Cairo: Egypt said today it will conduct more tests this week in search of a hidden chamber in King Tutankhamun's tomb that a British archaeologist believes may be the burial place of Queen Nefertiti.
Archaeologists have never discovered the mummy of the legendary beauty, but renowned British archaeologist Nicholas Reeves said in a recent study that her tomb could be in a secret chamber adjoining Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of Kings in Luxor in southern Egypt.
Reeves, who was in Luxor in September to probe his theory, believes one door of Tutankhamun's tomb could conceal the burial place of Nefertiti.
Antiquities Minister Mamduh al-Damati said more tests will be carried out inside Tutankhamun's tomb over three days starting Thursday "to see if there are secret chambers behind its walls".
"The search will involve using radar and infra-red technologies," Damati said, adding that they would cause "no damage" to the tomb.
The findings will be announced at a press conference in Luxor on November 28, he said.
Experts carried out a preliminary scan of the tomb earlier this month using infra-red thermography to map out the temperature of its walls.
Damati said at that time that the analysis showed "differences in the temperatures registered on different parts of the northern wall" of the tomb.
The minister and Reeves differ on whose mummy they expect to find.
According to Reeves, professor of archaeology at the University of Arizona, Tutankhamun, who died unexpectedly, was buried hurriedly in an underground chamber probably not intended for him.
His death would have forced priests to reopen Nefertiti's tomb 10 years after her death because the young pharaoh's own mausoleum had not yet been built.
But Damati believes that such a chamber, if found adjoining Tutankhamun's tomb, may contain Kiya, a wife of the pharaoh Akhenaten.
Damati hopes scanning the walls of Tutankhamun's tomb will reveal "the discovery of the century".
Nefertiti played a major political and religious role in the 14th century BC.
She actively supported her husband Akhenaten -- Tutankhamun's father -- who temporarily converted ancient Egypt to monotheism by imposing the cult of sun god Aton.
Tutankhamun died aged 19 in 1324 BC after just nine years on the throne. His final resting place was discovered by another British Egyptologist, Howard Carter, in 1922.
Archaeologists have never discovered the mummy of the legendary beauty, but renowned British archaeologist Nicholas Reeves said in a recent study that her tomb could be in a secret chamber adjoining Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of Kings in Luxor in southern Egypt.
Reeves, who was in Luxor in September to probe his theory, believes one door of Tutankhamun's tomb could conceal the burial place of Nefertiti.
"The search will involve using radar and infra-red technologies," Damati said, adding that they would cause "no damage" to the tomb.
Advertisement
Experts carried out a preliminary scan of the tomb earlier this month using infra-red thermography to map out the temperature of its walls.
Advertisement
The minister and Reeves differ on whose mummy they expect to find.
Advertisement
His death would have forced priests to reopen Nefertiti's tomb 10 years after her death because the young pharaoh's own mausoleum had not yet been built.
Advertisement
Damati hopes scanning the walls of Tutankhamun's tomb will reveal "the discovery of the century".
Advertisement
She actively supported her husband Akhenaten -- Tutankhamun's father -- who temporarily converted ancient Egypt to monotheism by imposing the cult of sun god Aton.
Tutankhamun died aged 19 in 1324 BC after just nine years on the throne. His final resting place was discovered by another British Egyptologist, Howard Carter, in 1922.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Egyptian Ship Arrested At Paradip Port In Odisha For Outstanding Debt Virtual Autopsy Shows 'Screaming Woman' Mummy Endured Agonising Death Ancient Pyramids Collapse In Mexico, Local Tribe Warns Of "Impending Doom" 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.