1
00:00:01,702 --> 00:00:04,603
[man] 4,200 years ago,
it was a beautiful pyramid.
2
00:00:04,605 --> 00:00:05,604
[josh gates] this was
a pyramid?
3
00:00:05,672 --> 00:00:07,139
-[man] can you imagine?
-[josh] not really.
4
00:00:09,010 --> 00:00:12,411
These officials, they're not
just getting more power.
5
00:00:12,413 --> 00:00:16,148
-They're rewriting
the playbook.
-Josh, it's a revolution.
6
00:00:18,019 --> 00:00:20,753
How many shafts
have you found here, total?
7
00:00:20,821 --> 00:00:22,020
More than 20.
8
00:00:22,023 --> 00:00:23,856
-[josh] just in this one sit
-[man] yeah.
9
00:00:25,326 --> 00:00:27,526
[josh] so he discovered
the mummy of merenre?
10
00:00:28,262 --> 00:00:29,261
Maybe.
11
00:00:32,233 --> 00:00:33,098
I'm ready.
12
00:00:33,100 --> 00:00:34,299
-Okay. Yes.
-[josh] you ready?
13
00:00:34,802 --> 00:00:36,167
Everybody there ready?
14
00:00:36,169 --> 00:00:38,037
We're all seeing this
for the first time.
Let's do this.
15
00:00:40,408 --> 00:00:41,807
[chuckling] look at this.
16
00:00:41,809 --> 00:00:43,542
This is outrageous.
17
00:00:43,644 --> 00:00:45,944
And a huge sarcophagus!
18
00:00:45,946 --> 00:00:48,047
Oh, this is crazy.
19
00:00:50,718 --> 00:00:53,018
-Something there?
Is that wood right there?
-[man] yes, yes.
20
00:00:53,020 --> 00:00:54,319
I think that is a coffin.
21
00:00:54,321 --> 00:00:55,921
I will show you something
22
00:00:55,923 --> 00:00:57,723
That you will never,
ever gonna forget,
23
00:00:57,725 --> 00:00:58,957
For the rest of your life.
24
00:00:59,026 --> 00:01:00,626
[josh] are you kidding me?
25
00:01:00,628 --> 00:01:02,528
Oh, my god!
26
00:01:02,963 --> 00:01:03,962
It goes back!
27
00:01:04,432 --> 00:01:05,531
It's a tomb!
28
00:01:18,012 --> 00:01:21,613
Ancient egypt's old kingdom,
the age of pyramids.
29
00:01:21,615 --> 00:01:23,615
More than 4,000 years ago,
30
00:01:23,617 --> 00:01:26,118
This was the apex
of civilization,
31
00:01:26,120 --> 00:01:28,921
As pharaohs acting
as gods on earth
32
00:01:28,923 --> 00:01:32,124
Commissioned works
of engineering, art
and architecture
33
00:01:32,126 --> 00:01:34,259
That still dazzle us today.
34
00:01:34,361 --> 00:01:36,962
But after centuries
as the center of the world,
35
00:01:36,964 --> 00:01:39,198
In about 2150 bce,
36
00:01:39,200 --> 00:01:42,401
The old kingdom came
to a catastrophic end,
37
00:01:43,037 --> 00:01:44,937
Falling into bloody chaos.
38
00:01:45,038 --> 00:01:46,038
The question is...
39
00:01:46,607 --> 00:01:47,506
Why?
40
00:01:48,843 --> 00:01:50,742
Groundbreaking new discoveri
41
00:01:50,811 --> 00:01:53,011
Suggest that the secrets
of the old kingdom,
42
00:01:53,013 --> 00:01:55,247
The story of its rise
and fall,
43
00:01:55,316 --> 00:01:58,317
Are buried in an ancient
necropolis called saqqara...
44
00:01:59,753 --> 00:02:02,488
...A vast graveyard
with ornate tombs,
45
00:02:02,490 --> 00:02:05,057
Tombs that could hold
precious artifacts
46
00:02:05,059 --> 00:02:07,359
And priceless clues.
47
00:02:07,461 --> 00:02:11,830
The country's
leading archaeologists are
excavating there right now,
48
00:02:11,832 --> 00:02:14,967
And they've just discovered
a massive new burial shaft
49
00:02:14,969 --> 00:02:17,703
That may have belonged
to a powerful elite.
50
00:02:17,705 --> 00:02:21,807
And I've been given
unrestricted, exclusive access
51
00:02:21,809 --> 00:02:23,208
To join their dig.
52
00:02:25,012 --> 00:02:28,313
Nearby, a museum holds
a controversial mummy
53
00:02:28,315 --> 00:02:30,315
Discovered in
a collapsed pyramid,
54
00:02:30,317 --> 00:02:32,851
That could be
an old kingdom pharaoh.
55
00:02:32,953 --> 00:02:36,221
If so, he'd be
the only one ever found.
56
00:02:36,223 --> 00:02:39,091
Now, using revolutionary
scanning technology,
57
00:02:39,093 --> 00:02:41,660
They plan to positively id
the mummy
58
00:02:41,762 --> 00:02:44,029
And solve the mystery
once and for all.
59
00:02:45,232 --> 00:02:46,999
This is a golden ticket,
60
00:02:47,001 --> 00:02:48,734
An all-access pass
61
00:02:48,835 --> 00:02:51,303
To unwrap the mysteries
of ancient egypt,
62
00:02:51,305 --> 00:02:52,905
And you're invited.
63
00:02:52,907 --> 00:02:56,241
So, let's get digging
for mummies and for mysteries.
64
00:02:56,310 --> 00:03:00,212
Who knows what treasures
lie just beneath
the shifting sands?
65
00:03:04,418 --> 00:03:06,118
My name is josh gates.
66
00:03:06,120 --> 00:03:07,553
Hello!
67
00:03:07,654 --> 00:03:10,322
Explorer, adventurer...
68
00:03:10,324 --> 00:03:11,290
Amazing.
69
00:03:11,292 --> 00:03:12,924
Oh!
70
00:03:12,926 --> 00:03:15,460
...And a guy
who ends up in some
very strange situations.
71
00:03:15,529 --> 00:03:17,529
[bleep] whew!
That was exciting.
72
00:03:17,531 --> 00:03:19,398
With a degree in archaeolog
73
00:03:19,400 --> 00:03:20,999
And a passion
for the unexplained...
74
00:03:21,001 --> 00:03:22,134
Yeah!
75
00:03:22,136 --> 00:03:23,702
...I travel to the ends
of the earth,
76
00:03:23,704 --> 00:03:26,805
Investigating the greatest
legends in history.
77
00:03:26,807 --> 00:03:27,539
Yay, let's punch it.
78
00:03:27,641 --> 00:03:30,609
This is expedition unkno.
79
00:03:38,419 --> 00:03:39,952
When you think about egypt...
80
00:03:41,255 --> 00:03:43,121
...This is probably
what you picture.
81
00:03:45,626 --> 00:03:47,226
The pyramids of giza,
82
00:03:47,228 --> 00:03:49,861
And nearby,
the enigmatic sphinx.
83
00:03:49,963 --> 00:03:55,400
They have become the icons
of one of the greatest
civilizations in history.
84
00:03:55,402 --> 00:03:58,604
They were built
4,500 years ago,
85
00:03:58,606 --> 00:04:02,207
At the height
of ancient egypt's
old kingdom.
86
00:04:02,209 --> 00:04:05,210
Let's get our bearings
with a little time traveling
87
00:04:05,212 --> 00:04:06,345
Can I get a graphic, please
88
00:04:07,548 --> 00:04:09,915
Things kick off
about 5,000 years ago,
89
00:04:09,917 --> 00:04:12,150
When tribes in northern afri
begin farming
90
00:04:12,252 --> 00:04:14,620
Along the banks
of the life-giving nile rive
91
00:04:15,155 --> 00:04:16,455
Society takes root,
92
00:04:16,523 --> 00:04:18,924
And with it, the worship
of powerful gods...
93
00:04:18,926 --> 00:04:20,325
Say hi to horus.
94
00:04:20,327 --> 00:04:22,828
...And the emergence
of godlike kings.
95
00:04:22,830 --> 00:04:25,697
"worship these pharaohs,
and you'll live forever."
96
00:04:25,699 --> 00:04:28,233
And just like that,
we're off to the races.
97
00:04:28,302 --> 00:04:29,735
Civilization, baby!
98
00:04:29,803 --> 00:04:33,105
3,000 years of it,
divided into 3 main periods
99
00:04:33,107 --> 00:04:36,108
The old, middle,
and new kingdoms,
100
00:04:36,110 --> 00:04:38,543
Each with their own
powerful dynasties.
101
00:04:38,645 --> 00:04:40,512
Whew! That's a lot
of pharaohs.
102
00:04:40,514 --> 00:04:42,948
Here in the old kingdom,
things are pretty swell.
103
00:04:43,050 --> 00:04:45,117
A lot of peace,
a lot of prosperity,
104
00:04:45,119 --> 00:04:47,919
And a major pyramid
real estate boom.
105
00:04:47,921 --> 00:04:50,822
The monuments
of the old kingdom are symbols
106
00:04:50,824 --> 00:04:53,725
Of pure political
and religious power.
107
00:04:55,329 --> 00:04:59,398
Built to honor pharaohs
who were seen as gods
on earth,
108
00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:01,500
The great pyramid
of khufu, here,
109
00:05:01,502 --> 00:05:04,202
Took nearly 30 years
to construct,
110
00:05:04,204 --> 00:05:07,506
At the hands of untold
thousands of workers.
111
00:05:07,508 --> 00:05:13,445
It was the tallest
manmade object on earth
for more than 3,500 years.
112
00:05:13,514 --> 00:05:16,248
Clearly, these pharaohs hav
everything under control.
113
00:05:16,317 --> 00:05:17,349
What could go wrong?
114
00:05:17,418 --> 00:05:19,217
Well, it turns out,
everything.
115
00:05:19,219 --> 00:05:21,119
Around 2,200 bce,
116
00:05:21,121 --> 00:05:23,488
The old kingdom
rather suddenly collapses,
117
00:05:23,490 --> 00:05:26,058
Leading to a dark,
chaotic time known as...
118
00:05:26,060 --> 00:05:27,258
Can I get a little reverb?
119
00:05:27,260 --> 00:05:29,528
[echoing] ...The first
intermediate period.
120
00:05:30,297 --> 00:05:31,463
Thanks.
121
00:05:31,465 --> 00:05:33,198
There's a bunch of rulers
who don't last long,
122
00:05:33,200 --> 00:05:34,933
Because everyone is fighting
123
00:05:34,935 --> 00:05:38,303
And eventually,
there is a total breakdown
of centralized leadership.
124
00:05:38,972 --> 00:05:40,339
Yeah, it's not good.
125
00:05:40,440 --> 00:05:44,209
So, how does a civilization
that built things like this,
126
00:05:44,211 --> 00:05:46,611
One of the literal
seven wonders of the world...
127
00:05:46,613 --> 00:05:51,616
How did they descend
into discord, chaos,
and bloody civil war?
128
00:05:51,618 --> 00:05:55,520
The answer, like all things
in egypt, lies underground.
129
00:05:56,757 --> 00:05:58,423
From the great pyramid
of giza,
130
00:05:58,425 --> 00:06:00,959
I travel 17 miles
south of cairo
131
00:06:01,028 --> 00:06:04,062
To a massive stretch of san
known as saqqara.
132
00:06:04,965 --> 00:06:06,798
Before giza, there was this,
133
00:06:06,800 --> 00:06:09,701
Egypt's first pyramid,
the step pyramid
134
00:06:09,703 --> 00:06:11,103
Of the pharaoh djoser.
135
00:06:11,105 --> 00:06:14,106
Its construction kicked off
the old kingdom
136
00:06:14,108 --> 00:06:17,309
And helped put the deserts
of saqqara here on the map.
137
00:06:17,311 --> 00:06:19,711
And after djoser
stepped it up,
138
00:06:19,713 --> 00:06:22,614
16 kings would build
pyramids here.
139
00:06:22,616 --> 00:06:25,350
But this isn't just
a place for royalty.
140
00:06:25,452 --> 00:06:28,754
A who's who of egyptians
clamor to be buried
141
00:06:28,789 --> 00:06:30,422
Near their divine pharaohs,
142
00:06:30,424 --> 00:06:34,359
Turning saqqara
into ancient egypt's
great necropolis.
143
00:06:35,829 --> 00:06:37,829
This cemetery
offers archaeologists
144
00:06:37,831 --> 00:06:40,832
The ability to investigate
not just old kingdom pyramid
145
00:06:40,934 --> 00:06:43,001
Built exclusively
for pharaohs,
146
00:06:43,003 --> 00:06:45,170
But also graves of the elite
147
00:06:45,172 --> 00:06:48,673
Priests and high officials
who worked under the pharaoh
148
00:06:48,675 --> 00:06:51,710
It's their tombs that can
hopefully unlock the story
149
00:06:51,712 --> 00:06:53,612
Of why the old kingdom
collapsed.
150
00:06:59,820 --> 00:07:02,521
-The burials here became
so jam-packed...
-[car starting]
151
00:07:02,523 --> 00:07:04,322
...They actually
started piling up
152
00:07:04,324 --> 00:07:06,224
Along the outer edge
of the site.
153
00:07:08,061 --> 00:07:10,962
Eventually, the cemetery
expanded to the south,
154
00:07:11,064 --> 00:07:13,832
And that's where
a groundbreaking
new excavation
155
00:07:13,901 --> 00:07:15,000
Is currently underway.
156
00:07:17,037 --> 00:07:19,237
That is, if I can find
the road to get there.
157
00:07:20,707 --> 00:07:22,007
Is this a road?
158
00:07:24,745 --> 00:07:25,744
Hang on.
159
00:07:27,614 --> 00:07:28,814
[chuckles]
160
00:07:30,317 --> 00:07:31,550
Nice thing about this,
161
00:07:31,651 --> 00:07:32,818
If you end up
on the wrong road,
162
00:07:33,620 --> 00:07:34,853
You just make a new one.
163
00:07:34,955 --> 00:07:36,822
Whoo! Ha, ha!
164
00:07:38,425 --> 00:07:39,524
I see people.
165
00:07:39,526 --> 00:07:41,960
I see a workhouse.
166
00:07:42,696 --> 00:07:43,794
We got a dig site.
167
00:07:45,165 --> 00:07:47,332
I arrive amidst the buzz
of activity,
168
00:07:47,401 --> 00:07:49,801
And I'm greeted
by dr. Mostafa waziri.
169
00:07:50,304 --> 00:07:51,536
Dr. Waziri.
170
00:07:51,538 --> 00:07:54,272
In the world of egyptology,
he's a pharaoh.
171
00:07:54,274 --> 00:07:57,843
As secretary general
of the supreme council
of antiquities,
172
00:07:57,944 --> 00:08:01,713
Dr. Waziri oversees
some of the most important
archaeological work
173
00:08:01,715 --> 00:08:02,747
On the planet.
174
00:08:02,849 --> 00:08:04,816
I became friends
with dr. Waziri
175
00:08:04,818 --> 00:08:08,453
During a thrilling,
live excavation of a mummy
several years ago,
176
00:08:08,522 --> 00:08:12,324
And now,
he's invited me to this
very off-limits dig site.
177
00:08:12,326 --> 00:08:14,926
Do you know that you are
the only foreigner
178
00:08:14,928 --> 00:08:17,429
To come here, to my site?
179
00:08:17,431 --> 00:08:18,330
Thank you for that.
180
00:08:18,832 --> 00:08:20,065
That's incredible.
181
00:08:20,100 --> 00:08:22,000
This is...
Nobody's seen this yet?
182
00:08:22,002 --> 00:08:23,602
No, no, no, no.
183
00:08:23,604 --> 00:08:25,604
We just start working
couple of months ago.
184
00:08:25,606 --> 00:08:27,672
-This is a couple
of months of work?
-Yes, sir.
185
00:08:27,674 --> 00:08:29,374
You work fast.
186
00:08:29,376 --> 00:08:32,410
One of the reasons
dr. Waziri and his team
knew to dig in this area
187
00:08:32,412 --> 00:08:35,313
Is that another egyptologis
left them clues
188
00:08:35,315 --> 00:08:38,617
When he came here
nearly 150 years earlier.
