In a groundbreaking discovery, Egyptian archaeologists have unearthed the long-lost royal burial site of Pharaoh Thutmose II after over a century of searching. This significant find is being hailed as one of the most important archaeological discoveries since Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered in 1922.
Archaeologists Discover First Pharaoh’s Tomb in Egypt in Over a Century
Uncovering the Lost Tomb of Thutmose II
The discovery of the tomb of Thutmose II, an Egyptian pharaoh who ruled from 1493 to 1479BC, is being hailed as one of the most significant archaeological finds since ‘Tutankhamun‘s tomb was discovered in 1922.’ The tomb, located in the Valley of the Kings, has been identified through small fragments of alabaster found within its walls.
Thutmose II was an Egyptian pharaoh of the 18th dynasty, who ruled from circa 1493 to 1479 BCE.
He is known for his military campaigns in Nubia and Syria.
“ His reign saw significant trade and cultural exchange with neighboring countries.”
His father, Thutmose I, had expanded Egypt's borders, and Thutmose II continued this policy.
Archaeological evidence suggests that he also initiated several building projects, including temples and palaces.
A Decade-Long Search
British archaeologist Dr. Piers Litherland had been exploring the Valley of the Kings for over a decade when he stumbled upon a staircase that led to the tomb. Initially, his team believed the tomb belonged to a royal wife due to the presence of flood debris in the descending corridor. However, it was not until they cleared the debris and discovered the ceiling of the burial chamber, adorned with scenes from the ‘Amduat, a religious text reserved for kings,’ that they realized the significance of their find.
A Deliberate Emptying
The tomb turned out to be completely empty, not due to robbery but because it had been deliberately emptied. The team soon discovered that the tomb had been flooded and was built underneath a waterfall. This led them to believe that the remains of the king were taken out through a subsidiary corridor and moved somewhere else.
Piecing Together the Puzzle
It was only after sifting through tons of broken limestone that the team found small fragments of alabaster, which ultimately identified the tomb as belonging to Thutmose II. The fragments likely broke during the relocation process, allowing the team to discover whose tomb it was.
A New Era in Archaeology
The discovery is a result of a joint mission between the ‘New Kingdom Research Foundation’ and the ‘Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.’ This find solves a long-standing mystery regarding the location of the tombs of early 18th dynasty kings, with Thutmose II being an ancestor of Tutankhamun.
A Possible Second Tomb
Mohsen Kamel, assistant field director, suggests that the possible existence of a second, and most likely intact, tomb of Thutmose II is an astonishing possibility. This raises further questions about the history of ancient Egypt and the fate of its pharaohs.
