Scans show '90% chance' of hidden chambers in Tutankhamun tomb

Radar scans of the tomb of pharaoh Tutankhamun in theancient necropolis of Luxor showed a ‘90 percent’chance of two hidden chambers, possibly containing organic material, Egypt'santiquities minister said Thursday.

Experts had scanned the tomb to find what a renowned Britisharchaeologist believes could be the resting place of Queen Nefertiti, the legendarybeauty and wife of Tutankhamun's father whose mummy has never been found.

Preliminary scans of Tutankhamun tomb reveal ‘two hiddenrooms behind the burial chamber’ of the boy king, Antiquities Minister MamdouhDamati told reporters.

‘Yes, we have some empty space, but not total empty,including some organic and metal material,’ Damati said in English.

When asked how certain he was, he said there was a ‘90percent’ chance.

A study by renowned British archaeologist Nicholas Reeveshas said that Nefertiti's tomb could be in a secret chamber adjoiningTutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of Kings in Luxor insouthern Egypt.

Reeves, professor of archaeology at the University of Arizona,believes one door of Tutankhamun's tomb could conceal the burial place of Nefertiti.

According to him, Tutankhamun, who died unexpectedly, wasburied hurriedly in an underground chamber probably not intended for him.

His death would have forced priests to reopen Nefertiti'stomb 10 years after her death because the young pharaoh's own mausoleum had notyet been built.

Nefertiti played a major political and religious role in the14th century BC.

She actively supported her husband Akhenaten --Tutankhamun's father -- who temporarily converted ancient Egypt tomonotheism by imposing the cult of sun god Aton.

Tutankhamun died aged 19 in 1324 BC after just nine years onthe throne. His final resting place was discovered by another BritishEgyptologist, Howard Carter, in 1922.