Leading Egyptian Archaeologist Alleges to Have Found Queen Nefertiti’s Mummy

Leading Egyptologist Zahi Hawass says he has located the whereabouts of the mummy of Queen Nefertiti.

The archaeologist, according to a Newsweek story, connects seven unidentified mummies that Hawass and his colleagues discovered in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt, last December to what he thinks are the remains of ancient monarchs. In an interview, Hawass stated, “In October we will be able to reveal the finding of the mummies of Ankhesenamun, Tutankhamun’s wife, and her mother, Nefertiti.Approximately 3,300 years ago, in the 14th century BCE, Queen Nefertiti—full name Neferneferuaten Nefertiti—ruled Egypt with her husband, Pharaoh Amenhotep IV. It was noted that Nefertiti and Amenhotep successfully transitioned Egypt from polytheism to a monotheistic society devoted to the sun god, Aton, during this time of enormous affluence and social upheaval. Amenhotep even went so far as to change his own name to Akhenaten, which translates as “useful to Aten.” The two would go on to replace most of the religious imagery honoring the god Amun in favor of Aton. Amenhotep and Nefertiti were virtually lost in historical records after his passing, and ever since, they have remained a mystery. After his death, many of Ancient Egypt’s customary customs were reinstated.Even though Hawass is certain he has located her mummified remains, there are those in the archaeological community who voice doubt. Given Nefertiti’s fascinating life, about which little has been known, there are numerous obstacles to the tomb’s finding, according to Egyptian historian and Egyptologist Bassam al-Shammaa in an interview with Al-Monitor.

“It is stated that the most enigmatic figures of ancient Egypt are also the most famous ones… Given the hostility between her and the priests of Amun-Ra that resulted from her husband Akhenaten’s appeal for the worship of the deity Aten and her backing of him, I have my doubts that the [team] will discover Nefertiti’s mummy and original tomb in Luxor. This caused issues and led them to evacuate Thebes (in Luxor), the ancient Egyptian nation’s capital, and establish a new one in Amarna,” Shammaa continued.