Ancient Tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II Unearthed by Archaeologists in Egypt

Archaeologists have hit the jackpot in Egypt. A joint Egyptian-British team has unearthed the tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II, a discovery that’s shaking up the world of ancient history. The tomb was found roughly two miles west of the Valley of the Kings near the West Bank of the Nile River.

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced the groundbreaking find on Tuesday, marking it as the first royal tomb discovery since the unveiling of King Tutankhamen’s tomb back in 1922. That’s over a century of waiting for another moment like this.

Initial excavations began in October 2022, when archaeologists stumbled upon the entrance and main corridor of the tomb. At first, they thought it belonged to the royal wives of the Thutmosid kings, given its location near the tombs of Thutmose III’s wives and Queen Hatshepsut. However, further findings revealed they had something much grander on their hands.

The team discovered fragments of alabaster jars inscribed with the name of Pharaoh Thutmose II, along with inscriptions bearing the name of his chief royal consort, Queen Hatshepsut. These artifacts confirmed the tomb's ownership and linked it to the pharaoh who ruled circa 1492-1479 BC.

Unfortunately, the tomb wasn’t in the best shape. Flooding after Thutmose II’s death had caused significant damage to its interior, leaving archaeologists with quite the restoration project. Fallen plaster fragments and water damage have made preservation efforts a top priority.

But the effort is worth it—Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, has called this one of the most significant archaeological breakthroughs in recent years. Among the treasures found are funerary furniture belonging to the king, a first in the world of Egyptian archaeology. No such items from Thutmose II exist in any museum worldwide.

The artifacts offer a rare glimpse into the history of the region and the reign of Thutmose II, shedding light on a pharaoh often overshadowed by his more famous successors. This discovery is not just about the past; it’s a reminder of how much we still have to learn about ancient civilizations.