189
00:08:38,619 --> 00:08:40,819
-Of course, you know maspero.
-[josh] maspero.
190
00:08:40,821 --> 00:08:43,321
-Egyptologist.
-Legendary egyptologist, yes.
191
00:08:44,725 --> 00:08:47,292
French egyptologist
gaston maspero
192
00:08:47,294 --> 00:08:52,097
Was critical in shaping
our understanding of egypt'
enigmatic old kingdom.
193
00:08:52,099 --> 00:08:55,233
He explored here in saqqara
in the late 1800s,
194
00:08:55,335 --> 00:08:57,802
On the very ground
where we're now standing.
195
00:08:57,804 --> 00:09:01,306
And he said that he found
couple of tombs in this area.
196
00:09:01,308 --> 00:09:03,608
-[josh] hmm.
-But he didn't mention
anything about it,
197
00:09:03,610 --> 00:09:06,044
Except just the name "yaret,"
and that's it.
198
00:09:06,046 --> 00:09:07,412
-"yaret."
-[dr. Mostafa waziri] yeah.
199
00:09:07,414 --> 00:09:10,415
-Yaret, yeah.
-So that's the name
of the gentleman's tomb.
200
00:09:10,417 --> 00:09:14,753
Maspero's notes indicate
that he found the tomb
of a man named yaret,
201
00:09:14,821 --> 00:09:16,688
A high-ranking
egyptian official
202
00:09:16,690 --> 00:09:18,423
Whose grave might shed ligh
203
00:09:18,425 --> 00:09:20,258
On the mysteries
of the old kingdom.
204
00:09:20,327 --> 00:09:23,728
But the exact location
of the burial was
lost to history.
205
00:09:23,730 --> 00:09:25,664
So, we decided...
206
00:09:27,000 --> 00:09:28,600
...To find the tomb.
207
00:09:28,602 --> 00:09:30,435
And then, suddenly,
208
00:09:30,537 --> 00:09:32,237
While we were working,
209
00:09:32,306 --> 00:09:34,306
We found shafts.
210
00:09:34,308 --> 00:09:35,607
We found tombs.
211
00:09:35,609 --> 00:09:38,443
We found,
like this one, mastabas.
212
00:09:38,545 --> 00:09:41,546
[josh] mastabas were
flat-roofed houses
for the dead
213
00:09:41,648 --> 00:09:43,815
With a chapel
for offerings inside,
214
00:09:43,817 --> 00:09:46,718
And shafts leading
to underground burial chambe
215
00:09:46,720 --> 00:09:48,954
For the owner of the tomb
and their family.
216
00:09:49,022 --> 00:09:51,656
Today, the surface structure
are long gone.
217
00:09:51,758 --> 00:09:55,560
All that remains are
the burial chambers
hidden below ground.
218
00:09:55,662 --> 00:09:58,530
How many shafts
have you found here, total?
219
00:09:58,532 --> 00:10:00,999
More than 20 shafts.
220
00:10:01,001 --> 00:10:02,901
-20 burial shafts?
-Yes, sir.
221
00:10:02,903 --> 00:10:04,703
-Just in this one site?
-Yep.
222
00:10:04,705 --> 00:10:09,107
So the people buried here,
they would have been
elite people, nobles?
223
00:10:09,109 --> 00:10:11,209
-You are absolutely right.
-[man shouting]
224
00:10:11,211 --> 00:10:12,844
-[man speaking arabic]
-[dr. Waziri] eh?
225
00:10:12,913 --> 00:10:14,379
[man speaking arabic]
226
00:10:14,447 --> 00:10:16,047
[dr. Waziri] I don't know
why he's calling me.
227
00:10:16,049 --> 00:10:17,315
They find something?
228
00:10:17,317 --> 00:10:18,650
[dr. Waziri] I believe so.
229
00:10:18,752 --> 00:10:20,051
-Shall we go?
-[josh] yeah.
230
00:10:22,723 --> 00:10:24,556
Welcome to life at a dig sit
231
00:10:24,625 --> 00:10:27,058
The team has found somethin
in one of the pits,
232
00:10:27,060 --> 00:10:29,160
And they want dr. Waziri
to review it.
233
00:10:29,229 --> 00:10:30,362
Good news.
234
00:10:30,364 --> 00:10:32,964
Since we're his guests,
we get to see it, too.
235
00:10:33,033 --> 00:10:34,633
[dr. Waziri] come, come.
Come, come, come.
236
00:10:35,936 --> 00:10:37,636
-Watch out.
-[josh] yeah, yeah, yeah.
237
00:10:48,115 --> 00:10:49,047
A-ha!
238
00:10:49,149 --> 00:10:50,715
Look at this. It's inscribed.
239
00:10:51,918 --> 00:10:54,052
-[dr. Waziri] aiyah.
-[josh] oh, come on.
240
00:10:54,054 --> 00:10:55,120
[dr. Waziri] aiyah.
241
00:10:56,123 --> 00:10:57,222
So this...
242
00:10:58,125 --> 00:10:59,658
Of course, it's false door.
243
00:10:59,726 --> 00:11:02,360
This is part of a false door.
Right, so...
244
00:11:02,396 --> 00:11:05,797
So in the tomb, there are
sometimes a number of these,
245
00:11:05,799 --> 00:11:08,833
What are called "false doors,"
that lead into the tomb.
246
00:11:08,935 --> 00:11:11,302
When it came to tombs
in ancient egypt,
247
00:11:11,304 --> 00:11:13,104
The figurative was literal.
248
00:11:13,106 --> 00:11:14,873
"false doors" were just that
249
00:11:14,875 --> 00:11:16,741
A representation of a gatewa
250
00:11:16,810 --> 00:11:18,843
Between this life
and the afterlife
251
00:11:18,912 --> 00:11:21,112
Where the soul could pass.
252
00:11:21,114 --> 00:11:22,947
-[dr. Waziri] something,
a bit weird.
-[josh] okay.
253
00:11:22,949 --> 00:11:24,849
[dr. Waziri] it should be
facing east,
254
00:11:24,951 --> 00:11:26,818
But this one is facing north.
255
00:11:26,820 --> 00:11:28,553
Right, all of this is
facing north.
256
00:11:29,156 --> 00:11:30,522
It's little bit strange.
257
00:11:36,196 --> 00:11:38,630
This is, this is awesome.
258
00:11:38,632 --> 00:11:43,201
But there's much more
to this site than the remain
of a door in a shallow pit.
259
00:11:43,203 --> 00:11:44,803
[dr. Waziri] I will
show you something
260
00:11:44,805 --> 00:11:46,538
That you will never,
ever gonna forget
261
00:11:46,606 --> 00:11:47,605
For the rest of your life.
262
00:11:47,607 --> 00:11:48,940
What did you find?
263
00:11:48,942 --> 00:11:50,108
I'll show you.
264
00:11:50,110 --> 00:11:52,711
-[josh] come on.
-Let's go. [groans]
265
00:11:52,713 --> 00:11:55,647
[josh] the necropolis dig si
has an immense footprint
266
00:11:55,749 --> 00:11:58,049
Covering well over
an acre of desert.
267
00:11:58,151 --> 00:12:00,051
We cross over the excavatio
268
00:12:00,053 --> 00:12:02,120
To a much larger hole
in the ground.
269
00:12:03,657 --> 00:12:06,224
-[dr. Waziri] a-ha, ha, ha.
-Whoa!
270
00:12:06,226 --> 00:12:08,426
-Huge burial shaft.
-[dr. Waziri] look
at this one.
271
00:12:08,428 --> 00:12:11,029
[josh] oh, my word. Look at
the architecture of this.
272
00:12:11,031 --> 00:12:13,264
This is awesome.
273
00:12:13,333 --> 00:12:17,202
This is the one that maspero
was talking about.
274
00:12:17,204 --> 00:12:19,437
This is it! This is
the tomb of yaret.
275
00:12:19,539 --> 00:12:22,107
[dr. Waziri] finally,
we discovered a tomb.
276
00:12:22,109 --> 00:12:24,309
[josh] here,
on the ragged edge
of the desert,
277
00:12:24,311 --> 00:12:27,545
Waziri and his team have jus
rediscovered the lost tomb
278
00:12:27,647 --> 00:12:30,048
Of a powerful official
from the old kingdom,
279
00:12:30,117 --> 00:12:34,519
A tomb that may help explai
how that kingdom came to fal
280
00:12:34,521 --> 00:12:35,620
Nobody's seen this?
281
00:12:35,622 --> 00:12:37,322
Nobody did see it.
282
00:12:37,324 --> 00:12:40,125
No tv, no family, nothing!
283
00:12:40,127 --> 00:12:41,826
No visitors.
284
00:12:41,828 --> 00:12:42,827
Nobody?
285
00:12:42,829 --> 00:12:44,329
Nobody.
286
00:12:44,331 --> 00:12:45,462
-[josh] okay.
-Ready to go there?
287
00:12:45,464 --> 00:12:47,432
-I'm ready. You ready?
-[dr. Waziri] okay. Yes.
288
00:12:48,001 --> 00:12:49,300
Everybody there ready?
289
00:12:49,302 --> 00:12:51,803
We're all seeing this
for the first time.
Let's do this.
290
00:12:51,805 --> 00:12:54,205
World first. Here we go. Wow.
291
00:12:54,207 --> 00:12:55,440
Into the darkness.
292
00:13:02,849 --> 00:13:06,618
-Whoa, huge burial shaft.
-Look at this one.
293
00:13:06,620 --> 00:13:08,720
[josh] here in the necropoli
of saqqara,
294
00:13:08,722 --> 00:13:12,223
Newly-discovered tombs may
help explain the rapid fall
295
00:13:12,225 --> 00:13:13,892
Of egypt's old kingdom.
296
00:13:13,894 --> 00:13:17,662
Now, dr. Mostafa waziri has
given me and the world
297
00:13:17,730 --> 00:13:19,864
Exclusive access
to one such tomb,
298
00:13:19,966 --> 00:13:23,701
First discovered
by egyptologist
gaston maspero.
299
00:13:24,905 --> 00:13:26,938
Oh, my god.
300
00:13:27,440 --> 00:13:29,107
Whoa!
301
00:13:29,109 --> 00:13:30,608
This is unbelievable,
302
00:13:30,610 --> 00:13:32,076
And we have people down here
303
00:13:32,078 --> 00:13:34,012
-[josh chuckles]
-[dr. Waziri] oh, yes,
mohamed and mohammad.
304
00:13:34,014 --> 00:13:37,549
[josh] for a dig this huge, dr.
Waziri has brought mohamed
to the mountain,
305
00:13:37,617 --> 00:13:39,350
Two of them, in fact.
306
00:13:39,485 --> 00:13:42,554
Renowned archaeologists
dr. Mohamed el-saidy
307
00:13:42,655 --> 00:13:44,055
And dr. Mohammad youssef.
308
00:13:44,825 --> 00:13:46,391
This is off the charts.
309
00:13:46,393 --> 00:13:48,760
Look at the colors
of these paints!
310
00:13:48,829 --> 00:13:52,163
[dr. Waziri] can you imagin
that this is the color
311
00:13:52,265 --> 00:13:53,965
Of almost 4,000 years old?
312
00:13:54,033 --> 00:13:56,000
[josh] no, look at
how bright it is.
313
00:13:57,103 --> 00:13:59,637
This is the tomb of a man
named yaret,
314
00:13:59,706 --> 00:14:02,440
Who we know from inscription
was a high official
315
00:14:02,542 --> 00:14:04,409
Under one of the kings,
or pharaohs,
316
00:14:04,411 --> 00:14:05,844
Of the old kingdom.
317
00:14:05,912 --> 00:14:07,946
What is the story?
318
00:14:08,047 --> 00:14:12,116
The story is yaret,
when he came here,
319
00:14:12,118 --> 00:14:15,486
He decided to make a tomb
even much better
320
00:14:15,488 --> 00:14:17,822
And looks nicer
than the king himself.
321
00:14:17,824 --> 00:14:19,324
-Right.
-Look at the ceiling.
322
00:14:19,326 --> 00:14:21,559
It goes little bit down
and down and down,
323
00:14:21,661 --> 00:14:22,827
Exactly the same like...
324
00:14:22,829 --> 00:14:23,995
[josh] ...Like the tunnel
in a pyramid.
325
00:14:23,997 --> 00:14:25,330
Like the tunnel
of the pyramid.
326
00:14:25,332 --> 00:14:27,398
-Right.
-Exactly the same.
327
00:14:27,400 --> 00:14:30,401
[josh] pyramids were reserved
for the divine pharaohs
328
00:14:30,403 --> 00:14:33,905
And featured tunnels
which sloped down
toward a burial chamber.
329
00:14:33,907 --> 00:14:36,007
That seems to be copied here
330
00:14:36,009 --> 00:14:38,943
And even the raw materials
show strange features
331
00:14:39,012 --> 00:14:42,046
That resemble the inside
of a royal tomb.
332
00:14:42,115 --> 00:14:43,948
Look at
the limestone building.
333
00:14:43,950 --> 00:14:46,117
-[josh] right. These are
all slabs of limestone.
-[dr. Waziri] well, yes.
334
00:14:46,119 --> 00:14:48,319
-Look up here.
-The ceiling.
335
00:14:48,321 --> 00:14:50,121
-[dr. Waziri] yeah,
look at this here.
-[josh] it's pink.
336
00:14:50,123 --> 00:14:52,223
[dr. Waziri] it gives you
the feeling that you are
looking at granite,
337
00:14:52,225 --> 00:14:53,858
But in fact, it's not granite.
338
00:14:53,960 --> 00:14:55,960
Oh, so this is
all still limestone
339
00:14:55,962 --> 00:14:57,762
-Made to look like granite?
-Uh-huh.
340
00:14:57,831 --> 00:14:59,563
[josh] wow.
341
00:14:59,565 --> 00:15:03,601
Granite was often used
to line the burial chambers
of the pharaohs.
342
00:15:03,603 --> 00:15:06,037
He had to paint it
like granite.
343
00:15:06,106 --> 00:15:08,039
Right. He wants to be
like the pharaoh.
344
00:15:08,041 --> 00:15:10,608
-[dr. Waziri] he wants
to imitate the pharaoh.
-[josh] yeah.
345
00:15:10,610 --> 00:15:13,711
This bold decision to desig
the tomb like a royal
346
00:15:13,713 --> 00:15:16,614
Offers us a potential clue
in our investigation
347
00:15:16,616 --> 00:15:18,616
Into the fall
of the old kingdom.
348
00:15:18,618 --> 00:15:20,952
It seems that
the upper classes at this ti
349
00:15:21,054 --> 00:15:23,721
Are becoming more
and more influential.
350
00:15:23,723 --> 00:15:24,956
If we start looking
at it here,
351
00:15:24,958 --> 00:15:26,524
Look at the inscriptions
everywhere here.
352
00:15:27,861 --> 00:15:30,061
Those are
very beautiful scenes.
353
00:15:30,130 --> 00:15:33,197
Lots of, uh,
ceremonial vessels.
354
00:15:33,199 --> 00:15:34,398
[dr. Waziri] yes.
355
00:15:34,401 --> 00:15:36,234
[josh] and food. This looks
like thanksgiving dinner.
356
00:15:36,303 --> 00:15:37,535
-Look at this.
-[dr. Waziri laughs]
357
00:15:37,537 --> 00:15:39,203
-He's got a big dinner here.
-[laughs] oh, yes. Oh, yes.
358
00:15:39,205 --> 00:15:43,141
[josh] so, this is all
feasting and offerings
and lots of food.
359
00:15:43,209 --> 00:15:44,309
And then, what is this?
360
00:15:44,311 --> 00:15:45,410
[dr. Mohamed el-saidy]
facade of the palace.
361
00:15:45,412 --> 00:15:47,045
[josh] a facade of the palac
362
00:15:47,047 --> 00:15:49,814
And over here?
More offering vessels?
363
00:15:49,816 --> 00:15:53,017
[dr. Waziri] golden,
golden necklaces, belts.
364
00:15:53,019 --> 00:15:56,054
[josh] and now,
the hieroglyphs.
