Sunday night’s episode of Discovery’s “Expedition Unknown: Egypt Live” a team of Egyptian archaeologists and explorers did something that has never been done by opening a 2,500-year-old Egyptian mummy’s sarcophagus on live television.
A total of three mummies were uncovered during the two-hour event, including two high-priests and a female mummy whose sarcophagus identified her as a singer in the temple of the Egyptian God Thoth.
Several other antiques were also uncovered, including a wax head cast from the visage of one of the high priests, an ancient Egyptian board game, the remains of a family dog, and jars used to store a mummy’s organs.
The broadcast aired simultaneously on Discovery Channel, Travel Channel and Science Channel, where viewers watched the archeological excavation in real time. Josh Gates and Egyptologist Dr. Zahi Hawass explored the remote burial site, Al-Ghorifa in Middle Egypt, where the mummies were found while Chris Jacobs and Dr. Mostafa Waziri, the secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt, commentated.
“Nineteen years ago, we opened the Valley of the Golden Mummies live on television. And now, almost 20 years later, Dr. Hawass called with another discovery of that magnitude that deserved another live broadcast. We’re thrilled to be part of these two epic events here in Egypt,” said executive producer Leslie Greif.
“Never in my 50 years in archaeology have I experienced something on such a grand scale as this,” said Dr. Hawass. “The findings here are completely special and totally unique.”
“This is Discovery at its best – transporting fans into new worlds through awe-inspiring stories and immersive experiences. It doesn’t get much more immersive than this,” Nancy Daniels, chief brand officer of Discovery and Factual, said.
The new season of “Expedition Unknown” premieres Wednesday, April 10th at 9/8c on Discovery Channel.