First tomb of an ancient Egyptian king since Tutankhamun discovered more than 3,500 years ago

A hugely significant archaeological find has been made in Egypt, with the discovery of the long-lost tomb of King Thutmose II, the last of the royal tombs from Egypt’s 18th Dynasty.

The mummy of King Thutmose II had previously been discovered at a different site all the way back the 19th century.

The finding offers more insight into the 18th Dynasty, the first dynasty of the new Kingdom of Egypt, when ancient Egypt was at the height of its power. Also known as the Thutmoside Dynasty because four pharaohs of the time were named Thutmose, it spans the period from approximately 1550 BC to 1292 BC.

First major archaeological discovery in over 100 years

It is the first major archaeological discovery related to the dynasty in over 100 years, with the tomb of King Tutankhamun found in 1922.

A joint team of British and Egyptian archaeologists made the discovery, a few miles west of the eastern Egyptian city of Luxor, which is thought to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.

The entrance and main passage to the tomb were originally discovered in 2022, although it was initially complex to make a connection to King Thutmose II. It was first believed to be the wife of a king because of its proximity to the tomb of Queen Hatshepsut and those of the wives of King Thutmose III.

King Thutmose II connections

However, archaeologists have concluded the tomb belongs to King Thutmose II after finding fragments of alabaster vases inscribed with his name on them, along with sections of a religious text associated with ancient Egyptian royal burials.

Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities described the discovery as “one of the most significant archaeological finds” in recent years.

Aside from its age, the tomb was found in poor state, thought to be due to floods which occurred in the area shortly after King Thutmose II’s death. Early studies have led to the belief the contents of the tomb may have been moved as a result of the flooding.

The newly-discovered tomb and surrounding area will continue to be investigated as archaeologists seek to answer remaining questions on his life, reign and removal from the original burial site, as well as shed more light on the dynasty.

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