Tanis, Egypt, circa 1939. On the brink of World War II, an excavation team led by French archaeologist Pierre Montet unearthed an intact royal burial chamber containing treasures that rival the riches found in Tutankhamun’s tomb almost two decades before. But while the Tut discovery created an international sensation, the opening of the tomb in Tanis made barely a ripple in a world focused on impending war.
Now for the first time, we can examine this remarkable and long forgotten find. One of the most spectacular discoveries inside the crypt was the exquisite silver sarcophagus of Pharaoh Psusennes I, an, up till now, obscure ruler who governed Egypt more than 3000 years ago during one of its most difficult periods. As far as we know, this is the only time a pharaoh’s mummy was entombed in silver. The story of the sepulcher and of this virtually unknown pharaoh helps fill in some of the gaps in ancient Egypt’s history.
After Montet made his discovery, he raced to get his family back to Europe before the outbreak of war and the treasures he found were transported to Cairo for safe-keeping. There, they remained vaulted and unstudied, until now. In the season premiere of THIRTEEN’s Secrets of the Dead, a team of Egyptologists decodes hieroglyphic clues and pieces together forensic evidence left behind by Psusennes I, whose lost legacy could rewrite Egyptian history. Narrated by actor Liev Schreiber (Salt and X-Men Origins: Wolverine), The Silver Pharaoh airs nationally Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at 8 p.m. (ET) on PBS (check local listings). The film traces the recorded history of the relics and offers forensic analysis of the noble necropolis to reveal political intrigue, a lost city and a great leader who united a country in turmoil and come to be entombed as the Silver Pharaoh.
Preview this episode:
“The Silver Pharaoh fills a missing link in Egyptian history,” says William R. Grant, THIRTEEN’s Director of Science, Natural History & Features Programs and series Executive Producer. “Equally compelling is the backstory of his discovery: that real-life drama unfolds like a thriller worthy of Hollywood plots. We’re excited to kick off new episodes of Secrets of the Dead with this archaeological adventure.”
The tomb of Psusennes I is being heralded by Egyptologists as one of the major artifacts of ancient Egypt. Montet discovered it almost by chance after his team excavated a raided tomb merely 10 yards away. The casket’s craftsmanship and riches inside the tomb suggested Psusennes was among the mightiest of kings. Yet, scholars knew little about his life and times. Now, recent research paints a portrait of a political mastermind.
Beyond the tomb’s precious possessions, it contains a wealth of archaeological evidence about Egypt’s enigmatic era known as the Third Intermediate Period. At that time, Egypt was a fractured kingdom divided between rival rulers of north and south. High priests seized power to command the southern region from Thebes while deposed pharaohs were exiled north to Tanis. Psusennes ruled from this province for an astounding 46 years. This was an impressive feat compared to Tutankhamun, whose reign lasted a decade. In fact, study of Psusennes’ skeleton showed a hardworking man who suffered a debilitating rheumatic disease but lived well into his eighties. His physical resilience contributed to his success as a great leader who eventually united Egypt.
Archaeologists were able to determine how Psusennes amassed his fortune and authority by decoding his cartouche, a royal seal stamped on the objects. The first clue was found on an ordinary silver dish. Marked on it was Psusennes’ signature along with a series of hieroglyphic inscriptions citing his titles. Surprisingly, he was not only a pharaoh but also a high priest. Additional investigation showed that he had his daughter marry his brother, a high priest in the south. In doing so, he cemented his family power and united the country. Furthermore, archeologists found another cartouche on his sarcophagus belonging to Merenptah, son of Rameses the Great. Merenptah died 150 years before Psusennes came into power. Research showed Psussenes was given Merenptah’s sarcophagus as a gift and had his signature added on it. This strategic act solidified his family’s association with historical greats for eternity.
Among the most extraordinary findings about Psusennes was his relocation of the metropolis of Pi-Ramesse to Tanis. Pi-Ramesse was the fabled riverside capital built by Rameses II. Its location had puzzled archaeologists for years until Montet discovered its ruins in Tanis. However, archaeologists began questioning Montet’s assumption since the river Nile often changed course. Using radar scans along a previously discounted delta settlement 12 miles from Tanis, they discovered the foundation of Rameses’ lost city. Historians knew that Pi-Ramesse became unlivable when the Nile became too silted at this location and around that same time, Psusennes took the throne ordering the city be moved stone by stone to Tanis. Only a king with matchless power and wealth could command such a colossal task.
