British archaeologist Nicholas Reeves visited Luxors Valley of the Kings on 29 September in an attempt to prove his theory that Queen Nefertitis tomb is located on the site. Reeves, an Egyptologist, published a paper earlier this year claiming the queens tomb is actually hidden behind the tomb of Tutankhamun, who died in about 1322BC at age 18.
Reeves was accompanied by Egypts Antiquities Minister Mamdouh al-Damaty and Tourism Minister Hisham Zazou as he explored the tomb of the boy king. Originally this entire wall was painted and decorated in order to make people not think there was nothing further beyond, said Reeves.
The mystery surrounding Nefertitis resting place could provide a boost to Egypts tourism industry, which has recently suffered after the political turmoil that followed the uprising that toppled President Hosni Mubarak in 2011. Egypts tourism minister was hopeful that things would improve by the end of this year.
First, well begin with the British market - so the campaign, the flying, the marketing, the solving of the problems of the sector, the attempt to find a swift resolution for the production tools - the still and moving hotels - are all things that, I think, will take place during the following month or two. I will exert my best effort - and I think that will all promote the tourism movement - I hope so. Hopefully by this December, things will be looking up and we will enter 2016 strong, said Hisham Zazou.
Reeves will hold a press conference in Cairo on 1 October to announce the findings of his visit and investigation.
