Is the Search for Nefertiti Nearly Over?

The Egyptian queen Nefertiti has long been held in high regard by historians, Egyptologists, and archaeologists alike. Legendary her for her beauty, Nefertiti was the wife of the Pharaoh Akhenaten, who ruled the country from 17 years. During their reign, Egypt shifted from a pantheon of gods, to the worship of a single god, bringing monotheism to the Egyptian people for the first time.

Nefertiti reigned alongside her husband and she had unprecedented power as compared to most women. Ancient Egypt was a patriarchal society, and while women were generally held in high regard, the seldom were allowed to rule the country. But Nefertiti was an exception to that rule, and as queen she curried great favor with the king and his court.

But what exactly happened to this powerful woman remains a mystery. Whether she died before her husband or out lived him seems to be a matter of debate, but there did seem to be a concerted attempt to erase her from Egyptian history at one point, which makes it difficult to surmise what became of her. For centuries historians and archaeologists have tried to discover Nefertiti's fate, and while there are plenty of theories, there has been little hard evidence to go on. Her tomb has never been found, and there seems to be little trace of her final resting place – something that is quite odd for a person of her stature.

That might be changing however, as a new theory put fourth by a British archaeologist working at the University of Arizona may finally uncover her tomb at long last. Nicholas Reeves says that by studying digital scans of the tomb of King Tut, he may have found two previously undiscovered "ghost doors" which may lead to another burial chamber beyond.


Tut would have been the next king to succeed Akhenaten, and since he only lived to be about 17 years old, his burial chamber wasn't quite prepared yet at the time of his death. Reeves believes that Tut was placed in a tomb that was originally built for a queen, and that it was hastily walled up to make room for the boy-king instead.

Reeves points to a number of clues to back up his hypothesis. For starters, Tut's tomb was far smaller than was appropriate for a pharaoh, and some of the items found resting with him came from an older era. Both are indications that the tomb may have been previously used for someone else. The design and size of the tomb indicate that it was perhaps meant for a queen of the 18th Dynasty, of which Nefertiti was the last great one.

Reeves' theory has garnered a great deal of buzz within the archaeology community. His logic is sound, and there are indications of possible hidden chambers off of Tut's tomb. But it will take some time to confirm whether or not they do exist. Researchers will likely take ground penetrating radar into the tomb to see if there are indeed chambers on the other side of the walls. If they are found, it will take even longer to excavate them, as the process will likely be painstakingly slow so as to not damage the chamber. So,while the final resting place of Nefertiti may be close at hand, it could be years before we know if Reeve is correct. Still, it is an interesting theory to say the least, and it could give us more insight into what became of the legendary queen who remains an enduring enigma even into the 21st century.

Video: Drones Over Jordan

Jordan is a country filled with culture and history. It is a place that is incredibly beautiful, with ancient wonders that match anything else found on Earth. This video captures a bit of what that country has to offer with drone shots of some of its most iconic places, including the desert of Wadi Rum and the amazing site of Petra. Having visited these places myself, I can tell you that they are as extraordinary as they appear here, and well worth having on your bucket list of destinations.

Jordan from the Air from Matador Network on Vimeo.

Video: New Footage of Amelia Earhart Emerges

Rare film footage of Amelia Earhart has been revealed after being kept secret for decades by the man who shot it. The film was made back in 1937, not long before Earhart began her attempt to fly around the world, which would eventually end with her disappearance somewhere over the South Pacific Ocean. The aviator met with photographer Al Bresnik and his brother John at a small airport in Burbank, California when she was preparing for her historic flight. Al was to do a photoshoot of the pilot, while John tagged along and captured the encounter on film. The 16mm footage then sat on a shelf for 50 years until it was discovered by John's son following his death in 1992. The son, also named John, put the film in his desk and didn't get around to looking at it for another 20 years. Now, it is being revealed to the public for the first time. You can see this small slice of history for yourself in the AP News clip below. Amazing.

