Channel 4 has ordered a £6m documentary series on ancient Egypt with special effects from the Oscar-winning outfit behind the computer graphics for movie smash hit Gladiator.

Ancient Egyptians is already being talked about as the next Walking with Dinosaurs, with special effects that will recreate the pyramids and other features of early Egyptian civilisation.

The documentary will combine live action and computer-generated special effects, with each of the six half-hour episodes telling a key story from Egyptian history.

"The series will be an extraordinary journey through Egyptian history from the construction of the first pyramids to the last decadent days of Alexandria," said series producer Ben Goold.

Producer Wall to Wall Television, the company behind The 1900 House and Neanderthal, will be drawing on evidence from primary sources including old documents, court records and inscriptions to reconstruct life in ancient Egypt.

The special effects will be supplied by The Mill, which recently picked up an Oscar for its work on Roman epic Gladiator.

Ancient Egyptians is due to go into production this summer and will be delivered to Channel 4 in mid-2003.

The series is also backed by US cable channel TLC and is being distributed internationally by Granada International. It has already been sold to Germany.

Ancient Egypt will be a multi media property featuring a tie-in book, video, DVD and interactive and enhanced versions of the series.