A long-lost chapter of ancient Egyptian history has been rewritten with the discovery of the tomb of King Thutmose II, the enigmatic pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty. Announced by Egyptian authorities on Tuesday, the find marks the first royal Egyptian tomb discovery since King Tutankhamun’s legendary burial site was unearthed in 1922.
The joint Egyptian-British archaeological mission located the tomb in the mount of Thebes area, west of Luxor, near the famed Valley of the Kings. Initially cataloged as Tomb No. C4, the structure was believed to belong to a royal wife—until recent discoveries irrevocably linked it to King Thutmose II himself.
A Long-Hidden Tomb Reveals Its Secrets
The journey to this monumental discovery began in 2022, when archaeologists uncovered the tomb’s entrance and main passage. At the time, experts assumed it belonged to one of the royal wives, given its proximity to the tombs of King Thutmose III’s wives and the tomb of Queen Hatshepsut, who was originally interred as a royal consort before ascending the throne.
However, as excavations progressed, the team unearthed compelling evidence that changed the narrative. Artifacts including fragments of alabaster vessels bore inscriptions confirming the tomb belonged to King Thutmose II, with references to him as the “deceased king” and direct mentions of his wife and half-sister, Hatshepsut.
This revelation suggests that Hatshepsut herself may have overseen his burial rites, a significant historical insight given her eventual rise as one of Egypt’s most powerful female rulers.
A Tomb Battered by Time and Looters
Unlike the pristine grandeur of Tutankhamun’s tomb, Thutmose II’s final resting place suffered severe damage over the centuries. Archaeologists believe the tomb was ravaged by floods shortly after the pharaoh’s death, compromising its structural integrity and eroding many of its original features.
Adding to the devastation, tomb raiders likely looted much of its contents, forcing ancient caretakers to relocate some artifacts. The mummy of Thutmose II itself was discovered in the 19th century at the Deir el-Bahari Cachette, where it had been reburied to protect it from desecration. Today, the pharaoh’s remains are displayed at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.
Despite the damage, exciting discoveries have emerged from the tomb, including traces of blue and yellow star-painted mortar and excerpts from the ancient funerary text “Imydwat”, believed to guide the deceased through the underworld.
What’s Next?
The excavation is far from over. Dr. Piers Litherland, head of the British team, emphasized that the tomb follows a simple architectural design consistent with those of later pharaohs, yet many questions remain unanswered, CBS News reported.
With evidence suggesting some artifacts were relocated, the team is now focusing on tracking down these missing relics, hoping to uncover more lost pieces of Thutmose II’s legacy.
