More than a third of ancient Egypt monuments may be hidden underground
As much as 30% of Egypt’s ancient monuments could still be underground according to secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Cairo, Zahi Hawass.
Speaking whilst excavations began on the latest tomb to be unearthed in the Valley of the Kings, Hawass commented that a great proportion of Egypt’s history was buried under existing modern towns, including, perhaps the tomb of famous Egyptian monarch, Queen Nefertiti.
This latest tomb is known as KV 62 and is the first to be discovered in more than 80 years. The identity of the tomb’s occupant is uncertain and has provoked debate amongst experts working at the site. Hawass believes it to be the resting place of Queen Kiya, mother of Tutankhamun since it is located in close proximity to his own grave and he had requested to be buried near to her. The lack of ornate decoration one would expect in a queen’s tomb he explains as a result of the sudden death of Queen Kiya meaning that craftsmen did not have time to construct a more regal resting place. Another suggestion put forward claims that the tomb housed the body of the boy-king’s wife Ankhesenamun, due to an inscription found on a seal removed from the burial chamber bearing her former name. However Otto Schaden of the University of Memphis, who is heading the archaeological team, believes that there is not enough insignia to deem it a royal tomb at all.
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Speaking whilst excavations began on the latest tomb to be unearthed in the Valley of the Kings, Hawass commented that a great proportion of Egypt’s history was buried under existing modern towns, including, perhaps the tomb of famous Egyptian monarch, Queen Nefertiti.
This latest tomb is known as KV 62 and is the first to be discovered in more than 80 years. The identity of the tomb’s occupant is uncertain and has provoked debate amongst experts working at the site. Hawass believes it to be the resting place of Queen Kiya, mother of Tutankhamun since it is located in close proximity to his own grave and he had requested to be buried near to her. The lack of ornate decoration one would expect in a queen’s tomb he explains as a result of the sudden death of Queen Kiya meaning that craftsmen did not have time to construct a more regal resting place. Another suggestion put forward claims that the tomb housed the body of the boy-king’s wife Ankhesenamun, due to an inscription found on a seal removed from the burial chamber bearing her former name. However Otto Schaden of the University of Memphis, who is heading the archaeological team, believes that there is not enough insignia to deem it a royal tomb at all.