Cairo: Egypt has unearthed further evidence that a secret chamber, believed by some to be the lost burial site of Queen Nefertiti, may lie behind King Tutankhamun's tomb, Egypt's antiquities minister said on Thursday.
There is huge international interest in Nefertiti, who died in the 14th century B.C. and is thought to be Tutankhamun's stepmother, and confirmation of her final resting place would be the most remarkable Egyptian archaeological find this century.
An analysis of radar scans done on the site last November has revealed the presence of two empty spaces behind two walls in King Tut's chamber, Damaty told a news conference.
"(The scans point to) different things behind the walls, different material that could be metal, could be organic," he said.
Damaty said in November there was a 90 percent chance that "something" was behind the walls of King Tut's chamber following an initial radar scan that had been sent to Japan for analysis.
A more advanced scan will be conducted at the end of this month with an international research team to confirm whether the empty spaces are in fact chambers. Only then, Damaty said, can he discuss the possibility of how and when a team could enter the rooms.
"We can say more than 90 percent that the chambers are there. But I never start the next step until I'm 100 percent."
The find could be a boon for Egypt's ailing tourism industry, which has suffered endless setbacks since an uprising that toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak in 2011 but remains a vital source of foreign currency.
British Egyptologist Nicholas Reeves, who is leading the investigation, believes that Tutankhamun's mausoleum was originally occupied by Nefertiti and that she lies undisturbed behind what he believes is a partition wall.
The discovery of Nefertiti, whose chiselled cheek-bones and regal beauty were immortalised in a 3,300-year old bust now on display in a Berlin museum, would shed fresh light on what remains a mysterious period of Egyptian history.
"It can be the discovery of the century. It's very important for Egyptian history and the history of the world," said Damaty.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
There is huge international interest in Nefertiti, who died in the 14th century B.C. and is thought to be Tutankhamun's stepmother, and confirmation of her final resting place would be the most remarkable Egyptian archaeological find this century.
An analysis of radar scans done on the site last November has revealed the presence of two empty spaces behind two walls in King Tut's chamber, Damaty told a news conference.
Damaty said in November there was a 90 percent chance that "something" was behind the walls of King Tut's chamber following an initial radar scan that had been sent to Japan for analysis.
Advertisement
"We can say more than 90 percent that the chambers are there. But I never start the next step until I'm 100 percent."
Advertisement
British Egyptologist Nicholas Reeves, who is leading the investigation, believes that Tutankhamun's mausoleum was originally occupied by Nefertiti and that she lies undisturbed behind what he believes is a partition wall.
Advertisement
"It can be the discovery of the century. It's very important for Egyptian history and the history of the world," said Damaty.
Advertisement
© Thomson Reuters 2016
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Scientists Recreate Face Of King Tut's Grandfather, The "Richest Man Who Ever Lived" 100-Year-Old Mystery Of Pharaoh's Curse Finally Solved, Experts Claim New Clues At Tutankhamun's Tomb Fuel Old Theory About Queen Nefertiti Life On Earth Originates From One Ancestor, Older Than Previously Believed Villagers Try To Drive Away Elephant With Spiked Rods, Fireballs. It Dies Siddaramaiah's Swipe At Governor Amid Calls For Resignation: 10 Points Bengal Health Department Cancels Transfer Order Of 42 Doctors Amid Protests "Illusion": Hamas Official Dismisses US Optimism Over Gaza Ceasefire Talks 2 Killed In West Bank Strike, Israel Says It Targeted "Terrorist Cell'' Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.