Diving Into A Flooded Tomb Leads To Extraordinary Discovery For Two Archaeologists
The scorching heat of the northern Sudanese desert becomes but an afterthought for archaeologists Kristen Romey and Pearce Paul Creasman as they bravely venture into uncharted waters, descending a rock-carved staircase down to what could very well be the entrance to adventure. With just two wrist-mounted waterproof flashlights, their trusty 20-pound weight belts, and mini air tanks in tow, excitement carries these intrepid explorers forward as they wonder at what secrets may soon be revealed!
Research Funded By A Grant
Join diving archaeologists Kristin Romey and Pearce Paul Creasman as they embark on an incredible journey to explore the mysteries of a submerged ancient tomb in Sudan.
From the depths below, who knows what ancient artifacts or riches might be hidden - and will they get there before grave robbers beat them to it? With enough mystery, excitement and potential reward, come join this daring duo as they take their first glimpse into the unknown!
Had To Plan In Advance
Romey gazed in awe at the ghostly silhouette of a giant pyramid towering overhead. She could almost imagine the ancient king whose rule once spread far and wide over parts of Northern Africa. Knowing what she was about to face, Romey did not hesitate; donning her scuba gear and taking a deep breath, she plunged into the crystal-clear water.
Creasman followed close behind as they embarked on an adventure that was to reveal an incredible secret resting beneath this majestic monument. What they discovered at the depths of this flooded pyramid left them both truly astonished!
Uncover Ancient Ruins
Romey and Creasman may have been simply swimming for fun, had their destination not have been so important. At the bottom of a flooded pyramid lay the final resting place of Nastasen, King of Kush 2,000 years ago - an old man whose burial site was worth embarking on this dangerous journey below.
Romey braved it all with only a tube to the surface to keep her alive - but would risking lack of oxygen be rewarded by finding something worthwhile?
Tomb Has More Water Than They Anticipated
Creasman waited for Romey at the base of the ancient staircase, a heavy baggage of caution weighing upon his weary shoulders. With all the ruckus that he could muster in such a surreal environment as this, Creasman shouted up at him, "Brace yourself! The depths of this tomb are fathomless and it's gonna be close quarters!"
But no amount words can quench Romey's insatiable lust for venturing down an uncharted path. After all- what lies beneath these hallowed pyramids has yet to reveal its secrets...but nothing's stopping them from trying their luck today! Well…except maybe for scarce oxygen levels?
Swim Through A TV Set
Creasman and his colleague were embarking on an exciting expedition to explore the three chambers of Nastasen's tomb, hoping to discover the submerged sarcophagus that had been undisturbed for hundreds of years.
Obviously, this was no leisurely stroll; in order to reach their destination, they first would have to find a way through an opening about as big as a television! Disturbing ancient tombs is never easy--especially when you're chest-deep in murky water underneath a pyramid. Just what surprises awaited them in those mysterious depths?
Endless Sand
Exploring the depths of ancient tombs can be a thrilling adventure, as two archaeologists soon discovered when they began exploring the tomb of Nuri. Spanning nearly 200 acres, this extraordinary site includes 20 pyramids that were constructed between 650 B.C. and 300 B.C., situated close to the east bank of the mighty Nile River – making it prime territory for flooding!
Although rising above much of its surroundings with a 100-foot square base on the low-elevation ground, Nastasen's Pyramid is rumored to have three chambers underneath, which are now submerged in water due to frequent floods - providing further mystery and danger for those daring enough to explore its depths!
The Pyramids Are The Burial Sites Of The Kushite Royals
The string of 20 pyramids marks the burial grounds of the Kushite royals, the "black pharaohs" who operated as vassals on the southern edges of the Egyptian empire. The pharaohs emerged triumphant during the political chaos that followed the demise of the New Kingdom of Egypt. And from 760 B.C. to 650 B.C., five Kushite pharaohs ruled all of Egypt.
During their rule, the pharaohs built grand structures up and down the Nile River, reviving some of the religious practices of the old Egyptian empire. One such practice was constructing pyramids to bury their kings beneath.
Underwater Archaeologists Were Needed To Explore The Tomb
The pyramids of Nuri remained relatively unexplored throughout history. Since underwater archaeology had yet to be attempted in Sudan, there was no safe way for archaeologists to explore the underbelly of the tombs. The first person to try breaching the burial chambers was George Reisner, an American archaeologist who specialized in ancient Egypt and its buried history.
