Arab Republic of EgyptMinistry of CultureSupreme Council of Antiquities |
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Following the groundbreaking of the discovery of tomb KV63, five meters far of the tomb of the boy king Tutankhamun, Dr. Zahi Hawass secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) and Dr. Otto Shaden from Memphis University and the discoverer of such a tomb have opened today the last sarcophagus out of seven discovered in the tomb. Inside the sarcophagus embalming materials, different of what have previously found, have been revealed. It includes of gilded collars ornamented with flowers that were put on the deceased, sticks, golden shreds, clay fragment and a number of linen pieces. Risen and natron have been also found. During the opening of such sarcophagus, Hawass announced that this tomb was originally belonged to Tutankhamun's mother Kiya who died during giving birth to the boy king and was robbed during antiquities and used as a store house for embalming materials. His belief based on initial findings that include seals and inscriptions, a ceremonial bowl that exactly matches one found in King Tutankhamun's tomb including an identical hieroglyphics text. In addition Hawass added that the face depicted on top of one of the sarcophagi found is totally similar to the one of the boy king specially the nose and the cheeks. Hawass asserted that such tomb could not ever belong to Tutankhamun's wife who had enough time to carve a large beautiful tomb that bode to a royal queen. She was the wife of Tutankhamun for ten years and then king Iye for another couple of years. On September, after the completion of cleaning works, all hieroglyphic texts engraved on the sarcophagi will be studied in an attempt to reveal more secrets of the tomb or it could solve one of the mysteries of Tutankhamun. Due to the importance of such a discovery The Discovery Channel will air a live program on July 9 at 9pm ET/PT. The tomb KV63 has been accidentally found last February. During an excavation work carried out by the mission of Memphis University at king Amenmesse tomb in the Valley of the Kings the mission stumbled upon a corridor that led to the entrance of another side chamber that houses seven wooden sarcophagi and 20 sealed clay jars. Further excavation revealed two more well preserved coffins which one belongs to a child. Opening five of these tombs embalming materials such as natron, risen and linen have been found and no mummy. The sixth sarcophagus has been also opened later and revealed another small gilded sarcophagus found inside along with six cousins. Hawass believe that it belongs to an enfant but other Egyptologists see that it was used to bury Ushabti figures. |