Evidence of Historical Zombie Attack at Hierakonpolis

SiNXation 11-09-2007

Hierakonpolis is a site famous for its many "firsts," so many, in fact, it is not easy to keep track of them all. So we are grateful(?) to Max Brooks for bringing to our attention that the site can also claim the title to the earliest recorded zombie attack in history. In his magisterial tome, The Zombie Survival Guide (2003), he informs us that in 1892, a British dig at Hierakonpolis unearthed a nondescript tomb containing a partially decomposed body, whose brain had been infected with the virus (Solanum) that turns people into zombies. In addition, thousands of scratch marks adorned every surface of the tomb, as if the corpse had tried to claw its way out! [Editor's note: click here for an interview with Max Brooks and a timeline of archaeologically documented zombie outbreaks.]

With the records available to us (Mr. Brooks obviously has access to others), the British dig can be identified as that conducted by Mssr. Somers Clarke and J.J. Tylor, during which they cleared the decorated tombs of Ny-ankh-pepy (Old Kingdom and Middle Kingdom) and Horemkhawef (Second Intermediate Period) on Old Kingdom hill. The notes of Tylor are lost to us, but Clarke's are preserved in the Griffith Institute, Oxford. Unusually cryptic in his discussion, he makes no mention of such a momentous discovery. Thus we can only infer that the tomb in question is one of those in the adjoining courtyard, and just a short distance from the underground chamber we examined in 2006 (see Hierakonpolis 2006: Adventures Underground). The tomb in question may indeed be the one we use a cozy and sheltered spot to take our lunch while working on the Fort, as its plastered, but unpainted walls are indeed covered with innumerable scratch marks that defy photography. If is the case, we might quibble--purely for the sake of scientific accuracy--that the 3000 B.C. date ascribed for the attack should be revised downward to the Old Kingdom, but its premier historical position remains unaffected. [Editor's note: this proposed re-dating, if accepted, necessitates a revision of Brooks's zombie-attack timeline.]


On the other hand, in support of the earlier date, some have claimed that the famous Palette of Narmer (ca. 3000 B.C.), also from Hierakonpolis, far from recording a victory in the war of unification of Upper and Lower Egypt, is instead a celebration of the successful repulse of a zombie attack. Although we tend to focus on the verso where the king is shown smiting a kneeling enemy, it is the other side that is actually the front. It is the side with the depression for mixing the cosmetics for adorning the cult statue, and so it would seem that the scene of the king marching in procession to view a pile of decapitated bodies is the really important message. Nevertheless, while this scene may be evidence for zombie activity, reliance solely on pictorial records for such claims is scientifically questionable at best. There may be more to this in that Narmer's name means catfish-chisel, which sounds strange, and a catfish and chisel appear on the palette. But this could make sense if the palette refers to a victory over zombie forces. Perhaps Narmer wielded a large Nile catfish, Clarias?, grasping the tail and using it as a sort of black jack to stun the zombies, then removed their heads with a chisel. While it is an attractive idea, no serious archaeologist would hang their fedora on it without further evidence.

Recent work at Hierakonpolis has, however, revealed compelling evidence that zombies may have been problematic already in Predynastic Egypt (ca. 3500 B.C.). Because this work has been undertaken with the most modern techniques, there is also the potential to uncover the hard scientific facts to illuminate the matter fully.

Raven

Ok that is pretty much the most wicked thing ever, fucking ever! If I saw this any where else I would of thought it was a stunt for a movie. The Mummy movie series is definitely something to watch this weekend.

Nina

Proof that zombie isn't fiction? You know that's a pretty scary thought actually. Too bad they can't get all the details but still the fact it reality puts R.E. in perspective.

SamiJo

okay, that is very scary. Just the fact that it could have happened and its not just for movies makes me very uneasy. geez, just thinking about those movies scares me

Dream

WEll it nots just for movies any more. To really think that zombies really exist is scary. Think about waking up tommorrow and your neighbors are zombies, before this you would just think they just messing around, now you really have to think damn maybe they really are zombies.

Raven

You know I always thought the word zombie was jut a wierd word to begin with. I don't think the reality of zombies is close to what movies potray about them but anything close to it still a scary thought.

snakeyez85

Anyone know where I can get my hands on the Solanum virus? ...immortality here i come!

Nina

Snakeeyes, you know there will be a price for it, no telling what will happen from it.

Mina

yeah this shit scares the shit out of me. but its funny bc my friend just let me borrow The Zombie Survival Guide and i havent started reading it... maybe i should !!!

Dream

Well there's no harm in being prepare. I wonder if it will be like Resident Evil or maybe like Shaun of the Dead.

SamiJo

there is a Zombie Survival guide? geez. but I would love to be prepared f there start coming out.

and dream for some reason I keep thinking like 28 Days type zombie stuff...which is super scary

spawnschickishot

i dont know if anyone has seen that zombie movie i think its nightof the living dead the old skool one it says that there was a real case reported or something that it was based on a true event something like that pops out in the begining of the movie! i think this is kool i watch lots of zombie movies and me and my hubby always talking about what if... i think we are prepared mentally for something like this to happen! its like that super bug staff infection ...dude the dogs are even getting it!!

Raven

I didn't hear anything about it. Alot of movies are basing there stories on true facts from multiple sources but alot of times they don't disclose it, which if they did could get alot more people into there movies.