Experts have uncovered an extraordinary 4,000-year-old tomb, discovered by desert archaeologists in Egypt. A Spanish research team, led by Martina, was investigating the reign of Hatshepsut, the first female ruler of Egypt, when they stumbled upon an unopened tomb nestled in the cliffs. Channel 4’s “Secrets of Egypt’s Valley of the Kings” documented the delicate excavation process, as experts meticulously uncovered the tomb’s exterior before cautiously breaking through, making an incredible discovery despite treacherous conditions.
Battling the Elements
As the narrator described, “Martina’s found a coffin that’s remained sealed for nearly 4,000 years. But first, she has to get to the tomb – a Saharan sandstorm is blowing in from the south. The initial 200-meter journey to the burial site is a battle.” Undeterred, the team pressed on, determined to unravel the mysteries that lay within.
Unveiling the Ancient Coffin
The Moment of Truth
Upon reaching the tomb’s interior, the team carefully removed the lid of the terracotta coffin, revealing its contents after nearly 4,000 years of concealment. As the expert attempted to remove the coffin, she appeared visibly shaken by its appearance, exclaiming, “It’s very heavy, but be careful, it looks very scary. It’s like a scary movie, if this mummy is moving. I’m going as fast as I can.”
An Unexpected Discovery
To their surprise, the terracotta coffin contained not a mummy but a skeleton shrouded in black material. The narrator explained, “The terracotta coffin contains no mummy but a skeleton shrouded in black material. They hope to find out why this person was interred and how they prepared for the afterlife.”
Unraveling the Identity
The Ancient Woman
As the bandages were carefully unwrapped, Dr. Botella revealed to the team that the remains belonged to a woman, stating, “I’m sure it’s a woman. The age, no more than 70.” The team was baffled by this estimate, as people in ancient Egypt rarely reached such advanced ages due to high infant mortality rates and the risk of infections, resulting in a low average life expectancy.
Defying the Odds
Dr. Bardonova explained in 2019, “The average life expectancy was about 25, but far more women died during childbirth. When you have someone who is over 70, I don’t want to say I’m surprised, but it’s nice to know, it’s nice to get someone who is really old.” In contrast to famous pharaohs like Tutankhamun, believed to have lived only to 18, this ancient woman had defied the odds, living well into her golden years.
