The 113-minute documentary will be released globally in 190 countries with over 30 subtitles and dubbed into English.
Netflix has announced the global release of docu-feature Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb on October 28. The documentary features the discovery of 59 sealed sarcophagi from the ancient necropolis of Saqqara, outside Cairo.
The documentary films a team of local archaeologists excavating the site’s passageways, shafts, and tombs, piecing together the secrets of Egypt’s most significant find in almost 50 years.
Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb follows the decoding of the tomb of an Old Kingdom priest Wahtye, unopened for 4,500 years, and the excavation of five shafts to uncover an ancient mystery. The film offers a window into the lives – and deaths – of one man and his family.
Described as a ‘once in a generation’ find, Wahtye’s tomb was discovered in a remarkable state of preservation – with 55 statues carved into the walls – making it the most decorated tomb ever found in this royal cemetery.
Within the boundaries of a temple dedicated to the Egyptian cat goddess Bastet, the team discovered a mummified lion cub – the first lion cub discovered in Egypt.
Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb is directed by James Tovell, executive produced by Richard Bradley and Caterina Turroni and produced by Lion Television and At Land Productions.
Commenting on the documentary, James Tovell, director of Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb, said: “This has been an exciting moment for the whole world. Shooting this film has been an experience full of thrilling surprises. Working with an Egyptian team that has a deep connection with their ancestors has made the project even more unique.”
Tovell added: “This mission wasn’t like any other. Normally in archaeology, you labour 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.”
