Archaeologists Unearth Potential Tomb of Pharaoh Thutmosis II After a Century

Archaeologists have unveiled the tomb of Thutmose II in Egypt's Valley of the Kings, marking the first discovery of an Egyptian pharaoh's tomb in over a century. British archaeologist Dr. Piers Litherland led the discovery, which he deemed highly significant, likening it to findings associated with Tutankhamun in 1922, according to the BBC World Service. The excavation team initially believed the tomb belonged to a royal wife but later identified it as belonging to Thutmose II, who ruled from 1493 to 1479 BC. While exploring, Litherland recognized the burial chamber's ceiling adorned with blue and yellow stars, which led to the remarkable find. Following flood debris clearance, the team discovered that the tomb had been emptied deliberately, indicating the king’s remains were relocated shortly after burial. The Royal mummy was likely moved to another undisclosed location, raising the prospect of a second intact tomb, as stated by Mohsen Kamel, the assistant field director. This discovery provides new insights into early 18th Dynasty kings and the mystery surrounding their burial places.

A joint British-Egyptian mission has unearthed the tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II, marking the first significant royal tomb discovery in Egypt since Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922. Located approximately 1.5 miles west of the Valley of the Kings in Luxor's western mountain region, this find is considered a "remarkable discovery" by Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Objects recovered from the tomb include alabaster jar fragments inscribed with Thutmose II's name, alongside inscriptions related to his wife, Queen Hatshepsut, a notable female monarch. For the first time, funeral furniture belonging to Thutmose II was identified, as no such artifacts associated with him exist in any museum worldwide. Piers Litherland, the mission's leader, stated this discovery answers a longstanding question about the whereabouts of the early 18th dynasty kings' tombs. Thutmose II, who ruled from approximately 1493 to 1479 BCE, is believed to have died around 3,500 years ago. Initial investigations suggest that flooding after his death may have caused the relocation of his burial contents to another tomb.

Egypt has announced the discovery of the ancient tomb of King Thutmose II, marking the first major royal burial site found since King Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922. Officials from Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities stated that an international team of archaeologists confirmed the tomb's location on February 18, 2025, near Luxor, in the Valley of the Kings. Thutmose II, who ruled approximately 3,500 years ago, had previously been a lesser focus of Egyptology compared to his famous relatives. Archaeologists believe that while the tomb had suffered significant flooding, leading to the loss of many original artifacts, some key finds remain. These include alabaster vase fragments inscribed with Thutmose II's name and references to his burial status, highlighting the involvement of Queen Hatshepsut, his half-sister and wife, in the burial process. The archaeological team will continue excavating the site, aiming to uncover more about Thutmose II's reign and the circumstances surrounding the relocation of his remains, which were previously found in the Deir el-Bahari Cachette in the 19th century.