10
Sometime in August, Gregorian Calendar – 1279 B.C. – 4:31 p.m.
Egypt - Somewhere North of The Tropic of Cancer
A man, a tiny speck of a man, wandered across the immense expanse of desert that covered most of Egypt. The shimmering laurence created by the sun’s burning heat was visible in all directions. Mack Goddard walked intent on his destination. He had dressed appropriately for the desert heat, and had brought along plenty of water. If his calculations were correct, he should arrive at his destination within the next couple of hours. A sidewinder slithered across the searing sand ahead of Mack while a tumbleweed rolled by behind him pushed by a breeze so small that it was negligible. Well into three digits, the heat sweltered in the Libyan Desert.
Using the Nile River as his guide, Mack stayed as close as possible to the rivers edge while at the same time keeping a sharp eye out for anyone who might be in or near any portion of the river. At this stage in the game, Mack couldn’t take any chances on someone seeing him out here. On previous visits, he’d had some close encounters with a few of the local Egyptians who’d been down in the river washing, working or relaxing. Fortunately, no one had seen him. Today, Mack’s sense of awareness was in a state of high alert since it was imperative that he accomplish what he’d come for. He couldn’t risk having anyone see him here.
Staying on the west side of the Nile, Mack was able to traverse the desert with relative ease. For one, it wasn’t nearly as hot as walking in the desert unshielded. Secondly, staying close to the edge of the Nile afforded Mack the opportunity to walk on ground that was more stable than the shifting sands of the desert and provided him with necessary water and shade. Third, it was on this side of the river that the dead were buried since it was here that the sunset. Cemeteries and death were associated with the setting sun, thus the obvious need to do so on the west side of the Nile. Advancing carefully north, Mack continued his journey. The splashing of a fish in the river caught Mack’s attention. Stopping for a moment, he rested and enjoyed the cool air drifting lazily off the rivers’ surface. Mack pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the sweat from his brow. He then leaned down, moistened it with water from the river and dabbed his face and neck with the cool cloth. Reaching into his backpack, Mack pulled a canteen of water from it and took a long, refreshing drink. After placing it back into his pack, he pulled out a small icepack and removed a Hershey’s chocolate bar. Ripping open the package, he was careful to place all paper and garbage back into his backpack. He did not want to leave any trace of his existence in this land of the dead other than perhaps a few footprints. Even those he tried to keep to a minimum. After languishing for a few minutes in the shade, he picked up his backpack, checked his surroundings for evidence that he’d been there, and then started walking northward once again.
By around 6:30 p.m. or so, Mack had gone as far as he had planned on going in the daylight. Now, he would sit and wait for nightfall. Most of his quest would be done under the veil of darkness. Mack sat down, pulled off his backpack, and began to rummage through its’ contents. Finding his notepad and a map, he carefully laid them out in front of him. He wanted to refresh his mind on where he was headed and what he needed to accomplish in the next two to three hours.
Opening his notebook, Mack found the page marked Egypt: Ingredient Two. Looking carefully at the map, and comparing it to his notes, Mack noted that he was right where he needed to be. About one-half mile north of his current position, the Egyptian embalming priests were preparing a body for burial. Today, the priests were putting the finishing touches on the disemboweled corpse. They would finish their day by packing and wrapping the body with natron, a salty drying substance that would be left for 40 – 50 days to completely dry out the body leaving only the skin, hair and bones. After that, the body would be stuffed with resin, sawdust or linen and then the priests would reshape the body to make it appear like the person before they had died. After that, the body would be wrapped in layers of linen giving it the macabre appearance of a mummy. Since the priests were working their way through the 70-day mummification process, Mack knew that now was the time to get in, get what he needed and get out before anyone knew he had even been there.
Watching the sunset, Mack sat in stunned silence at the beauty of nature around him. Even in ungodly heat and unbearable living conditions, the earth could still provide an amazing array of beauty amidst barren conditions. One by one, brilliant stars began to appear on the velvety black canvas of night. As the sun had set, Mack had been surprised at how quickly the heat of the desert had dissipated. The cool night air made Mack realize that shortly he’d have to don his light jacket just to stay warm. Mack switched on his flashlight and carefully repacked his backpack. He checked, checked, and triple checked his surroundings to make sure that he’d left nothing behind. Having reassured himself of that fact, he headed north, keeping his flashlight low to avoid detection.
