Ep 7. Secrets of the Mummies

In the third season of Digging for the Truth, episode 7 titled "Secrets of the Mummies," the host, Josh Bernstein, explores the mystery behind ancient Egyptian mummies. Bernstein takes viewers on a journey to unravel the hidden secrets of the world's most fascinating mummies.

The episode begins with a brief history of ancient Egypt, providing some context on why mummification was essential for Egyptians and their belief in the afterlife. Next, Bernstein visits the British Museum of London, where he examines two famous Egyptian mummies, Ginger and the Unlucky mummy. Ginger was a young female from the Roman era who was buried with her personal belongings, such as a wig, jewellery, and a mirror. The Unlucky mummy, on the other hand, was accidentally unwrapped, making the legend of the curse of the mummy famous.

Bernstein meets with Dr. Zahi Hawass, Egypt's most famous archaeologist, who tells him about another famous mummy, the Boy King, Tutankhamun. Dr. Hawass explains the young king's life and death and how he was buried in a tomb that was found in 1922. Bernstein visits the tombs to see the treasures that surrounded Tutankhamun's mummy, such as his golden mask and throne.

After Tutankhamun's story, Bernstein investigates the process of mummification and how it occurred. He visits a museum in Cairo that has replicas of the embalming process tools and practices, making viewers understand the mummifying process in ancient Egypt. To explore the scientific element of mummies, he visits a laboratory where researchers conduct CT scans of mummies to study their physical being. The technology reveals secrets about the lives of the ancient people and their physical features.

In the next segment, Bernstein travels to Central Asia to investigate the Tarim Basin mummies, also about 4000 years old, that were discovered in China during the 1990s. The Tarim Basin mummies have Caucasian-like features, which indicate that outsiders could have influenced ancient China more than experts initially thought. By studying the mummies, specialists have been able to determine that the people traveled and traded with ancient Rome and Greece, proving that globalisation existed in ancient times.

As the episode progresses, the host and his crew delve into the secretive world of mummy trading. Though mummification did not often occur in the Western Hemisphere, people have had interest in owning mummies for their curiosity's sake and as collector's items. The show takes viewers through a display of a mummified head that was once owned by a Texas collector, who sold it to an individual in South Korea. However, laws prevent the transfer of mummies from one country to the other, so authorities suspected the head to be an illegal item, subject to confiscation.

The episode ends as Bernstein goes on an adventure to look for a lost mummy that was said to be in a hidden tomb near a pyramid. With the help of hunters and a local tour guide, Bernstein explores the desert and discovers a person who claims to have seen the lost tomb. Bernstein and his team race to find the lost tomb in the hopes of discovering a mummy that had been undiscovered for over 3000 years.

In conclusion, the episode brings to light fascinating historical facts and details about mummies, from their purpose in ancient Egyptian lives to their scientific value. The episode also highlights the complications that arise in trading mummies and the steps taken by authorities to protect these historical treasures from being traded illegally. As Bernstein searches for the lost mummy, the episode maintains viewers' engagement and curiosity about the ancient times.