LUXOR, EGYPT – Egyptian officials announced on Tuesday the discovery of an ancient royal tomb belonging to King Thutmose II, marking the first royal tomb uncovered in over a century, according to the country’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
The significant archaeological find was made by an Egyptian-British excavation team in the Mount of Thebes area, located on the west bank of the Nile River near Luxor.
“This is a monumental discovery that will reveal further secrets and treasures of Egypt’s ancient civilization,” said Minister of Tourism and Antiquities H.E. Sherif Fathi in a press release.
The Tomb of King Thutmose II
The newly uncovered tomb is believed to belong to King Thutmose II, a pharaoh of Egypt’s Eighteenth Dynasty, dating back to approximately the 15th century B.C.
This is the first royal Egyptian tomb discovered since King Tutankhamun’s tomb was unearthed in 1922.
The team initially discovered the entrance and main passage to the tomb in October 2022, initially speculating it might belong to a royal wife of the Thutmosid kings. However, further archaeological evidence confirmed it as the final resting place of Thutmose II, who died around 1479 B.C.
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A Pharaoh’s Short Reign and Lasting Legacy
Thutmose II ruled Egypt for fewer than five years and was married to his half-sister, Hatshepsut, who many believe wielded the true power during his reign. Historians suggest Thutmose II died around the age of 30, after which Hatshepsut eventually crowned herself pharaoh, ruling as one of Egypt’s most prominent female monarchs.
Piers Litherland, head of the British side of the excavation, noted that the tomb’s simple architectural design served as a “prototype” for later royal tombs from the Eighteenth Dynasty.
Challenges and Restoration Efforts
The tomb was found in poor condition due to flooding that occurred shortly after Thutmose II’s death, said Mohamed Abdel-Badii, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities.
“Water inundated the tomb, damaging its interior and necessitating extensive restoration to recover fallen plaster fragments,” Abdel-Badii explained.
Preliminary studies indicate that the tomb’s original contents were likely relocated to another site during ancient times following the flood damage.
Unearthed Artifacts and Cultural Significance
Among the items recovered were:
- Alabaster jars inscribed with the names of Thutmose II and his chief royal consort
- Funerary furniture believed to belong to the king
- Fragments of plaster with yellow star motifs
- Portions of the Book of Amduat, a key religious text associated with ancient Egyptian royal tombs
Thutmose II’s mummy had been previously discovered in 1881 at the Al-Deir El-Bahari Cache, believed to have been moved there by ancient grave robbers.
What’s Next?
The archaeological team plans to continue its work in the area, hoping to locate the final resting place of the tomb’s original contents and further uncover Egypt’s rich historical narrative.
“We are committed to unlocking more secrets of the Mount of Thebes and gaining deeper insights into Egypt’s royal past,” said Piers Litherland.
This discovery is expected to attract global interest, shining a renewed spotlight on Egyptian archaeology and further cementing Egypt’s legacy as a cradle of ancient civilization.
