Egypt announces ‘discovery of the century’ hidden behind King Tut’s tomb
Radar scans reveal metallic and organic objects that might be preserved grave goods—perhaps even the secret burial chambers of Queen Nefertiti.
In a crowded press conference in Cairo on Thursday, Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities announced the discovery of what are probably two chambers behind the walls of King Tutankhamun’s tomb in Luxor.
Although officials were unable to give any specific details of
The Art Newspaper
March 17, 2016
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what lies hidden beyond, radar scans have revealed the possible presence of door lintels and of metallic and organic items, which increases the likelihood of preserved grave goods. Mamdouh Eldamaty, Egypt’s head of antiquities, said in a press release that this could be the “discovery of the century”.
The search for hidden chambers within Tutankhamun’s tomb began in August last year, when Egyptologist Nicholas Reeves published a theory arguing that beyond the boy pharaoh’s burial chamber lay additional rooms, and perhaps even the sealed-off tomb of Queen Nefertiti. Reeves developed his theory after analysing high-resolution scans of the tomb walls by the conservation company Factum Arte, which created a replica of the famous tomb.
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