TEXAS: America Online is bringing the ancient past online with a unique feature that offers exclusive access to the diary of a National Geographic correspondent who trekked across Egypt to discover the secrets of the sacred land.

The launch of Ancient Egypt coincided with the live opening of the oldest intact Egyptian sarcophagus ever found by modern archaeologists near the Great Pyramid as well as the exploration of mysterious shafts within the Great Pyramid on 17 September. The event was telecast live on the FOX network as well as on the National Geographic Channel.

Available through AOL Keyword: Ancient Egypt or on AOL's Research & Learn Channel, Ancient Egypt features a wide range of resources to help people understand the wonders of an ancient civilisation. AOL members can follow in the footsteps of NGC correspondent Nancy Grupton as she treks throughout Egypt, visiting the country's most sacred sites. Her daily diary as well as photo galleries are available exclusively to AOL members till 21 September. Fun facts about the Egyptian civilization accompany the diary entries.

In addition to the National Geographic diary, AOL's Research & Learn Channel will also offer a number of other features and resources on ancient Egypt, including:

* A comprehensive section on the alleged mummy's curse, including the origin of the curse, polls and messages boards so members can tell what they would have buried in their tomb;

* How the pyramids were built, and by whom, as well as pyramid dimensions and information;

* A programme to translate your name into hieroglyphs;

* Special chats on the Egyptian culture and civilisation with leading Egyptologists.