Iconic archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass is looking to hang up his career on a historic note. He believes he is close to finding an ancient, long-lost tomb.
The tomb belonged to the Egyptian Queen Nefertiti. If he is correct, then it will be one for the history books. In his new documentary, "The Man with the Hat," he proclaimed that he was really close to making that a reality. It would bring a close to an already successful career. Hawass is the former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities.
"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 — Queen Nefertiti," he said in the new documentary.
So exactly why would this be historic? Well, it would confirm a prediction Hawass made that Queen Nefertiti took over for her husband, pharaoh Akhenaten, after he died. Much isn't known about the figure. But what is known suggests that she was a pharaoh in her own right. But actually discovering the tomb would help solve this mystery once and for all.
Zahi Hawass Speaks Out
Hawass has continued his excavation of the eastern Valley of the Kings. If Nefertiti has a tomb, the archaeologist believes it would be located in this area. Hawass has a hunch that it may be near the tomb of Hatshepsut, another powerful female pharaoh.
"There is one area now that we are working in the east valley, near the tomb of Queen Hatshepsut," Hawass told the outlet. "I'm hoping that this could be the tomb of Queen Nefertiti ... this discovery could happen soon."
However, even if Hawass doesn't discover the tomb, his legacy in the field is secure. He famously discovered two tombs, KV 65 and KV 66. So that's something to still be proud of if he doesn't find this tomb.
