Inside the Lost Tombs | SUNDAY SCARIES | Lost Treasures of Egypt MEGA Episode | National Geographic

Key Concepts

• Ancient Egyptian Beliefs in the Afterlife: The central theme of the video, exploring the elaborate preparations and rituals undertaken by Ancient Egyptians to ensure a successful transition to and existence in the afterlife.
• Mummification: The process of preserving the physical body, believed to be essential for the reunification of body and spirit in the afterlife.
• Opening of the Mouth Ceremony: A crucial ritual performed before mummification and burial, intended to symbolically restore the deceased's senses (sight, hearing, speech) for the afterlife.
• The Field of Reeds: An idealized vision of the afterlife, depicted as a fertile, eternal paradise, a perfect version of earthly life.
• The Duat (Underworld): The perilous realm the soul had to journey through to reach the afterlife, guarded by mythical creatures and challenges.
• The Book of Gates: A funerary text detailing the Sun God Ra's nightly journey through the 12 gates of the underworld, mirroring the soul's journey.
• Judgement Hall of Osiris: The final test for the deceased's soul, where their heart was weighed against the Feather of Truth to determine their worthiness for a blessed afterlife.
• Osiris: The Egyptian god of the underworld and the afterlife, who presided over the judgement of souls.
• Amit the Devourer: A monstrous creature that would consume the hearts of those who failed Osiris' judgement, condemning them to hell.
• Cartonnage: Elaborately painted funerary wrappings, often made of linen or papyrus covered in plaster, used by wealthy Egyptians to mimic royal burials and ensure divine status in the afterlife.
• Ptolemaic Period: The era of Greek rule in Egypt following Alexander the Great's conquest, during which Ancient Egyptian traditions persisted.
• Middle Kingdom: A period of Egyptian history characterized by reunification, expansion, and the construction of monumental tombs, often forgotten due to their materials or location.
• Megatombs: Large, elaborate tombs constructed during the Middle Kingdom, often carved into bedrock or built with mud brick.
• Tomb Robbing: A persistent challenge throughout Ancient Egyptian history, leading to the evolution of tomb construction and security measures.
• Tutankhamun's Tomb: A notable discovery due to its intact treasures, but its small size and poor decoration remain a mystery, potentially linked to religious and political shifts.
• Amarna Period: A brief but significant period of religious revolution led by Akhenaten, who promoted the worship of a single god, the Aten, and abandoned traditional Egyptian deities and practices.
• Cleopatra's Tomb: The elusive final resting place of Egypt's last pharaoh, a subject of ongoing archaeological investigation, with theories pointing to Alexandria or Taposiris Magna.

Summary

This comprehensive exploration delves into the multifaceted world of Ancient Egyptian beliefs surrounding death and the afterlife, examining the extraordinary efforts undertaken to achieve eternal life. The narrative follows archaeologists across Egypt as they uncover new tombs and mummies, decode ancient rituals, investigate burial practices of the elite, and trace the evolution of these beliefs through different historical periods.

Excavating Philadelphia: Unveiling Late Period Beliefs

At the ancient settlement of Philadelphia, Egyptian archaeologist Basem Gehad excavates a vast necropolis, a cemetery occupied for over six centuries. His team focuses on a mysterious shaft high in the hills, hoping to find an unopened tomb dating from the end of Ancient Egyptian civilization. This shaft, carved into solid limestone and reaching depths of up to 40 feet, represents a significant labor investment. The descent into such a deep shaft, described by Gehad as a "final ticket to the afterlife," highlights the perceived importance of these burial sites.

Inside the tomb, Gehad discovers a Ptolemaic period oil lamp, a crucial indicator that the tomb dates to the very end of Ancient Egyptian civilization. The lamp, found in a niche, suggests it was placed during the funeral rites. The tomb itself is a large room, approximately five meters long, requiring extensive work to clear the sand. The team meticulously removes debris, mirroring the Ancient Egyptians' own methods of one bucket at a time. They uncover a "pottery assemblage," indicating the presence of multiple pottery items.

