For more than a century, archaeologists had been waiting for a discovery like this: the lost tomb of a forgotten pharaoh, hidden deep within the necropolis of Thebes. Finally, a team of British and Egyptian researchers has unearthed the burial site of Pharaoh Thutmose II, ruler of the 18th Dynasty of ancient Egypt, solving a long-standing historical mystery.
An Extraordinary Discovery
The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities officially announced the finding: the tomb of Thutmose II has been discovered on Mount Thebes, west of Luxor and the famous Valley of the Kings. This is the first royal tomb discovery in more than a century, following the iconic discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922.
Excavations began in 2022, revealing a structure known as "C4," initially thought to belong to a queen or a royal family member due to its proximity to the tombs of Hatshepsut (his wife and half-sister) and Thutmose III. However, the later discovery of alabaster vessel fragments inscribed with the pharaoh’s name confirmed the true identity of the tomb's owner.
Antiquities ministry pictures showing the location and entrance to the tomb. - TheNews.com
Who Was Thutmose II?
Thutmose II ruled ancient Egypt between 1493 and 1479 BC during the 18th Dynasty. Despite his relatively short reign, he is most famous for being the husband of Hatshepsut, one of the most powerful female rulers in Egyptian history. Scholars have long struggled to piece together his life story, particularly due to the absence of a clearly identified tomb. Although his mummified remains were discovered over 200 years ago, the location of his original burial site had remained a mystery.
Stone block with relief at Karnak Temple Thutmosis II - Wikipedia
The Mystery of the Empty Burial Chamber
Upon reaching the burial chamber, archaeologists made a surprising discovery: it was completely empty. However, this was not due to tomb robbers but rather an ancient flood, which forced the relocation of the pharaoh’s mummy to a different site. During this process, many inscribed stone slabs were broken, but the recovered fragments allowed researchers to confirm the identity of the buried ruler.
Piers Litherland, the director of the excavation, described the tomb as severely damaged by water and debris. However, some elements remained well-preserved, such as the ceiling adorned with golden stars on a blue background, a distinctive feature of royal burials from that period.
What Does This Discovery Mean?
This discovery is not only a major achievement for Egyptologists but also a significant step forward in understanding the 18th Dynasty. The research team hopes that further excavations will unveil new details about the life and death of Thutmose II, filling in missing pieces of Egyptian history.
The discovery of this tomb also raises new questions: Where exactly is the mummy of Thutmose II? Could there be other undiscovered royal tombs in the area? Mount Thebes may still hold many surprises.
A New Chapter in Ancient Egyptian History
The discovery of Thutmose II’s tomb is undoubtedly one of the most significant archaeological events in recent decades. As excavations continue, the world eagerly awaits new revelations about this fascinating pharaoh of ancient Egypt.
What do you think of this discovery? Could it be just the beginning of even more incredible revelations? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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