Adventures in Egypt: The Siwa Oasis

It has been more than a month since I returned from my journey through Egypt, and during that time I've been off on another adventure to three of America's national parks. But there are still stories to share from my visit to northern Africa as well, even though I have already posted extensively about the trip. If you missed those posts from a few weeks back, you'l find them here: Part 1: Quiet and Calm in Cairo, Part 2: The Great Pyramid of Giza, Part 3: The Valley of the Kings and Queens – By Donkey, and Part 4: Into The White Desert.

As always, I'd be remiss if I didn't think my fantastic hosts at G Adventures for bringing me along on this journey. All of the things that I saw and did while I was on this trip were a part of their Absolute Egypt itinerary, a 16-day marathon that takes you to just about every corner of the country. If you're looking to visit Egypt yourself – and truly now is the time to go – than have a look at this option, or one of the other options that G Adventures offers. They truly have some of the best tours for seeing this amazing country.

When I last left off, I had been spending some time in the breathtaking White Desert, a region that is marked with chalk rock formations that spread out as far as the eye can see. Those deposits look like snow in the hot sand, with thousands of years of wind carving away some very interesting and distinct formations. It is a very memorable setting, and a great example of how the desert can be a truly beautiful place.

After spending a few days in the hot desert, it was time to move on to our next destination, which was the small town of Siwa Oasis. As the name implies, the city sits in spot that affords it some respite from the desert, with both fresh and saltwater lakes nearby. The area is surprisingly lush with trees and green grasses growing throughout the oasis, although towering sand dunes sit just outside the Siwa city limits.

As one of Egypt's most isolated and remote cities, Siwa sits just 50 km (30 miles) from the border with Libya. Over the centuries the small town developed its own cultures and traditions, independent of much of the rest of the country. Mostly inhabited by members of the Berber tribe, Siwa is its own unique place that holds a lot of allure for visitors who are looking to escape the hustle and bustle found in many Egypt's larger metropolitan areas. In Siwa, it is as if life stand still with a peaceful solicitude and a slower pace to life.


The city is a historical setting that was once home to the Oracle of Amon, one of the more powerful deities in Egyptian mythology. There are also a wide variety of ruins spread out across the area, with the most prominent being the Shali Ghadi, a set of buildings made of mud and salt that were almost completely destroyed by three days of constant raining back in 1926. The oasis rarely sees rainfall of course, so its inhabitants have always built their structures out of mud. But the heavy rains caused those buildings to melt over several days of downpours, and the remains of that disaster are still part of Siwa today.

There are also a series of ancient tombs located on the outskirts of town at a place called the Mountain of the Dead. This monument is left over from the Roman era, when many such tombs were carved out of the nearby rock.

During my stay in Siwa I found it to be one of the most relaxed stops on the entire tour. The quiet town is less of a tourist stop, so visitors aren't constantly harassed by merchants to buy their goods, and  the locals seem accommodating and accepting of visitors. It is the perfect place to escape the constant buzz of energy that surrounds Cairo, Aswan, and Luxor, which have far more interesting ancient sites to explore, but are also over run with travelers during their busier times. Here, the quiet life of a remote village of Egypt can be experienced fully, and it was a really nice change of pace.

That isn't to say that we weren't active during our stay in Siwa. In fact, on one day we took a tour of the city by bike that was both insightful and enjoyable in many ways. It is easy to rent a bike near the town center, and they are adequate for roaming about the oasis. Just don't expect that bike to be of top-notch quality, and be prepared for some discomfort along the way. Also, the traffic in the town can be a bit hairy as you pedal your way about. Most of the vehicles won't be on the lookout for you, so keep your eyes peeled for oncoming traffic, pedestrians walking in strange places, and random animals darting out into the road.

My cycling trip took me to the foot of the Mountain of the Dead, where the ancient tombs were on display. I also wandered to an incredibly well preserved old mosque, and past an ancient ruin that was purportedly a temple dedicated to Alexander the Great. But the best part of riding around Siwa was simply just seeing the daily lives of those who lived there. At one point we passed through a busy market, at another we rolled through a residential area, and sometimes we just pedaled down back streets. But on that ride I saw many locals busy with the tasks of the day, and it was refreshing to see them go about their work.