So, what is all this?
365
00:15:56,056 --> 00:15:57,522
[dr. El-saidy]
these are his title.
366
00:15:57,524 --> 00:15:59,424
[speaking other language]
367
00:15:59,426 --> 00:16:02,827
It mean, "the sole friend
for the king in his palace."
368
00:16:02,829 --> 00:16:04,829
"the sole friend of the king
in his palace."
369
00:16:04,831 --> 00:16:07,098
Okay, that sounds
very important.
370
00:16:07,100 --> 00:16:08,700
[dr. El-saidy speaking
other language]
371
00:16:08,702 --> 00:16:11,336
"the overseer of the work
of the king."
372
00:16:11,404 --> 00:16:13,738
"overseer of the work
of the king," okay.
373
00:16:13,807 --> 00:16:16,307
[dr. El-saidy speaking
other language]
374
00:16:16,309 --> 00:16:18,810
"the keeper
of the king's secrets."
375
00:16:18,812 --> 00:16:21,312
-"keeper of
the king's secrets"?
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
376
00:16:21,314 --> 00:16:24,115
-Wow, okay.
-It means that he was very
trustful man, of course.
377
00:16:24,117 --> 00:16:25,850
"in the place of his king."
378
00:16:25,919 --> 00:16:28,353
-He can stand in for the king.
He's that trustworthy.
-Yes.
379
00:16:28,454 --> 00:16:31,823
It's very bold, though,
to say that you could stand
in the place of the king.
380
00:16:31,825 --> 00:16:33,057
-I mean...
-[dr. El-saidy] mmm-hmm.
381
00:16:33,126 --> 00:16:34,458
-[josh] it's big talk.
-[dr. El-saidy] oh, yeah.
382
00:16:34,460 --> 00:16:36,861
I mean, he would
have to have been
a very important person
383
00:16:36,963 --> 00:16:39,931
-To be able to talk
like that, right?
-[dr. Waziri] right.
384
00:16:39,933 --> 00:16:43,901
[josh] the king
in yaret's time,
roughly 2,800 bce,
385
00:16:43,903 --> 00:16:48,039
Was the old kingdom's
6th dynasty pharaoh, merenre
386
00:16:48,041 --> 00:16:51,776
These tombs sit in the shado
of his ruined pyramid.
387
00:16:51,778 --> 00:16:57,015
The fact that these burials
are so near to the pyramid
of a pharaoh, a god incarnat
388
00:16:57,017 --> 00:17:01,119
Is evidence that we are
excavating the graves
of some powerful people,
389
00:17:01,121 --> 00:17:05,323
And the decorations
inside this tomb indicate
that yaret, here,
390
00:17:05,325 --> 00:17:08,326
Wanted to be seen
as very powerful, indeed.
391
00:17:08,328 --> 00:17:10,561
But there is one thing
missing from this tomb
392
00:17:10,630 --> 00:17:14,532
That might tell us more abou
how it relates to the fall
of the old kingdom.
393
00:17:14,634 --> 00:17:16,300
Yaret himself.
394
00:17:16,302 --> 00:17:18,403
So, he was buried down here.
395
00:17:18,405 --> 00:17:20,638
-This is his burial chamber.
-[dr. Waziri] it is.
396
00:17:20,640 --> 00:17:25,543
[josh] when gaston maspero
initially discovered this to
over 100 years ago,
397
00:17:25,612 --> 00:17:28,346
It had, like so many
other tombs in egypt,
398
00:17:28,415 --> 00:17:31,516
Been looted hundreds
or thousands of years earlie
399
00:17:31,518 --> 00:17:35,620
Did maspero find the body
and the sarcophagus here,
or we don't know?
400
00:17:35,622 --> 00:17:39,057
He didn't mention
anything about the body
or his skeleton.
401
00:17:39,059 --> 00:17:43,761
Now, do you think there are
other tombs here like this?
402
00:17:43,863 --> 00:17:44,796
[dr. Waziri] yes.
403
00:17:44,798 --> 00:17:47,298
During this period,
the nobles,
404
00:17:47,300 --> 00:17:49,934
They became very strong.
405
00:17:50,003 --> 00:17:52,403
So they made a lot of tombs.
406
00:17:52,405 --> 00:17:55,106
I believe that we can find
more tombs in this area,
407
00:17:55,108 --> 00:17:59,811
And probably that we can
find more objects
inside the old tombs,
408
00:17:59,813 --> 00:18:03,314
'cause this is the only tomb
that it was mentioned
by maspero.
409
00:18:03,316 --> 00:18:05,049
-Right.
-But the rest...
410
00:18:05,118 --> 00:18:06,517
He didn't mention anything.
411
00:18:06,519 --> 00:18:08,719
So, who knows what's here?
Anything could be here.
412
00:18:09,222 --> 00:18:10,421
Of course.
413
00:18:11,524 --> 00:18:13,191
[josh] in fact,
there's a burial shaft
414
00:18:13,193 --> 00:18:15,326
That dr. Waziri's team
is excavating
415
00:18:15,328 --> 00:18:17,095
For the first time right now
416
00:18:17,097 --> 00:18:20,565
And it's even closer
to merenre's pyramid
than yaret.
417
00:18:20,633 --> 00:18:23,234
It's only a short walk
across the dig site.
418
00:18:23,336 --> 00:18:24,902
When we get there,
419
00:18:24,904 --> 00:18:28,506
I find that the excavation
is still very much
a work in progress.
420
00:18:28,508 --> 00:18:31,042
Okay, another big
burial shaft, yeah?
421
00:18:31,044 --> 00:18:32,543
Yes. [sighs]
422
00:18:32,612 --> 00:18:33,978
Couple of days ago,
423
00:18:33,980 --> 00:18:35,646
We started our excavations.
424
00:18:35,748 --> 00:18:39,117
We found the top
of this shaft.
425
00:18:39,119 --> 00:18:40,318
This was all filled with sand?
426
00:18:40,320 --> 00:18:42,320
-Yeah, of course.
Debris, sand.
-Right.
427
00:18:42,322 --> 00:18:44,722
Then we found the collapse
of this wall.
428
00:18:44,724 --> 00:18:46,657
[josh] oh, look at this.
It's all falling apart.
429
00:18:46,726 --> 00:18:51,662
These walls, they look solid.
But really, it's just this
crumbly, mud-brick.
430
00:18:51,764 --> 00:18:54,532
It's literally collapsing
through to the next shaft.
431
00:18:54,601 --> 00:18:57,935
So it's very risky
to continue our digs
down there.
432
00:18:57,937 --> 00:18:59,604
If we keep digging,
433
00:18:59,606 --> 00:19:02,140
This wall will collapse,
for sure.
434
00:19:02,208 --> 00:19:04,642
[josh] we're currently
about 15 feet underground,
435
00:19:04,744 --> 00:19:07,345
Surrounded by
literally tons of sand.
436
00:19:07,413 --> 00:19:10,715
The ancient mud-lined walls
of these burial shafts
437
00:19:10,717 --> 00:19:13,151
Can and do collapse
on workers.
438
00:19:13,252 --> 00:19:14,218
Okay, so what do we do?
439
00:19:14,287 --> 00:19:16,154
[dr. Waziri] so, we have
to support the wall,
440
00:19:16,222 --> 00:19:18,723
And then, we're gonna
continue our digs down there.
441
00:19:18,725 --> 00:19:20,958
How much deeper
do you think this goes?
442
00:19:21,027 --> 00:19:23,928
At least 15, 16 feet.
443
00:19:23,930 --> 00:19:27,398
-And what do you think
is down there?
-I believe...
444
00:19:27,400 --> 00:19:31,335
...Down there, we're gonna
find something very important.
445
00:19:31,437 --> 00:19:33,804
And I'll tell you something.
446
00:19:33,806 --> 00:19:38,009
Maspero, he did not mention
anything about the shafts.
447
00:19:38,011 --> 00:19:41,512
So you think there
could be an elite burial
down here, undisturbed?
448
00:19:41,514 --> 00:19:43,014
For sure, I give you my word.
449
00:19:43,016 --> 00:19:44,415
Well, let's fix the wall.
450
00:19:44,417 --> 00:19:46,117
-[dr. Waziri] we'll do it.
-Okay, come on.
451
00:19:46,119 --> 00:19:48,119
-Okay, yeah.
-Let's go.
452
00:19:48,121 --> 00:19:50,121
We head top-side
to make a plan.
453
00:19:50,123 --> 00:19:52,523
Luckily, this is
an egyptian dig,
454
00:19:52,525 --> 00:19:56,194
Which means there is
guaranteed to be an army
of highly-skilled workers
455
00:19:56,196 --> 00:19:59,363
Who can do, well,
just about anything.
456
00:19:59,465 --> 00:20:01,599
Step one,
dig out the loose sand.
457
00:20:04,537 --> 00:20:06,938
Step two, mortar goes down.
458
00:20:10,243 --> 00:20:12,510
Step three, new bricks.
459
00:20:17,317 --> 00:20:19,116
It would be easy
to make the mistake
460
00:20:19,118 --> 00:20:20,851
Of thinking of the workmen
at these sites
461
00:20:20,953 --> 00:20:22,720
As just manual labor,
462
00:20:22,722 --> 00:20:25,523
But the fact is,
they are the heart and soul
463
00:20:25,525 --> 00:20:28,593
Of all excavations in egypt
nothing happens without them
464
00:20:28,595 --> 00:20:32,496
In fact these workers
are some of the only people
on earth who understand
465
00:20:32,498 --> 00:20:35,199
The building techniques
of ancient egypt.
466
00:20:35,201 --> 00:20:38,736
They're able to expertly
reproduce identical mud bric
467
00:20:38,838 --> 00:20:40,938
To patch the walls in no tim
468
00:20:40,940 --> 00:20:42,039
Last brick going in!
469
00:20:45,111 --> 00:20:47,345
Meanwhile, I've been waiting
six weeks to get a bid
470
00:20:47,413 --> 00:20:49,647
On fixing a cracked tile
in my bathroom at home.
471
00:20:50,717 --> 00:20:51,716
I mean, these guys,
472
00:20:52,452 --> 00:20:53,451
They're so good.
473
00:20:55,054 --> 00:20:56,220
The day is getting late,
474
00:20:56,222 --> 00:20:58,022
And the mortar
will take time to set
475
00:20:58,024 --> 00:21:00,224
Before it's safe enough
to dig deeper.
476
00:21:00,226 --> 00:21:03,060
While we wait, I'm going to
continue my investigation
477
00:21:03,062 --> 00:21:04,862
Into the mysteries
of the old kingdom
478
00:21:04,930 --> 00:21:07,465
By exploring the biggest
tomb in the area,
479
00:21:07,533 --> 00:21:09,634
The one that inspired
all these other burials
480
00:21:09,702 --> 00:21:11,936
To be put here
in the first place.
481
00:21:12,038 --> 00:21:15,139
This huge rise
next to the dig site
is no hill.
482
00:21:15,241 --> 00:21:17,108
This was once a pyramid,
483
00:21:17,110 --> 00:21:19,310
Tomb of the pharaoh, merenre
484
00:21:19,312 --> 00:21:21,312
High up at the top
of the ruins,
485
00:21:21,314 --> 00:21:24,515
I meet renowned egyptologist
dr. Mohamed megahed.
486
00:21:25,518 --> 00:21:27,318
Dr. Megahed, I presume!
487
00:21:27,320 --> 00:21:28,619
Josh gates!
488
00:21:28,621 --> 00:21:30,521
-[josh] how are you, man?
-Nice to see you.
489
00:21:30,523 --> 00:21:32,423
-Dramatic spot.
-[dr. Megahed] absolutely.
490
00:21:32,425 --> 00:21:34,625
[josh] okay,
so this was a pyramid?
491
00:21:34,627 --> 00:21:36,360
-[dr. Megahed]
can you imagine?
-Not really.
492
00:21:36,462 --> 00:21:37,995
-[dr. Megahed] yeah.
-It looks more like a hill.
493
00:21:37,997 --> 00:21:40,598
[dr. Megahed] but you have t
imagine 4,200 years ago
494
00:21:40,600 --> 00:21:42,199
It was a beautiful pyramid.
495
00:21:42,201 --> 00:21:44,802
Originally, it was
170 feet tall,
496
00:21:44,804 --> 00:21:46,937
Cased with beautiful,
white limestone.
497
00:21:47,039 --> 00:21:49,140
-[josh] so it would have
been gleaming?
-Exactly.
498
00:21:49,709 --> 00:21:50,708
[josh] what happened?
499
00:21:53,513 --> 00:21:54,779
I know, I feel like
this pyramid
500
00:21:54,781 --> 00:21:56,113
-A little bit.
-Ah.
501
00:21:56,115 --> 00:21:59,417
-So this was the pyramid
of the pharaoh, merenre.
-Merenre.
502
00:21:59,419 --> 00:22:02,953
[josh] and this pyramid
was rediscovered
in modern times when?
503
00:22:02,955 --> 00:22:04,388
1881.
504
00:22:04,390 --> 00:22:07,258
-Maspero.
-[dr. Megahed] when maspero
was entering the pyramid,
505
00:22:07,360 --> 00:22:09,360
In fact, every pyramid
in saqqara.
506
00:22:09,462 --> 00:22:12,129
And is this where he came in,
this big slumped area?
507
00:22:12,131 --> 00:22:13,831
-[dr. Megahed] yeah,
from the north.
-[josh] from the north?
508
00:22:14,934 --> 00:22:17,335
Like yaret's tomb,
which I saw earlier,
509
00:22:17,436 --> 00:22:19,637
Merenre's pyramid
was first explored
510
00:22:19,739 --> 00:22:23,941
By the esteemed 19th-centur
egyptologist, gaston maspero
511
00:22:23,943 --> 00:22:27,144
What is important,
what maspero found
inside the pyramid.
512
00:22:27,213 --> 00:22:28,412
The inside isn't collapsed?
513
00:22:28,414 --> 00:22:29,947
It's still complete.
514
00:22:29,949 --> 00:22:31,015
-[josh] really?
-Yes.
515
00:22:31,017 --> 00:22:33,050
-And what did he find?
-A great mystery.
516
00:22:33,619 --> 00:22:34,618
And is it open?
517
00:22:34,620 --> 00:22:36,454
No one has been inside
for 20 years.
518
00:22:36,555 --> 00:22:37,521
Uh-huh.
519
00:22:38,925 --> 00:22:39,957
You want?
520
00:22:40,026 --> 00:22:41,459
-Can we?
-Yes.
521
00:22:41,527 --> 00:22:43,494
-Really?
-You're here, I'm here.
522
00:22:43,496 --> 00:22:45,963
-I knew I liked you.
-[laughs]
523
00:22:45,965 --> 00:22:47,431
-Come on, let's go.
-[dr. Megahed] let's go.
524
00:22:48,835 --> 00:22:51,102
[josh] we head to
the collapsed edge
of the pyramid.
525
00:22:51,104 --> 00:22:54,038
There, the front door
has been dug out
from beneath the sands
526
00:22:54,140 --> 00:22:57,808
And is being attended
by a member of the saqqara
archeological team.
527
00:22:59,312 --> 00:23:01,412
-[josh] we have a door.
[laughs]
-[dr. Megahed] a wooden door.
528
00:23:01,414 --> 00:23:03,547
[josh] I'm not sure
which is more impressive,
529
00:23:03,616 --> 00:23:05,916
That this has been closed
for 20 years,
530
00:23:05,918 --> 00:23:09,053
Or that the site's
administrator hasn't
lost the keys.
531
00:23:09,055 --> 00:23:11,122
Now, we have another door.
532
00:23:11,124 --> 00:23:12,556
[dr. Megahed]
door behind a door.
533
00:23:12,625 --> 00:23:13,858
[josh] and it has seals on it?
534
00:23:13,926 --> 00:23:15,926
Here in egypt,
when a tomb is closed,
535
00:23:15,928 --> 00:23:20,331
The inspector of antiquitie
puts his unique seal
on the entrance.
536
00:23:20,333 --> 00:23:22,700
It's a living chain
of custody for the site.