Mack looked down at his watch and pressed the button to illuminate its’ face. The digital read-out read 10:42 p.m. Up ahead, some 50 feet from the Nile’s edge, Mack could make out the outline of the “per nefer” or embalming tent in the light of the moon. “Per nefer” referred to the “house of rejuvenation.” Attached to the west side of the tent was another tent known as the “ibu” or washing tent wherein the corpse would be cleaned up before the embalming process would begin. Mack was headed for the embalming tent. Turning off his light, Mack began his stealthy approach. Although no one was currently in either of the tents, the priests and servants were no doubt nearby either on guard duty or sleeping. Mack dared not disturb anyone.
Walking slowly parallel to the river, Mack made his way one step at a time toward his destination. Reaching a position near the water’s edge and directly to the east of the “per nefer,” Mack ascended the slight slope that rose to meet the edge of the tent using only the moonlight overhead. Crouching down so as not to been seen, Mack carefully ascended the bank. The sound of something moving off to his right made Mack freeze in mid-step. Straining to hear, Mack stood motionless for a full minute before slowly letting his right foot touch the ground again. Waiting another three minutes, Mack finally assured himself that the only sound he had heard was that of the wind or perhaps a small nocturnal rodent scurrying about in the darkness. Re-focusing on the tent, Mack calculated the distance from him to the back of the tent as being about 15 feet. Carefully, he began to move. Reaching the back of the tent, Mack exhaled a long, quiet sigh of relief. Then, just as carefully, he inhaled a long, fresh breath of cool air. Steadying himself, Mack began to move around the tent. Reaching the north side, Mack turned left and headed west. As he approached the front of the tent, he slowly peeked around the edge and looked beyond. Just to his left was the “ibu” attached by rope through loopholes about 1/3 of the way across the front of the embalming tent. It’s basic appearance was that of an igloo with a main structure and then a smaller entrance attached to it. Mack needed to move forward another 15 – 20 feet to reach the front of the “ibu” where he would be able to enter both structures simultaneously.
Mack began to move again. After another minute, he reached the front of the washing tent. Peering around its edge, he looked across the expanse of darkness. Fifty to seventy-five feet away, Mack could make out the outline of two or three other tents, presumably those used to house the priests and servants. To his left approximately 30 feet from the tents for sleeping and 30 feet or so from the “ibu” and “per nefer” stood one Egyptian guard. He appeared to be in charge of watching all tents from this one position. More than likely, the probability of someone trying to steal a corpse or cause injury to the priests or servants was minimal, thus the need for only one guard at this late hour. Mack felt confident that he could quietly enter the two connected tents without arresting the attention of the single guard.
Getting down on his stomach, Mack began to crawl slowly toward the opening of the “ibu” which lay about five feet away. Reaching the entrance, Mack carefully pulled the bottom of the flap open and wriggled underneath. As he pulled his feet in, the shoestring of his left foot caught on the stake holding down the tent. Tugging lightly, Mack attempted to dislodge it. It didn’t budge. Again, Mack tried to break the shoestring free. Again, it didn’t move. Finally, Mack gave a quick jerk and his shoe came loose with a “snap” of the shoestring against the tent flap. To Mack it sounded like a whip in the deathly quiet of the tent. Mack didn’t move. He waited, but heard nothing. Carefully getting to his feet, Mack removed the flashlight from his pack. He covered the end so that only a pointed, direct beam would illuminate the inside of the tent. The tent material was thick enough that unless a beam of light was shone directly on the surface of the tent, no light would be visible from the outside.
Mack flicked on the beam and keeping it low, began to walk carefully through the “ibu.” The strong smell of herbs, spices, linen and decomposition filled Mack’s nose. He twisted his face up as if that would stop the flow of odor from the room. As he worked his way toward the “per nefer,” he noted the bed that had been used for washing the body to his left. A variety of jars and basins were stored underneath as well as a variety of other items used in the bathing process. Reaching the back of the washing tent, Mack carefully pulled the flaps that guarded the entrance to the embalming tent apart and entered. Here, the odor Mack had detected upon entering the “ibu” was extremely strong. Since it had only been a few hours since the priests had been in here preparing the body, the odor had yet to dissipate.
Looking around, Mack saw an array of items filling the room. Directly ahead of him on a table lay the corpse, covered with natron and linen. To his left a table held the scattered instruments used in the embalming process. Hooks, rods, knives and tweezers all lay haphazardly across the table. Various jars sat here also as well as rags and bundles of linen. To his right, Mack noticed a large array of personal items; clothes, figurines, furniture, games and the like which would ultimately be buried with the deceased for use in the afterlife. Many more items would ultimately be buried as well, but this was just a start. A lamp sat unlit in the corner and a statue of the god Anubis, the embalming god, had been placed on a pedestal so that its’ gaze might overlook the souls of both living and dead ones who might occupy this area of the “per nefer.”