A true highlight of a visit to Siwa is taking a plunge in Cleopatra's Bath, a pool filled with natural spring water that is both cool and refreshing on hot days. Legend has it that Cleopatra visited Siwa and bathed in these waters, which in turn gave her the beauty that she is so famous for. In reality, she never even came to the place, but it makes a good story to share with the tourists I'm sure.

The pool is a great place to take a swim, and since it is frequented by many locals, it is another good place to interact with them as well. But be warned, it can also get quite crowded at times. I was there in the late morning, and it was the perfect setting, but later, as I climbed back aboard my bike to continue riding, it was starting to get quite full.

Siwa is a place where you can see just about everything the town has to offer in a day or two. But, because it is so relaxed and laid back, it is also a place that you probably won't be in a hurry to leave either. There are some surprisingly good restaurants to eat at there, and while there isn't any kind of jumping nightlife, there are still some fun places to pass away the evening sipping a tea while smoking shisha and watch life unfold. This is a place that is an oasis in more ways than one, and it is easy to understand the appeal of living there.

Visitors to Siwa should also be sure to take in the amazing sunsets. Late in the day, as the sun drops in the west, go to the old town and climb to the top of one of the prominent hills or open ruins. There you'll find that the air cools dramatically as darkness begins to set in. But before that happens, the sun hangs like a giant ball of fire along the horizon, illuminating the landscape with various shades of red, orange, and pink. It is a wonderful way to close out a long day of exploring the oasis, and quite peaceful as well.

As you can probably tell, I was quite smitten by Siwa. It was a surprisingly restful place in a remote corner of the Western Desert. If you're planning on visiting Egypt, and you want a place to go that is far off the beaten path away from the tourist stops, than Siwa just might be the place. It takes a bit of doing just to get there, and you won't find a lot of amenities when you arrive, but it is hard not to be charmed by the relaxed and simple lifestyle that you'll find there. Apart from the impressive ancient sites, it just might be my favorite place in the entire country.

I've almost wrapped up my tale of Egyptian adventure. I have one more post to share on the topic before moving on. To wrap up my journey through this ancient country I left Siwa Oasis behind and traveled to Alexandria on the Mediterranean Coast, a place that has its own history and legends. It too is unlike other cities in Egypt as well, and more than lives up to its billing.

Video: Cyclist Conquers Pyrenees on a Fixie

Here's a video that the cyclists amongst us will be able to appreciate. It features rider Patrick Seabase as he rides an exhausting mountain stage from the 1910 Tour de France on a fixie bike. Yep, that's right. He rode all 192 miles (308 km) through the Pyrenees on a bike that doesn't have any brakes or gears. Just watching him struggle to go up the slopes is enough to make my legs tired, and going back down had to be a scary affair as well. To find out more about Seabase and hi amazing ride, check out this interview he did with Red Bull.

Archaeologists Discover 3 Million Year Old Tools that Pre-Date Man

I love stories that show us that we don't know as much about our planet as we think we do. Earlier this week it was revealed that archaeologists have discovered ancient tools in Kenya that date back more than 3.3 million years. That's amazing of course, but what is even more mind blowing is the fact that these artifacts actually pre-date man, indicating that another species once inhabited the Earth that possessed the knowledge and ability to create and use tools too.

This discovery turns some preconceived notions about early man on its ear. While we have seen apes and monkeys use tools to solve problems and acquire food, it has been widely assumed that one of the things that separated humans – those species designated as Homo Sapiens and Homo Erectus for instance – is our ability to make and use crude tools to our advantage. These latest findings date back to a time before and of those early humans walked the Earth, making us expand our thoughts on what other species were capable of, and change some theories as to why Homo Sapiens grew to be the dominant species on the planet.

Until now, the oldest stone tools found have dated back about 2.6 million years. Those artifacts were also found in Kenya, and included axes made out of volcanic stone that were used for hunting. But this new find predates those instruments by as much as 700,000 years.

Just who made these tools remains a bit of a mystery. There are some researchers who believe that they were made by an as-yet unknown species that we haven't discovered yet. Others are attributing them to a species early man known as Kenyanthropus. Back in 1999, a skull belonging to this species was discovered not far from the site where these tools were uncovered. It too dated back 3.3 million years.