537
00:23:25,405 --> 00:23:27,605
This is a very special door
538
00:23:27,607 --> 00:23:30,040
On this side, it's 2022,
539
00:23:30,042 --> 00:23:32,843
But in there, it's 2800 bce
540
00:23:33,946 --> 00:23:34,945
Let's do this.
541
00:23:36,149 --> 00:23:37,181
Shall we?
542
00:23:37,183 --> 00:23:38,816
-[dr. Megahed] let's go.
-[josh] let's go.
543
00:23:40,720 --> 00:23:42,119
[chuckling] look at this.
544
00:23:42,121 --> 00:23:43,721
This is outrageous.
545
00:23:49,429 --> 00:23:52,129
[josh] look at how perfectly
cut this is.
546
00:23:52,131 --> 00:23:53,864
This is outrageous.
547
00:23:53,933 --> 00:23:56,033
In the desert necropolis
of saqqara,
548
00:23:56,035 --> 00:23:57,535
Dr. Mohamed megahed and I
549
00:23:57,603 --> 00:23:59,403
Are the first people
in decades
550
00:23:59,405 --> 00:24:01,906
To explore the interior
of the pyramid
551
00:24:01,908 --> 00:24:05,109
Of one of the pharaohs
of the old kingdom, merenre
552
00:24:06,212 --> 00:24:07,578
Give me a little
geography here.
553
00:24:07,580 --> 00:24:11,415
Where are we?
Other than inside a terrifying
collapsed pyramid.
554
00:24:11,417 --> 00:24:15,152
This is the second most
important place in the pyramid
after the burial chamber.
555
00:24:15,221 --> 00:24:17,621
-Okay.
-The blocking system
of the pyramid.
556
00:24:17,623 --> 00:24:19,623
-The block...
Oh, these are doors?
-Yes.
557
00:24:19,625 --> 00:24:21,492
[josh] and that's why
this is loose brick?
558
00:24:21,494 --> 00:24:22,793
[dr. Megahed]
they are lifted up, yes.
559
00:24:22,795 --> 00:24:24,328
-[josh] this is
holding this up?
-Yes, and their solution.
560
00:24:24,330 --> 00:24:25,763
And we're directly
underneath it?
561
00:24:25,831 --> 00:24:27,598
-[dr. Megahed] exactly,
it's our history.
-Why are we here?
562
00:24:27,600 --> 00:24:30,935
-It's our history.
-We could have been here,
we could have been here.
563
00:24:30,937 --> 00:24:33,504
The more I look at this,
the more nerve-wracking it is.
564
00:24:33,506 --> 00:24:35,940
There's, like, bits of wood
holding it up,
565
00:24:36,008 --> 00:24:38,943
And it's, like, this is
the security system
of the pyramid.
566
00:24:39,044 --> 00:24:41,345
It is one of the security
systems of the pyramid.
567
00:24:41,447 --> 00:24:44,348
These huge granite slabs
were positioned to fall
568
00:24:44,417 --> 00:24:45,916
If the corridor was disturbe
569
00:24:46,519 --> 00:24:48,152
Sealing off the pharaoh's to
570
00:24:48,254 --> 00:24:51,188
And burying whoever
was trying to enter.
571
00:24:51,190 --> 00:24:54,258
They were already down
when maspero
entered the pyramid.
572
00:24:54,327 --> 00:24:57,428
-So...
-[josh] so maspero's team
had to somehow
573
00:24:57,430 --> 00:24:59,463
Lever these back up
into the ceiling?
574
00:25:00,132 --> 00:25:01,198
By hand,
575
00:25:01,266 --> 00:25:03,734
They had no machines.
They had to lift them up
576
00:25:03,803 --> 00:25:05,736
To be able to enter
the pyramid.
577
00:25:05,805 --> 00:25:08,939
And in here, maspero's looking
for something very important,
578
00:25:08,941 --> 00:25:11,408
The so-called pyramid text.
579
00:25:11,410 --> 00:25:13,310
[josh] pyramid texts
are the oldest known
580
00:25:13,312 --> 00:25:15,913
Religious writings
of the ancient egyptians.
581
00:25:15,915 --> 00:25:19,116
Funerary spells inscribed
in the old kingdom
582
00:25:19,118 --> 00:25:21,418
To help a spirit move
from this world
583
00:25:21,420 --> 00:25:23,153
To the world of the gods.
584
00:25:23,255 --> 00:25:27,024
And until the 19th century,
no one had ever seen any.
585
00:25:27,026 --> 00:25:29,760
Maspero was opening
all the pyramids in saqqara,
586
00:25:29,829 --> 00:25:32,029
Searching for
these pyramid texts.
587
00:25:32,031 --> 00:25:34,465
[josh] because prior
to opening all these pyramid
588
00:25:34,533 --> 00:25:37,301
Nobody knew if these things
existed, right?
589
00:25:37,303 --> 00:25:41,005
Before maspero, nobody knew
that the pyramid texts exist.
590
00:25:41,007 --> 00:25:43,307
And did maspero find
pyramid texts here?
591
00:25:43,309 --> 00:25:44,542
I will show you inside.
592
00:25:44,610 --> 00:25:46,510
-Into the darkness?
-Into the darkness.
593
00:25:46,512 --> 00:25:47,677
[josh] okay, come on.
594
00:25:47,679 --> 00:25:50,147
We move deeper
under the collapsed pyramid
595
00:25:50,216 --> 00:25:53,017
Through the tiny corridor
of almost certain death...
596
00:25:53,019 --> 00:25:54,218
[whispering] unbelievable.
597
00:25:55,054 --> 00:25:57,121
...Until it opens up to this
598
00:25:58,624 --> 00:25:59,857
[laughs]
599
00:26:02,728 --> 00:26:05,062
Unbelievable. Wow.
600
00:26:05,130 --> 00:26:06,130
[dr. Megahed]
hundreds of stars.
601
00:26:06,699 --> 00:26:08,499
This is the sky of merenre.
602
00:26:08,501 --> 00:26:11,902
[josh] look at this, hundreds
of hand-painted stars
603
00:26:11,904 --> 00:26:13,504
And text!
604
00:26:13,506 --> 00:26:16,140
-[dr. Megahed] ah.
-[josh] oh, so much text.
605
00:26:17,043 --> 00:26:18,809
Absolutely beautiful.
606
00:26:20,212 --> 00:26:23,213
Here, sprawling out
across the upper walls
of the tomb
607
00:26:23,215 --> 00:26:25,816
Are the so-called
pyramid texts.
608
00:26:25,818 --> 00:26:28,552
So this is magic?
609
00:26:28,654 --> 00:26:30,120
-[dr. Megahed] yes.
-These are spells,
610
00:26:30,122 --> 00:26:31,722
These are incantations, right?
611
00:26:31,724 --> 00:26:33,857
Spells helping him
to go to the afterlife
612
00:26:33,926 --> 00:26:36,727
To join the gods,
to be one of them actually.
613
00:26:36,729 --> 00:26:39,063
The famous book of the dead
from the new kingdom,
614
00:26:39,164 --> 00:26:40,331
Here is where it starts.
615
00:26:41,133 --> 00:26:42,700
[josh] unbelievable.
616
00:26:42,702 --> 00:26:45,135
The inscriptions
are a combination of offerin
617
00:26:45,204 --> 00:26:46,904
And a kind of
instruction manual
618
00:26:46,906 --> 00:26:48,606
To help the spirit
of the pharaoh
619
00:26:48,608 --> 00:26:51,442
Move into their new
eternal life.
620
00:26:51,510 --> 00:26:54,511
So we've come to the end
of this horizontal
passage way.
621
00:26:54,513 --> 00:26:55,946
So we are where now?
622
00:26:56,015 --> 00:26:58,315
We are in the antechamber
of merenre.
623
00:26:58,317 --> 00:27:00,851
-I love that this is just
the antechamber.
-Yeah.
624
00:27:00,953 --> 00:27:02,519
-And through here?
-Burial chamber.
625
00:27:03,122 --> 00:27:04,521
-Can we?
-Yes, yes, sure.
626
00:27:06,525 --> 00:27:09,126
[josh] oh, look at this,
more stars.
627
00:27:09,128 --> 00:27:12,229
Wow, and a huge sarcophagus
628
00:27:15,801 --> 00:27:17,233
Look at this!
629
00:27:17,235 --> 00:27:21,505
And again, we have
these incredible inscriptions
all over this.
630
00:27:21,507 --> 00:27:23,240
This is the sarcophagus
of merenre.
631
00:27:23,242 --> 00:27:24,708
[dr. Megahed]
this is the sarcophagus,
and we know it
632
00:27:24,710 --> 00:27:27,611
Because the name was inscribed
on the shaft and the lid.
633
00:27:27,613 --> 00:27:29,546
-Here, here, here.
-[josh] over and over again.
634
00:27:29,648 --> 00:27:31,115
-[dr. Megahed] yes.
-[josh] so this is merenre.
635
00:27:31,117 --> 00:27:32,616
-[dr. Megahed] yes.
-[josh] and it is...
636
00:27:32,618 --> 00:27:34,418
I'm scared to look.
It is empty.
637
00:27:35,021 --> 00:27:36,253
Well, it is empty today,
638
00:27:36,322 --> 00:27:38,422
But when maspero was here,
it was not empty.
639
00:27:38,424 --> 00:27:40,357
Maspero found a mummy here.
640
00:27:40,459 --> 00:27:42,960
Maspero found a mummy
inside the sarcophagus here.
641
00:27:43,029 --> 00:27:45,262
So he discovered
the mummy of merenre.
642
00:27:46,232 --> 00:27:47,297
Maybe.
643
00:27:47,299 --> 00:27:48,598
Maybe? Why maybe?
644
00:27:48,600 --> 00:27:50,634
Because there is still
a great debate
about the mummy.
645
00:27:50,736 --> 00:27:51,801
What's the debate?
646
00:27:51,871 --> 00:27:54,405
We don't know if it is
the mummy of merenre or no
647
00:27:54,407 --> 00:27:58,509
Because old pyramids' tombs
were looted in the first
intermediate period.
648
00:27:58,511 --> 00:28:00,511
[josh] this is part of perha
the most profound
649
00:28:00,513 --> 00:28:03,247
And frustrating mystery
of ancient egypt.
650
00:28:03,315 --> 00:28:05,049
After the collapse
of the old kingdom,
651
00:28:05,150 --> 00:28:07,751
In the chaos of the first
intermediate period,
652
00:28:07,820 --> 00:28:10,821
All old kingdom pyramids
were looted.
653
00:28:10,823 --> 00:28:13,057
The step pyramid
of djoser, empty.
654
00:28:13,059 --> 00:28:16,960
The great pyramid of giza,
tomb of the pharaoh khufu,
robbed.
655
00:28:17,029 --> 00:28:19,697
The pyramid of khafre,
nothing.
656
00:28:19,699 --> 00:28:23,701
Same with sneferu,
menkaure, and on and on.
657
00:28:23,703 --> 00:28:26,136
All of them looted,
their mummies, gone,
658
00:28:26,238 --> 00:28:29,206
Their precious
artifacts, stolen.
659
00:28:29,208 --> 00:28:33,110
So all of the treasures
that merenre would have taken
to the afterlife,
660
00:28:33,112 --> 00:28:34,311
Maspero found none of that?
661
00:28:34,313 --> 00:28:36,747
Except for the sarcophagus
and the remains of jars.
662
00:28:36,816 --> 00:28:40,050
-And a mummy?
-And the mummy, maybe.
663
00:28:40,052 --> 00:28:42,920
So if it wasn't the king
then who was
in the sarcophagus?
664
00:28:42,922 --> 00:28:44,655
Well, maybe it was
an intrusive burial.
665
00:28:44,723 --> 00:28:47,324
An intrusive burial.
This is a practice where
666
00:28:47,326 --> 00:28:50,160
People will come
and re-use a tomb, right?
667
00:28:50,262 --> 00:28:53,497
It's a huge practice
dated from middle kingdom
668
00:28:53,499 --> 00:28:55,599
That people will come back
to the pyramids,
669
00:28:55,601 --> 00:28:58,135
To the old kingdom pyramids,
and be buried here.
670
00:28:58,237 --> 00:29:00,938
And it was seen
as appropriate to do this.
671
00:29:01,039 --> 00:29:03,107
It was a common practice
for ancient egyptians.
672
00:29:03,109 --> 00:29:04,708
So either this is
673
00:29:05,411 --> 00:29:07,945
One of the pharaohs of egypt
674
00:29:07,947 --> 00:29:10,848
Or just somebody
using his sarcophagus.
675
00:29:10,949 --> 00:29:12,449
Well, if it was merenre,
676
00:29:12,551 --> 00:29:15,552
It would be the only
royal mummy we have
from the old kingdom.
677
00:29:15,621 --> 00:29:17,955
That's right,
none of the other pharaohs
from the old kingdom,
678
00:29:18,023 --> 00:29:20,424
-None of their
mummies survived.
-None of them. None of them.
679
00:29:20,426 --> 00:29:22,159
Only merenre.
680
00:29:22,828 --> 00:29:24,661
-Maybe.
-Maybe.
681
00:29:24,730 --> 00:29:26,530
So where is this mummy?
Where did it go?
682
00:29:26,532 --> 00:29:28,031
Maspero moved it from here,
683
00:29:28,601 --> 00:29:30,033
First to cairo,
684
00:29:30,102 --> 00:29:33,137
And later, it was moved
from cairo back to saqqara
in a museum.
685
00:29:33,238 --> 00:29:34,438
Is it possible to see it?
686
00:29:34,540 --> 00:29:35,539
It is possible to see it.
687
00:29:36,509 --> 00:29:38,308
I wanna see it.
688
00:29:38,310 --> 00:29:40,310
The mystery of whether
the mummy discovered
689
00:29:40,312 --> 00:29:43,046
In merenre's tomb
is actually merenre
690
00:29:43,048 --> 00:29:46,049
Is historic and could teach
about the rulers
691
00:29:46,051 --> 00:29:50,487
Who consolidated so much pow
before the old kingdom
collapsed.
692
00:29:50,489 --> 00:29:54,691
Did maspero discover
the only old kingdom mummy
ever found
693
00:29:54,693 --> 00:29:57,027
Or just an ambitious squatte
694
00:29:57,029 --> 00:30:00,764
The answer may be found
in saqqara's imhotep museum
695
00:30:00,833 --> 00:30:04,201
Imhotep was ancient egypt's
most celebrated thinker.
696
00:30:04,203 --> 00:30:08,238
He was a doctor,
sage, and the architect
of the first pyramid.
697
00:30:08,340 --> 00:30:11,809
In fact, imhotep was one
of a select few non-pharaoh
698
00:30:11,811 --> 00:30:14,945
Granted the status
of a divine figure.
699
00:30:14,947 --> 00:30:16,713
So what did we americans
do for him?
700
00:30:16,715 --> 00:30:18,415
We turned him into the villa
from the mummy.
701
00:30:20,019 --> 00:30:21,417
Speaking of mummies,
702
00:30:21,419 --> 00:30:24,555
I'm here in these galleries
to meet a very special one.
703
00:30:24,623 --> 00:30:27,724
Dr. Megahed leads me past
the impressive collection
704
00:30:27,726 --> 00:30:30,828
To meet maspero's
most mysterious discovery.
705
00:30:33,465 --> 00:30:35,499
[dr. Megahed speaking]
706
00:30:37,102 --> 00:30:39,102
[josh] I have to say
I'm shocked
707
00:30:39,104 --> 00:30:42,105
-Because it's
so well-preserved.
-[dr. Megahed] yes.
708
00:30:42,107 --> 00:30:44,141
I mean, he looks
like he's sleeping.
709
00:30:44,243 --> 00:30:46,243
[dr. Megahed speaking]
710
00:30:46,345 --> 00:30:48,045
[josh] right, because he's
so well-preserved.
711
00:30:48,047 --> 00:30:49,779
[dr. Megahed speaking]
712
00:30:56,055 --> 00:30:59,790
[josh] in the old kingdom,
the goal was for mummies
to appear lifelike.
713
00:30:59,792 --> 00:31:03,360
But like a funeral parlor
today, it was purely cosmeti
714
00:31:03,428 --> 00:31:07,064
The actual body
wasn't being treated
in a sophisticated way
715
00:31:07,066 --> 00:31:09,199
To ensure that
it would last over time.
