Archaeology & History

Doubts raised over King Tut hidden chambers

By T.K. Randall
May 10, 2016

Image: King Tut Burial Mask
Credit: Mark Fischer / CC BY-SA 2.0 (adapted) The search for a hidden room within King Tut's tomb began last year when British archaeologist Nicholas Reeves discovered what he believed to be the outline of at least one hidden door after examining high resolution photographs of the tomb's interior.

Then in March authorities revealed that they had identified what appeared to be two concealed rooms inside the tomb - a discovery which seemed to confirm the presence of a secret burial chamber - possibly even that of King Tutankhamun's mother, Queen Nefertiti.

Now though, following months of speculation, Egyptian Antiquities Minister Khaled al-Anani has conceded that the results remain inconclusive and that new technologies will be needed before archaeologists will be able to tell for sure whether there is anything there or not.The announcement has generated an air of general skepticism about the whole thing with some experts criticising the way in which the tests have been conducted.

"Handling the project wasn't done scientifically at all," said former antiquities minister Zahi Hawass. "We have to stop this media presence, because there is nothing to publish."

It isn't clear what will happen next however the investigation is still likely to continue.

"I will not make any drills (in the tomb walls) until I am sure 100 percent that there is a cavity behind the wall... I'm very satisfied with the warm scientific debate," said Anani.

Source: Phys.org

Tags: King Tutankhamun