The Live Science article that I linked to above has more information about how these tools were discovered, and what the region of Kenya was like back when those who made them still lived there. The instruments were found in the badlands located in the northeast section of the country, which is now very dry and arid. That helps to preserve the artifacts found there. But when those tools were being used, it was a forested area with plenty of shrub plants, making it a good place for animals to live and graze too.

This is fascinating stuff, and I love that we're still continuing to uncover these discoveries.

Video: Nat Geo Drone Footage of Nubian Pyramids

You'll have to forgive me for being a bit Egypt-obsessed at the moment. Since returning from the country a few weeks back, I've been thinking about it a lot, and writing about my experiences there. This video of course caught my attention, as it features footage of Nubian pyramids in Sudan, that were captured by a drone operated by National Geographic engineer Alan Turchick. It is a great way to view these ancient monuments, which have a certain grandeur that is best when taken in from a bird's eye view.

Update: It has been pointed out that the sites in this video are actually in Sudan, and not Egypt. Sudan was actually a part of Egypt for hundreds of years, and the Nubians were a people that lived in that part of the world. It is important to make that distinction, so I thought I'd clarify the text some.

Video: Defined by the Line - Fighting to Protect the Bears Ears in Utah

This short film is brought to us by the fine folks at Patagonia and the Bears Ears Coalition, a group that was formed to protect a region in the state of Utah that holds particular cultural and historical significance. The site, which features breathtaking landscapes, is also home to Native American dwellings and artwork that date back as much as 12,000 years. The video below gives us a glimpse of that place, and the efforts of climber Josh Ewing to try to save it from careless visitors and oil drilling on nearby lands. The 7+ minute documentary is filled with gorgeous landscapes and amazing archeological sites that have to be seen to be believed. The video is worth watching for the eye-candy alone, but the message it conveys is an important one too.

Defined by the Line: A Film About the Fight to Protect Bears Ears from Patagonia on Vimeo.

Adventures in Egypt: Abu Simbel, Aswan, and Luxor - the Other Ancient Wonders

As I mentioned in a previous post, the most iconic symbol of Egypt is without a doubt the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza. Who amongst us hasn't been memorized by images of those massive structures that have stood for more than 4500 years atop a plateau that overlooks what is now modern Cairo. Those immense tombs built as monuments to the Pharos Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure live up to their billing, inspiring an overwhelming sense of awe in those who stand in their shadows. There is a reason why the Great Pyramid is considered one of the Seven Wonder of the Ancient World, and it is more than evident when you stand beside it. But those amazing buildings aren't the only impressive structures to be found in Egypt. In fact, the country is filled with other temples, tombs, and statues that are impressive in their own right. Some of them even rival the Pyramids in terms of grandeur.

After spending the first day of my recent trip to Egypt in Cairo, where the Pyramids were definitely the highlight of the experience, I took an overnight train south to Aswan, a city that is well known for a decidedly more modern architectural wonder. It is here that a massive project was undertaken back in the 1960's to build a dam across the Nile. This dam provided the ability to control the river to a degree, preventing seasonal flooding that would destroy farms and villages along the banks of the famous river. That dam is now vital to the economy of the country, and its construction was quite a feat of modern construction back in the day.

Aswan is also the gateway to the deep south, where one of the most impressive monuments to ancient Egypt sits just a short distance away from the border with Sudan. The temples at Abu Simbel were built to commemorate the reign of Ramses II, the greatest Pharaoh in Egyptian history, as well as his wife Nefertari. These structures feature massive stone statues that were intricately carved out of rock faces depicting Ramses taking his place with the ancient gods that were worshipped throughout the country. He ordered the construction of the temples following his great victory at the Battle of Kadesh, during which Ramses defeated an army of Hittites in what may have been the largest chariot battle ever fought. It's location along the southern border of the Egyptian empire was to serve as a warning to invaders from Africa, and a testament to the power of the Pharaoh himself.

