Discovery Channel's SECRETS OF EGYPT'S LOST QUEEN Reveals First Identification Of A Pharaoh Found In The Valley Of The Kings Since King Tut

Discovery Channel's SECRETS OF EGYPT'S LOST QUEEN Reveals First Identification Of A Pharaoh Found In The Valley Of The Kings Since King Tut

- Discovery Quest Funds Creation of the First-Ever Ancient DNA Test Laboratory in Egypt -

CAIRO, Egypt, June 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Secretary General of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities Dr. Zahi Hawass announced and unveiled today, in an international press conference at Cairo's Egyptian Museum, a 3,500-year-old mummy now positively identified as Hatshepsut, one of history's few female pharaohs. Using computed tomography (CT) scanning and ongoing DNA testing, Dr. Hawass solved the mystery of what happened to one of ancient Egypt's most powerful and successful rulers. Dr. Hawass's odyssey of archeological and scientific adventure has been documented in Discovery Channel's SECRETS OF EGYPT'S LOST QUEEN, which premieres worldwide Sunday, July 15, 2007, at 9 PM (ET/PT).

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070627/NEW042 )

The investigative journey of Dr. Hawass and his team leads them through the massive crypts beneath Egypt and into the depths of the Egyptian Museum. Using knowledge of royal Egyptian mummification and clues from two known tombs linked to Hatshepsut, the team narrows their search for Hatshepsut to just four mummies from thousands of unidentified corpses.

CT scanning allows the scientists to link distinct physical traits of the four mummies to those of Hatshepsut's known relatives. The search further narrows to two possibilities -- both from the tomb of Hatshepsut's wet nurse - - but the final clue lies within a canopic box inscribed with the female pharaoh's name. A scan of the box finds a tooth that, when measured, perfectly matches a missing upper molar in one of the two mummies.

"SECRETS OF EGYPT'S LOST QUEEN brings archeology alive for viewers. Only Discovery Channel can provide a context for and continually immerse viewers in these important moments of scientific discovery," said Jane Root, president and general manager, Discovery Channel and The Science Channel. "We are proud to be part of this significant find, and commend Dr. Hawass and his team for their hard work and dedication."

Applied Biosystems, the leading global provider of DNA analysis technologies, and Discovery Quest, Discovery Channel's initiative to support the scientific community's work, enabled the construction of and equipment for the first-ever ancient DNA testing facility located in the Cairo Museum in Egypt. The DNA testing facility will not only be used to extract and compare nuclear and mitochondrial DNA of the Hatshepsut mummy and mummies from her family, but will be used by scientists to examine future finds in Egypt and attempt to clarify familial relationships among the royal families. The Discovery Quest fund reaffirms Discovery Channel's commitment to support groundbreaking research and inventions that change our world.

"Through Discovery Quest, Discovery Channel is at the forefront of the most significant scientific discoveries of our time," said Steve Burns, executive vice president, Discovery Quest, and chief science editor. "The Discovery Quest program strives not only to make these discoveries accessible for viewers, but also to make what we hope is a positive, lasting impression on scientific research by providing valuable resources for equipment and research expeditions."

Equipment from Siemens Medical Solutions allowed scientists to conduct detailed computed tomography scanning of each of the mummies. By using their technology in a project like SECRETS OF EGYPT'S LOST QUEEN, archeologists were able to go beneath the wrappings and fragile bodies of some of Egypt's greatest pharaohs without damaging them.

More powerful than Cleopatra or Nefertiti, Hatshepsut stole the throne from her young stepson, dressed herself as a man and in an unprecedented move declared herself pharaoh. Though her power stretched across Egypt and her reign was prosperous, Hatshepsut's legacy was systematically erased from Egyptian history-historical records were destroyed, monuments torn down and her corpse removed from her tomb-and her death is shrouded in mystery.

SECRETS OF EGYPT'S LOST QUEEN is produced for Discovery Channel by Brando Quilici Productions. Brando Quilici is the executive producer for Brando Quilici Productions. Allan Butler is the executive producer for Discovery Channel.

   Global premiere dates for SECRETS OF EGYPT'S LOST QUEEN:   US                   July 15 at 9:00 PM (ET/PT)   Asia                 July 15 at 9:00 PM   Australia/NZ         July 15 at 7:30 PM   Latin America        July 15 at 9:00 PM (local time Brasilia,                        Buenos Aires, Caracas, Mexico City, Miami and                        Santiago)/8 PM (Bogota time)   UK                   July 17 at 8:00 PM   Taiwan               July 22 at 9:00 PM   India                August 19   Italy                October 20 at 9:00 PM   Japan                August TBD   China                August TBD   Europe/Middle East   Autumn 2007    About Discovery Communications  

Discovery Communications is the number-one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Through TV and digital media, Discovery's 100-plus worldwide networks include Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, The Science Channel, Discovery Health and Discovery HD Theater. Discovery Communications is owned by Discovery Holding Co. (NASDAQ:DISCA) (NASDAQ:DISCB) , Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery's founder and chairman. For more information please visit www.discovery.com.

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Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070627/NEW042
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PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Source: Discovery Channel

CONTACT: Elizabeth Hillman, +1-240-461-3053,
Elizabeth_Hillman@discovery.com, Joshua Weinberg, +1-240-328-3988,
Joshua_Weinberg@discovery.com, both for Discovery Channel

Web site: http://www.discovery.com/
http://press.discovery.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment