New Radar Surveys Hint at Hidden Chambers Beyond King Tutankhamun's Tomb, Possibly Queen Nefertiti's Burial
New geophysical surveys employing ground-penetrating radar and microgravimetry have revealed anomalies near King Tutankhamun's tomb, suggesting the presence of hidden chambers that may belong to Queen Nefertiti. This study, led by Egypt's former antiquities minister Mamdouh Eldamaty, was published in the Occasional Papers of the Amarna Royal Tombs Project. Researchers identified two potential chambers located approximately 80 to 100 feet north of the burial site. Although they seek approval to drill for further investigation, experts Ray Johnson and Christopher Gaffney caution that the current evidence is inconclusive.
Key facts
- New geophysical surveys using ground-penetrating radar and microgravimetry detected anomalies beyond Tutankhamun's tomb.
- The study was published this month in the Occasional Papers of the Amarna Royal Tombs Project.
- Lead researcher Mamdouh Eldamaty is Egypt's former antiquities minister.
- The theory that Nefertiti's tomb lies beyond Tutankhamun's was first proposed in 2015 by Nicholas Reeves.
- Potential chambers are located roughly 80 to 100 feet north of the burial chamber.
- Researchers describe two chambers with reasonably high confidence but call some structures highly speculative.
- The team is seeking approval to drill a small hole and lower cameras, with drilling possibly starting as early as November.
- Experts Ray Johnson and Christopher Gaffney urge caution, noting the evidence is not conclusive.
Entities
Artists
- Howard Carter
- Mamdouh Eldamaty
- Nicholas Reeves
- Ray Johnson
- George Ballard
- Christopher Gaffney
- Peter Styles
- Jo Marchant
- Rhys Blakely
- Ellen Wexler
Institutions
- Amarna Royal Tombs Project
- Nature
- London Times
- Economist
- University of Bradford
- Keele University
- Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures
- Smithsonian magazine
Locations
- Egypt
- Valley of the Kings
- England
- United States