Tut Mystery Revealed

Dr. Zahi Hawass Of The Supreme Council Of Antiquities Believes New Tomb In The Valley Of The Kings Belonged To King Tut’s Mother Queen Kiya, Explaining Location Of King Tut’s Tomb -- History-Changing Investigation Depicted in Discovery Channel’s World Premiere Original Special King Tut's Mystery Tomb Opened, Airing July 9 at 9PM ET/PT --
(Luxor, Egypt and Silver Spring, Md) -- Dr. Zahi Hawass, Head of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, announced today that he believes tomb KV63 – first discovered in the Valley of the Kings in February – belongs to Queen Kiya, mother of King Tutankhamun. A result of thorough investigations, an extensive battery of scientific tests and a comprehensive timeline analysis, the tomb’s identity was revealed at a press conference today in Luxor, Egypt.

"Eighty-three years, three months, and six days exactly to Howard Carter's discovery of the tomb of King Tutankhamun, I announce today my belief that KV63 is indeed the tomb of King Tutankhamun's mother, Queen Kiya," stated Dr. Zahi Hawass. "The identification of KV63 as the final resting place of Queen Kiya helps to solve the riddle of the location of King Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of the Kings. KV63 faces KV62, making it clear that the tomb was for someone near and dear to King Tutankhamun."

King Tut's Mystery Tomb Opened is the second program following the groundbreaking discoveries being made by Dr. Hawass and Dr. Otto Schaden, head of the University of Memphis archaeological team, who originally uncovered KV63. This one-hour exclusive special tracks the intense emotional and scientific investigation into the identity of the first tomb discovered in the Valley of the Kings in more than 80 years.

“The unveiling of KV63 is an important moment in history, and being able to chronicle such an amazing find on film makes this one of the most significant Discovery Quest projects to date,” said Jane Root, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Discovery Channel, The Science Channel, Military Channel and Discovery Times Channel, U.S.

Historical evidence shows that Queen Kiya died giving birth to King Tutankhamun in Amarna. Dr. Hawass and Dr. Schaden theorize that the boy pharaoh secretly ordered his mother’s tomb be moved from Amarna to the Valley of the Kings, and that prior to his death, King Tutankhamun requested to be buried near his mother.

Dr. Hawass’ announcement is based on initial findings that include:
· A coffin that included a garland of flowers like that buried with Tutankhamun signifying sweetness in the afterlife, gold beads, lemons, cloves and garlic, which was considered a protector of the soul and guardian of riches in the afterlife;
· Contents within the last-opened coffin that date back to the time of King Tutankhamun and feature unique embalming materials and actual linen scraps used to wrap mummies;
· Seals and inscriptions that include “PA-ATEN,” which an Egyptian expert believes is part of the former name given to Tutankhamun’s wife, and point directly to the time of King Tutankhamun;
· A ceremonial bowl and additional pottery shards that exactly match those found in King Tutankhamun’s tomb, including identical hieroglyphics messages;
· Pots found with gold lining, indicative of materials produced in a royal workshop; and
· An imprint found at the bottom of a coffin that suggests a mummy was once inside. There is a possibility a mummy may have been stolen from KV63.

Dr. Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Cairo, was recently named one of Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People.” Dr. Hawass is the most influential archaeologist in Egypt, responsible for supervising his own excavations as well as the work of foreign expeditions to all of the sites under his jurisdiction. He received his PhD from the University of Pennsylvania, has taught at the University of California in Los Angeles, Cairo University, and the American University in Cairo, and lectures widely throughout the world.

King Tut's Mystery Tomb Opened is produced for Discovery Channel by Atlantic Productions. For Discovery Channel, Jack Smith is the executive producer. For Atlantic Productions, Anthony Geffen is the executive producer.

Remember This?

(King Tut. King Tut.)
Now when he was a young man, he never thought he'd see
People stand in line to see the boy king.

(King Tut)
How'd you get so funky?
(Funky Tut)
Did you do the monkey?
(Born in Arizona, moved to Babylonia
King Tut)

Now if I'd known they'd line up just to see him
I'd have taken all my money and bought me a museum.

(King Tut)
Buried with a donkey.
(King Tut)
He's my favorite honky
(Born in Arizona, moved to Babylonia
King Tut)

(Tut! Tut!)
Dancing by the Nile!
(Disco Tut! Tut!)
The ladies love his style!
(Boss Tut! Tut!)
Walkin' for a mile.
(Rockin' Tut! Tut!)
He ate a crocodile.
(Oooooh, wah-ooooh)
He gave his life for tourism.

[ saxophonist pop out of crypt for a solo ]

Steve Martin: [ places electric blender at saxophonist's feet ] Golden Idols! He's an Egyptian!

Steve Martin:
Now when I die, now don't think I'm a nut
Don't want no fancy funeral, just one like old King Tut!
(King Tut)
He could have won a Grammy.
(King Tut)
Buried in his jammies.
(Born in Arizona, moved to Babylonia
Born in Arizona)

Got a condo made o' stone-a
(King Tut)