Cairo, Egypt – In what experts are calling the most significant archaeological breakthrough in over a century, Egyptian and British archaeologists have uncovered the long-lost tomb of King Thutmose II, a pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty, in the mountainous Thebes region near Luxor. The discovery is being hailed as Egypt’s biggest find since the tomb of King Tutankhamun was unearthed in 1922.
The excavation, led by Egyptian authorities in collaboration with the UK-based New Kingdom Research Foundation, has unveiled extraordinary artifacts that provide fresh insights into the reign of Thutmose II and his royal lineage. Among the relics recovered were fragments of alabaster jars inscribed with the king’s name—an unprecedented find, as no known funerary items of Thutmose II existed in museum collections worldwide until now.
“This is the first time funerary furniture belonging to Thutmose II has been discovered,” said Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA). “It is a discovery that reshapes our understanding of ancient Egyptian burial practices.”
For nearly three years, archaeologists worked meticulously after discovering an entrance to the tomb in the Valley of the Kings. Initially, they suspected it belonged to a royal wife due to its proximity to the tombs of King Thutmose III’s consorts and Queen Hatshepsut—the only woman to rule Egypt as pharaoh. However, further excavation revealed evidence pointing directly to Thutmose II and his principal wife, Queen Hatshepsut, who was also his half-sister and played a critical role in overseeing his burial.
Despite its historical significance, the tomb’s condition posed considerable challenges. Mohamed Abdel Badie, head of the Egyptian excavation team, stated that extensive flood damage had severely impacted the site, making identification difficult. However, key inscriptions and unearthed relics helped confirm its royal occupant beyond doubt.
Thutmose II’s reign was relatively short, yet his legacy endured through his successor, Thutmose III, and the powerful influence of Queen Hatshepsut, who later declared herself pharaoh. The newly uncovered artifacts offer historians fresh clues about the political and religious landscape of ancient Egypt. They also raise intriguing questions about royal burials, succession, and the relocation of mummies by ancient looters or priests.
Although the mummy of Thutmose II was previously found in the Deir el-Bahari Cachette during the 19th century—having been moved from its original tomb to protect it from grave robbers—this new discovery offers unprecedented insights into how Egyptian royalty prepared for the afterlife.
This discovery is poised to boost Egypt’s tourism industry, which has been increasingly centered around showcasing new archaeological finds. The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has emphasized the importance of this excavation in enriching the nation’s historical narrative and attracting global interest in ancient Egyptian civilization.
“This is not just about a tomb; it is about a civilization that continues to astonish us,” an official from the ministry stated. “Every artifact tells a story, and Thutmose II’s tomb will add an important chapter to the history books.”
Archaeologists are now working to restore and preserve the tomb while continuing excavations to uncover additional burial chambers, artifacts, or hidden passages that may reveal even more secrets from ancient Egypt’s golden era.
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