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Significant Discovery: Tomb of King Thutmose II Uncovered
On Tuesday, Egyptian authorities announced the remarkable discovery of the tomb of King Thutmose II, marking the identification of the last unknown royal burial of the Eighteenth Dynasty of ancient Egypt. This era spanned more than 200 years, from approximately 1550 BC to 1292 BC, and this find represents the first significant royal tomb discovered since that of King Tutankhamun in 1922.
The tomb was uncovered by a collaborative archaeological team from Egypt and Britain in the Theban necropolis, situated to the west of Luxor, near the Valley of the Kings. Officials, including the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, confirmed that the excavations of the site, previously designated as tomb No. C4, provided compelling evidence identifying it as the final resting place of King Thutmose II.
Initial discoveries, including the entrance and primary corridor of the tomb, were made in 2022, with further archaeological work proceeding carefully since then.
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, noted that upon first discovering the tomb’s entrance almost three years ago, the team speculated it might belong to a royal consort due to its location near the tombs of King Thutmose III’s wives and Queen Hatshepsut, a significant figure who transitioned from a royal spouse to a full-fledged ruler. Hatshepsut was ultimately interred within the Valley of the Kings, complicating earlier beliefs about her burial site.
Identifying the Tomb’s Owner
As excavations and artifact examinations progressed, new findings confirmed that the tomb belonged to King Thutmose II. Notably, evidence suggests that Queen Hatshepsut, also his half-sister, may have overseen his burial rites.
Khaled highlighted that shards of alabaster vessels unearthed during the excavation bore inscriptions that affirmed Thutmose II’s identity as the “deceased king” and referenced Hatshepsut, thereby solidifying the conclusion regarding the tomb’s ownership.
This discovery is heralded as one of the most significant archaeological breakthroughs in recent years, contributing valuable insights into the history of Egypt and the reign of Thutmose II.
The remains of King Thutmose II were previously located in the nineteenth century at the Deir el-Bahari Cachette, where they were likely transferred after being disturbed by tomb robbers. Today, his mummy resides in the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, among a collection of ancient royal remains.
Despite the archaeological significance of the tomb, its state of preservation is concerning. According to Mohamed Abdel Badie, the head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, the tomb suffered from flood exposure shortly after Thutmose II’s passing. Initial assessments indicate that much of its original contents may have been relocated due to these ancient cataclysms.
Abdel Badie mentioned the discovery of mortar featuring remnants of blue inscriptions and yellow stars, as well as portions from the “Imydwat,” an important funerary text designed to aid the deceased through the underworld.
Future Prospects of the Excavation
Dr. Piers Litherland, who oversees the British section of the excavation, described the tomb’s design as relatively simple, a style typical of later rulers following Thutmose II’s reign. He confirmed that the team’s ongoing survey will aim to locate any additional artifacts that might have been moved from this royal burial site, as well as to unlock more secrets hidden beneath the desert for centuries.
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