Pharaoh's Lost Legacy: An Ancient Echo Through Time
Dive into the heart of ancient Egypt. Unearth the cryptic riddles of Ramesses III. Will you solve the mystery before the sands of time run out?
Chronogram
July 02, 2023
An interactive newsletter for fans of ancient history
Chronogram is an interactive newsletter where history fans become treasure hunters and ancient art collectors. Every week, there’s a new mystery to solve, and every day a new Chapter is revealed. Solve archeological mysteries, collect ancient artifacts, and more.
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Pharaoh's Lost Legacy: An Ancient Echo Through Time
Chapter 1: In the Shadow of Ancestors
The relentless sun blazes down on Cairo as Nefertari Hassan, a spirited young woman in her early twenties, rifles through the worn and faded documents that once belonged to her late father, a revered archaeologist. Dust motes dance in the harsh sunlight streaking through the cracked shutters, giving the old study a timeless feel. Among the stacks of academic theses and ancient hieroglyphs translations, a brittle papyrus scroll catches Nefertari’s eye.
On the delicate scroll, she discerns an array of hieroglyphs, intertwined with elegant images of gods and goddesses. Nefertari's eyes trace the lines of the scroll, her heart thrumming with excitement as she deciphers the ancient words. It speaks of an unaccounted artifact of immense significance linked to the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses III.
Intriguingly, the scroll ends with a cryptic riddle: "Guarded by Sobek, where Nile's life-giving fingers touch the land, the first key lies." With a sharp intake of breath, she realizes that the answer to this riddle might lead to her first destination - the fortress of Djedet, also known as the city of the Crocodile God, Sobek.
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Known to the Greeks as Mendes and to the Romans as Thmuis, Djedet was one of the ancient cities located in the Nile Delta region. Less frequented by treasure hunters and archaeologists, it holds secrets yet undiscovered. The fortress, now little more than time-worn ruins, used to guard the eastern borders of the mighty Egyptian empire.
Nefertari's heart pounds with exhilaration. This is the opportunity she’s been waiting for. An unexplored link to Ramesses III, a pharaoh renowned for his victories and architectural feats. The possibility of an untold artifact, a piece of history that could rewrite the understanding of his reign. And, it was now her mystery to unravel.
Rushing to her close confidant and fellow archaeologist, Sayid, she shares her findings. His eyes widen at the mention of the riddle and its implications. Sayid, a man of logic and caution, regards her with apprehension, yet admiration.
"Djedet? Nefertari, it's uncharted territory. We should be careful," Sayid cautions.
"But, don't you see, Sayid? The thrill of the chase, the glory of discovery. This could be monumental. Our names would be immortalized in the annals of Egyptology. Plus, it's our heritage. We have a duty to solve this mystery," Nefertari argues, her eyes ablaze with unquenchable fervor.
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Convinced by Nefertari's passion, Sayid agrees to accompany her on this unpredictable journey. As they prepare for their expedition, the riddle echoes in Nefertari's mind. Little does she know that this is just the beginning of a perilous but captivating journey, one that will lead them through the depths of history, unearthing tales of glory, betrayal, and divine intervention. As the sun sets over Cairo, their adventure is about to begin.
Chapter 2: Through the Gate of Djedet
The fortress of Djedet stands tall, even in its dilapidated state, against the backdrop of the endless Egyptian desert. Nefertari and Sayid tread through the forgotten city, their eyes scanning the sandstone remnants for any traces of their sought-after clues. Nefertari clutches the papyrus scroll tightly, her heart pounding with anticipation. The afternoon sun casts long shadows on the city’s ruins, enhancing the eerie beauty of the ancient city.
A sudden gust of wind reveals a hidden passage leading deeper into the fortress. Sayid and Nefertari exchange looks of anticipation before venturing inside. As they navigate through the maze-like structure, the darkness engulfs them, their way only lit by the faint glow of their oil lamps.
