Egyptian officials announced on Tuesday the discovery of King Thutmose II’s tomb, previously thought to belong to a wife of a former king. This marks the first royal tomb discovery since King Tutankhamun’s burial site was unearthed in 1922, according to media reports.
The tomb, considered the last of the lost burial sites of Eighteenth Dynasty rulers (circa 1550 BC–1292 BC), was found by a joint Egyptian-British archaeological team in the Mount of Thebes area, west of Luxor, near the renowned Valley of the Kings.
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of Egypt’s Supreme Council, stated that due to its location—close to the tombs of King Thutmose III’s wives and Queen Hatshepsut—officials initially believed it belonged to a royal wife. The entrance and main passage were discovered three years ago, but as excavations progressed, artefacts bearing King Thutmose II’s name confirmed the site as his tomb.
Among the discoveries were fragments of ancient vessels with inscriptions referencing both King Thutmose II and his wife, Hatshepsut. Khaled described the find as one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in recent years, shedding new light on the pharaoh’s reign.
King Thutmose II’s mummy was previously uncovered in the 19th century near Deir el-Bahari and is now housed in the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.
According to Mohamed Abdel Badie, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector and the excavation team, the tomb is in poor condition due to flood damage shortly after the king’s death. Many original burial items were likely relocated after these ancient floods.
Inside the tomb, archaeologists discovered traces of blue inscriptions, yellow stars, and excerpts from Imydwat, an ancient Egyptian funerary text guiding royals through the afterlife.
Dr. Piers Litherland, head of the British mission, noted that the tomb’s architectural style reflects the preferences of rulers who succeeded Thutmose II. He also stated that further excavation will continue to uncover more artefacts and historical insights into the king’s life and reign.
