Mystery of the Cocaine Mummies (1996)
The UK series Equinox brings us this investigation of a mystery that is baffling Egyptologists. The case calls into question whole areas of accepted scientific fact from botany, through chemistry to archaeology. In 1992, routine tests on a mummy in a Munich museum revealed high body levels of cocaine and nicotine. But such substances were not available in ancient Egypt, coming as they do from the Americas – not, apparently, to be “discovered” for thousands of years after the passing of the Egyptian dynasties. Are the mummies fakes; were the substances from plants that have since disappeared or were there, in fact, trade routes between Egypt and South America that predate accepted chronology?
Director: Sarah Marris
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 50 min
Release Date: September 8, 1996
Cast
- Robin Ellis - Narrator
- John Baines - Self
- Svetlana Balabanova - Self
Screenplay
Production: Channel 4 Television
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English
Original Language: en
More Films by Director: Sarah Marris
More Films in Genre: Documentary
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Mystery of the Cocaine Mummies about?
- The UK series Equinox brings us this investigation of a mystery that is baffling Egyptologists. The case calls into question whole areas of accepted scientific fact from botany, through chemistry to archaeology. In 1992, routine tests on a mummy in a Munich museum revealed high body levels of cocaine and nicotine. But such substances were not available in ancient Egypt, coming as they do from the Americas – not, apparently, to be “discovered” for thousands of years after the passing of the Egyptian dynasties. Are the mummies fakes; were the substances from plants that have since disappeared or were there, in fact, trade routes between Egypt and South America that predate accepted chronology?
- Who directed Mystery of the Cocaine Mummies?
- Mystery of the Cocaine Mummies was directed by Sarah Marris.
- Who stars in Mystery of the Cocaine Mummies?
- Mystery of the Cocaine Mummies stars Robin Ellis, John Baines, Svetlana Balabanova.
- How long is Mystery of the Cocaine Mummies?
- Mystery of the Cocaine Mummies has a runtime of 50m (50 minutes).
- What genre is Mystery of the Cocaine Mummies?
- Mystery of the Cocaine Mummies is a Documentary film.
- Where was Mystery of the Cocaine Mummies produced?
- Mystery of the Cocaine Mummies was produced in United Kingdom.