Upon a worn wall, an intricate inscription catches Nefertari's eye. The scene depicted shows Ramesses III in his royal attire, holding a scepter with two figures atop it – a vulture and a cobra, symbols of the goddesses Nekhbet and Wadjet, respectively, also known as the Two Ladies of Egypt. Beneath the inscription, a line of hieroglyphs reads, "In the embrace of the Two Ladies, strength and protection, the Pharaoh thrives."
As Sayid and Nefertari mull over the implications, they notice an indentation in the stone, which upon closer inspection, reveals an old map of an unexplored section of the temple complex at Medinet Habu, Ramesses III’s royal palace.
"Djedet protected the Nile Delta, just as Medinet Habu safeguarded Thebes," Sayid muses, his eyes fixed on the ancient map. "Perhaps Ramesses III chose these locations to hide something of great importance, something that needed the protection of the Two Ladies."
Nefertari nods, her eyes shining with excitement. "And whatever it is, it must be at Medinet Habu. The map, the mention of the Two Ladies, it all points there."
Their excitement is momentarily overshadowed by a sudden collapse in the passage, narrowly missing them. "We need to get out, Nefertari! This place is coming down!" Sayid yells, pulling her away from the wall.
They barely make it out before the passage crumbles behind them, dust and debris clouding the air. As the dust settles, they stand outside, exhilarated and relieved, holding a valuable clue and the key to the next part of their quest - the royal palace of Medinet Habu.
As they pack their gear and prepare for their next journey, a new riddle from the scroll lingers in Nefertari's mind, "Where the Pharaoh dances with the gods, a secret path will reveal itself." What could it possibly mean? Only time and the walls of Medinet Habu would tell.
Chapter 3: Unseen Pathways of Medinet Habu
The ancient palace of Medinet Habu, surrounded by its towering pylons and colonnades, casts an imposing silhouette against the evening sky. Nefertari and Sayid stand before the temple complex, their gazes filled with reverence and anticipation. They find themselves at the threshold of a new mystery, one that could lead them closer to the treasure they seek.
Armed with the map they discovered at Djedet, they navigate the familiar grounds of the palace. Sayid’s brow furrows as he scrutinizes the map. “It appears this passage begins in the festival hall,” he notes, pointing at a spot on the map that aligns with the said location.
Nefertari’s heart flutters with excitement. “Isn’t the festival hall where pharaohs celebrated their divine kinship with the gods?”
Sayid nods. “Yes, and the inscription mentioned a dance. It must refer to the Heb-Sed festival, a renewal ritual involving a dance performed by the pharaoh. That’s our answer!”
A thrilling chill runs down Nefertari’s spine. “Let’s find the entrance then.”
Under the pale glow of their lanterns, they study the intricate reliefs decorating the festival hall. Finally, Nefertari discovers a hidden lever disguised within one of the scenes depicting Ramesses III in the Heb-Sed dance. They pull it and, to their astonishment, a concealed passage opens.
Descending into the darkness, they step into a forgotten world, untouched by time. The passage leads to a hidden chamber, lavishly decorated with reliefs and inscriptions of battles. One particular scene, depicting Ramesses III in triumphant victory over the Sea Peoples, draws their attention.
Beneath it, a cryptic riddle waits: “In the mouth of victory, the divine breath blows, shielding the Pharaoh from foreign foes.”
In the silence that follows, Sayid mumbles, “The mouth of victory… Could it be the Migdol fortress?”
Nefertari looks at him with curiosity. “Migdol?”
He nods, explaining, “It’s the frontline fortress against the invading Sea Peoples during Ramesses III’s reign. A symbol of Egyptian victory. But why mention the divine breath?”
“The artifact,” Nefertari answers, realization washing over her. “It must have played a crucial role during the battles. And this divine breath... It could be a reference to a divine protection or power that the artifact bestows.”
Their hearts race with newfound determination as they return to the surface. The sun begins to rise over the horizon, the first light of day casting a golden glow over the ancient city. As they prepare to journey to the Migdol fortress, the riddle reverberates in their minds, a tantalizing echo that promises yet another thrilling pursuit in the realm of the forgotten.