716
00:31:09,201 --> 00:31:11,235
And in the new kingdom,
we see this.
717
00:31:11,336 --> 00:31:13,036
-We see preservation
that lasts.
-[dr. Megahed] yes.
718
00:31:13,105 --> 00:31:15,939
[dr. Megahed speaking]
719
00:31:16,008 --> 00:31:17,441
And that's this
dark material, right?
720
00:31:17,509 --> 00:31:20,244
[dr. Megahed speaking]
721
00:31:20,312 --> 00:31:22,746
This resin is made
from the sap of trees
722
00:31:22,815 --> 00:31:25,749
And actually preserves
the body after death.
723
00:31:25,851 --> 00:31:27,918
But it has long been
considered a technology
724
00:31:27,920 --> 00:31:31,021
That wasn't in use
as early as the old kingdom
725
00:31:31,023 --> 00:31:34,625
So there's no evidence
of that kind of resin use
in the old kingdom.
726
00:31:36,495 --> 00:31:39,162
Right, so if the techniques
are so advanced here?
727
00:31:39,231 --> 00:31:41,865
Is it a closed case?
It's not merenre?
728
00:31:50,643 --> 00:31:53,577
Circumstantially, it seems
like it should be him.
729
00:31:54,713 --> 00:31:55,946
All right, so what do we do?
730
00:32:01,420 --> 00:32:02,819
Is that possible to scan him?
731
00:32:04,757 --> 00:32:05,956
We are?
732
00:32:07,126 --> 00:32:08,792
Okay.
733
00:32:08,794 --> 00:32:12,229
Not only are we gaining
unprecedented access
to scan this mummy,
734
00:32:12,231 --> 00:32:15,098
But we're about to do it
face to face.
735
00:32:15,100 --> 00:32:18,402
Specialists from the museum
come to open the mummy's cas
736
00:32:18,404 --> 00:32:21,471
And they prepare to lift awa
the protective glass.
737
00:32:21,473 --> 00:32:23,840
They got the full
mission: Impossible here.
738
00:32:23,942 --> 00:32:25,809
-This is how
you climb the building.
-[dr. Megahed] yeah.
739
00:32:27,813 --> 00:32:29,613
[josh] we dawn masks
to prevent us
740
00:32:29,615 --> 00:32:31,848
From inhaling any particles
from the mummy,
741
00:32:31,950 --> 00:32:34,718
And to protect the mummy
from any moisture from us.
742
00:32:35,421 --> 00:32:36,520
Incredible.
743
00:32:36,522 --> 00:32:38,555
Nothing now stands between u
744
00:32:38,624 --> 00:32:41,959
And what may be
a 4,000-year-old pharaoh.
745
00:32:41,961 --> 00:32:44,328
It is terrifying
and exhilarating.
746
00:32:45,064 --> 00:32:47,698
[dr. Megahed speaking]
747
00:32:47,700 --> 00:32:48,898
[josh] nice to meet you.
748
00:32:48,900 --> 00:32:51,401
Finally, dr. Megahed
calls in his imaging team
749
00:32:51,403 --> 00:32:53,637
To perform a scan
of the mummy.
750
00:32:53,706 --> 00:32:57,407
Okay, let us get
out of your way here,
and you can set up.
751
00:32:57,409 --> 00:33:01,445
To get maximum resolution,
they brought two
magic bullets.
752
00:33:01,546 --> 00:33:04,948
First, a state of the art
artec leo laser scanner,
753
00:33:04,950 --> 00:33:07,417
Which takes millions
of individual images
754
00:33:07,419 --> 00:33:11,054
That computer software
will then stitch together.
755
00:33:11,056 --> 00:33:14,758
Then to pick up every minut
detail of his face and feet
756
00:33:14,827 --> 00:33:16,626
They do a pass with this,
757
00:33:16,628 --> 00:33:18,595
The artec space spider,
758
00:33:18,597 --> 00:33:21,965
Capable of scanning
down to 5/100 of a millimete
759
00:33:25,137 --> 00:33:27,838
Just missing
the very bottom of the back
of the skull there.
760
00:33:28,741 --> 00:33:30,340
This is amazing.
761
00:33:30,409 --> 00:33:32,509
4,000 years ago,
the techniques used
762
00:33:32,511 --> 00:33:35,512
To create this mummy
were cutting-edge technology
763
00:33:35,514 --> 00:33:38,949
Now, the new state of the ar
is being used to scan it.
764
00:33:39,618 --> 00:33:40,517
Okay should we take a look?
765
00:33:40,519 --> 00:33:41,918
Yeah. Yeah, we can.
766
00:33:42,721 --> 00:33:43,653
[exclaims]
767
00:33:44,523 --> 00:33:45,722
Look at this!
768
00:33:46,558 --> 00:33:48,425
It's unbelievable.
It's perfect.
769
00:33:55,801 --> 00:33:57,501
Wow, it's all there.
770
00:33:57,503 --> 00:33:59,136
It's incredible.
771
00:33:59,237 --> 00:34:02,406
In egypt's imhotep museum,
I've just helped to scan
772
00:34:02,408 --> 00:34:06,143
What may be
the oldest egyptian pharaoh
ever discovered.
773
00:34:06,211 --> 00:34:08,578
If so, it would be
a historic find.
774
00:34:08,580 --> 00:34:11,615
Since no old kingdom mummy
has ever been found.
775
00:34:11,617 --> 00:34:13,216
It's unbelievable.
It's perfect.
776
00:34:15,421 --> 00:34:17,120
We've got all
the features here.
777
00:34:18,323 --> 00:34:19,623
We can even see the teeth.
778
00:34:21,160 --> 00:34:23,427
And this dark material,
this is this resin.
779
00:34:23,429 --> 00:34:26,730
[dr. Megahed speaking]
780
00:34:26,732 --> 00:34:28,398
[josh] resin we shouldn't have
in the old kingdom.
781
00:34:28,400 --> 00:34:29,499
-[dr. Megahed] no.
-[josh] right.
782
00:34:29,501 --> 00:34:30,934
[dr. Megahed] no.
783
00:34:30,936 --> 00:34:33,036
[josh] this resin either mea
the mummy was made later
784
00:34:33,138 --> 00:34:36,506
When preservation technique
were more advanced...
785
00:34:36,508 --> 00:34:40,444
...Or it means
the old kingdom possessed
mummification technology
786
00:34:40,479 --> 00:34:42,512
That was way ahead
of its time.
787
00:34:42,514 --> 00:34:45,849
We will combine all the data
to form one 3d model,
788
00:34:45,951 --> 00:34:47,818
-And we will send it to you.
-Amazing.
789
00:34:47,820 --> 00:34:49,219
You guys are awesome.
790
00:34:49,221 --> 00:34:50,420
-Great job.
-Thank you, thank you.
791
00:34:50,422 --> 00:34:51,421
-Thank you.
-[josh] okay.
792
00:34:51,423 --> 00:34:53,390
Our plan is to compare
these scans
793
00:34:53,392 --> 00:34:55,325
To mummies from
different periods
794
00:34:55,327 --> 00:34:57,794
To determine the true age
of our mummy.
795
00:34:57,796 --> 00:34:59,763
All right, mr. Maybe in 3d.
796
00:35:02,434 --> 00:35:04,201
-That's right, we're gonna
crack the case.
-[dr. Megahed] yep.
797
00:35:04,203 --> 00:35:05,502
[josh] okay.
798
00:35:05,504 --> 00:35:07,104
While the imaging experts
knit together
799
00:35:07,106 --> 00:35:10,073
Our digital mummy
for continued investigation
800
00:35:10,075 --> 00:35:12,209
We race back to the dig site
801
00:35:12,211 --> 00:35:16,012
I've received word
that the mortar has set
in the large burial shaft.
802
00:35:16,014 --> 00:35:18,515
We hope it contains
a prominent tomb
803
00:35:18,517 --> 00:35:22,319
That might help
unlock the secrets
of the old kingdom's collaps
804
00:35:23,722 --> 00:35:26,356
Okay, so what's
under our feet here?
805
00:35:26,425 --> 00:35:27,624
It is a mystery.
806
00:35:27,626 --> 00:35:29,693
We don't know exactly
what is underneath,
807
00:35:29,695 --> 00:35:31,661
The only way to know,
to move the sand.
808
00:35:31,730 --> 00:35:33,964
Okay, well, looks like
we have a lot of sand to move.
809
00:35:33,999 --> 00:35:35,464
[dr. Youssef] yes.
810
00:35:35,466 --> 00:35:38,702
[josh] in order to dig deepe
the site has its own secret
811
00:35:38,704 --> 00:35:41,338
A secret weapon that is.
Meet mostafa.
812
00:35:41,439 --> 00:35:44,007
[mostafa speaking arabic]
813
00:35:44,009 --> 00:35:45,909
[josh] mostafa
is the dig foreman
814
00:35:45,911 --> 00:35:47,611
And one of the best
in the business.
815
00:35:47,613 --> 00:35:49,613
[speaking arabic]
816
00:35:49,615 --> 00:35:51,081
[josh] he keeps
the digging team motivated
817
00:35:51,083 --> 00:35:53,116
Through a combination
of comradery...
818
00:35:53,118 --> 00:35:54,651
[speaking arabic]
819
00:35:54,720 --> 00:35:55,719
[josh] ...Singing...
820
00:35:55,721 --> 00:35:59,055
[all singing in arabic]
821
00:35:59,124 --> 00:36:00,123
[josh] ...Screaming...
822
00:36:00,125 --> 00:36:02,726
[mostafa shouting in arabic]
823
00:36:02,728 --> 00:36:05,362
[josh] ...And whatever else
it takes to shift the sand.
824
00:36:05,463 --> 00:36:07,831
[mostafa speaking arabic]
825
00:36:07,833 --> 00:36:08,832
[josh] see what I mean?
826
00:36:08,934 --> 00:36:09,900
Okay, so what now?
827
00:36:09,902 --> 00:36:11,334
[speaking arabic]
828
00:36:11,403 --> 00:36:12,602
-We bring in the tambora?
-Yeah.
829
00:36:12,604 --> 00:36:14,304
Okay, let's bring in
the tambora.
830
00:36:17,509 --> 00:36:18,942
To explore deeper
into the shaft
831
00:36:18,977 --> 00:36:20,844
To see if it contains a tomb
832
00:36:20,946 --> 00:36:23,580
They need to empty
tons of sand.
833
00:36:23,582 --> 00:36:28,051
To do that, the team assembl
a basket and winch system
called a tambora.
834
00:36:28,153 --> 00:36:30,654
This technology
is as old as the pharaohs.
835
00:36:30,722 --> 00:36:32,956
It's possible that
tamboras like this
836
00:36:32,958 --> 00:36:35,525
Were even used
in the construction
of these tombs.
837
00:36:36,028 --> 00:36:37,327
Tambora.
838
00:36:37,329 --> 00:36:39,729
Once it's up and running,
they need to test it.
839
00:36:39,731 --> 00:36:40,931
Well, somebody does.
840
00:36:40,933 --> 00:36:42,032
This is a proof?
841
00:36:42,034 --> 00:36:43,400
Well, rehearsal.
842
00:36:43,402 --> 00:36:45,235
-Rehearsal?
-[all laughing]
843
00:36:45,304 --> 00:36:46,602
[josh] okay.
844
00:36:46,604 --> 00:36:48,138
I like that the rehearsal is
just sending a human being...
845
00:36:48,207 --> 00:36:49,739
-[dr. Youssef] yes, yes.
-...Into it and seeing
what happens.
846
00:36:49,808 --> 00:36:51,408
Yeah, it's good.
It's a good rehearsal.
847
00:36:51,410 --> 00:36:52,409
-[dr. Youssef] yes.
-Yeah.
848
00:36:53,111 --> 00:36:54,611
[mostafa speaking arabic]
849
00:36:55,847 --> 00:36:56,846
All right.
850
00:36:57,416 --> 00:36:59,416
Okay, you're alive.
851
00:36:59,418 --> 00:37:02,819
The tambora seems stable,
so they nail the timber
in place
852
00:37:05,824 --> 00:37:06,957
[speaking arabic]
853
00:37:08,527 --> 00:37:10,927
-Okay, you're ready for me?
-[dr. Youssef] yes.
854
00:37:10,929 --> 00:37:13,129
-How many baskets
you got there for me?
-[dr. Youssef] two baskets.
855
00:37:13,131 --> 00:37:14,464
-[josh] two baskets?
-[dr. Youssef] yes.
856
00:37:18,103 --> 00:37:19,603
-Okay, we ready?
--[dr. Youssef] yes.
857
00:37:19,605 --> 00:37:20,637
Okay, here we go, guys.
858
00:37:20,739 --> 00:37:22,539
Hoist it. You are very good.
859
00:37:22,641 --> 00:37:26,343
[josh] I step into a basket
that's just hooked
onto an old rope.
860
00:37:26,411 --> 00:37:27,911
Not exactly safety first,
861
00:37:27,913 --> 00:37:30,847
But hey, nobody said
exploration was gonna be dul
862
00:37:31,950 --> 00:37:33,283
-I'm alive.
-[dr. Youssef] good.
863
00:37:33,285 --> 00:37:34,618
-[josh] here we go.
-[dr. Youssef] good. Good.
864
00:37:34,620 --> 00:37:37,120
Okay. Let's get to work.
865
00:37:37,122 --> 00:37:40,056
Rule number one
is if you're in the shaft,
you're working.
866
00:37:40,726 --> 00:37:42,058
Time to move some sand.
867
00:37:45,130 --> 00:37:47,931
I'm working at what I think
is a pretty good pace.
868
00:37:47,933 --> 00:37:49,599
Others appear to disagree.
869
00:37:49,601 --> 00:37:51,701
-Yallah, josh! Yallah!
-Okay! Okay!
870
00:37:51,703 --> 00:37:52,802
-Yallah! Yallah!
-[josh] I'm getting yelled at.
871
00:37:52,804 --> 00:37:55,105
[all shouting in arabic]
872
00:37:56,341 --> 00:37:57,440
[josh] we dig...
873
00:37:58,143 --> 00:37:59,709
[mostafa speaking in arabic]
874
00:38:00,245 --> 00:38:01,378
...And dig.
875
00:38:01,380 --> 00:38:02,746
[dr. Youssef] yallah, josh!
876
00:38:02,814 --> 00:38:04,614
-[josh] yeah!
-[dr. Youssef] yallah, josh!
877
00:38:04,616 --> 00:38:06,349
-[josh] yallah!
Yallha! Yallah!
-Yallah!
878
00:38:06,418 --> 00:38:07,417
When do we get a break?
879
00:38:07,419 --> 00:38:09,719
No breaks, josh! No break!
880
00:38:09,721 --> 00:38:11,521
-No break?
-[dr. Youssef] no break until
you come out of there.
881
00:38:11,523 --> 00:38:13,456
No break? Great, okay.
Who needs a break?
882
00:38:13,525 --> 00:38:14,624
Oh, my word.
883
00:38:15,527 --> 00:38:18,361
Basket-by-basket,
we get deeper in the shaft.
884
00:38:20,732 --> 00:38:21,798
[speaking arabic]
885
00:38:21,800 --> 00:38:22,832
At first, I thought
it was crazy
886
00:38:22,934 --> 00:38:24,601
This dude's working
in socks, but...
887
00:38:25,604 --> 00:38:27,604
...My shoes are entirely
filled with sand already.
888
00:38:28,407 --> 00:38:29,639
He's the smart one.
889
00:38:29,741 --> 00:38:31,041
-[dr. Youssef] josh!
-[josh] what?
890
00:38:31,043 --> 00:38:32,309
-Yallah! Yallah!
-[josh] yallah! Yallah!
891
00:38:32,311 --> 00:38:34,277
That's all you do
is "yallah! Yallah!"
892
00:38:34,279 --> 00:38:35,912
My dad always said
that if you want to
893
00:38:35,914 --> 00:38:38,682
Make a task fun,
turn it into a game.
894
00:38:38,684 --> 00:38:41,051
We didn't say start yet!
