Ep 1. The Silver Pharaoh

In the first episode of the tenth season of Secrets of the Dead, titled "The Silver Pharaoh," viewers are taken on a journey to unravel the mystery surrounding the enigmatic Egyptian pharaoh Psusennes I. Psusennes I ruled over Egypt towards the end of the third intermediate period, a time when the country was in turmoil, yet surprisingly, his reign was marked by peace and prosperity.

The episode kicks off with archaeologist Dr. Chris Naunton examining a silver coffin found in Psusennes I's tomb in Tanis, Egypt. The coffin is believed to have once housed the pharaoh's mummified remains, but his body is nowhere to be found. However, the discovery of this coffin is groundbreaking because it is not only one of the most exquisite pieces of silverware from ancient Egypt, but it sheds light on a potential conspiracy that may have hidden the pharaoh's true resting place.

Dr. Naunton follows a trail of clues that lead him through the Tanis tombs and beyond. He discovers that Psusennes I was not just any pharaoh; he was also a high priest of the god Amun. As Dr. Naunton explains, "It was the period of the high priests. They were amassing more wealth and power than the pharaohs themselves. They were the ones really running things."

As we delve deeper into Psusennes I's past, we learn that his reign may not have been as peaceful as it appeared. Various clues suggest that there was a power struggle between Psusennes and the high priest of Amun, Pinedjem II. Dr. Naunton reveals that Psusennes may have married one of Pinedjem's daughters to secure his position as pharaoh, but this didn't stop Pinedjem from eventually seizing power.

Viewers then join Dr. John Taylor, the curator of the British Museum's Department of Ancient Egypt and Sudan, as he examines a special object from Psusennes I's tomb: a magnificent solid gold necklace that Psusennes himself commissioned. The necklace is decked with symbols representing various cities throughout Egypt, showing the pharaoh's commitment to unity. However, as Dr. Taylor explains, "It was a careful choice, because he was trying to blur the distinctions between these cities and their own loyalties, and align them all under his rule."

The episode continues to reveal secrets about Psusennes I's life and death, including the discovery of a hidden chamber in his tomb that may have held clues about his final resting place. We also see investigations into the mysterious theft of the pharaoh's golden funerary mask, as well as theories regarding the identity of the tomb robbers who desecrated the pharaoh's tomb.

In the conclusion of "The Silver Pharaoh," viewers are left to ponder the question of where Psusennes I is truly buried, if not in the silver coffin found in his tomb. The episode highlights how secrets from ancient times can still be uncovered through modern technology and research, and how even the most powerful of rulers can have their legacies shaped by those around them.

Overall, Secrets of the Dead season 10 episode 1 is a fascinating journey into the life and reign of Psusennes I, complete with stunning visuals and expert insights. Fans of ancient history and archaeology will relish this episode's attention to detail and the tantalizing mysteries it explores.