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King Tutankhamun's tomb: 'High chance' of hidden chamber inside

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King Tutankhamun's burial maskImage source, AFP
Image caption,

Tutankhamun may have been Nefertiti's son

A mystery, which has puzzled archaeologists for years, is closer to being solved.

Egyptian officials say they are now "90% sure" there is a hidden chamber in King Tutankhamun's tomb.

British archaeologist Dr Nicholas Reeves thinks the mummy of the legendary Queen Nefertiti lies in this secret room.

The tomb of Tutankhamun, who may have been Nefertiti's son, was found in 1922. He died 3,000 years ago aged 19.

Dr Reeves believes Tutankhamun's remains may have been placed into what was originally Nefertiti's tomb.

Media caption,

Jenny's reports on the search for Queen Nefertiti's tomb

The Egyptian Antiquities Ministry said it had carried out scans of the 3,300-year-old tomb near the Valley of the Kings in Luxor.

"Clearly it does look from the radar evidence as if the tomb continues, as I have predicted," Mr Reeves said at a press conference on Saturday.

"If I am right it is a continuation - corridor continuation - of the tomb, which will end in another burial chamber," he said.

The scans will now be sent to Japan for further analysis.

Image source, Reuters
Image caption,

Experts say the chances are high that Tutankhamun's tomb (pictured above) has passages to a hidden chamber

Tutankhamun's tomb was the most complete ever discovered in Egypt. Close to 2,000 objects were found inside.

But its layout has been a puzzle for some time with many archaeologists wondering why it was smaller than those of other kings' tombs.

Dr Reeves believes there are clues in the design of the tomb that show it was designed to store the remains of a queen, not a king.

We won't know for sure, unless Egyptian authorities choose to break through to mystery doorway and have a look.