A significant discovery is made: two pottery coffins. These coffins could provide valuable evidence of burial practices and beliefs at the close of Ancient Egyptian civilization. The team finds skeleton remains, including a sternum bone, within one coffin. To analyze these findings, one of the fragile 2,000-year-old pottery coffins is carefully removed from the tomb. The process of lifting the coffin using a winch and a reinforced wooden box, mirroring the ancient methods of using ropes, is fraught with tension and requires meticulous care. The analysis of the coffin and skeleton reveals the deceased was male, well-fed (indicated by his teeth), and likely wealthy, given the coffin's large size. The finds, including a pot with a coin inside, align with the early Ptolemaic Period, suggesting these individuals witnessed Philadelphia's early days. The practice of placing a coin with the deceased, originally an Egyptian custom, highlights the enduring belief in death as a "gate for another life," influencing later civilizations.

Decoding the Afterlife: Rituals and Beliefs in the Valley of the Kings and Deir el-Medina

American Egyptologist Colleen Darnell explores the Valley of the Kings, focusing on decoding inscriptions to understand Ancient Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife. At the tomb of Seti I, a tomb stretching over 450 feet deep, she examines the "opening of the mouth ceremony." This ritual, depicted in hieroglyphs, involved symbolically opening the deceased king's mouth and eyes after offerings were made, enabling him to live again in the afterlife. The Egyptians believed that elements of the soul separated from the body upon death but still required the body for the afterlife. Mummification ensured the body remained intact and recognizable. Priests, often masked as Anubis, performed rituals to allow the deceased to see, hear, and speak in their eternal journey. Darnell emphasizes that death was not an end but the beginning of an immortal journey.

Investigating Deir el-Medina, a village of tomb builders, Darnell examines the tomb of a stonemason. The tomb's decoration depicts an idealized agricultural landscape, the "Field of Reeds," representing a fertile haven where crops perpetually grow and magical laborers till the land for the deceased. This eternal life of luxury, hunting, and fishing was furnished with earthly possessions placed in the tomb, including tools, sandals, and walking sticks. The tomb was packed with furniture, ceramics, and cosmetics, all intended for use in the afterlife. However, scenes of knife-wielding gods guarding portals to the underworld suggest that even with perfect preparations, challenges awaited the deceased on their journey.

The Oxyrhynchus Necropolis: Elite Burials and Sealed Sarcophagi

At the ancient city of Oxyrhynchus, a Spanish archaeological team led by Esther Pons Mellado and Maite Mascort Roca excavates a necropolis used by wealthy Ancient Egyptians. Their focus is on understanding how the elite prepared their dead. In an unexplored section, they uncover an 11-foot-deep hole, indicating an unexplored tomb. After clearing debris, they discover the skeletons of three adults and one child, buried without coffins, suggesting a low-status burial. Crucially, beneath these skeletons lie two sealed stone sarcophagi, a rare find typically reserved for the wealthiest elites. The team meticulously documents and prepares to remove the mummies on top before opening the sarcophagi. A sandstorm poses a threat to the delicate excavation work.

When the sarcophagi are finally opened, the team makes a stunning discovery: an intact and richly decorated high-status mummy covered in an elaborately painted funerary wrapping called a cartonnage. The vivid colors, still visible after 2,000 years, indicate the deceased was part of the wealthy elite. The cartonnage, made from linen or papyrus covered in plaster, was molded to the mummy's shape. The mask was painted to resemble the deceased, with gold skin and blue hair symbolizing divine status. A broad collar with a winged sun and the winged goddess Nut on the abdomen further signify power, godliness, and protection. This opulent cartonnage offered wealthy Egyptians the best chance of reaching the divine afterlife, ensuring a comfortable existence mirroring their earthly luxury.

The Perilous Journey to the Afterlife: The Duat and the Judgement Hall

Colleen Darnell travels to Abydos to investigate the challenges of reaching the afterlife. She explores "The Assyrian," an unusual structure decorated with scenes etched into the walls. These depict Osiris, "Heka Duat" (Lord of the Underworlds), and his underworld realm, The Duat. The walls illustrate the Sun God Ra's nightly journey through 12 gates, representing the 12 hours of the journey the deceased's soul must undertake. This journey was perilous, involving crossing a lake of fire guarded by fearsome baboons and confronting a giant serpent representing Apep, the God of Darkness and Chaos.

