Unknown complex of corridors and chambers found near Tutankhamun’s tomb

According to Nature, citing the study’s lead author Mamdouh el-Damaty — an archaeologist at Ain Shams University in Cairo and former Egyptian minister of antiquities — a previously unknown complex of corridors and chambers was found near Tutankhamun’s tomb using geophysical surveys.

The scientists have appealed to Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities for permission to study these rooms. If granted, the researchers will drill holes and send mini-tractors with cameras inside to inspect the hidden chambers.

This refers to tomb KV62, known as Tutankhamun’s tomb. It was built in the 14th century BCE and discovered by archaeologists in 1922, although it seemed too small for a royal burial.

Interest in what lies behind its walls intensified after a hypothesis put forward in 2015 by British Egyptologist Nicholas Reeves. He suggested that Nefertiti — the chief wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten — might be buried there.

After studying cracks on the north wall of the burial chamber and changes in the ancient wall paintings, Reeves suggested that he was dealing with a false wall, which was used in Ancient Egypt to conceal separate rooms. According to his version, KV62 was originally larger, and after Tutankhamun’s death part of the tomb was remodeled for a royal burial and the distant rooms were sealed off.

Nefertiti, according to the version supported by many Egyptologists, ruled for some time as pharaoh before Tutankhamun came to power. Tutankhamun himself, according to one version, was a son of Akhenaten and died at a young age around 1323 BCE.

Sources

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• Material: theins.ru