Archeologists clash in Egypt over King Tut tomb theory

[webfact]

Archeologists clash in Egypt over King Tut tomb theory

CAIRO (AP) — Archeologists clashed at a conference in Egypt on Sunday over a theory that secret burial chambers could be hidden behind the walls of King Tutankhamun's tomb.

Speaking at the conference, former antiquities minister and famed Egyptologist Zahi Hawass rejected the theory that undiscovered chambers lie behind the tomb and likely contain the tomb of Queen Nefertiti, one of pharaonic Egypt's most famous figures. The theory has prompted new exploration and it has been extensively scanned by radar.

"In all my career ... I have never come across any discovery in Egypt due to radar scans," Hawass said, suggesting the technology would be better used to examine existing tombs that are known to contain sealed-off chambers.

British Egyptologist Nicolas Reeves meanwhile defended the theory he put forward last year. Preliminary results of successive scans suggest the tomb contains two open spaces, with signs of metal and organic matter lying behind its western and northern walls.

"I was looking for the evidence that would tell me that my initial reading was wrong," he said. "But I didn't find any evidence to suggest that. I just found more and more indicators that there is something extra going on in Tutankhamun's tomb."

The conference aims to bring broader scientific rigor to what so far have only been tantalizing clues in recent explorations of the tomb.

Antiquities Minister Khaled el-Anani, who attended the conference, said that scans of the tomb would continue in line with the group's recommendations, but that no physical exploration would be allowed unless he was "100 percent sure there is a cavity behind the wall."


-- (c) Associated Press 2016-05-09

[Pimay1]

It looks like to settle the argument a small hole would be carefully drilled in the wall. If indeed there is a cavity a small camera could be inserted and argument over.

[Andaman Al]

It looks like to settle the argument a small hole would be carefully drilled in the wall. If indeed there is a cavity a small camera could be inserted and argument over.

I am not sure over the years if Zahi Hawass has helped or hindered Egyptology. He certainly uses his power as a significant political tool in the academic world. It is time he moved on.

[SgtRock]

Archeologists clash in Egypt over King Tut tomb theory

Experts clashing. Where have I heard that before

[MaxYakov]

Archeologists clash in Egypt over King Tut tomb theory

Experts clashing. Where have I heard that before

I wonder if they're allowed to use sharpened trowels or just the ordinary, non-lethal variety?

[ggt]

With the world on the brink of Nuclear war...US, Russia, China, Iran, N. Korea, ISIS and others saber rattling to keep things stirred up...what may or may not be hidden behind an Egyptian tomb is relatively unimportant...

It is the economy stupid...people are starving...being raped...and genocide is rampant in parts of the world...

Give the tomb a rest...pickup a gun or computer...and join the fray...

[sanukjim]

They need to call in "Indiana Jones" for this. Dun De Dun Da.

[sanukjim]

With the world on the brink of Nuclear war...US, Russia, China, Iran, N. Korea, ISIS and others saber rattling to keep things stirred up...what may or may not be hidden behind an Egyptian tomb is relatively unimportant...

It is the economy stupid...people are starving...being raped...and genocide is rampant in parts of the world...

Give the tomb a rest...pickup a gun or computer...and join the fray...

Ah ,your post surly shows that you do have the gift of the lack of knowledge( TV says that I can not use ignorance here)n world history and the present situation .Do you rely think that these few archaeologist can leave this project and become involved in bringing about world peace and stability? Wow what a lad to sit in the classroom corner with a cone hat ( i don't think that TV allows the word dunce here).

[Guitar God]

Zahi Hawass' primary role in Egyptology has been obstructing research. It took years before he allowed an RC camera up the shafts in the "Queen's" chamber in Khufu's pyramid, years more to drill a hole through the block. No investigation of the space behind the stela between the paws of the Sphinx where a hollow chamber was discovered decades ago using ground penetrating radar. Now after he was forced to resign in 2011, he's sticking his nose in this with the goal of preventing further research.

[IAMHERE]

Interesting the muslims in Egypt aren't destroying all these old religious icons and artifacts? I expect ISIS or the brotherhood to blow up the Pyramids sooner or later.