A mummy found in KV 55 in 1907 has been identified as that of Akhenaton. This elder man and Tutankhamen are related without question, but the identification of the KV55 mummy as Akhenaton has been questioned. Akhenaton remains an interesting figure, as does his queen, Nefertiti . Their modern interest comes partly from his connection with Tutankhamen, partly from the unique style and high quality of the pictorial arts he patronized, and partly from ongoing interest in the religion he attempted to establish.

Akhenaton appears in history almost two centuries prior to the first archaeological and written evidence for Judaism and Israelite culture is found in the Levant. Others have likened some aspects of Akhenaton's relationship with the Aten to the relationship, in Christian tradition, of Jesus Christ with God - particularly in interpretations that emphasize a more monotheistic interpretation of Atheism than henotheistic.

Donald B. Redford has noted that some have viewed Akhenaton as a harbinger of Jesus. "After all, Akhenaton did call himself the son of the sole god: ' Thine only son that came forth from thy body'."James Henry Breasted likened him to Jesus.