Egypt announces first discovery of pharaoh’s tomb in more than 100 years
Archaeologists have discovered the long-lost tomb of King Thutmose II, 1492 BC (or 1502 BC) – 1479 BC.
A joint Egyptian-British mission near Luxor discovered the first Egyptian royal tomb since Tutankhamun’s in 1922. The tomb, found in 2022, was identified as Thutmose II’s, based on broken alabaster vessels. Thutmose II was an ancestor of Tutankhamun who lived nearly 3,500 years ago. Thought to be buried near the Valley of the Kings, his true resting place was hidden in Luxor’s Western Valleys.
Initially, there was confusion, as it was thought to be the tomb of a wife of Thutmose III. Flooding damaged the tomb soon after its creation, but fragments of painted mortar and religious texts linked to royal tombs were uncovered. Thutmose II’s tomb, with its simple design, influenced later 18th Dynasty tombs. His body has been known since 1881, but the tomb had remained elusive until now.
First discovery of a pharaonic royal tomb in more than 100 years was announced by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities on Tuesday. Located west of the Valley of the Kings, Thutmose II’s tomb was the last lost tomb of the kings of Egypt’s 18th dynasty, the ministry said.
Archaeologists were able to identify the tomb due to alabaster vessels found on site and inscribed with the name of King Thutmose II and his wife Queen Hatshepsut, one of a small handful of women to have ruled Egypt.
They also found pieces of his funerary furniture, as well as pieces of mortar with blue inscriptions, yellow stars and religious writing, the statement said.
However, due to flooding soon after the king’s death, the tomb was generally not well preserved, the ministry statement added. There were indications that most of its contents had been moved, and work to recover them was under way, it said. (Agencies)
You must be logged in to post a comment.