Chapter 4: Migdol's Silent Watch
Standing amid the sparse ruins of the once mighty Migdol fortress, Nefertari and Sayid can't help but feel the weight of history surrounding them. It is here that Ramesses III's army fended off the Sea Peoples, securing a triumphant victory that echoed through the ages.
Nefertari's heart thrums with anticipation as they tread carefully through the ancient site. Guided by the cryptic words from Medinet Habu, they search for signs of 'the divine breath.' Nefertari ponders over the possible meanings, her gaze roving over the scarred stones beneath her feet.
Suddenly, Sayid exclaims, "Nefertari, look!" He points to an overlooked relief obscured by the creeping desert sands. They uncover an elaborate carving showing Ramesses III, wielding a staff adorned with the figures of the Two Ladies, standing victoriously over the defeated Sea Peoples.
Beneath the carved scene is a set of hieroglyphs, an encoded message waiting to be deciphered. Hours of laborious decoding under the scorching sun result in a translation that reads, "The divine breath lies in the embrace of the Two Ladies, a beacon against chaos and despair."
Nefertari's eyes widen as realization hits her. "The divine breath isn't a literal wind, Sayid. It's the artifact itself! It was a symbol of protection and empowerment, used to rally the troops and ward off the enemies."
Sayid nods in agreement, "A divine beacon against the chaos of war. It must be the staff in the relief!"
Their conclusion brings new understanding but leaves them with the question of the artifact's location. As the sun begins to set, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson, they revisit the original papyrus scroll. The remaining riddle reads, "Where the sun sets on the Pharaoh's life, under divine watch, the breath rests."
Sayid's voice breaks the ensuing silence, "Could it be referring to the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III? The sun setting on his life, his death, and the divine watch could refer to the gods watching over him."
Nefertari nods, a slow smile spreading across her face. "That makes sense. Our next, and hopefully, final destination, should be the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III. The artifact, the staff, it must be there."
As night descends upon the Migdol fortress, Nefertari and Sayid pack their belongings, ready to embark on the next leg of their journey. The riddle's words echo in the still night, carrying with them the promise of a long-awaited discovery.
Chapter 5: Sunset on the Pharaoh's Life
The Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III, sitting stoically against the barren hills of the Theban necropolis, welcomes Nefertari and Sayid with a profound silence. The temple's age-worn walls, inscribed with tales of heroism and divinity, stand as a testament to the bygone era of a formidable Pharaoh.
Guided by the riddle, they navigate through the labyrinthine temple, eventually reaching the burial chamber. An enormous stone sarcophagus dominates the room, its surfaces adorned with religious scenes and cryptic hieroglyphs. Yet, amidst this grandeur, their attention is drawn to a curious detail on the far wall.
The wall relief depicts Ramesses III being led to the presence of Osiris, the god of the afterlife, by the Two Ladies, Nekhbet and Wadjet. Notably, the Pharaoh clutches an object, whose identity is obscured by time and wear.
As Nefertari gently touches the worn relief, a hidden compartment opens, revealing a hollow space. Inside rests an artifact, a remarkable symbol of power and divine favor. They gaze at the object in wonder, the culmination of their thrilling journey.
Their triumph is as radiant as the setting sun that bathes the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III in shades of red and gold. The mystery that led them across Egypt is finally resolved. They stand on the threshold of an historical revelation that promises to forever change our understanding of Ramesses III and his reign.
The final riddle on the scroll seems to encompass their entire journey: "From the Nile's Delta to the Pharaoh's eternal abode, in the hands of the Two Ladies, the divine secret unfolds." Their journey concludes, leaving them with an intricate tapestry of history that they've painstakingly unraveled.
Which is the coveted archaeological treasure that was sought by Nefertari and Sayid?
Pick one and remember that you can answer or even change your response all the way up to Thursday at 4:00am U.S. Pacific Time. The identify of the treasure will be revealed on the next edition of Chronogram!
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