Shining his light downward, Mack caught the reflection of his beam as it bounced off a shiny object. Turning in that direction, Mack’s light illuminated the four canopic jars sitting underneath the table to his left that held some of the dead ones internal organs. The lids of the jars had been designed in the shape of four Egyptian gods, each designated to protect a certain internal organ. Imsety, the human-headed god looked after the liver while Hapy the baboon-headed god looked after the lungs. Sitting next to Hapy was Duamutef who had the head of a jackal and looked after the stomach and on his right was Qebehsenuef the falcon-headed god that looked after the intestines. The heart was never removed since it was felt that it was the seat of intelligence and emotion whereas the brain was felt to have no significance and was thus removed via the nasal cavity with hooks and then discarded. Mack’s countenance twisted in disgust at the very thought of the jars contents and he turned his light away from them. Walking toward the corpse lying on the table, the beam of his flashlight bouncing up and down with each step, Mack stopped and took off his backpack. Laying his flashlight on the ground, Mack carefully removed a plastic container with an airtight lid and a pair of tongs. He also extracted a pair of rubber gloves and a mask. Mack was now prepared to retrieve the ingredient for which he had made this entire journey.
Laying the items from his backpack on the table, Mack opened the plastic container and put the lid aside. He snapped on the rubber gloves, and then picked up his flashlight. Mack began carefully searching the tent. First, he looked around and behind the table on the left. Carefully moving the canopic jars, he peered into the shadows beyond. He found nothing. He then began methodically rummaging through the clothing and personal items laying to his right. Again, he found nothing. Moving slowly toward the corpse, he shone his light into the corner where the lamp and the embalming god sat. Nothing there either. Turning left, he walked to the feet of the supine corpse. Mack then eased his way around the body and shone his light into the small space between the table and the side of the tent. At first, he didn’t see anything there either. As he was about to direct his efforts elsewhere, the glint of something shiny caught his eye. Re-directing the beam of his flashlight, Mack saw what he was looking for. A fifth jar that looked similar to the canopic jars, but wasn’t part of those used in burial, was sitting behind the body and under the edge of the blanket. Stretching out his left arm while holding onto the flashlight with his right, Mack was barely able to reach the lip of the container. Getting his fingers over the top edge of the jar, he gently began to slide it toward him. As he moved it to within reach of his hand, the jar began to tip. Mack’s heart jumped in his chest and he leaned a little farther forward. Slipping, Mack’s face smashed into the corpse, his face buried between the dead body’s legs just above the ankles. His left hand caught the jar as it was about to fall, and his flashlight flipped out of his right hand and thudded on the floor behind the corpse, its’ beam shining off into the corner where the lamp sat. Carefully setting the jar upright, Mack straightened himself, carefully leaned down on the ground and stretched his left hand as far as possible. The inside of his forearm brushing the jar and his fingers touching the flashlight, Mack thought that now would not be the time for someone to catch him here. After a few minutes of finagling, Mack was able to roll the flashlight into his hand. He slowly removed his arm and then pulled the jar out from its’ resting place.
Mack lifted the jar from the floor and set it down on the table next to his plastic container. He then put on the mask and gently removed the plain, headless lid. Setting the lid to the side, Mack picked up his flashlight and shined it into the jar. An eerie darkness filled the jar. The beam of his flashlight was absorbed by the darkness much the way a black hole absorbs light and imprisons it for eternity. A very faint red glow reflected off the thick mucous-like liquid that filled the jar. Picking up the tongs, Mack submerged them in the fluid. About half way down, his tongs hit something spongy. The first image that filled Mack’s mind was one of those heads you can squeeze and stretch to help reduce stress. Opening the tongs, Mack plunged them further and then squeezed them together. He then slowly pulled them back out. His muscles taut and his heart racing, adrenaline surged through Mack’s veins. The sudden thump outside the tent almost made him drop his prize. Mack stopped, his hand and tongs frozen in the liquid like a toothpick in an ice cube tray full of Kool-Aid. Straining to listen, Mack heard the sound again. A slight rubbing sound. After a few seconds, he heard a slight breeze blowing outside and finally realized he’d heard nothing more than the sound of a tumble weed blowing against the outside of the tent. Re-focusing on the task at hand, Mack began to move. He resumed the ascent of pulling the tongs from the liquid. As he did so, globs of discarded, shredded white brain matter broke the surface of the liquid in the jar. Blood and fluid dripped from the tissue as Mack placed the pieces into his plastic container. He then repeated the procedure placing another tong-full on top of that already resting inside his plastic container. One more time and Mack had collected enough. He then re-capped the canopic jar as well as his plastic container, wiped off the tongs with a rag and placed them in his backpack. Carefully lifting the jar of discarded brain tissue from the table, Mack put it back in its’ original position behind the corpse. Pleased with his success, a small smile spread across his face. Mack then wiped down the table, re-packed his backpack, took one more look around the tent to make sure he hadn’t left anything behind and turned to leave.
