British archaeologist aims to pinpoint Nefertiti's tomb
LUXOR – Standing before the majestic gold, ochre and white frescos of Tutankhamun's tomb, British archaeologist Nicholas Reeves passionately defended his daring theory that Nefertiti is buried in a secret chamber.
With the help of sophisticated radar, Reeves aims to prove Nefertiti is buried there in a hidden chamber of the young pharaoh's underground tomb that long hid the most fabulous treasure ever discovered in Egypt. Archaeologists have never discovered the mummy of this legendary beauty who played a major political and religious role in the 14th century BC.
Nefertiti actively supported her husband Akhenaten – the pharaoh who temporarily converted ancient Egypt to monotheism imposing the single cult of sun god Aton. Reeves's theory is that Nefertiti is buried in a room adjacent to Tutankhamun's own tomb. Although no one is sure of the identity of Tutankhamun's mother, DNA tests have been carried out and one theory is that she was Nefertiti.
DNA testing has revealed his father was Akhenaten. According to Reeves, the boy king, who died unexpectedly at 19, was buried in a rush in an underground burial chamber that was probably not intended for him. His death would have forced priests to reopen Queen Nefertiti's tomb 10 years after her death because the young pharaoh's own had not yet been built, Reeves said at Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, southern Egypt.
In the burial chamber, just a few steps away from the darkened mummy of the boy king who died in 1324 BC after just nine years on the throne, the archaeologist pointed to a fresco representing Tutankhamun and his successor Ay.
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