Quest for the tomb of Amenhotep I

Al-Ahram Weekly ^ | 22 - 28 December 2005 | Zahi Hawass

[SunkenCiv]

In the area Niwinski found about 250 graffiti, some representing fish, dogs and human figures that could be dated to the pre-dynastic period. Five graffiti were found from the 21st Dynasty belonging to a scribe named, Botig Amun. Earthquakes in the area had shifted the rocks and revealed eight passages behind the temple. These passages had been made by thieves searching for tombs and treasure, and we know from the Abbott papyri that thieves entered the area and reached the bedrock. They also investigated the area horizontally. Inside one of the tunnels more graffiti was discovered. Niwinski found that some of the tunnels were still sealed and showed evidence that they were sealed by the officials of the cemetery. He thinks that the fallen blocks above the temple of Hatshepsut were not dislodged by earthquakes but by ancient Egyptian workmen, and he believes that the ancient Egyptians moved these blocks to conceal the hiding place of a tomb that might belong to Amenhotep I. He also thinks that the Abbott papyri provides evidence that the tomb of Amenhotep I is located in this area, because in the inscriptions are the names Mentuhotep and Amenhotep. All these discoveries convinced him that there was something important buried there.

Every day Niwinski is convinced that on that day he will find the tomb. When we stopped the work, we felt we had no other choice because it seemed likely his search was useless and we were afraid of the damage that was being done to the cliff. However, the permanent committee met him last month and decided to give him one last chance. This time he will have specialists working with him who are trained in excavation techniques.

[Berosus]

I have told folks that I am not a geek, just a nerd, and that there are different degrees of "nerdness." Here's the proof:

[wildbill]

why can't they use ground-penetrating radar or whatever to find empty spaces within the cliff?

[ruoflaw]

Best Ping list on FR! Thank you both for such interesting topics! It is and always has been breaking news!

[SunkenCiv]

Berosus: I have told folks that I am not a geek, just a nerd, and that there are different degrees of "nerdness."

Hey, buddy, try that on someone who doesn't know ya. ;') I checked out that link to the Rohl DVD on eBay, and it says that it expires on the 6th or so. Won't it just continue until they're gone?

wildbill: why can't they use ground-penetrating radar or whatever to find empty spaces within the cliff?

Good idea. Also a good way to tick off Zahi Hawass (because he didn't think of it first -- BTW, that's probably what's behind Zowie's reaction anyway) and get kicked off the site and out of Egypt. ;')

ruoflaw: Best Ping list on FR! Thank you both for such interesting topics! It is and always has been breaking news!

Thanks!

[Berosus]

I checked out that link to the Rohl DVD on eBay, and it says that it expires on the 6th or so. Won't it just continue until they're gone?

It probably would. I didn't see any date myself. Maybe Cami changes the expiration date each time it passes, if there are still DVDs left. The part that puzzled me was the part that said there are 55 sets available; I thought she had almost run out, and wasn't going to make any more until after the holidays.

[SunkenCiv]

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Amenhotep I was found in a replacement coffin (which Reeves thinks was part of same group of coffins that Tuthmosis II's replacement coffin came from) originally made for a mid-18'th Dynasty priest named Djehutymose and subsequently reinscribed by the reburial party for Amenhotep I.