa produced powerful art, stunning architecture, and vibrant cultures long before the first Europeans arrived. Join Dr. Casely-Hayford as he investigates the continent’s great "forgotten" civilizations. Visit the spectacular monuments of Nubia, explore the mysterious ruins of Great Zimbabwe, and discover the art and technology of ancient Benin. See magnificent Ethiopian monasteries carved out of solid rock, and hear spellbinding stories drawn from the silent objects of the past.

This four-part series reaches back, long before written history, to expose realms that rivaled Egypt, buildings as inspiring as medieval cathedrals, and art that still speaks to us across the centuries. Most of all, the series casts new light on a long-neglected part of our world’s cultural heritage.

Episodes: Nubia, Ethiopia, Great Zimbabwe, and West Africa

British art historian and trustee of the U.K.’s National Portrait Gallery, Dr. Gus Casely-Hayford has presented several documentaries on African culture and acted as an arts consultant for the United Nations.

BONUS FEATURES

• 16-page viewer’s guide includes questions to consider; stories about the mysteries of Meroë, Great Zimbabwe, and the kingdom of Benin; Ethiopia and the Rastafari movement; and much more.
• Biographies of prominent precolonial Africans
• Profiles of Sudan, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria today

Athena releases provide an authoritative and entertaining learning experience through high quality, informative, non-fiction programming. Athena’s releases include Joseph Campbell and The Power of Myth with Bill Moyers, Playing Shakespeare, Hitler’s Bodyguard, The Story of Math, World War I in Color, Venice Revealed, Monarchy: The Complete Series, Testament, The Adventure of English, The Shape of the World, The Roman Invasion of Britain, and Six Centuries of Verse. Clips are available at www.athenalearning.com. Athena’s DVD sets are available from select retailers, catalog companies, and direct from Acorn at (888) 870-8047 or www.acornonline.com.

Press Contact (screeners, box art/stills and interviews):
Chad Campbell, Acorn Media, 301.608.2115 ext. 138, ccampbell@acornmedia.com