Queen Nefertiti’s (badass/fave Egyptian queen, mom of King Tut) tomb may have been found

Second only to Cleopatra in fame, Queen Nefertiti has fascinated archaeologists and ancient Egypt enthusiasts alike for thousands of years, lending her gorgeous visage to one of the most famous busts to survive ancient times. For decades, scientists have been unable to locate the famous queen’s tomb, a find that could provide even more insight into her fascinating life, which included a stint as ruler of the nation. But that may all change very soon with one archaeologist claiming he may have finally located Nefertiti’s final resting place.

In a paper written for the Amarna Royal Tombs Project, British archaeologist and University of Arizona professor Dr. Nicholas Reeves claims that Queen Nefertiti’s tomb may be hidden within the tomb of an equally famous Egyptian: King Tutankhamun (or King Tut, for short).

While studying high-resolution scans of the boy king’s tomb, Dr. Reeves spotted what he believes to be two clandestine entrances behind painted plaster. Beyond one entrance, an extension of King Tut’s burial chamber; behind the other, the tomb of Queen Nefertiti, who also happened to be King Tut’s stepmother.

And Dr. Reeves may not be that far off the trail. According to The Guardian, the relatively small size of King Tut’s tomb—famously discovered by English archaeologist and Egyptologist Howard Carter in 1922—has perturbed scientists for decades. After all, the ancient Egyptians are well-known for their incredibly elaborate burial customs, which included mummification, and for the very wealthy, loads of treasures (and unhappy cats) to accompany them to the afterlife. So, it figures that what little was discovered nearly a century ago in the tomb of King Tut isn’t giving us the whole picture.

“If I’m wrong I’m wrong,” Dr. Reeves told The Economist. “But if I’m right this is potentially the biggest archaeological discovery ever made.”

(Image via Shutterstock)