Mack quietly exited the “per nefer” and entered the washing tent once again. Passing the table on his right, Mack made a stealthy beeline for the opening. Upon reaching it, Mack got down on his knees and reached out to carefully open the tent flaps. Just as he was about to do so, the sound of feet shuffling through the sand caught his attention. Mack froze in place, his heart pounding in his chest. The sound got quickly louder. Mack realized that it was probably the guard and it sounded as if he were headed straight for the “ibu.” Moving as quickly as possible backwards on his hands and knees, Mack backed himself underneath the table on his right. Slipping in between some jars, boxes and other items, Mack squeezed himself into the smallest size possible. Reaching overhead, he pulled a blanket that had been piled at the end of the table over the edge to give it the appearance of having been haphazardly thrown there. The blanket covered the area where Mack was crouching. Just about then, the tent flap opened and someone stepped inside, the flickering of a flame on a torch illuminating the inside of the tent. Mack could see the dancing shadows and eerie shapes form and disappear on the folds of the tent as the person walked down the middle walkway of the “ibu.” Stopping in front of Mack, the person mumbled something to himself. Mack couldn’t understand since it was Egyptian, but it had the telltale sound of someone looking for something as they talked to them self. Mack could see the sandals of the man directly in front of him. They shuffled this way and that and his knees kept bumping the blanket which hung just inches from Mack’s face. Each time the blanket was bumped, it slid forward a little more. Mack knew that any minute it would slide completely off the table fully exposing him to the man. Mack held his breath. The man was rummaging around on top of the table. The sudden loud clank of a metallic object startled Mack so that he almost made an audible gasp. Keeping a grip on himself, Mack was able to keep his composure. Landing in front of Mack and just to the left of the blanket laid a small hand-held knife. Mack watched in horror as the Egyptian bent over to pick up the knife. His face quickly came into view and Mack could make out all the details of his face, clothing and weapons. Mack now knew for sure that he was staring directly at the guard that he’d seen outside the tent. As the guard picked up his knife, his eyes turned toward the darkness in which Mack was hiding. Pausing momentarily, Mack could have sworn that he looked him right in the eyes. The guard, however, stood back up, turned around and walked back out the tent. Within seconds, Mack again found himself in total darkness.
Mack waited a good ten minutes before emerging from his hiding place. Slowly crawling back out, Mack refolded the blanket so as not to arouse suspicion, and then he eased his way toward the tent opening. His heart was pounding so loudly that Mack thought for sure that the guard would hear it. Not until he was back home would his vital signs return to normal. Finding himself once again in front of the tent flaps, Mack carefully reached up and pulled one flap back. Slowly he peered out of the opening. Looking first left and then right, Mack saw no one. Turning left once again, Mack then spotted the guard in the distance making his rounds near the other tents. As the guard disappeared around the side of one of the tents in the distance, Mack scrambled out of the tent, turned right and then right again around the corner of the “ibu.” Moving quickly and quietly, Mack made his way back down toward the Nile’s edge. The moon overhead illuminated the ground enough that he could see where he was going. The air was much chillier now, so by his keeping on the move, he would avoid getting cold. The sound of the Nile’s water gently lapping against the riverbank and the reflection of the moon off its surface filled Mack with a calm feeling, a feeling of relief and serenity. Gaining confidence, Mack began his journey back up the river. Satisfied with his accomplishment, Mack was eagerly looking forward to getting back to his lab to complete his project. All he had to do now was get the DNA extracted from the brain tissue he’d collected and he’d be ready to test his new cocktail that he’d been so meticulously working on for the past several months. His excitement ran high as he headed for the Temple of Beit el-Wali where he’d use his Bubble Chamber to return to 1792.
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