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A remarkable discovery has been made by a joint Egyptian-British archaeological mission, unveiling a royal tomb belonging to an ancient Egyptian King. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced on Tuesday that the tomb has been identified as that of King Thutmose II, who ruled during the period between 2000 and 1001 BCE.
Initially designated as “Tomb C4,” the site is located approximately 1.5 miles west of Egypt’s Luxor region, near the Valley of Kings. Upon first finding the tomb’s entrance and main corridor in 2022, the team believed it belonged to one of the King’s wives. However, further exploration led to the revelation that the tomb actually belonged to Thutmose II.
Piers Litherland, field director at the New Kingdom Research Foundation, expressed surprise at the discovery, noting that the location of the tomb was unconventional for a King. The tomb’s unique positioning beneath waterfalls and on a downward slope suggests that it may have encountered flooding after the King’s passing.
The discovery of fragments of alabaster jars inscribed with Thutmose II’s name and other identifying artifacts shed new light on the history of the region and the King’s reign. The tomb, though poorly preserved, is expected to provide valuable insights into this lesser-known ruler’s legacy.
While much about Thutmose II remains a mystery, researchers speculate about the length of his reign and his familial connections. The presence of inscriptions referencing Queen Hatshepsut, his wife and half-sister, hint at the King’s burial arrangements and the succession of power within the royal lineage.
This significant archaeological breakthrough has the potential to reshape our understanding of ancient Egyptian history and the dynamics of power and succession among royalty.
Dr. Litherland, an esteemed figure in the Egyptian Antiquities Sector and a key figure in the mission, discovered that water damage had affected the interior of the tomb. Initial investigations indicated that the tomb’s original contents had likely been moved to a different location. Despite this setback, the archaeological team managed to salvage fallen plaster fragments within the tomb. Noteworthy among these were remnants of plaster adorned with blue inscriptions, yellow star motifs, and excerpts from the Book of Amduat, an ancient Egyptian religious text often found in royal tombs.
Dr. Litherland highlighted that the tomb’s modest architectural layout was a precursor to the elaborate royal tombs of the 18th dynasty. He expressed the team’s commitment to further exploration in order to unveil more mysteries of the area and to pinpoint the exact whereabouts of the tomb’s original contents. To stay updated with more news from CNN and to receive newsletters, please visit CNN.com and create an account.