The ultimate challenge was facing Osiris in the Judgement Hall. Here, a scale weighed the deceased's heart against the Feather of Truth. A pure heart, indicative of a moral life, would balance with the feather, granting access to paradise led by Ra. A heavy heart, burdened by guilt, would be devoured by Amit the Devourer, leading to eternal damnation. Failing Osiris' judgment was the greatest fear for Ancient Egyptians, while passing promised a tranquil life in the Field of Reeds. Morality and decisions made during earthly life determined one's eternal fate.

The Middle Kingdom: A Golden Age of Monumental Tombs and Forgotten Pharaohs

The narrative shifts to the Middle Kingdom, a period of Egyptian history often overlooked, characterized by the reunification of the country and the construction of spectacular, yet largely forgotten, megatombs.

Mentuhotep II's Terraced Temple-Tomb: Colleen Darnell explores the tomb of Mentuhotep II, the first king of the Middle Kingdom, at Deir El-Bahari. This structure, a vast terraced temple built into the cliffs, deviates from Old Kingdom pyramid architecture. The monumental scale, including a massive shaft descending 500 feet into the bedrock, signifies a departure from tradition and a new era. Mentuhotep's design, incorporating elements of southern Egyptian terraced tombs, reflects his heritage and his role in unifying Upper and Lower Egypt, ushering in a golden age. The tomb's complexity and the use of costly red granite from Aswan highlight the engineering marvel and the resources commanded by this king.

Sarenput I's Tomb and Royal Administration: In Aswan, Alejandro Jiménez-Serrano investigates the tomb of Sarenput I, a high-ranking Middle Kingdom official and governor of the Egyptian border with the south. Sarenput played a key role in Egypt's expansion into Nubia. Alejandro's team searches for Sarenput's main burial chamber, believing it was relocated within the tomb. They discover a monumental new chamber, suggesting someone of great importance was buried there. Analysis of construction spoil outside the tomb reveals tools used for polishing rock and test pieces from sculptors, indicating the tomb was built by highly skilled artisans, likely royal sculptors sent by the pharaoh as a reward for Sarenput's service to the army. While Sarenput's mummy is not found in the newly discovered chamber, inscriptions reveal it was built for his sons, demonstrating the desire for family unity in the afterlife and the importance of the royal administration in rewarding loyal elites with splendid funerary complexes.

Senwosret III's Innovative Tomb: Darnell explores the tomb of Senwosret III in Abydos, an innovative structure carved entirely out of bedrock. The tomb features a massive shaft and giant granite blocking stones, symbolically sealing the royal tomb. The complexity of the corridors, including a snaking passageway, is based on the Egyptian conception of the underworld's architecture, making the entire tomb a model of the underworld. The tomb's scale signifies Senwosret's power and vast resources, as he consolidated his rule and expanded Egypt's borders, turning it into a regional superpower. His reign is considered a golden age in Egyptian history.

Amenemhat III's Black Pyramid: An Ambitious Failure: At Dahshur, Darnell investigates the Black Pyramid of Amenemhat III, son of Senwosret III. This pyramid, once 250 feet tall, featured a mysterious maze of underground tunnels totaling around 900 feet. Its underground architecture, similar to Djoser's Step Pyramid, was an ambitious attempt to link Amenemhat's reign to the golden age of pyramid builders. However, built on the clay of the Nile flood plain, the pyramid suffered from instability due to groundwater seepage. Cracks appeared in the tunnels, and the structure began to crumble. Amenemhat abandoned the project, and only his queen was buried there. The use of mud brick for the pyramid's core, a material that does not survive as well as stone, is identified as a key reason for the Middle Kingdom pharaohs' monuments being largely forgotten. Their tombs were either hidden underground or weathered away, leading to their traces being lost to history.

The Mystery of Tutankhamun's Tomb: The documentary then shifts to the mystery surrounding Tutankhamun's tomb. Egyptologist Aliaa Ismail notes the tomb's small size and poorly decorated walls, contrasting sharply with the majestic tomb of Seti I. 3D scans reveal brush marks on wet plaster, suggesting a rushed burial. The ritual of the "opening of the mouth" ceremony, traditionally performed by the heir to the throne, is examined. Aliaa investigates the tomb of Ay, Tutankhamun's advisor and potential successor, noting the striking similarities in artistic style and decoration between Ay's tomb and Tutankhamun's. This leads to the theory that Ay, after Tutankhamun's premature death and with no heirs, may have buried Tutankhamun in a smaller, hastily decorated tomb to secure his own claim to the throne and reserve a larger, more elaborate tomb for himself. This act, coupled with later attempts to erase Tutankhamun's legacy due to his father Akhenaten's religious revolution, contributed to the mystery of his burial.

