The discovery was made by archaeologist Dr Martina Bardonova in Aswan, a city with historical importance that sits on the Nile. She was leading a Spanish research team investigating the reign of Hatshepsut, the first female ruler of Egypt when they discovered an unopened tomb in the cliffs.
Channel 4’s “Secrets of Egypt’s Valley of the Kings” revealed how experts delicately excavated the outside of the tomb before they broke in, making an incredible development despite treacherous conditions.
The narrator said: “Martina’s found a coffin that’s remained hidden from looters.
“But first she has to get to the tomb – a Saharan sandstorm is blowing in from the south.
“As the sandstorm reaches gale force, even the 200-metre journey to the burial is a battle.
“In the shelter of the tomb the team can now carefully remove the lid of the terracotta coffin.
Egypt archaeologists uncovered a bizarre mummy (Image: GETTY)
A burial chamber was uncovered in Aswan (Image: CHANNEL 4)
The remains of an old woman were found (Image: CHANNEL 4)
The series detailed how more experts were brought in to get a better understanding of the find.
One of the archaeologists was scared by the find (Image: CHANNEL 4)
The team were left baffled by his estimate as people in ancient Egypt did not grow very old.
Very high infant death rates due to high risks of infections resulted in a low average life expectancy.
However, those who survived childhood lived for slightly longer.
Dr Bardonova continued in 2019: “The average age life expectancy was about 25, but far more women died during childbirth.
“When you have someone who is over 70, I don’t want to say I’m surprised, but it’s nice to know, it’s nice to get someone who’s really old.”
Tutankhamun is one of the most famous of all ancient Egyptians pharaohs, but he is believed to have only lived to 18.
Dr Martina Bardonova (Image: CHANNEL 4)
Human remains are primary sources used to calculate age and life-expectancy as there are few written and visual archives.
Occasionally the age at death can be found as an inscription part of the mummy label attached to the bodies.
Secondary evidence of ageing includes legal documents where they sometimes have referred to the person as “aged”.
In ancient Egypt, elders were defined as older adults who were no longer able to contribute labour.
Egyptian writings indicate a social norm of respecting older people, but there was no special position in society for the elderly.