The archaeological treasure trove found in Psusennes tomb provided a virtual window into an unstudied era in ancient Egypt’s past. The story of Psusennes offered a different version of his times. Instead of constant political upheaval, evidence showed a glorious era of supreme ruling. 3,000 years after the Silver Pharaoh’s death, we can finally fill in the gaps in Egyptian history and restore Psusennes legacy as one of the most powerful pharaohs.
THIRTEEN’s Secrets of the Dead: The Silver Pharaoh is a Blink Film production for THIRTEEN in association with WNET.ORG, FIVE, IRV Global Entertainment, and National Geographic Channel for PBS. Andy Webb is Director. Dan Chambers is Executive Producer for Blink Films. William R. Grant is Executive Producer of Secrets of the Dead.
The Ancient Egypt.
I am sorry but what a load of claptrap. TV writes another work of fiction based on wild speculation and a biased interpretation of the evidence. Psusennes … one of Egypt’s greatest pharaohs in a glorious era? … what a silly piece of historical fantasy. When are TV commissioning editors and producers going to provide the public with decent historical programming?
i don’t know if this is real, but it was during WWII. so who is to say that this is fake or not, but it would be intresting to watch. just to have a little bit of fantasy in a very busy world.
I want to see this and see for myself Too too many things have been called “a hoax” and proven down the line to be true. so I would not dare to judge nor criticize an issue I know little about and am not there for evaluation of.
I think either way I get to see art work and learn a bit more about history.
Why even in fables we learn how people thought and lived. so in this PBS Piece I hope to find another piece of history no matter what. I intend to enjoy and be happy for anything I get out of it.
The ancient civilization of Kemet was the most robust system that lasted for thousands of years, considering modern times.
I doubt if it is a hoax. I’ve been to Egypt and the points they made in the documentary about silver and gold are true. At one time silver was very scarce and very expensive thousands of years ago in Egypt. At the Sound and Light show at the Temple of Karnak in Luxor, the actors narrating the story reveal this fact, and they talk about a golden obelisk that was present at the temple. They also remind the audience that a rare silver obelisk just like it sits at the Place de la Concorde in Paris.
Thank you very much for broadcasting what happened to Pi-Ramesse. According to Josephus, Pi-Ramesse was built over Avaris. This isn’t mentioned in The Silver Pharaoh. The radar image was of the former location of Avaris?
Steefen
Author of Insights on the Exodus, King David, and Jesus
Also Author of Water Bearing Fish, Part I
My works are about the post-Rosetta Stone [Egyptological] Perspective in the Historical-Critical Approach to Sacred Scripture and the Historical Jesus.
I read about this find with the silver sarcophagus in Archaeology Magazine a year oar 2 ago and wondered why there has never been a mention of it on television before. I can’t imagine why anyone would think this is a hoax!
Just had the pleasure of viewing the program about the Silver Pharaoh. In the last few years Egypt has endeavored to come to a greater understanding of their history. Knowledge is never a waste of time nor energy and until we pursue all the different avenues there will be some ideas put forth which may or may not prove correct. Understanding history is a journey not the end of the trip.
The narrative inaccurately described the fractured vertebra as C7 (7th cervical vertebra) but in fact it is T7 (7th thoracic vertebra).
I just want to know when they will be showing this again I missed it.
>>David Rhol
>>I am sorry but what a load of claptrap. one of Egypt’s greatest pharaohs
>>in a glorious era? … what a silly piece of historical fantasy.
Sorry, David, you are wrong here.
The craftsmanship in these sarcophagi is unsurpassed, and unique, being crafted in solid silver. For this alone they deserve more attention.
But if Psusennes is actually King Solomon, as I have demonstrated, then he was indeed a great monarch. For those who are unaware, the similarities are as follows:
Psusennes. King David
Daughter. Mackhare Mutemhat. Machah Tamar
General. Joab-endjed. Joab
Architect. Hiram atif. Hiram abif
City. Zoan. Zion
Symbols. Star and City. Star and City
There are many more similarities than this, but this gives you the idea.
Ralph.
