We'll Soon Know If Tut's Tomb Holds Secrets

First came the theory, then a dribble of updates: In August 2015, University of Arizona archaeologist Nicholas Reeves made the case that Tutankhamun's tomb also holds the remains of Nefertiti. Egyptian authorities had no comment at the time, but three months later, a duo of stories seemed to lend credence to the idea, at least of a hidden chamber. A "preliminary analysis indicates the presence of an area different in its temperature than the other parts of the northern wall," announced Egypt's antiquities minister; further scans that month led Egyptian officials to say they were "approximately 90%" certain a previously unknown chamber is present. Now, the next step in the process has been established.

Additional radar exams will take place April 2, and the Ministry of Antiquities will hold a subsequent press conference to share the findings. That update was provided in an emailed statement to Live Science in an apparent attempt to discredit a story picked up by the media last week (see the Independent's version here) in which the country's tourism minister supposedly told Spanish media that the hidden chamber was packed with "treasures." Counters the statement, "The Ministry of Antiquities has not issued any statement concerning the results that have been reached so far." (More King Tut stories.)