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Netflix to Release New Documentary on Egypt’s Enigmatic Saqqara Tomb

egypt, Netflix

Image Courtesy: Netflix

Netflix is gearing up for the release of the new documentary titled Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb after an untouched tomb that is considered to be 4,400 years old was recently unearthed by a team of Egyptian archeologists in Saqqara, just south of the capital city Cairo. A necropolis, and Unesco World Heritage Site known for its 5000-year-old Pyramid of Djoser, Saqqara is one of the most important archaeological sites in Egypt, and in the world. With a remarkable discovery of 59 sealed sarcophagi that are well preserved with ornate colors, 55 wall carvings of statues, smaller artifacts, and an elaborate tomb dedicated to Wahtye, the archeologists deemed this as the most significant find in almost 50 years. The documentary is directed by James Tovell, and produced by Richard Bradley and Caterina Turroni.

When asked about his experience filming it, director Tovell said, “This mission wasn’t like any other. Normally in archaeology, you labor for weeks to find anything. Here, every 30 seconds there was a new jaw-dropping discovery. Such as, capturing on film the discovery of the first complete mummified lion cub in Egypt was a great moment for everyone. And then being privileged to excavate the burial shafts of the Old Kingdom priest Wahtye. The chance to excavate an Old Kingdom burial is a golden opportunity for any filmmaker.” The documentary is set to be released on October 28, 2020, in 190 countries, with subtitles in over 30 languages, and is dubbed in English.

For those interested in viewing this archaeological breakthrough in person, all the coffins will be taken to the soon-to-be-opened Grand Egyptian Museum on the Giza Plateau. They will be placed opposite a hall hosting 32 other sealed sarcophagi for priests from the 22nd dynasty, which were found last year in the southern city of Luxor. The opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, which has been delayed several times, is planned for 2021. The museum will host thousands of artifacts, spanning multiple eras of Egypt’s history, from the pre-dynastic to the Greco-Roman period.

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