895
00:38:41,053 --> 00:38:43,219
The other workmen and I
decided to have
a little race...
896
00:38:44,856 --> 00:38:46,356
...Which I lose.
897
00:38:46,458 --> 00:38:47,657
This is [bleep]!
898
00:38:47,759 --> 00:38:49,659
That guys cheated,
that was a false start.
899
00:38:49,761 --> 00:38:51,227
So I go double or nothing.
900
00:38:52,331 --> 00:38:53,463
Okay, wait!
901
00:38:53,532 --> 00:38:55,732
You're trying to put stuff in
before we start
902
00:38:55,801 --> 00:38:57,033
'cause you're scared.
903
00:38:57,035 --> 00:38:58,401
-[speaking arabic]
-'cause you're nervous.
904
00:38:58,403 --> 00:39:00,103
Ready? Go!
905
00:39:05,510 --> 00:39:07,510
Oh, my god! No!
906
00:39:08,113 --> 00:39:10,780
No! He still beat me!
907
00:39:10,782 --> 00:39:12,949
I cheated
and he still beat me!
908
00:39:13,018 --> 00:39:15,118
I want him out of here.
I want this guy out of here.
909
00:39:16,822 --> 00:39:19,656
The work continues,
less competitively
than before.
910
00:39:20,325 --> 00:39:21,458
The shaft gets deeper
911
00:39:22,127 --> 00:39:24,227
And deeper and deeper...
912
00:39:27,532 --> 00:39:28,865
...Until at long last,
913
00:39:29,434 --> 00:39:30,533
We strike gold.
914
00:39:31,803 --> 00:39:33,837
Oh, hey, hey, hey!
Hey, hey, here!
915
00:39:35,941 --> 00:39:37,507
Hold on! We might
have something!
916
00:39:39,144 --> 00:39:41,111
Yeah! It goes back!
917
00:39:42,013 --> 00:39:43,813
Yes! We got an opening!
918
00:39:49,554 --> 00:39:50,620
It goes back!
919
00:39:51,123 --> 00:39:52,222
We got an opening!
920
00:39:53,592 --> 00:39:54,524
Mohamed el-saidy!
921
00:39:54,526 --> 00:39:56,426
-[dr. El-saidy] I will come.
-Come down!
922
00:39:56,428 --> 00:39:58,294
In the shadow
of merenre's pyramid,
923
00:39:58,296 --> 00:40:00,430
25 feet down a burial shaft
924
00:40:00,432 --> 00:40:03,299
Archeologist mohamed el-said
and I have discovered
925
00:40:03,301 --> 00:40:05,301
What appears to be
a burial vault
926
00:40:05,303 --> 00:40:07,404
From the time of egypt's
old kingdom.
927
00:40:08,407 --> 00:40:10,039
Look at this!
Can you see back?
928
00:40:11,810 --> 00:40:12,942
[dr. El-saidy]
it's the beginning
of the vault.
929
00:40:14,413 --> 00:40:15,945
The vault is in
a good condition.
930
00:40:16,014 --> 00:40:17,313
-The ceiling looks...
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
931
00:40:17,315 --> 00:40:19,716
-[josh] ...Intact.
-Yes, it seems intact.
932
00:40:19,718 --> 00:40:21,050
And it's pretty deep.
933
00:40:21,052 --> 00:40:22,986
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
-[josh] look how far back
that goes.
934
00:40:22,988 --> 00:40:24,821
Do you think this
is like yaret's tomb,
935
00:40:24,823 --> 00:40:26,122
Where this is just
an upper chamber?
936
00:40:26,124 --> 00:40:27,190
-Upper chamber.
-Yes.
937
00:40:27,192 --> 00:40:28,324
It's the same model as this.
938
00:40:28,326 --> 00:40:29,859
So upper chamber,
and there should be
939
00:40:29,928 --> 00:40:31,928
-Limestone blocks
at the bottom of this...
-Yes.
940
00:40:31,930 --> 00:40:33,029
[josh] ...And then
the burial vault?
941
00:40:33,097 --> 00:40:34,531
-Yes.
-Then the burial chamber
is started.
942
00:40:34,533 --> 00:40:35,965
But this one seems intact.
943
00:40:36,034 --> 00:40:37,300
[josh] you think
this is intact?
944
00:40:37,302 --> 00:40:39,936
Yes, see how soft the fill?
945
00:40:39,938 --> 00:40:41,805
Yes, it's undisturbed, right?
946
00:40:41,807 --> 00:40:44,541
[dr. El-saidy] yes,
it's a good indication
it's still intact.
947
00:40:44,609 --> 00:40:45,708
-[josh laughs]
-great starting.
948
00:40:45,710 --> 00:40:47,410
-Great start?
-Great start.
949
00:40:47,412 --> 00:40:49,112
I'm been digging
for [bleep] hours.
950
00:40:49,114 --> 00:40:50,513
-[laughing]
-start?
951
00:40:51,516 --> 00:40:53,450
We need to get to dig deeper.
952
00:40:53,518 --> 00:40:54,583
-Yes.
-Yes.
953
00:40:54,585 --> 00:40:56,453
Yes, we need to dig deeper!
Come on, let's go!
954
00:40:59,624 --> 00:41:01,925
Mohamed ascends
to observe from above
955
00:41:01,927 --> 00:41:05,962
And make room
for the workers to continue
clearing the shaft.
956
00:41:05,964 --> 00:41:09,132
After finding the vault,
however, the work feels
a lot easier.
957
00:41:14,005 --> 00:41:16,406
Wait! Hey, hey, hey! Ho! Ho!
958
00:41:17,309 --> 00:41:18,842
This...
959
00:41:18,910 --> 00:41:21,411
So here we have what might
be part of a false door.
960
00:41:21,413 --> 00:41:23,713
We have decoration here
that's painted,
961
00:41:23,715 --> 00:41:25,648
And you can see
hieroglyphs right here.
962
00:41:26,718 --> 00:41:27,851
Look at this.
963
00:41:27,952 --> 00:41:29,252
Oh!
964
00:41:29,321 --> 00:41:31,221
Whoa! Hey, hey, hey!
Down here.
965
00:41:31,223 --> 00:41:32,255
[dr. Youssef] this is amazing.
966
00:41:33,124 --> 00:41:34,924
I can't believe my eyes.
967
00:41:34,926 --> 00:41:36,493
[josh] hey, can we get
a brush down here?
968
00:41:36,495 --> 00:41:37,760
A brush?
969
00:41:37,762 --> 00:41:39,662
Here, we have another one
of these offering tables.
970
00:41:39,731 --> 00:41:43,833
So this would have sat
usually in a chapel
outside of the tomb,
971
00:41:43,935 --> 00:41:47,403
And family could come
and bring oil or water
972
00:41:47,405 --> 00:41:50,106
And fill these
small channels here
973
00:41:50,108 --> 00:41:52,108
As an offering
to the deceased.
974
00:41:52,110 --> 00:41:53,910
It shows you also
that these tombs,
975
00:41:53,912 --> 00:41:55,111
They're not just
about the dead,
976
00:41:55,113 --> 00:41:57,046
They're also about
the living, right?
977
00:41:57,148 --> 00:41:59,215
We have people
coming to these tombs,
978
00:41:59,217 --> 00:42:01,651
Making offerings, connecting
979
00:42:01,719 --> 00:42:03,653
The world of the living
to the world of the dead.
980
00:42:04,389 --> 00:42:05,588
Amazing.
981
00:42:05,590 --> 00:42:09,058
This is all so exciting,
time seems to just fly by,
982
00:42:09,160 --> 00:42:10,326
Which apparently it has.
983
00:42:10,962 --> 00:42:12,428
I've missed a union break.
984
00:42:14,533 --> 00:42:16,533
Wait a minute, where the hell
did you guys get hot tea from?
985
00:42:17,302 --> 00:42:18,501
How did I miss tea time?
986
00:42:19,604 --> 00:42:20,403
Unbelievable.
987
00:42:20,405 --> 00:42:21,304
[worker speaking arabic]
988
00:42:21,306 --> 00:42:22,138
Are there scones?
989
00:42:22,240 --> 00:42:23,039
Yeah, is there anything nice?
990
00:42:23,041 --> 00:42:25,341
[worker speaking arabic]
991
00:42:25,443 --> 00:42:27,343
It's too late now. All right.
992
00:42:27,445 --> 00:42:29,278
[worker speaking arabic]
993
00:42:30,949 --> 00:42:34,817
[josh] dozens of buckets
of sand still need
to be lifted out of the shaf
994
00:42:34,819 --> 00:42:37,353
While the work continues,
the archaeologist tells me
995
00:42:37,455 --> 00:42:40,957
That across the dig site,
a new section
of the ancient cemetery
996
00:42:40,959 --> 00:42:44,627
Has just yielded up another
clue from the old kingdom.
997
00:42:44,629 --> 00:42:46,696
I ascend to the surface,
and then head over
998
00:42:46,698 --> 00:42:48,531
To see what the workers
have found.
999
00:42:50,101 --> 00:42:51,034
[dr. El-saidy] we have
some pottery here.
1000
00:42:52,604 --> 00:42:53,503
[josh] wow.
1001
00:42:54,239 --> 00:42:55,705
Look at that.
1002
00:42:55,707 --> 00:42:58,107
-It's quite close
to the surface.
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1003
00:42:58,109 --> 00:42:59,142
[josh] look at that.
1004
00:43:02,113 --> 00:43:03,613
Will you give me that trowel?
1005
00:43:04,215 --> 00:43:06,115
[dr. Youssef] here.
1006
00:43:06,117 --> 00:43:09,719
[josh] we delicately sift
through the sand,
and are quickly rewarded.
1007
00:43:10,589 --> 00:43:11,988
Another vessel right here.
1008
00:43:14,859 --> 00:43:17,427
-[dr. El-saidy] I have
another piece here.
-Oh, another one!
1009
00:43:17,429 --> 00:43:19,061
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
-Ha ha!
1010
00:43:20,332 --> 00:43:22,732
-So, it's like another
piece of ceramic right here.
-[dr. El-saidy] yes, yes.
1011
00:43:22,834 --> 00:43:24,800
[worker speaking arabic]
1012
00:43:24,802 --> 00:43:28,504
[josh] as the finds pile up
dr. Mohammad youssef joins u
to examine the pottery.
1013
00:43:28,506 --> 00:43:30,039
-[josh] another vessel.
-[dr. El-saidy] another one.
1014
00:43:30,108 --> 00:43:31,641
-Oh, another one!
-[josh] oh, another one!
1015
00:43:31,710 --> 00:43:32,609
[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1016
00:43:32,611 --> 00:43:34,010
[josh] more?
1017
00:43:34,012 --> 00:43:34,911
-[dr. El-saidy] oh,
another one here.
-[josh] right there.
1018
00:43:34,913 --> 00:43:36,478
[both] yes.
1019
00:43:36,480 --> 00:43:37,614
-[josh] right underneath you.
-[dr. El-saidy] y'all,
another one here.
1020
00:43:37,616 --> 00:43:39,048
-And here. Ha!
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1021
00:43:39,050 --> 00:43:40,416
-Come on!
-[dr. El-saidy laughing]
1022
00:43:40,418 --> 00:43:43,653
[josh] one, two, three, four,
five, six, seven, eight.
1023
00:43:44,723 --> 00:43:46,956
-Eight vessels here.
-[dr. El-saidy] until now.
1024
00:43:46,958 --> 00:43:48,391
-[josh] nine.
-[dr. El-saidy] oh, nine!
1025
00:43:48,393 --> 00:43:51,160
[josh] this is a remarkable
amount of ceramic vessels
1026
00:43:51,262 --> 00:43:53,429
Concentrated in
such a small space.
1027
00:43:53,431 --> 00:43:55,498
So, like we saw
on the walls...
1028
00:43:55,500 --> 00:43:57,600
...Of yaret's tomb,
we have these...
1029
00:43:57,602 --> 00:44:00,169
...These ceremonial vessels,
these offerings, so...
1030
00:44:00,171 --> 00:44:02,138
...These could've had
all sorts of things
in them, right?
1031
00:44:02,240 --> 00:44:04,407
Mmm. This side just only
for beer.
1032
00:44:04,409 --> 00:44:05,341
-For beer?
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1033
00:44:05,443 --> 00:44:07,043
Aw, we found
the beer reserves!
1034
00:44:08,446 --> 00:44:10,913
The ancient egyptians didn'
invent beer,
1035
00:44:10,915 --> 00:44:12,315
That was the sumerians.
1036
00:44:12,317 --> 00:44:13,950
But, they may have
perfected it.
1037
00:44:14,019 --> 00:44:16,686
In fact, it was often
cleaner than local water.
1038
00:44:16,688 --> 00:44:21,724
It was also considered
a gift from the gods,
specifically osiris.
1039
00:44:21,726 --> 00:44:24,827
Because of this,
it was a preferred offering
to the dead.
1040
00:44:25,463 --> 00:44:26,629
[el-saidy] another one here.
1041
00:44:27,365 --> 00:44:29,332
[josh] more and more and more.
1042
00:44:29,467 --> 00:44:30,266
Another one!
1043
00:44:30,268 --> 00:44:32,502
So I count more than 40
vessels now.
1044
00:44:32,504 --> 00:44:34,937
Also, I think we still
have more.
1045
00:44:34,939 --> 00:44:36,205
-Underneath?
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1046
00:44:36,207 --> 00:44:36,906
[josh quietly] wow.
1047
00:44:37,642 --> 00:44:38,874
Okay, so this is...
1048
00:44:38,876 --> 00:44:41,411
This is an offering,
but this is no
simple offering.
1049
00:44:41,413 --> 00:44:42,445
This is... This is huge.
1050
00:44:42,547 --> 00:44:44,113
Big offering.
1051
00:44:44,115 --> 00:44:47,316
[josh] an offering
of this size
is almost ostentatious.
1052
00:44:47,318 --> 00:44:49,819
It shows that the elite
officials buried here
1053
00:44:49,921 --> 00:44:52,822
Wanted to be seen by the god
as extremely wealthy,
1054
00:44:52,824 --> 00:44:55,758
And therefore
extremely powerful.
1055
00:44:55,860 --> 00:44:58,628
So, whoever's tomb
this is for...
1056
00:44:58,630 --> 00:45:00,163
...This is someone who
really liked beer.
1057
00:45:00,264 --> 00:45:01,130
[dr. El-saidy
and dr. Youssef] yes.
1058
00:45:01,132 --> 00:45:02,999
-He's stocking up.
-Yes.
1059
00:45:03,001 --> 00:45:04,434
-It's amazing!
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1060
00:45:04,535 --> 00:45:07,036
The real question, though,
is whether any of these
are still cold.
1061
00:45:07,639 --> 00:45:08,771
I'm so thirsty.
1062
00:45:09,641 --> 00:45:12,208
The beer offering
is a sensational find,
1063
00:45:12,210 --> 00:45:14,410
And in a beautiful state
of preservation.
1064
00:45:14,412 --> 00:45:18,314
The team continues
excavating around it
as the sun begins to set.
1065
00:45:24,923 --> 00:45:26,923
By the time it rises
once again,
1066
00:45:26,925 --> 00:45:31,427
I return, only to be amazed
by how the site
has changed overnight.
1067
00:45:36,534 --> 00:45:38,234
-Wow, look at this!
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1068
00:45:38,336 --> 00:45:40,603
-[josh] things have
changed here!
-[dr. Youssef] sure.
1069
00:45:40,605 --> 00:45:42,105
-[josh] is this a shaft? Here?
-[dr. Youssef] yes.
1070
00:45:43,408 --> 00:45:44,673
-[josh] and here?
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1071
00:45:44,675 --> 00:45:47,110
Okay, so hold on.
Let's talk about this
for a second.
1072
00:45:47,112 --> 00:45:49,946
'cause when we
started talking,
we were standing up here.
1073
00:45:50,047 --> 00:45:51,013
-[both] yes.
-Right?
1074
00:45:51,015 --> 00:45:52,214
[dr. El-saidy] it's
the progress of the work.
1075
00:45:52,216 --> 00:45:55,118
And so we have our
big beer offering
we found here,
1076
00:45:55,120 --> 00:45:57,520
That's right up against
this shaft.