>>David Rhol
>>I am sorry but what a load of claptrap. one of Egypt’s greatest pharaohs
>>in a glorious era? … what a silly piece of historical fantasy.
Sorry, David, you are wrong here.
The craftsmanship in these sarcophagi is unsurpassed, and unique, being crafted in solid silver. For this alone they deserve more attention. And this is not a ‘hoax’, the sarcophagi are next to the King Tut exhibition in the Cairo Museum.
But if Psusennes was actually King Solomon, as I have clearly demonstrated, then he was indeed a great monarch. For those who are unaware, some of the similarities are as follows:
…………………..Psusennes………………. King David
Daughter……Makhare Mutemhat…..Makhah Tamar
General……. Joab-endjed…………….. Joab
Architect…… Hiram atif. ………………….Hiram abif
City. …………..Zoan. …………………………Zion
Symbols. …..Star and City. ……………Star and City
There are many more similarities than this, including their ancestors having the same names, but this gives you the idea.
Ralph.
.
>>Research showed Psussenes was given Merenptah’s sarcophagus as a
>>gift and had his signature added on it.
This was no gift.
Tanis was demanding tribute from Thebes, which is why so many of the grave-goods in Tanis were reused items from 18th dynasty burials in the Valley of the Kings. This is why there was so much ‘robbery’ in the Valley of the Kings at this time. This was not robbery, it was state-sponsored plunder, in order to pay the vast amounts of tribute that Psusennes was demanding.
The Kebra Nagast spells this out most clearly. King Solomon demanded tribute from the Queen of Sheba (the Queen of the South), otherwise he would attack and destroy her nation. Sheba was based in Thebes, not Nubia or Saba – as the Kebra Nagast makes perfectly clear.
In the biblical type texts, these tombs in the Valley of the Kings became jokingly known as King Solomon’s Mines – the ‘caves’ that provided the United Monarchy with all their gold and wealth.
So yes, we have also discovered King Solomon’s Mines – but unfortunately they were/are all empty apart from King Tut’s tomb.
.
You may want to read Ralph Ellis’ book Solomon Falcon of Sheba: The Tombs of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba Discovered.
The May/June 2005 ARCHAEOLOGY, has an story, Treasures of Tanis by Bob Brier that states The Silver Pharaoh is really Sheshonq II. I left a link (what’s your problem with ARCHAEOLOGY magazine) in the comments twice yesterday? I’d like to know which one of you are correct regarding this.
>>Otway:
>>Treasures of Tanis by Bob Brier that states The Silver Pharaoh is really Sheshonq II
There may be a confusion here, as there are two silver sarcophagi. The one that is attributed to Sheshonq II is the Horus sarcophagus.
I enjoyed the show but think National Geographic should have done it in print also with the whole collection of the find. I believe the general public has that much interest. The mystery shouldn’t be in the collection. The gold mask on the cover of “Solomon Falcom of Sheba” I’ve seen attributed to different persons too.
I have not seen the show yet, but I was in the Cairo Museum in December 2009 and the artifacts that they found in Tanis are in rooms next to the rooms that hold the King Tut artifacts. NO one bothered to look in these rooms as most people hover over the King Tut artifacts. Yes, the Tanis artifacts are fascinating and beautiful, but no- where near the quality and beauty of the King Tut artifacts.
Just finished watching the piece. As someone who has been researching my name and the region I found it quite interesting along with all of your posts. I have been trying to find the symbols associated with my name since the 80’s and will be doing more reading and research (thanks Ralph for the new paradigm on the subject).
they say he fractured C7 but picture T7. Then describe a clay shoveler’s fracture which would be C7/T1. I believe they had a non medical illustrator doing their medical illustration and no one caught the error. the vertebra he holds up looks like C7. the desription is correct. The illustration is wrong
Ralph–
I’ve been reading through your book. Your theories are quite interesting and I wanted to add something for your reference list you might find interesting. A book called “The Pearl of Great Price” a piece of scripture not unlike your other reference material is actually an accounting of the Book of Abraham and also the account of the creation supporting Genesis and other old testament material. The book is a direct translation from Egyptian papyrus from the dead sea scrolls. There are two original Egyptian facsimilies illustrated in it you may find interesting in supporting your argument of Abraham’s origins.
