EGYPT: EGYPTIAN AND UNITED STATES SCIENTISTS USE MODERN TECHNOLOGY TO UNCOVER A FUNERAL BOAT BUILT FOR AN EGYPTIAN KING 5,000 YEARS AGO.

Record ID: 337477

  • Title: EGYPT: EGYPTIAN AND UNITED STATES SCIENTISTS USE MODERN TECHNOLOGY TO UNCOVER A FUNERAL BOAT BUILT FOR AN EGYPTIAN KING 5,000 YEARS AGO.
  • Date: 21st October 1987
  • Summary: 1. GV EXTERIOR Pyramid. 0.03 2. SVs Scientists and workmen drilling into pyramid. (3 SHOTS) 0.16 3. SV & CU Monitor shows pictures inside pyramid. (2 SHOTS) 0.25 4. SCU Wilburg Garrett, head of National Geographic Society speaking. (English SOT) 0.37 5. SCU Egyptian scientist Doctor Farouk el-Baz speaking. (English SOT) 1.01 6. GV & PAN FROM Pyramid TO museum housin
  • Embargoed: 5th November 1987 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: GIZA, NEAR CAIRO, EGYPT
  • Country: Egypt
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVACC87JZXZDJNJB0UJ05L7MCPX1
  • Story Text: GIZA, NEAR CAIRO, EGYPT

    Space-age technology has helped scientists discover an Egyptian king's funeral boat, sealed in a pyramid near Cairo 5,000 years ago. Video pictures were taken of the boat on October 20 without damaging the contents of the Cheops Pyramid at Giza, near Cairo. The camera had been lowered through a 10 centimetre (four inch) wide hole made by a high-technology drill which bored through limestone into a pit containing the boat. The work was carried out by Egyptian and United States (US) scientists coordinated by the National Geographic Society. The boat was similar to one found nearby in 1954 which now rests in a museum built beside the pyramid. Scientists removed samples of 'ancient air' before resealing the pit until a decision has been made on what to do with the latest boat found. Under ancient Egyptian custom, a wooden boat would carry the soul of a dead king to the afterworld. In the solar unit, two boats were needed to accompany the king, who became the 'Sun God', on his daily trip across the heavens and nightly journey beneath the earth

    <strong>Source: REUTERS - MOHAMED FAHMY</strong>
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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