Egypt ‘90% sure’ that a hidden chamber lies in Tutankhamun’s tomb | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Egypt ‘90% sure’ that a hidden chamber lies in Tutankhamun’s tomb

AFP | By, Luxor
Nov 29, 2015 12:04 PM IST

Archaeologists have announced that scans of King Tutankhamun’s tomb in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings point to a secret chamber, possibly heralding the discovery of Queen Nefertiti’s long-sought mummy.

Archaeologists have announced that scans of King Tutankhamun’s tomb in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings point to a secret chamber, possibly heralding the discovery of Queen Nefertiti’s long-sought mummy.

A picture taken on November 28, 2015 shows the sarcophagus of King Tutankhamun displayed in his burial chamber in the Valley of the Kings. Egyptian authorities are convinced that a secret chamber, possibly that of Queen Nefertiti, is located in Tutankhamun’s tomb.(AFP Photo)
A picture taken on November 28, 2015 shows the sarcophagus of King Tutankhamun displayed in his burial chamber in the Valley of the Kings. Egyptian authorities are convinced that a secret chamber, possibly that of Queen Nefertiti, is located in Tutankhamun’s tomb.(AFP Photo)

Using hi-tech infrared and radar technology, researchers are trying to unravel the mystery over the legendary monarch’s resting place.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

A wife of Tutankhamun’s father Akhenaten, Nefertiti played a major political and religious role in the 14th century BC, and the discovery of her tomb would be a major prize for Egyptologists.

Experts are now “approximately 90%” sure there is a hidden chamber in Tutankhamun’s tomb, Egypt’s antiquities minister Mamduh al-Damati told a news conference on Saturday.

The scans were spurred by a study by renowned British archaeologist Nicholas Reeves that said Nefertiti’s lost tomb may be hidden in an adjoining chamber.

Speaking at the same press conference, Reeves said the initial results could bear out his theory.

“Clearly it does look from the radar evidence as if the tomb continues, as I have predicted,” he said.

“The radar, behind the north wall (of Tutankhamun’s burial chamber) seems pretty clear. If I am right it is a continuation -- corridor continuation -- of the tomb, which will end in another burial chamber,” he said.

Egypt's Minister of Antiquities Mamduh al-Damati (L) and British Egyptologist Nicholas Reeves (R) attend a joint press conference in Luxor, 500 kms south of Cairo. (AFP Photo)
Egypt's Minister of Antiquities Mamduh al-Damati (L) and British Egyptologist Nicholas Reeves (R) attend a joint press conference in Luxor, 500 kms south of Cairo. (AFP Photo)

“It does look indeed as if the tomb of Tutankhamun is a corridor tomb... and it continues beyond the decorated burial chamber,” he added.

“I think it is Nefertiti and all the evidence points in that direction.”

Cult of sun god

Damati emphasised that the findings were “preliminary” results, and a Japanese expert working with the archaeologists needed a month to analyse the scans.

Experts carried out a preliminary scan of the tomb earlier this month using infra-red thermography to map out the temperature of its walls.

Damati said at that time that the analysis showed “differences in the temperatures registered on different parts of the northern wall” of the tomb.

But the minister and Reeves had differed on whose mummy they expected to find.

According to Reeves, professor of archaeology at the University of Arizona, Tutankhamun, who died unexpectedly, was buried hurriedly in an underground chamber probably not intended for him.

The boy king died aged 19 in 1324 BC after just nine years on the throne. His final resting place was discovered by another British Egyptologist, Howard Carter, in 1922.

Reeves’s theory is that priests would have been forced to reopen Nefertiti’s tomb 10 years after her death because the young pharaoh’s own mausoleum had not yet been built.

A tourist takes photos of inscriptions on the walls of King Merenptah's tomb in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt. The hidden chamber might belong to Queen Nefertiti. (AP Photo)
A tourist takes photos of inscriptions on the walls of King Merenptah's tomb in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt. The hidden chamber might belong to Queen Nefertiti. (AP Photo)

But Damati believes that such a chamber, if found adjoining Tutankhamun’s tomb, may contain Kiya, another of Akhenaten’s wives.

Akhenaten is known for having temporarily converted ancient Egypt to monotheism by imposing the cult of sun god Aton.

Nefertiti’s role in the cult would have ruled out her burial in the Valley of the Kings according to Zahi Hawass, the country’s former antiquities minister and expert on ancient Egypt.

“Nefertiti will never be buried in the Valley of the Kings,” he told AFP.

“The lady was worshipping Aton with Akhenaten for years. The priests would never allow her to be buried in the Valley of the Kings,” he said.

Hawass also questioned how archaeologists would enter the hidden part of the tomb without causing damage.

Damati said that after the analysis, that would be the next challenge.

“The data is being analysed to get a clear picture of what’s behind the wall,” he said.

“The next step, which we will announce once we agree on it, will be accessing what’s behind the wall without damaging the tomb,” he said.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On