The Religious Revolution and its Aftermath: The impact of Akhenaten's religious revolution, which banned traditional gods and promoted the worship of the Aten, is explored. Tutankhamun, advised by his court, reversed this revolution, reinstating the old gods and their priesthood. This counterrevolution, marked by quarrying and building on the opposite bank of the Nile, is seen as a revival of Egypt's power. The discovery of Djed pillars in Ta Mwiyah's tomb, dedicated to Osiris, further confirms the return to traditional religious beliefs after the Amarna period.

The Hunt for Cleopatra's Tomb: The search for Queen Cleopatra's tomb is presented as a significant ongoing mystery. Archaeologists Colleen and John Darnell examine the unfinished tomb of Ramses XI in the Valley of the Kings, marking the end of an era of royal burials there. The shift in Egypt's capital to Alexandria under the Ptolemies leads archaeologist Dr. Ross Thomas and Professor Emad Khalil to explore the sunken city for clues, but the earthquakes have made this search difficult. Kathleen Martinez, an archaeologist and former lawyer, proposes that Cleopatra is buried at Taposiris Magna, a temple dedicated to Isis, a goddess Cleopatra identified with. Kathleen's team discovers a shaft leading to flooded tunnels, and radar scans reveal a potential large cavity beneath the temple. The connection between Cleopatra and Isis is highlighted by inscriptions at the temple of Dendera, where Cleopatra is depicted as the goddess. The discovery of coins bearing Cleopatra's image at Taposiris Magna strengthens Kathleen's theory.

Unearthing the Past: Mummies, Masks, and Royal Rewards: Alejandro Jiménez-Serrano's team in Aswan unearths a rare cartonnage death mask, which, after careful extraction and analysis, reveals the name "Seti Hacaib a Inet." Further analysis of intact mummies using CT scans provides insights into their age, sex, and potential pathologies, with one mummy revealing the presence of a winged scarab amulet, symbolizing rebirth. In the Valley of the Kings, Iwona Kozieradzka-Ogunmakin uses X-ray technology to identify the skull of Hunai, a royal wet-nurse, based on evidence of brain removal during mummification and her advanced age. In Giza, Ashraf Mohie's team discovers a burial chamber near the Menkaure pyramid, containing bones and a sealing stamp identifying the owner as "Shepset Kawu," a woman of importance, likely a noblewoman due to her proximity to the pyramid and the presence of the stamp.

The Enduring Battle Against Tomb Raiders: The documentary also addresses the persistent issue of tomb raiding throughout Ancient Egyptian history. John Ward examines the Great Step Pyramid of Djoser, highlighting its complex labyrinthine tunnels designed to deter thieves, yet ultimately unsuccessful. Fahty Yaseen investigates a heavily raided tomb in Asasif, discovering a pristine mummy that, through forensic analysis, is identified as a high-ranking nobleman, suggesting the tomb was raided and reused multiple times. Basem Gehad's team at Philadelphia uncovers a hidden tomb that remained undisturbed for two millennia before being looted in modern times, likely during the "Egyptomania" craze of the early 20th century. The careful removal of a mummy from this tomb underscores the ongoing efforts to preserve these discoveries. John Ward's investigation of Mastaba Seventeen reveals how robbers tunneled beneath the massive structure and, with inside knowledge, precisely located and breached the burial chamber, even leaving behind a wooden mallet used to pry open the sarcophagus.

Conclusion: The video concludes by emphasizing the enduring legacy of Ancient Egypt, preserved through its elaborate tombs and mummified remains. The ongoing work of archaeologists, aided by advanced technology, continues to unlock the secrets of this civilization, revealing the depth of their beliefs in the afterlife, the sophistication of their engineering and artistry, and the complex history of their rulers and their people. The search for lost tombs, like that of Cleopatra, continues to drive archaeological endeavors, promising further revelations about this remarkable ancient world.