1077
00:45:57,522 --> 00:45:59,255
Do we think this offering
is for this person?
1078
00:45:59,290 --> 00:46:01,724
-Yes, because it's very near
to her.
-[josh] right, okay.
1079
00:46:03,862 --> 00:46:04,761
[josh] right.
1080
00:46:07,031 --> 00:46:08,264
So, these... This
could be a family.
1081
00:46:08,332 --> 00:46:09,565
-They could be connected.
-Yes, yes.
1082
00:46:09,567 --> 00:46:11,601
-Sort of like
a family plot here.
-[dr. Youssef] yes.
1083
00:46:11,603 --> 00:46:14,036
[josh] this whole corner
of the site would
likely have been
1084
00:46:14,038 --> 00:46:19,408
Beneath a single family's
mastaba, a mud brick structu
above the tomb.
1085
00:46:19,410 --> 00:46:23,045
The beer vessels we uncovere
yesterday would have been le
as an offering,
1086
00:46:23,147 --> 00:46:25,414
Sitting above
the burial shafts.
1087
00:46:25,416 --> 00:46:27,216
Based on what we've
already found here,
1088
00:46:27,218 --> 00:46:30,720
The family who built
this tomb was definitely
well off.
1089
00:46:30,722 --> 00:46:33,523
This is prime real estate.
Right next
to merenre's pyramid.
1090
00:46:33,525 --> 00:46:34,824
-Yes.
-[josh] okay.
1091
00:46:36,528 --> 00:46:37,226
Okay.
1092
00:46:47,906 --> 00:46:49,639
Wood?
1093
00:46:49,740 --> 00:46:51,307
-So, there's something
wooden here.
-[both] yes.
1094
00:46:51,309 --> 00:46:53,543
Also, against the burial
shaft, like the beer.
1095
00:46:53,611 --> 00:46:55,144
-[dr. Youssef] yes.
-[dr. El-saidy] yes,
like the beer.
1096
00:46:55,213 --> 00:46:56,546
[josh] okay, interesting.
1097
00:46:56,647 --> 00:46:58,614
Interesting doesn't begin
to cover it,
1098
00:46:58,616 --> 00:47:01,117
As we learn once we
clear away the sand.
1099
00:47:03,154 --> 00:47:04,253
[dr. El-saidy speaking]
1100
00:47:04,322 --> 00:47:05,822
Something there?
Is that wood, right there?
1101
00:47:05,824 --> 00:47:06,823
[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1102
00:47:06,825 --> 00:47:07,957
-[josh] that's wood?
-[dr. El-saidy speaking]
1103
00:47:08,827 --> 00:47:09,859
[josh] what is it?
1104
00:47:14,833 --> 00:47:16,632
[dr. El-saidy speaking]
1105
00:47:16,701 --> 00:47:17,934
-It's up against the wall?
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1106
00:47:17,936 --> 00:47:18,901
Yeah.
1107
00:47:21,339 --> 00:47:23,506
-Is it a container?
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1108
00:47:23,508 --> 00:47:24,407
[dr. Youssef] it could be
a coffin.
1109
00:47:24,409 --> 00:47:25,608
[dr. El-saidy speaking]
1110
00:47:26,010 --> 00:47:26,642
Coffin?
1111
00:47:27,412 --> 00:47:28,611
[dr. El-saidy speaking]
1112
00:47:31,616 --> 00:47:32,315
[josh] look at that.
1113
00:47:32,917 --> 00:47:35,218
[dr. El-saidy speaking]
1114
00:47:35,220 --> 00:47:36,719
-Oh, it does!
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1115
00:47:36,721 --> 00:47:38,020
I think that is a coffin.
1116
00:47:38,022 --> 00:47:38,721
[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1117
00:47:39,424 --> 00:47:40,623
This is insane.
1118
00:47:48,299 --> 00:47:50,032
Look at this.
1119
00:47:50,034 --> 00:47:53,202
Exploring near the surface
of a newly discovered
burial shaft,
1120
00:47:53,204 --> 00:47:57,306
We may have just found
a coffin that's thousands
of years old.
1121
00:47:57,308 --> 00:47:59,742
[dr. El-saidy speaking]
1122
00:47:59,811 --> 00:48:01,077
-Here.
-You got the other edge?
1123
00:48:01,079 --> 00:48:02,144
-[dr. El-saidy] yes,
another edge.
-[josh] okay.
1124
00:48:03,448 --> 00:48:04,747
-And here's the back, here.
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1125
00:48:05,817 --> 00:48:07,350
[dr. El-saidy speaking]
1126
00:48:07,418 --> 00:48:09,819
-[josh] yes, it is.
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1127
00:48:09,821 --> 00:48:11,420
[dr. El-saidy] it means it...
The human remains.
1128
00:48:12,223 --> 00:48:14,357
It's well preserved.
1129
00:48:14,458 --> 00:48:16,659
It's small. Is it a...
You think it's a baby coffin?
1130
00:48:16,727 --> 00:48:17,693
[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1131
00:48:20,632 --> 00:48:22,698
Later period than
the burial shaft here?
1132
00:48:22,700 --> 00:48:24,433
-Someone added this,
you think?
-Yes, yes.
1133
00:48:26,437 --> 00:48:28,604
[josh] considering this coff
is pushed up against
1134
00:48:28,606 --> 00:48:32,742
The outside of the rich,
old kingdom burial shaft
and beer offering,
1135
00:48:32,810 --> 00:48:37,046
This was likely added after
the mysterious collapse
of the old kingdom.
1136
00:48:37,148 --> 00:48:41,550
This child's family would'v
wanted to have an afterlife
for their offspring, though
1137
00:48:41,586 --> 00:48:43,419
So if they couldn't build
a tomb,
1138
00:48:43,421 --> 00:48:45,154
They'd use the edge
of someone else's.
1139
00:48:47,325 --> 00:48:49,225
-You wanna take those
all the way down?
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1140
00:48:49,227 --> 00:48:50,126
[dr. Youssef] okay.
1141
00:48:55,066 --> 00:48:56,265
-Be careful.
-[josh] yeah.
1142
00:48:59,604 --> 00:49:02,571
The desert winds begin
kicking up,
1143
00:49:02,640 --> 00:49:06,208
So the workers start to mov
their operation into
a nearby tent.
1144
00:49:06,210 --> 00:49:09,512
The rest of us, though,
find good reasons
to stay outside.
1145
00:49:10,615 --> 00:49:13,049
[dr. El-saidy] look.
Look, josh. I think it's...
1146
00:49:13,051 --> 00:49:15,117
[josh] oh, my god. It's gold.
1147
00:49:15,119 --> 00:49:15,818
[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1148
00:49:16,754 --> 00:49:17,954
[josh] part of a necklace?
1149
00:49:18,022 --> 00:49:19,322
[dr. Youssef] necklace, yes.
1150
00:49:19,324 --> 00:49:20,523
[josh] inlaid with something.
1151
00:49:21,559 --> 00:49:22,558
Interesting.
1152
00:49:27,632 --> 00:49:28,431
-What is that?
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1153
00:49:28,433 --> 00:49:29,498
[worker speaking arabic]
1154
00:49:29,500 --> 00:49:30,199
[josh] what's...
1155
00:49:32,403 --> 00:49:33,102
Something here!
1156
00:49:37,141 --> 00:49:38,908
Okay, hold on.
1157
00:49:41,846 --> 00:49:43,145
-Got it.
-[dr. El-saidy] to move, yes.
1158
00:49:43,247 --> 00:49:44,246
Ready?
1159
00:49:46,217 --> 00:49:48,117
-It's yours, you got it?
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1160
00:49:48,119 --> 00:49:48,818
[josh] okay.
1161
00:49:51,389 --> 00:49:52,822
Good, good, good.
1162
00:49:52,824 --> 00:49:54,757
-Good, good, good.
-[dr. El-saidy sighing]
get it.
1163
00:49:54,859 --> 00:49:56,726
-[josh] that... Look at
the lines on it.
-[dr. El-saidy] painted, yes.
1164
00:49:56,728 --> 00:49:58,060
-[josh] see that?
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1165
00:49:58,162 --> 00:49:58,861
[josh] wow.
1166
00:49:59,630 --> 00:50:01,130
[worker speaking arabic]
1167
00:50:05,803 --> 00:50:07,336
-Unbelievable, look at these
painted lines...
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1168
00:50:07,405 --> 00:50:08,604
-[josh] ...On the side
of this.
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1169
00:50:08,606 --> 00:50:09,605
Absolutely beautiful.
1170
00:50:09,607 --> 00:50:11,607
[dr. El-saidy speaking]
1171
00:50:11,609 --> 00:50:15,244
[josh] so this vase,
hundreds of years
newer than the burial shaft
1172
00:50:15,313 --> 00:50:16,846
Was probably meant
to accompany
1173
00:50:16,914 --> 00:50:19,515
The child's coffin
into the afterlife.
1174
00:50:22,053 --> 00:50:23,052
Something else...
1175
00:50:23,054 --> 00:50:23,919
[dr. El-saidy] basket, basket?
1176
00:50:24,722 --> 00:50:25,454
[josh] is it woven?
1177
00:50:25,556 --> 00:50:27,056
[worker speaking arabic]
1178
00:50:27,058 --> 00:50:28,157
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
-[josh] a basket.
1179
00:50:28,159 --> 00:50:29,425
-[dr. El-saidy] basket.
-[josh] oh, my god!
1180
00:50:33,965 --> 00:50:34,630
Oh!
1181
00:50:40,338 --> 00:50:41,937
Incredible.
1182
00:50:41,939 --> 00:50:45,708
Something this
delicate, handmade...
1183
00:50:45,710 --> 00:50:48,210
You can just see
the craftsmanship of it.
1184
00:50:48,212 --> 00:50:49,712
-[dr. El-saidy] I think
this is the top.
-Still preserved.
1185
00:50:51,616 --> 00:50:53,849
-Yes. Should we get it inside?
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1186
00:50:53,951 --> 00:50:54,983
Let's get it inside
out of the wind.
1187
00:50:59,123 --> 00:51:01,090
As you can hear,
the wind is just howling now,
1188
00:51:01,092 --> 00:51:04,393
So it's a bit of a race
to remove these objects
1189
00:51:04,395 --> 00:51:06,262
And get them out of the wind
into the tent.
1190
00:51:07,698 --> 00:51:10,199
The team brings in straps
and a stretcher
1191
00:51:10,201 --> 00:51:14,804
To quickly and carefully rai
the coffin and carry it
to the safety of the tent.
1192
00:51:16,507 --> 00:51:18,541
-You gonna do a third strap?
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1193
00:51:19,610 --> 00:51:21,210
[josh] up, up, up, up!
1194
00:51:23,614 --> 00:51:25,948
-[josh] down.
-[dr. El-saidy] good, good.
1195
00:51:27,218 --> 00:51:27,917
Good.
1196
00:51:27,919 --> 00:51:29,051
[worker speaking arabic]
1197
00:51:31,956 --> 00:51:33,589
Here, I'll take this.
1198
00:51:33,591 --> 00:51:34,723
-You go.
-[dr. El-saidy
speaking arabic]
1199
00:51:38,129 --> 00:51:39,128
[worker speaking arabic]
1200
00:51:46,604 --> 00:51:48,036
[worker speaking arabic]
1201
00:51:48,038 --> 00:51:50,306
[josh] it's a bizarre feelin
to be pallbearer for a chil
1202
00:51:50,308 --> 00:51:52,608
Who died thousands
of years earlier.
1203
00:51:53,945 --> 00:51:55,611
[dr. El-saidy speaking]
1204
00:52:00,118 --> 00:52:00,782
All right.
1205
00:52:01,419 --> 00:52:03,319
-Out of the wind.
-Yes.
1206
00:52:03,321 --> 00:52:07,623
[josh] out of the storm,
we have a safe facility
to examine the coffin.
1207
00:52:07,625 --> 00:52:12,027
We don masks to protect
against inhaling ancient
spores or dust.
1208
00:52:12,964 --> 00:52:13,829
Up, up, up.
1209
00:52:14,932 --> 00:52:15,964
Up.
1210
00:52:16,701 --> 00:52:18,734
-[dr. El-saidy] oh!
-[josh] oh, my word.
1211
00:52:19,604 --> 00:52:20,236
[dr. El-saidy] careful.
1212
00:52:21,939 --> 00:52:23,005
Oh.
1213
00:52:23,608 --> 00:52:25,407
[josh] so here we have...
1214
00:52:25,409 --> 00:52:28,244
...An individual,
looks like...
1215
00:52:28,345 --> 00:52:29,945
...A really bad state
of preservation, yeah?
1216
00:52:29,947 --> 00:52:30,713
Moisture...
1217
00:52:30,715 --> 00:52:32,214
[dr. El-saidy speaking]
1218
00:52:32,216 --> 00:52:33,415
-[josh] yeah, water got
in here, it looks like.
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1219
00:52:35,553 --> 00:52:36,418
-[josh] yes.
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1220
00:52:40,057 --> 00:52:40,856
Look at...
1221
00:52:47,298 --> 00:52:48,631
-It's...
-[josh] what's that?
1222
00:52:49,901 --> 00:52:51,167
-[dr. El-saidy] oh!
-[josh] what is that?
1223
00:52:51,169 --> 00:52:52,234
[dr. El-saidy] it's something.
1224
00:52:53,604 --> 00:52:55,404
-[josh] is it a bead?
-[dr. El-saidy speaking]
1225
00:52:55,406 --> 00:52:56,805
-An earring?
-[dr. El-saidy speaking]
1226
00:52:56,807 --> 00:52:58,107
-An earring.
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1227
00:52:58,109 --> 00:52:59,608
[dr. Youssef speaking]
1228
00:52:59,610 --> 00:53:00,910
[dr. El-saidy] what...
What kind of?
1229
00:53:01,612 --> 00:53:02,912
[dr. Youssef speaking]
1230
00:53:02,914 --> 00:53:03,913
[dr. El-saidy] ive... Ivory.
1231
00:53:03,915 --> 00:53:04,613
[dr. Youssef speaking]
1232
00:53:06,717 --> 00:53:09,418
[dr. El-saidy speaking]
1233
00:53:11,923 --> 00:53:15,257
[josh] the earrings suggest
that the mummy is that
of a young girl.
1234
00:53:15,326 --> 00:53:19,328
If I were superstitious,
I'd say the wind
raging outside suggests
1235
00:53:19,330 --> 00:53:20,663
She's feeling restless.
1236
00:53:20,764 --> 00:53:22,364
[wind blowing loudly]
1237
00:53:23,935 --> 00:53:28,237
[josh] I mean, right as
we open this, it's like
a storm is kicking up.
1238
00:53:28,306 --> 00:53:29,305
[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1239
00:53:29,307 --> 00:53:30,206
[josh] should I be worried?
1240
00:53:30,208 --> 00:53:31,307
[dr. El-saidy] no.
1241
00:53:31,309 --> 00:53:33,108
[josh] I've seen
this movie before.
1242
00:53:33,711 --> 00:53:35,010
I know how this ends.
1243
00:53:36,047 --> 00:53:38,414
Fortunately, the tent seems
to be holding.
1244
00:53:41,719 --> 00:53:43,018
[dr. El-saidy speaking]
1245
00:53:43,020 --> 00:53:44,286
[dr. Youssef] scarab,
or necklace,
or what is this...
1246
00:53:44,288 --> 00:53:45,854
-[josh] ooh, all these
are beads.
-[dr. El-saidy speaking]
1247
00:53:45,856 --> 00:53:47,957
-[josh] there's a whole
necklace right there.
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1248
00:53:47,959 --> 00:53:50,259
[josh] and see all these
individual beads.
1249
00:53:51,128 --> 00:53:52,928
Here are these discs.
1250
00:53:52,930 --> 00:53:55,030
-All of this is a necklace
that goes all the way around.
-[dr. El-saidy] the beads.
1251
00:53:56,400 --> 00:53:57,600
[josh] so here we have...
1252
00:53:59,003 --> 00:54:00,202
...A big part
of this necklace,
1253
00:54:00,204 --> 00:54:02,004
And you have
these beautiful...