Abu Simbel has always been a popular attraction for travelers, although it is quite a trek out to the desert just to see it. It sits 300 km (186 miles) to the south of Aswan, in a remote region far from any other sites. The current home of the two temples wasn't where it originally stood either, which makes its location all the more curious. When the Aswan Dam was being built in the 60's, the temple had to relocated in its entirety, an effort that took hundreds of workers and cost millions of dollars. That undertaking was more than worth it however, as the site is one of the most impressive in all of Egypt, and it a fantastic look at what Egyptian craftsmen were able to accomplish thousands of years ago.


Walking inside the twin temples reveals well preserved paintings, statues, and chambers. While over the years some of the luster has worn off, there are still numerous places where visitors can catch a glimpse of what the place must have looked like when it was in its full glory. We can only imagine what this place must have looked like when it was first built, as it is magnificent even now.

Back in Aswan there is plenty of things for visitors to do as well. The Temple of Kalabsha is another great example of Egyptian architecture, and a well-stocked market is worth a stroll, provided you can put up with aggressive shopkeepers hawking their wares. The city is also a great place to take a sail aboard a traditional Nubian sailing ship known as a fulluca. Spending a few hours on the Nile River is a relaxing way to take in the daily life of those that live there, as is visit to nearby Nubian village, which gives you a look at a very different culture that has existed within Egypt for thousands of years.

A visit to Aswan at the moment also provides insight into just how few visitors are currently coming to Egypt. All along the river there are massive cruise ships moored to the docks just waiting for a large enough contingent of travelers to make the traditional cruise down the Nile. These boats have so few customers at the moment that it isn't even worth it for them to set sail. Dozens of them line the banks of the river, silent, empty, and unused. In time, I'm sure they'll be pressed back into service as travelers return to the country, but for now they are a sad reminder of just how hard the Egyptian tourism sector has been hit.

After a few days in Aswan, I moved north along the Nile to the city of Luxor, which was once known as Thebes in the ancient world. The city was originally built to honor the god Amon-Ra, and as such there are a number of major temples and other monuments to be found there. In fact, the entire city seems like an open-air museum, with ancient wonders to be found around every corner.

Not the least of those wonders is the incredible Temple of Karnak. This sprawling site is one of the largest religious structures ever built, dwarfing even places like the Vatican and Hagia Sophia in Turkey. Karnak was a site so important to the ancient Egyptians that numerous pharos continued to add chapels, obelisks, statues, and chambers over the centuries. All of that construction can give it a bit of a disjointed feel at times, but it is still an incredibly fascinating and impressive place none the less. Visitors could spend the better part of a day wandering through its halls, and probably still wouldn't see everything that the temple has to offer. One of the biggest highlights for me personally were the massive pillars of the Great Hypostyle Hall, which began being built under Seti I, but were finished by Ramses II. There are 134 columns in all, spread out over two different room. Each stands 24 meters (80 feet) in height, and are 10 meters (33 feet) in circumference. Wandering amongst them is akin to walking through a stone forest, with intricately carved trees surrounding you on all sides.

Across town from the Temple of Karnak is Luxor Temple, which would be incredibly impressive in any other location, but suffers a bit in comparison to its larger companion. Still, this temple is an incredible one, with massive stone statues, more towering pillars, and plenty of great examples of ancient Egyptian craftsmanship that are unique to the site. Best of all, in the evening, the temple is lit up by a series of lights, which make it truly stand out in the center of the city. Strolling past the sandstone structures in the darkness is a wonderful way to appreciate the setting, and is a must-do for any visitor.

One of the more lesser known wonder of Luxor is one that is still being excavated. The Avenue of the Sphinxes is a road that runs between Karnak and Luxor temples that is lined with statues of the sphinx. So far, about 3.1 km (1.9 miles) of the road has been uncovered, with over 1000 individual statues being restored. Those statues fall every few meters along the route, and are amazing in their own right. Again, what it must have been like to have seen these two amazing sites in their full glory, connected by a special road lined with statues.

I am thankful that on my trip I was able to spend time in these amazing locations. The itinerary that was set up for me by friends at G Adventures offered ample time to truly appreciate the ancient wonder of Egypt, and soak in the culture and history of these places. But my journey wasn't a special one set up specifically to show off these sites to someone who could write about it. It was part of G's Absolute Egypt trip, which is affordable and accessible to anyone who has a desire to visit the country for themselves. On that journey, not only will you get to see all of the things that I have shared so far, but many other wonders that I have yet to share. It is an all encompassing option that deftly mixes the ancient wonders of Egypt, with the natural beauty of the Sahara Desert.

