From Stonehenge to Nefertiti: How High-Tech Archaeology Is Transforming Our View of History

A recent discovery could radically change our views of one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites, Tutankhamun’s tomb.

The golden sarcophagus of King Tutankhamun in his burial chamber in the Valley of the Kings, close to Luxor, 310 miles south of Cairo, Egypt, on Nov. 28, 2015. Scans in King Tutankhamun's tomb in Egypt's Valley of the Kings point to a hidden chamber, possibly heralding the discovery of Queen Nefertiti's resting place. Khaled Desouki/AFP/Getty Images

A recent discovery could radically change our views of one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites, Tutankhamun’s tomb. Scans of the complex in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings revealed it may still include undiscovered chambers—perhaps even the resting place of Queen Nefertiti—even though we have been studying the tomb for almost 100 years.

It’s common to get excited about high-profile archaeological discoveries, but it’s the slower, ongoing research that shows the real potential of new technology to change our understanding of history.

It's common to get excited about high-profile archaeological discoveries, but it's the slower, ongoing research that shows the real potential of new technology to change our understanding of history.