If nothing else this piece has opened some doors for further research and interest in the subject. Thanks
I have worked in medical device technology many years and with a variety of sliver-coated or silver-laden devices and materials. Modern devices have rediscovered the antimicrobial properties of silver. Pioneers put a silver dollar in the water barrells as they crossed the great plains to keep the water from fouling. Stories of the use of sliver are relayed from pre-history. Because Psusennes I was a learned man, a high priest, it is quite possible his choice of a silver coffin was linked to his knowledge of the antimicrobial properties of silver. As the narrator said, the northern Nile region would not dessicate the bodies as they would be in the arid desert region, so the Silver Pharoah must have surmised if he was entombed in silver it would retard micro-organisms. I would expect that the archeologists could verify this by Egyptian pharmacopea that I understand is still quite well documented (although I don’t know if they date from his era.) It is a very rational explanation for the decree of a clearly extraordinary man. Please pass this message along to anyone who might be interested in following up on my theory.
Chris H.,
People should know this would have been the pharaoh who knew or knew of kings Saul, David and Solomon.
Steefen
Author of Insights on the Exodus, King David, and Jesus
i read about this 35 years ago but was never able to relocate the article. nor could i find any additional information. thank you PBS. great show
Just watched program, wonderful and enlightening, I am interested in finding out what type of GPR was used to discover the lost city. the detail was unreal.
Thanks Pete
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This Pharoah is one of the lost great pharoahs. His leadership was behond any of the others, his people were in awe of him. As he grew to a ripe old age his hair turned to a gleaming silver color, this is why his people honored their great leader with as much silver as possible. In their eyes his hair was made up of strands of silver and became the most valuable currency during these times.
COULD THIS BE LINKED TO JEWISH HERITAGE…. ISRAEL HAS HAD INTERACTION WITH EGYPT MANY TIMES> ABRAHAM = SARAH WAS TAKEN. HAAGAR = SARAH SERVANT HAD ISHMAEL BY ABRAHAM & WAS BANISHED BACK TO EGYPT. ISAAC = REBBECAH & HIM WERE SPOTTED FONDLING EACH OTHER BY PHAROAH. JOSEPH= WAS PRIME MINSTER IN EGYPT, & MARRIED THE HELIOPOLIS PRIEST of “ON” (SUN WORSHIP) DAUGHTER. MOSES= WENT AGAINST PHAROAH & THE ISRAELS KILLINGS OF THE FIRST BORN SONS WERE ON ONE OF THE TEMPLES. SAUL= HAD DEALINGS WITH EGYPT. AND BIGGEST OF ALL KING SOLOMON= MARRIED PHAROAHS DAUGHTER (COULD THIS SILVER PHAROAH BE HER FASTHER?) SOLOMON IS SAID IN THE BOIBLE TO HAVE NONE EVER LIKE HIM AGAIN & HE WAS A GREAT WRITER OF MANY WORKS. (DO NOT IRAN & EGYPT HAVE OLD WRITTEN WORKS OF A MASTERMIND IN THEIR TREASURIES?) I HAVE A FEELING SHULAMITE IS AN ALIAS FOR THAT EGYPTIAN DAUGHTER. FOR SOLOMON TO SAY TO ISRAERL SHE WAS HIS FAVORITE IS A SCANDAL.
NOT ONE OF YOU HAS SAID ONE THING ABOUT THE HYKSOS . THE MOON CITY(JERICHO) SILVER WAS AND IS ONE WITH (SET) IN THE CITY OF AVARIS . THE SUN CITY (ANNU) AND GOLD WAS AND IS ONE WITH (AMEN) . SO WHEN SOME ONE SAID ON – HKYSOS WORD, OR HELIOPOLIS – A GREEK WORD, NOT AFRICAN. WHICH EGYPT IS . YOU CAN MAKE UP AS MANY FAIRY TALES AS YOU WANT . THAT WILL NOT CHANGE THE FACTS. IT IS A TIME FOR TRUTH – ISRAEL BUILT THE PYRAMIDS ? THAT IS SO DISRESPECTFUL . THE CHILDREN OF COULD-NOT OR WOULD-NOT STAND ON THIS AS FACT. A SILVER SARCOPHAGUS IN TANIS-ZOAN-ALEXANDRIA-AVARIS ARE ALL THE SAME PLACE. HOME OF (SET).
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no thanks
I could lick the plate on this one, thanks a lot.
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