When Howard Carter discovered the treasure-filled tomb of King Tutankhamen in 1922, a new phase in Egyptomania sprang forth, fueled by the inherent mysteries surrounding the 18-year-old boy king. Produced for PBS in 2013, Secrets of the Dead: Ultimate Tut does an admirable and comprehensive job of unraveling some of King Tut's enigmatic wrappings, so to speak. Guided by Egyptologist Chris Naunton, the 110 minute documentary looks at some of the key mysteries and elements surrounding the young pharaoh's death, and how his gold-filled tomb survived unmolested for 3,000 years. Fabulous observations and well-versed insights are provided by Dr. Melinda Hartwig, Associate Professor at Georgia State University, who is an expert in the field of Ancient Egyptian history and archaeological aesthetic elements. From his undersized and under-decorated tomb, second hand mask artifacts meant for Nefertiti and hasty mummification it is immediately clear that King Tutankhamen's entombment was a rushed and unexpected affair. Naunton, Hartwig, Salima Ikram and a host of forensic scientists reexamine the previous suspicion that King Tut was murdered and arrive at a focused and more sensible theory. Dr. Hartwig points out artwork featuring King Tut engaged in battle, and X-rays confirm that a major chest injury was surely the cause of death. It is concluded that Tutankhamen was struck by a chariot during a melee, the blunt force of the chariot wheel breaking his leg, pelvis and ribs which punctured his heart (the organ is missing from the mummy, which is rare). Because he died at such a young age, Tut's intended tomb was not complete and he was hastily put in a smaller chamber meant for his advisor (and ultimately, his successor), Ay. Ay's own tomb, by contrast, is much too grand as was surely intended for Tutankhamen. Further tests determine that the charred status of Tut's mummy was likely caused by the spontaneous combustion of linseed oil used in the rushed burial. As for how the tomb survived in pristine shape for 3,000 years… layers of sediment surrounding the tomb were produced by a flash flood (which likely occurred shortly after Tutankhamen's death), effectively sealing the entrance until Howard Carter's team uncovered it in 1922. Also, Tut's successors made pointed efforts to obscure his name from historical record, so it is probable that looters were never looking for the small tomb. Ever-informative and never dull, this expert documentary should be included amongst the definitive oeuvre of works on King Tutankhamen.
Chris Naunton. Secrets of the Dead: Ultimate Tut
Howard Carter examines King Tut. Secrets of the Dead: Ultimate Tut
Tutankhamen's gold funerary mask. Secrets of the Dead: Ultimate Tut
Melinda Hartwig and Chris Naunton. Secrets of the Dead: Ultimate Tut
. Secrets of the Dead: Ultimate Tut
Melinda Hartwig and Chris Naunton. Secrets of the Dead: Ultimate Tut
1922 excavation of King Tut's tomb. Secrets of the Dead: Ultimate Tut
Melinda Hartwig in King Tut's tomb. Secrets of the Dead: Ultimate Tut
Tutankhamen's treasure. Secrets of the Dead: Ultimate Tut
Chris Naunton. Secrets of the Dead: Ultimate Tut
x-ray of Tutankhamen's chest. Secrets of the Dead: Ultimate Tut
chariot accident. Secrets of the Dead: Ultimate Tut
Chris Naunton. Secrets of the Dead: Ultimate Tut
Chris Naunton. Secrets of the Dead: Ultimate Tut
Chris Naunton and Salima Ikram. Secrets of the Dead: Ultimate Tut
Tutankhamen. Secrets of the Dead: Ultimate Tut
looking at sediment from a flash flood. Secrets of the Dead: Ultimate Tut
Melinda Hartwig and Chris Naunton. Secrets of the Dead: Ultimate Tut
Tutankhamen's golden throne. Secrets of the Dead: Ultimate Tut
Produced for the Smithsonian Channel, Secrets: The Sphinx (2013) provides an intriguing 45-minute look at the primary mysteries surrounding the Ancient Egyptian Sphinx in Giza: When was it created? and whom does the carved face atop the lion's body represent? Because it is carved directly from the bedrock, rather than assembled by blocks, it is difficult for archaeologists to accurately date the Sphinx based on construction. Surrounding structures and geographical features help fill in the gaps and shed some light on the mystery. The first theory presented is controversial, relating to the disproportionate body to head ratio of the Sphinx, and surmises the the carved human head was actually adapted and re-carved later on from a much older statue representing a lion that predated the Pyramids. Further theories, much more traditional in scope, focus on the positioning of the Sphinx in the foreground of the Pyramids. Cases are made for the Sphinx being created by the "Pyramid Pharaohs" Khufu, and alternately by his son, Khafre. Zahi Hawass, the famous Egyptologist, provides brief insight. However, the best and most brilliant contributions to the episode are provided by Melinda Hartwig, Associate Professor at Georgia State University. Delightful and photogenic, Dr. Hartwig's eloquent delivery and energy is truly engaging. In the end, the enduring mystery of the Sphinx still remains, but an enjoyable and informative presentation has been made.
The Ancient Egyptian Sphinx of Giza: Secrets: The Sphinx
Melinda Hartwig Photo: S. Smith: Secrets: The Sphinx
The Ancient Egyptian Sphinx of Giza partly excavated: Secrets: The Sphinx
Melinda Hartwig with the Great Pyramid and Sphinx: Secrets: The Sphinx
The Ancient Egyptian Sphinx of Giza: Secrets: The Sphinx
The Ancient Egyptian Sphinx of Giza as a Lion?: Secrets: The Sphinx
The Ancient Egyptian Sphinx of Giza: Secrets: The Sphinx
The Ancient Egyptian Sphinx of Giza: Secrets: The Sphinx
Zahi Hawass: Secrets: The Sphinx
The Ancient Egyptian Sphinx of Giza: Secrets: The Sphinx
Dr. Melinda Hartwig Photo: M. Knorr: Secrets: The Sphinx
The Ancient Egyptian Sphinx of Giza: Secrets: The Sphinx
Melinda Hartwig: Secrets: The Sphinx
The Ancient Egyptian Sphinx of Giza partly excavated: Secrets: The Sphinx