1254
00:54:02,006 --> 00:54:05,741
...Fineness, this kind
of shiny, ceramic...
1255
00:54:05,810 --> 00:54:09,812
The beads are made from
ceramic and quartz,
and then glazed.
1256
00:54:09,814 --> 00:54:14,650
Even now, millennia later,
the color shines like it
was made yesterday.
1257
00:54:14,719 --> 00:54:16,719
We carefully gather
the loose beads,
1258
00:54:16,721 --> 00:54:18,821
So the archaeologists
can conserve,
1259
00:54:18,823 --> 00:54:21,457
And perhaps one day
reconstruct the necklace.
1260
00:54:22,960 --> 00:54:25,160
-This is all linen, right?
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1261
00:54:25,262 --> 00:54:26,962
[josh] so, she would have
been mummified.
1262
00:54:27,031 --> 00:54:27,830
[dr. El-saidy] mummified, yes.
1263
00:54:27,832 --> 00:54:28,931
[josh] yes.
1264
00:54:28,933 --> 00:54:30,833
So, the condition here
is really poor, but...
1265
00:54:31,502 --> 00:54:32,334
...This is a mummy.
1266
00:54:34,005 --> 00:54:36,538
You can see
this brown material.
1267
00:54:37,108 --> 00:54:39,508
This is linen, here.
1268
00:54:39,510 --> 00:54:41,910
And she would've been
completely wrapped in this.
1269
00:54:44,148 --> 00:54:45,748
So what do you think
we can say about this?
1270
00:54:46,417 --> 00:54:47,416
This girl?
1271
00:54:47,418 --> 00:54:49,118
[dr. Youssef speaking]
1272
00:54:56,560 --> 00:54:57,559
[josh] for sure.
1273
00:54:57,661 --> 00:54:59,928
This is definitely someone
who was loved and...
1274
00:55:00,931 --> 00:55:01,763
...Buried with care.
1275
00:55:05,803 --> 00:55:08,904
This is really humbling,
you know?
1276
00:55:08,906 --> 00:55:10,706
Here we have...
1277
00:55:10,708 --> 00:55:13,942
...A girl, a young girl,
who lived and died
1278
00:55:14,011 --> 00:55:18,013
And was buried in
this cemetery
during the new kingdom,
1279
00:55:18,015 --> 00:55:21,050
Which is still over
3,000 years ago.
1280
00:55:22,620 --> 00:55:26,588
This is an archaeological
specimen, but it's also
a person.
1281
00:55:26,590 --> 00:55:28,123
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
-[josh] she had a name,
1282
00:55:28,125 --> 00:55:30,826
-She had a family,
she has a story.
-[dr. El-saidy] yes, yes.
1283
00:55:34,332 --> 00:55:35,030
[josh] yeah.
1284
00:55:35,032 --> 00:55:37,599
[dr. El-saidy speaking]
1285
00:55:37,601 --> 00:55:39,835
[josh] right,
with the earrings
and the necklace,
1286
00:55:39,904 --> 00:55:42,037
And probably she was
beautifully mummified,
1287
00:55:42,039 --> 00:55:46,508
And, uh, she would have
looked proper
for her next life.
1288
00:55:46,510 --> 00:55:47,843
-[dr. El-saidy] yeah,
for her next life.
-[josh] yes.
1289
00:55:48,612 --> 00:55:50,446
[dr. Youssef speaking]
1290
00:55:50,547 --> 00:55:51,513
[josh] yes.
1291
00:55:51,515 --> 00:55:52,314
Let her rest.
1292
00:55:52,316 --> 00:55:53,815
[dr. Youssef speaking]
1293
00:55:58,456 --> 00:56:01,023
[josh] with the wind
dying down,
we hear there's news
1294
00:56:01,025 --> 00:56:03,359
At the large burial shaft
we've been excavating,
1295
00:56:03,427 --> 00:56:07,496
That we hope will help us
understand the fall
of the old kingdom.
1296
00:56:07,498 --> 00:56:10,299
We had previously found
the top of the upper chamber
1297
00:56:10,301 --> 00:56:13,902
And now, a short time later
the workers have widened
the opening.
1298
00:56:15,106 --> 00:56:17,039
So, we're taking out
another couple feet of sand,
1299
00:56:17,041 --> 00:56:19,408
And then we're going
to explore the inside
of this upper vault.
1300
00:56:25,649 --> 00:56:26,315
Oh!
1301
00:56:26,917 --> 00:56:28,116
What is this?
1302
00:56:34,992 --> 00:56:37,526
[josh] in the maze-like
markets of old cairo,
1303
00:56:37,528 --> 00:56:41,263
I decide that maybe it's tim
for me to upgrade
my adventure hat.
1304
00:56:41,365 --> 00:56:42,498
[both speaking arabic]
1305
00:56:42,500 --> 00:56:44,032
[josh] I need a new hat.
1306
00:56:44,101 --> 00:56:46,402
We can make
a beautiful tarboosh.
1307
00:56:46,404 --> 00:56:47,469
-Tarboosh?
-[shopkeeper] tarboosh.
1308
00:56:47,471 --> 00:56:49,405
-What we would
call a fez, yeah?
-Fez.
1309
00:56:49,407 --> 00:56:51,005
Let's do it.
1310
00:56:51,007 --> 00:56:53,609
The first step toward
my custom fez
is to measure my head.
1311
00:56:53,611 --> 00:56:55,411
-Your size big head.
-That's right.
1312
00:56:55,413 --> 00:56:57,112
Big head.
That's my official size.
1313
00:56:57,114 --> 00:57:00,416
A sartorial go-to
for egypt's elite.
1314
00:57:00,418 --> 00:57:03,118
Today, this is cairo's last
fez shop.
1315
00:57:03,120 --> 00:57:08,357
A ninth generation business
and they're gonna teach me
the art of making a tarboosh
1316
00:57:08,425 --> 00:57:09,725
-[shopkeeper] press, very!
-Press very hard.
1317
00:57:09,727 --> 00:57:10,559
[shopkeeper] yes.
1318
00:57:10,628 --> 00:57:12,561
[josh] first, we press it.
1319
00:57:12,630 --> 00:57:17,900
Measure it, cut it, sew it,
form it, glue it, stick it,
1320
00:57:17,902 --> 00:57:20,202
Set it, seal it,
and tassel it.
1321
00:57:21,238 --> 00:57:22,104
Oh.
1322
00:57:22,106 --> 00:57:23,605
Then, it's time to strut.
1323
00:57:23,607 --> 00:57:24,606
Yeah! What's that?
1324
00:57:24,608 --> 00:57:26,442
-Nice.
-Thank you!
1325
00:57:26,510 --> 00:57:27,810
-Wow.
-Nice tarboosh!
1326
00:57:28,612 --> 00:57:29,711
Thank you!
1327
00:57:29,713 --> 00:57:31,213
I'm a tarboosh king!
1328
00:57:34,952 --> 00:57:36,618
We got a vessel here!
1329
00:57:36,620 --> 00:57:39,555
We're excavating a large
burial shaft in saqqara,
1330
00:57:39,623 --> 00:57:43,692
That we hope will give us
insights into the collapse
of egypt's old kingdom.
1331
00:57:43,694 --> 00:57:45,260
Okay, so we have
this vessel here.
1332
00:57:45,329 --> 00:57:47,496
Do we think it was placed
here, or maybe fell out of
the vault?
1333
00:57:47,498 --> 00:57:50,299
-Maybe fall out of the vault.
-Okay, got it.
1334
00:57:50,301 --> 00:57:53,302
We continue carefully removi
sand from the chamber.
1335
00:57:53,304 --> 00:57:57,339
A tedious process,
but one which quickly
becomes rewarding.
1336
00:57:58,943 --> 00:57:59,975
Oh!
1337
00:57:59,977 --> 00:58:01,243
What is this?
1338
00:58:01,345 --> 00:58:03,612
-Another vessel?
-[dr. Youssef] another, yes.
1339
00:58:03,614 --> 00:58:06,315
We've got another ceramic
vessel here that might've
fallen out,
1340
00:58:06,317 --> 00:58:07,783
Or might've been placed there,
I don't know.
1341
00:58:07,785 --> 00:58:09,418
-[dr. El-saidy quietly] yes.
-[josh] very nice.
1342
00:58:09,420 --> 00:58:10,919
-[dr. Youssef] hold it.
-[dr. El-saidy] careful.
1343
00:58:10,921 --> 00:58:14,156
[josh] very nice, beautiful.
Look at that.
1344
00:58:14,258 --> 00:58:16,825
-Complete vessel.
-[dr. El-saidy] yes.
1345
00:58:19,663 --> 00:58:22,264
So this, this upper vault
sits above
1346
00:58:22,333 --> 00:58:24,533
The main burial chamber below,
you know.
1347
00:58:24,602 --> 00:58:26,034
Anything could be up here.
1348
00:58:26,103 --> 00:58:27,903
Offerings, anything
could be tucked into
this upper chamber.
1349
00:58:27,905 --> 00:58:29,271
Or, nothing at all.
1350
00:58:32,409 --> 00:58:35,410
-Do you think
this is undisturbed?
-Yes, it's undisturbed.
1351
00:58:35,412 --> 00:58:36,445
-For sure?
-Sure.
1352
00:58:36,513 --> 00:58:38,113
Okay.
1353
00:58:38,115 --> 00:58:41,283
The main burial should be
in a vault just below us.
1354
00:58:41,285 --> 00:58:44,620
But first, we have to contin
exploring the upper chamber
1355
00:58:45,556 --> 00:58:46,922
Bone, here in the corner.
1356
00:58:48,359 --> 00:58:50,025
-Uh, linen.
-[dr. El-saidy] linen.
1357
00:58:50,027 --> 00:58:51,059
[worker speaking arabic]
1358
00:58:51,762 --> 00:58:53,428
So, some linen here as well.
1359
00:58:55,366 --> 00:58:59,034
This is... Mummy wrap,
right here in the corner.
1360
00:58:59,136 --> 00:59:02,704
The very corner just outside
of this upper vault.
1361
00:59:02,706 --> 00:59:04,540
Why would that bone and linen
be out here?
1362
00:59:04,608 --> 00:59:05,607
[dr. El-saidy] it's, uh,
it's debris.
1363
00:59:05,609 --> 00:59:08,544
-Just fill up the shaft.
-Uh-huh.
1364
00:59:08,612 --> 00:59:11,246
-It's disturb... You are in
a cemetery, in a tomb place.
-[josh] right, right.
1365
00:59:11,315 --> 00:59:12,948
-So it's just...
-It's just a tomb.
1366
00:59:12,950 --> 00:59:13,649
[josh] uh-huh.
1367
00:59:20,324 --> 00:59:21,223
Oh, hold on.
1368
00:59:22,826 --> 00:59:23,825
Part of a basket?
1369
00:59:25,496 --> 00:59:27,162
-Yes.
-Yeah.
1370
00:59:27,164 --> 00:59:31,133
[josh] so far, we've found
intact pottery
and a fine-woven basket,
1371
00:59:31,201 --> 00:59:35,404
Suggesting that the burial
chamber below may
be undisturbed.
1372
00:59:35,406 --> 00:59:38,106
Dr. Mustafa waziri,
head of this excavation
1373
00:59:38,108 --> 00:59:41,510
And secretary-general
of the supreme council
of antiquities,
1374
00:59:41,512 --> 00:59:44,813
Is taking the elevator down
to assess our next steps.
1375
00:59:46,050 --> 00:59:48,116
These guys have cleared
a lot of sand out of here,
1376
00:59:48,118 --> 00:59:49,751
But still a lot left, yeah?
1377
00:59:49,853 --> 00:59:53,956
At least 15 cubic meters
of debris.
1378
00:59:54,024 --> 00:59:54,922
A lot.
1379
00:59:54,924 --> 00:59:56,224
-[dr. Waziri] so it's a lot.
-Yeah.
1380
00:59:56,226 --> 00:59:58,026
So, what are we planning
to do right now?
1381
00:59:58,028 --> 00:59:59,628
We're gonna start
digging here,
1382
00:59:59,630 --> 01:00:01,363
Because we believe...
1383
01:00:01,465 --> 01:00:02,965
...In a couple of minutes
of working,
1384
01:00:03,033 --> 01:00:05,300
We can find the entrance
of this tomb.
1385
01:00:05,302 --> 01:00:06,435
To the main vault.
1386
01:00:06,536 --> 01:00:07,636
-To the main one.
-[josh] yeah.
1387
01:00:08,305 --> 01:00:09,938
Ready, guys?
1388
01:00:16,614 --> 01:00:20,115
[josh] we work furiously
to move further down
through the sand,
1389
01:00:20,117 --> 01:00:23,518
Hoping to find the burial
that we assume must
be very near.
1390
01:00:27,625 --> 01:00:29,625
So, we've got a layer
of mud brick here,
1391
01:00:29,627 --> 01:00:32,828
And some limestone pieces,
bones, there.
1392
01:00:32,830 --> 01:00:34,329
Long bone.
1393
01:00:34,331 --> 01:00:35,296
[dr. Youssef speaking arabic]
1394
01:00:35,398 --> 01:00:36,598
-[dr. Youssef] what, wait...
-Oh, oh, oh!
1395
01:00:38,202 --> 01:00:40,702
Opening! We got a vault.
1396
01:00:40,704 --> 01:00:43,505
-[dr. El-saidy] oh, no, josh!
-[josh laughing excitedly]
1397
01:00:43,507 --> 01:00:46,508
Oh, my god! Look at it!
1398
01:00:46,510 --> 01:00:49,244
-It's all decorated!
-[dr. Youssef] what a tomb!
1399
01:00:49,346 --> 01:00:52,047
[josh] oh, my word.
It's all painted.
1400
01:00:52,716 --> 01:00:54,816
Holy [bleep].
1401
01:00:54,818 --> 01:00:56,284
Ha, ha, ha!
1402
01:00:56,286 --> 01:00:57,585
It's a tomb!
1403
01:00:59,156 --> 01:01:03,425
[josh] on the next episode
of expedition unknown...
1404
01:01:03,427 --> 01:01:07,763
My exclusive access
to the dig site
in saqqara continues.
1405
01:01:09,066 --> 01:01:09,698
Oh!
1406
01:01:10,200 --> 01:01:11,099
Look at this!
1407
01:01:11,101 --> 01:01:13,502
His foot is right
in front of me.
1408
01:01:13,504 --> 01:01:18,607
And a lost tomb reveals
answers about how egypt's
old kingdom collapsed.
1409
01:01:18,609 --> 01:01:22,044
This is the first tomb
to be decorated underground.
1410
01:01:22,046 --> 01:01:23,612
-Ever found in egypt?
-[man] ever found.
1411
01:01:25,115 --> 01:01:27,716
[josh] my journey takes me
to long forgotten sites,
1412
01:01:27,718 --> 01:01:31,753
With clues as to how
the reign of the pharaohs
fell into chaos.
1413
01:01:31,822 --> 01:01:35,057
We think of these tombs
as such sacred places,
1414
01:01:35,059 --> 01:01:39,127
Yet, they were willing
to come in and desecrate
a tomb like this.
1415
01:01:40,698 --> 01:01:43,932
And we'll head up the nile
to the ruins of luxor,
1416
01:01:44,001 --> 01:01:46,601
And a tomb that holds
a shocking secret.
1417
01:01:46,603 --> 01:01:50,338
[reading] the entirety
of upper egypt
was dying of hunger,
1418
01:01:50,407 --> 01:01:53,208
And every man was eating
his child.
1419
01:01:55,212 --> 01:01:58,213
Finally, our high-tech hunt
for the identity
1420
01:01:58,215 --> 01:02:01,717
Of what might be the only
old kingdom pharaoh
ever found,
1421
01:02:01,719 --> 01:02:03,318
Leads us deep underground.
1422
01:02:03,320 --> 01:02:04,386
[quietly] okay.
1423
01:02:04,388 --> 01:02:06,521
Where we come face-to-face
with the answers
1424
01:02:06,523 --> 01:02:08,023
We've been hunting for.
1425
01:02:08,025 --> 01:02:10,726
Underneath this glass
is the man himself.
1426
01:02:11,729 --> 01:02:13,628
Look at this mummy!