"This has been a life long interest," she said. "I can't remember a time when I wasn't interested in [ancient Egypt]."
James, who is a historian with a PhD in British History, found the Elder Woman when she was looking through a book on mummies years ago. As she researched the mummy, she found many similarities between her and Nefertiti. She wrote a paper on her deductions.
"I got some really good feed back," James recalled.
Even before her article was published in the KMT, a magazine on ancient Egypt, James had been fascinated by early Egyptian civilization. And Nefertiti has been of special interest, not only because of her mesmerizing bust that is probably one of the most recognized Egyptian artifacts, but also because of her strength. In a time when women were not leaders, Nefertiti was a ruler, at times almost equal to her husband Akhenaten [Amenhotep IV]. Together they attempted to bring a new religion to Egypt where only one god, Aten, would be worshipped. This did not end well because Akhenaten's obsession with a single religion alienated many of his subjects that wanted to cling to the old traditions.
James began talking to Zahi Hawass, the head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities [SCA], about her findings. Over the years they developed a working relationship.
After her article was released, another article appeared claiming that the Younger Lady mummy was actually that of Nefertiti. This article was written by Joann Fletcher, a specialist in ancient Egyptian wigs and hairstyles.
"I was asked if I would write an article about her findings," James said. She decided to undertake the project.
The story then took on a life of its own as the two women debated the theory of the female mummies and the famous queen.
