Egyptian officials have announced the discovery of the tomb of King Thutmose II, describing it as the most significant archaeological find since the unearthing of King Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922. The tomb, estimated to be around 3,500 years old, was discovered in the Thebes mountain region, west of Luxor, near the renowned Valley of the Kings.
The excavation, led by Egyptian archaeologists in collaboration with experts from the UK’s New Kingdom Research Foundation, began in 2022. The initial discovery of the tomb’s entrance and main passage had suggested that it might belong to a royal wife, given its location near the tombs of King Thutmose III’s wives and Queen Hatshepsut, the only woman to reign as pharaoh in ancient Egypt.
However, further exploration provided definitive proof of the tomb’s ownership. Artefacts found within, including fragments of alabaster jars, bore inscriptions with the names of Thutmose II and his principal wife, Queen Hatshepsut. According to Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), this discovery marks the first time funerary furniture belonging to Thutmose II has been found, as no such items exist in museums worldwide.
Challenges in Identification
The poor condition of the burial site initially made it difficult to determine its ownership. Mohamed Abdel Badie, head of the Egyptian excavation team, explained that flooding over the centuries had caused significant damage to the tomb. Despite this, the artefacts recovered provided crucial evidence linking the tomb to the 18th Dynasty pharaoh.
Experts believe that Queen Hatshepsut, who was both the wife and half-sister of Thutmose II, oversaw his burial. The discovery adds valuable insight into the history of the region and the reign of Thutmose II, expanding scholarly knowledge of this period in ancient Egyptian history.
The Legacy of Thutmose II
Although his newly discovered tomb is a groundbreaking find, the mummy of King Thutmose II was actually unearthed in the 19th century at the Deir el-Bahari Cachette. Historical records suggest that his remains were relocated there centuries after his original tomb was looted. Today, his mummy is displayed at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo, alongside those of other ancient Egyptian royals.
Egyptian authorities have hailed this discovery as a major addition to the ongoing efforts to uncover the secrets of ancient Egypt. With continued excavations, experts hope to uncover even more about the life and reign of Thutmose II and his place in the rich tapestry of Egypt’s pharaonic past.
