King Tut and the chamber of
secrets: Tomb may have
undiscovered rooms
By Associated Press, adapted by Newsela staff on 10.01.15
Word Count 478
The sarcophagus of King Tut is displayed in a glass case at the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt, Sept.
29, 2015. Photo: AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty
LUXOR, Egypt — King Tut's tomb may contain hidden chambers, Egypt's
antiquities minister said Tuesday. The announcement gives support to a new
theory that a queen may be buried in the walls of the 3,300-year-old pharaonic
mausoleum.
Minister Mamdouh el-Damaty said he will seek final approval to use radar to
inspect the tomb, by bouncing radio waves off of any objects. El-Damaty spoke
while touring the burial sites of Tutankhamun, popularly known as King Tut, and
other pharaohs in the famed Valley of the Kings.
El-Damaty was visiting Luxor with Egyptologist Nicholas Reeves. The British
expert recently speculated that Tutankhamun, who died at the age of 19, may
have been hastily buried in an outer chamber of what was originally the tomb of
Egyptian Queen Nefertiti.
Peeking Behind The Chamber Walls
Reeves said high-resolution images of what is known as King Tut's tomb
"revealed several very interesting features which look not at all natural." He said
these include "very, very straight lines which are 90 degrees to the ground,
positioned so as to correspond with other features within the tomb."
These features are difficult to see with the naked eye, he said.
Reeves said the plastered walls could conceal two unexplored doorways, one of
which perhaps leads to Nefertiti's tomb. He also argued that the design of the
tomb suggests it was built for a queen, rather than a king.
"I agree with him that there's probably something behind the walls," el-Damaty
said. But he said if anyone is buried there, it is likely Kia, believed by some
Egyptologists to be King Tut's mother.
A Tomb Fit For A Queen
Nefertiti, who was famed for her beauty and was the subject of a famous 3,300year-old limestone bust, was the main wife of the Pharaoh Akhenaten. He is
noted for introducing an early form of monotheism, or belief in one god, as the
ancient Egyptians typically worshipped many gods. Akhenaten was succeeded
by a pharaoh referred to as Smenkhare and then followed by Tut, who is widely
believed to have been Akhenaten's son.
Reeves argues that Smenkhare is actually Nefertiti.
Reeves said that around the time Smenkhare became pharaoh, Nefertiti seemed
to just disappear from history "according to the latest inscriptions just being
found." He explained his theory inside King Tut's tomb. "I think that Nefertiti
didn't disappear, she simply changed her name."
Tucking Tut Into Occupied Tomb
After Nefertiti died, Tut was responsible for burying her, and then when he died
someone decided to build more chambers in the tomb, Reeves suggested. "I
think since Nefertiti had been buried a decade before, they remembered that
tomb was there and they thought, 'Well, perhaps we can extend it,'" he said.
Any discovery would provide more information about this turbulent time in
ancient Egypt.
"Akhenaten's family is full of secrets and historical issues that have yet to be
resolved," el-Damaty said.
Quiz
1
2
3
Which of the following aspects of the article is not thoroughly discussed?
(A)
why Reeves believes Queen Nefertiti might be buried with King Tut
(B)
why el-Damaty thinks King Tut’s mother Kia is buried with him
(C)
why Nefertiti might have disappeared from history
(D)
why Reeves believes there are chambers connected to King Tut’s
tomb
Which of these sentences from the article BEST supports the theory that King Tut
may share his tomb with someone else?
(A)
Minister Mamdouh el-Damaty said he will seek final approval to use
radar to inspect the tomb, by bouncing radio waves off of any
objects.
(B)
Any discovery would provide more information about this turbulent
time in ancient Egypt.
(C)
Reeves said that around the time Smenkhare became pharaoh,
Nefertiti seemed to just disappear from history.
(D)
He also argued that the design of the tomb suggests it was built for
a queen, rather than a king.
Read the following sentence from the introduction [paragraphs 1-3].
The British expert recently speculated that Tutankhamun, who
died at the age of 19, may have been hastily buried in an
outer chamber of what was originally the tomb of Egyptian
Queen Nefertiti.
Which of the following has the closest meaning to "speculated" as it is used above?
(A)
doubted
(B)
proved
(C)
contradicted
(D)
theorized
4
Read the following sentence from the section “Tucking Tut Into Occupied Tomb.”
Any discovery would provide more information about this
turbulent time in ancient Egypt.
What is the meaning of the word “turbulent” as used in the sentence above?
(A)
violent
(B)
exciting
(C)
chaotic
(D)
prosperous
Answer Key
1
2
3
Which of the following aspects of the article is not thoroughly discussed?
(A)
why Reeves believes Queen Nefertiti might be buried with King Tut
(B)
why el-Damaty thinks King Tut’s mother Kia is buried with him
(C)
why Nefertiti might have disappeared from history
(D)
why Reeves believes there are chambers connected to King Tut’s
tomb
Which of these sentences from the article BEST supports the theory that King Tut
may share his tomb with someone else?
(A)
Minister Mamdouh el-Damaty said he will seek final approval to use
radar to inspect the tomb, by bouncing radio waves off of any
objects.
(B)
Any discovery would provide more information about this turbulent
time in ancient Egypt.
(C)
Reeves said that around the time Smenkhare became pharaoh,
Nefertiti seemed to just disappear from history.
(D)
He also argued that the design of the tomb suggests it was
built for a queen, rather than a king.
Read the following sentence from the introduction [paragraphs 1-3].
The British expert recently speculated that Tutankhamun, who
died at the age of 19, may have been hastily buried in an
outer chamber of what was originally the tomb of Egyptian
Queen Nefertiti.
Which of the following has the closest meaning to "speculated" as it is used above?
(A)
doubted
(B)
proved
(C)
contradicted
(D)
theorized
4
Read the following sentence from the section “Tucking Tut Into Occupied Tomb.”
Any discovery would provide more information about this
turbulent time in ancient Egypt.
What is the meaning of the word “turbulent” as used in the sentence above?
(A)
violent
(B)
exciting
(C)
chaotic
(D)
prosperous