More to come soon. I hope you are enjoying the account of my trip so far.

Lost City Discovered in Honduras

A team of researchers and archaeologists emerged from the rainforests of Honduras last week bearing amazing news. The group has discovered an ancient lost city that belonged to a civilization that thrived a thousand years ago, then suddenly vanished altogether. The city is believed to be the legendary "White City" or the "City of the Monkey God," which is only referred to in old tales. In fact the civilization lived in parallel with the Maya for a time, but so little is known about them that the people don't even have an official name.

Apparently the city was completely abandoned by the people that inhabited it centuries ago. As a result, archaeologists now get a peek at what day-to-day life was like there. Although the structures are mostly covered in overgrowth and sediment, there were reportedly as many as 52 artifacts that were visible upon first survey. Those included statues, monuments, ceremonial seats, and other finely crated items.

The exact location of the site has not been revealed so as to protect it from looters, but we do know that it is in a remote area of the rainforest in a valley known as La Mosquitia. The region is dominated by swamps, rivers, and mountains, making it very difficult to pass through. The explorers who discovered it documented their findings, but mostly left it undisturbed until they can return with a proper team to begin further excavation.


The White City or Ciudad Blanca has been the stuff of legends for centuries. The indigenous people who live in the area have told tales of large white structures that stuck out of the rainforest for ages. It was believed that the city served as a place of refuge from invading Spanish conquistadors, and some of say that there is a large monkey statue hidden somewhere inside the city. A number of explorers have gone in search of the place in the past, including American explorer Theodore Morde, who claimed to have discovered the city back in 1940, although he committed suicide before he could confirm the location.

The outline of the city was first discovered back in 2012 by an arial laser-mapping system. The site was believed to be over a mile in length, and contained elements consistent with manmade structures hidden under the jungle. It has taken until now for a team to actually go and visit the place however and confirm the existence of the lost city.

There is no word yet on when another team of archaeologists will return to the White City, but with this amazing discovery, you can bet it won't be too long before actual excavation operations will begin.

Shackleton and Scott Antarctic Huts Saved From Ruin

Three small huts used by Ernest Shackleton and Robert Falcon Scott as part of their Antarctic expeditions have been saved from destruction thanks to a major conservation effort that began nearly ten years ago. A team of 62 experts from 11 countries have worked hard to preserve these 100+ year old relics that are described as time capsule from a bygone era of exploration. Now, those efforts have payed off, and the huts have been restored to a point that they are accurate representations of the structures that were used as shelters for some of the most important expeditions in history.

The huts were used to launch both Scott's ill-fated Terra Nova expedition as well as a for Shackleton's  famous Nimrod Expedition. They had been mostly abandoned and left alone for nearly a century until efforts to preserve them began in 2005. Two of the huts belonged to Scott – one at Cape Evans and the other at Hut Point – while the third was used by Shackleton at Cape Royds.

Without these conservation efforts it is likely that the three huts would have deteriorated so much that they would have been lost altogether. That is not surprising considering the conditions in which they have persisted for more than 100 years. It took a decade of work, and more than $6 million, to restore the huts, with the project being spearheaded by the Antarctic Heritage Trust - New Zealand.

Inside the shelters researchers found more than 18,000 artifacts including scientific instruments, notebooks, canned foods, and clothing. All of those items gave the team a glimpse into the past, and what explorers of that era had to endure in the Antarctic. That was something the restoration team got a taste of as well as they faced sub-zero temperatures while working on the exteriors of the three huts. That work included replacing the roofs, removing large chunks of ice, and waterproofing the walls against future damage. They also worked tirelessly to preserve most of the items found inside the buildings too, and placed them back in their original places to better restore the structures to their former glory.

While obviously none of the huts will see that many visitors, the conservationists felt that it was still worth all of the effort to preserve these historic places. These huts were a part of an important time in human history, and they will now continue to stand as monuments to the need for humans to explore our planet, and beyond.