Archaeologist May Be Close to Finding Queen Nefertiti's Tomb

One of the world's most celebrated archaeologists says he may be on the verge of solving a 3,300-year-old mystery that has captivated historians for generations.

Zahi Hawass, Egypt's former antiquities minister, has spent years searching for the tomb of Queen Nefertiti in the Valley of the Kings. Now, he says the discovery "could happen soon" as his team excavates a new area near another powerful female pharaoh's burial site.

"If I made this discovery, I think I would be happy to end my career with the most important discovery of the most important queen of Egypt," Hawass says in a new documentary about his life, "The Man with the Hat," which premiered on streaming platforms this week.

Nefertiti was the wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten, who ruled from 1353 to 1336 B.C. She was so powerful that she appeared in royal artwork the same way pharaohs did, including images of her smiting enemies. Many experts, including Hawass, believe she ruled Egypt as pharaoh after her husband's death.

Hawass and his team have already made significant finds in the valley, discovering two previously unknown tombs in 2006 and 2015. While those tombs had been plundered long ago, they proved that major discoveries still wait beneath the desert sand.

His team is now focused on the eastern Valley of the Kings, close to where Queen Hatshepsut, another powerful female ruler, was buried. Hawass admits he doesn't have concrete evidence pointing to this location, but his decades of experience have given him a strong feeling about the area.

Why This Inspires

The search for Nefertiti's tomb represents more than just archaeological curiosity. Finding it would illuminate one of history's most fascinating periods and honor a woman who wielded unprecedented power in the ancient world. Hawass's dedication, even as he nears retirement, shows that passion for discovery and understanding our shared human story never fades.

Beyond the tomb search, Hawass continues working to bring Egyptian artifacts home from European museums. He's advocating for the return of iconic pieces like the Rosetta Stone and the bust of Nefertiti, which were taken during colonial times.

After 50 years of uncovering Egypt's secrets, Hawass remains hopeful that his greatest find still lies ahead.