Reisner was easily able to explore tombs within the Pyramids of Giza, which housed ancient royals. But all he discovered at Nuri was that the pharaohs were buried underground, and that their tombs were flooded.
Nuri Was Left Alone Until 2018
Reisner never published the results of his findings in Nuri, and for almost a century the place was forgotten. It wasn't until 2018, when Creasman ventured to Nuri, that any answers were found. Creasman had experience in underwater archaeology that Reisner lacked. With a grant from the National Geographic Society, he decided to zero in on the pyramid of Nastasen.
This particular pharaoh was one of the minor royals who ruled Kush from 335 B.C. to 315 B.C. And because he was the last king to be buried in Nuri, his pyramid lies on the worst piece of real estate.
Reisner's Workers Grabbed Shabti From The Tomb
Very little has been discovered about Nastasen. So, if anyone wanted to know his history, there was little to do other than dive into his tomb. Although that's easier said than done, as the water level has risen dramatically since the time of Reisner's expedition.
At least his workers were able to find the staircase that led down into the tomb. After the crew dug out the flight, one of the workers was able to make his way down into the crypt. Once there, he spent his time digging a hole and grabbing shabti -- statues that are meant to look after the deceased in the next life.
It Took A Year To Re-Dig The Staircase
Unfortunately, that's all the worker had time for, and soon after he resurfaced, Reisner's team left. The tomb was forgotten and the staircase was buried by desert sand. It wasn't until years later when Creasman ventured to Nuri that the staircase was uncovered once again. Sadly, it took Creasman and his team about a year to dig it up.
Fast forward one more year to 2019, and he was finally able to venture down to the tomb's entry point. But it wasn't a cause for celebration, as they realized that the rest of the chamber was going to be completely submerged underwater.
They Used Tubes For Their Oxygen Supply
If making their way through the chute wasn't hard enough, they had to do so with a line that supplied them with oxygen from the surface. Scuba tanks were too bulky for the confined space they were working in, so their only choice was to rely on a line that brought in air, with a tiny container of air in case of emergencies.
The container was about as big as a can of hairspray. Once all of the logistics were squared away, the researchers were finally able to dive in and investigate Nastasen's tomb.
Creasman Had A Plan For The Long-Term Project
Creasman's objectives moving forward were actually quite easy and, honestly, necessary for the project to continue on a positive path. He wanted to demonstrate that the air-supply system he had in place was, in fact, safe to use for an extended amount of time. Also, he wanted to take basic measurements of each of the chambers.
The final step in the preliminary plan of exploring the tomb was to fully dig through "Reisner's pit" to see if anything was overlooked or left behind. There must have been a reason one of the workers was digging through that exact spot and Creasman was going to find out what!
Removing The Sarcophagus Was Going To Take Time
Unfortunately, the opening of the stone coffin was going to have to wait until a later date. They first had to figure out how to get the sarcophagus out of the chamber and to the surface before even thinking about opening the top! The good news is that the rising groundwater has kept grave robbers at bay.
This means that most of what Nastasen was buried with is still in the tomb, even if some objects have disintegrated and are now part of the sandstone and water mix.
They Sifted Through Sediment And Found Pure Gold Foil!
The team went on to dig up more of "Reisner's pit," filling plastic buckets with sediment and swimming them out into the air-pocketed second chamber. Then, they proceeded to put the sediment on a screen and sift for artifacts. And boy, did they find some interesting things!
After sifting through the rubble, the team discovered paper-thin pieces of pure gold foil. At one point in time, the material most likely covered figurines that have since dissolved in the water. The gilded figures would have been easy pickings for grave robbers, further supporting their claim that the rising water had put off any robbers.
They Had Their Work Cut Out For Them
On their final dive, Romey and Creasman floated into the third chamber of the tomb, right over Nastasen's undisturbed resting place. They discussed the upcoming year and the goals they had for the project. The biggest was to somehow get the 2,300-year-old sarcophagus that is submerged underwater to the surface. It's going to be a challenge, to say the least.
Creasman is optimistic, saying, "I think we finally have the technology to be able to tell the story of Nuri, to fill in the blanks of what happened here. t's a remarkable point in history that so few know about. It’s a story that deserves to be told."
