Is this Nefertiti? Two months ago, a team of Egyptologists led by
British scientist Joann Fletcher of the University of York announced
that a neglected mummy collecting dust in a nondescript tomb was
actually that of ancient Egypt's most famous female ruler.
This image shows a computer reconstruction of what is believed to be
the face of Nefertiti.
Discovery Channel handout
In an effort to confirm her identity, two British experts have applied
their forensic skills to digital X-rays of the skull. (Related graphic:
Reconstructing Nefertiti)
Neither Damian Schofield of Nottingham University nor Martin Evison of
Sheffield University knew in advance the identity of their "victim."
They specialize in reconstructing human faces from skulls for murder
cases in which the victim is unknown.
Schofield and Evison created a 3-D computer mesh of the skull, then
placed a series of markers to designate where tissue would be added.
Next, they added facial muscles to give the face its full depth and
contour. Finally, a graphic artist added skin texture, eye color, lips
and the crown.
Nefertiti: Her life and death
Nefertiti married Pharaoh Akhenaten while still a teen or perhaps a
pre-adolescent. Hieroglyphs depict her demure as the young bride.
But during the reign of Akhenaten, she grew more powerful. Both king and
queen were hated for forcing the long-reigning Amun priest class into
the unemployment line.
The king died under suspicious circumstances. Nefertiti died three
years later of unknown causes.
Schofield and Evison say the reconstruction does not prove the skull
belongs to Nefertiti. But they were surprised at the similarities with
Nefertiti's bust, which was made during her lifetime and is displayed at
the Egyptian Museum in Berlin.
Says Fletcher: "I was bowled over by it, to be honest. The face is that
of a very strong individual indeed. She has such a beautiful profile.
She is stunning."
Nefertiti's image is one of the most popular today from ancient Egypt.
But the real queen was hated by Egyptian society after her reign ended.
An unusually powerful queen, she reigned with her husband, Akhenaten,
who ruled from 1352 to 1336 B.C., during the late 18th dynasty.
Nefertiti may have ruled as pharaoh for three years after his death.
Nefertiti vanished from Egyptian history with no trace of a royal tomb
or evidence of a burial.
