Archaeologists may have found the burial place of Nefertiti – BBC

Nefertiti – wife of the Pharaoh Akhenaten, a prominent politician and reformer, who ruled in 1353-1336 years BC.

Most Egyptologists adhere version that Tutankhamun was the son of Akhenaten by his sister – or Nebet Baketaton . However, it is believed that his father was the Pharaoh Smenkhkare, brother or son of Akhenaten. A third version, Tutankhamun was the son of Akhenaten and Nefertiti.

Biography of Nefertiti is shrouded in mystery: some historians believe that beauty was an Egyptian, others say about her foreign origin. No less mysterious death and the burial place of one of the most influential women of her time: until now the archaeologists could not find the tomb of the wife of Akhenaten, whose name translates as “Beauty came».

An international team of archaeologists has recently studied the tomb of Tutankhamun by radar, I found that in the tomb of the pharaoh of the XVIII dynasty of the New Kingdom – the era heyday of ancient Egyptian state are two doors leading to the secret room. The radar equipment combines methods of measuring the coordinates and determine the properties of various objects using radio waves.

The study was headed by Nicholas Reeves, the famous Egyptologist from the UK, a graduate of the Department of Ancient History at University College London and Chair of Egyptology at the University of Dyurheme.

According to the researchers, one of the secret rooms and are the remains of Nefertiti.

By the way, before Nicolas Reeves has put forward the view that Nefertiti was hidden under the name of the pharaoh Smenkhkare.

Professor of Egyptology at Ain Shams University in Cairo Mamdouh ad-Damato admits that assumption teams Reeves may be true.

The tomb of Tutankhamun, located in the Valley of the Kings (a valley in Egypt where for the period of the New Kingdom were built the tomb for the burial of the pharaohs and high officials), famous for that it was almost untouched by robbers, and survives to this day. It archaeologists have discovered a huge amount of utensils, clothing, art and writing materials. Nicholas Reeves admits that initially the tomb of the young pharaoh was preparing for Nefertiti. But since Tutankhamun died suddenly at age 19, he had to be buried in the tomb for the wife of Akhenaten.

However, while the theory of Nicolas Reeves has not been published in any scientific journal, so it requires verification.

Muchiri Moussa, a consultant in communication with the press of the Ministry of Antiquities of Egypt, said that the final permit to study the tomb of Tutankhamun will be issued within a month.

The tomb of Tutankhamun was discovered in 1922 by two Englishmen – Egyptologist Howard Carter and amateur archaeologist Lord Carnarvon. According to Carter, “in the present state of our knowledge we can safely say is the only notable event of his life was that he died and was buried».

However, many Egyptologists refer to the assumption that Nefertiti was buried in the tomb of Tutankhamen, with skepticism. The famous Egyptian archaeologist and historian of ancient Egypt Zahi Hawass said that “the study lacked a serious archaeological evidence.” According to Hawass, the aim of the theory is Reeves fame and popularity, but in fact it is “not based on any scientific evidence».

Currently, scientists from around the world are watching research Nicholas Reeves. If his hypothesis is confirmed, the Briton will be one of the most famous archaeologists of today. “If my theory would be correct, it would be the biggest archaeological discovery of all time” – said Nicholas Reeves.