Watch Tomb Detectives

2009
1 Season

Tomb Detectives, a documentary series from SNI/SI Networks, takes viewers on an exciting journey into the world of ancient Egyptian tombs. Hosted by Egyptologist Dr. Zahi Hawass, the show explores various burial sites that have been sealed for thousands of years and highlights the work of archaeologists and other experts who are tasked with unraveling the mysteries of the past.

The show is divided into six episodes, each of which focuses on a different tomb or set of tombs. Using a combination of archival footage, reenactments, and interviews with experts, Tomb Detectives brings to life the history and culture of ancient Egypt, as well as the science and technology that are used to study it.

One of the highlights of the series is the level of access that the cameras are given. Viewers get to see up close the intricate hieroglyphics and art that adorn the walls of these tombs, as well as the artifacts and mummies that have been uncovered. We also get to witness the painstaking work that goes into excavating and preserving these sites - from using microscopes to examine tiny details, to carefully removing centuries-old sediment by hand.

In addition to the history and archaeology, Tomb Detectives also explores the role of modern technology in the field. Viewers learn about the use of 3D scanning and mapping to create detailed models of the tombs, as well as the use of X-rays and other imaging techniques to study the mummies and other remains.

But perhaps the most compelling aspect of the show is the human stories that it tells. We meet the archaeologists and other experts who are passionate about their work and dedicated to uncovering new insights about the past. We also get a glimpse into the lives of the ancient Egyptians themselves, through the artifacts and symbols that they left behind.

For example, in one episode the team visits the tomb of Pharaoh Seti I, one of the most powerful rulers of ancient Egypt. Through exploring the various chambers and corridors of the tomb, they piece together a picture of Seti's reign and his accomplishments. But they also discover details about his family relationships and personal beliefs - including evidence that he may have been preparing for an afterlife in which he would be reunited with his long-dead father.

Throughout the series, Dr. Hawass serves as a knowledgeable and engaging guide. He is passionate about ancient Egypt and clearly enjoys sharing his knowledge with others. He also has a dry wit and isn't afraid to poke a little fun at some of the theories and speculations that have been made about the tombs over the years.

Overall, Tomb Detectives is a fascinating and compelling look at a subject that has captivated people for thousands of years. Whether you're an armchair adventurer or a serious student of history and archaeology, this series is sure to entertain and inform.

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Seasons

6. Plague Mummies

June 28, 2009

Nearly two hundred perfectly preserved mummies have been found in a church crypt in the Hungarian town of Vac. One in particular could be the key to curing Tuberculosis and is now stored in the Natural History Museum in Budapest. A team led by Dr Mark Spigelman, expert on ancient bacteria, tests the mummies to extract the DNA. The information gleaned from this ancient DNA could provide information that will help fight this killer disease. The team's pioneering techniques may also help in the search for cures for other illnesses.

5. Vampire Graves

June 21, 2009

Excavations of an abandoned cemetery in Griswold, Connecticut, uncover a grave dating from the 1800s in which the bones had been re-arranged in the pattern of the "˜skull and cross bones'. On the outskirts of Prague, in the town of Celakovice, a number of burials are unearthed showing signs of decapitation and bone re-arrangement. Archaeologists suspect the bone re-arrangements were connected to a folkloric belief in vampires.

4. Child Mummies

June 14, 2009

8000 years ago in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile many tiny children, babies and even fetuses were painstakingly mummified after death by their people - the Chinchorro. These are the oldest known mummified remains. A team of scientists from the University of Tarapaca hopes to uncover the secrets of these mummified babies.

3. Bog Bodies

June 7, 2009

From the eerie swampy bog lands of Northern Europe have emerged a series of sinister mummified human bodies dating from about 2000 years ago. The evidence suggests they all share the dark secret of a violent death. Danish forensic archaeologist Niels Lynnerup is making extensive scientific analysis on the world's most famous and startling bog body - Tolland Man. Using technology from X ray to CAT scan Niels and the team are trying to establish exactly how the Tolland Man died.

2. Battlefield of Bones

May 31, 2009

Outside a small village in northern France, a routine archaeological dig of an Iron Age site unearths a macabre case - thousands of human bones. Most shocking of all is that there are no skulls. Hundreds of bodies appear to have been hung up in rows on a wooden structure and left to rot and fall to the ground. A smaller number of bodies, also headless, were buried in a more orderly fashion with headstones marking each grave. Were these people ritually killed and displayed or the victims of a huge battle? A team of archaeologists investigates.

1. Severed Skull

May 24, 2009

Twenty decapitated skeletons have been unearthed during the recent dig of a Roman cemetery near York in the UK. Some show signs of a violent death. Others were dispatched more cleanly. Were they executed or killed in a purge? Then a solitary skull is discovered during excavations at Vindolanda, a Roman frontier garrison along Hadrian's Wall in England. Is there a connection between the two finds? Forensic analysis reveals that this was a man who had been viciously beaten around the head. Damage to the skull indicates that the head had been de-fleshed after death and displayed on a spike. It smacks of Celtic head-hunting practices, but it's dated to the beginning of the third century AD, the height of Roman power in the area. So what is this barbaric trophy doing in a Roman garrison? A team of archaeologists is on the scene to try to solve this mystery.

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