Royal tomb of King Thutmose II unearthed in Egypt

Archaeologists confirm a rare discovery in Luxor, shedding new light on the burial practices of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty

LUXOR, Egypt (MNTV) – Archaeologists have uncovered the long-lost tomb of King Thutmose II in Egypt’s Luxor’s Valley C, marking one of the most significant royal burial discoveries in decades.

The site is located in the valleys west of Luxor, home to the famous Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens, where pharaohs and royals of the New Kingdom (16th–11th century BCE) were buried in elaborate tombs carved into the rock.

The excavation, conducted by Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) in collaboration with the New Kingdom Research Foundation, began in 2022 with the identification of Tomb C4’s entrance and main corridor, Egyptian media reported. 

According to experts, this is the first discovery of a royal tomb since Howard Carter famously uncovered King Tutankhamun’s burial site in 1922. 

Initially, the site was believed to belong to a queen or royal consort due to its proximity to the tombs of King Thutmose III’s wives and Queen Hatshepsut. 

However, further investigations confirmed that it belonged to King Thutmose II, a pharaoh of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty.

Key evidence in the new discovery included fragments of alabaster jars inscribed with the names of Thutmose II and Hatshepsut, who are believed to have overseen his burial.  

Experts call discovery ‘groundbreaking’

Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary-general of the SCA, described the discovery as groundbreaking. 

“This is the first time funerary items belonging to Thutmose II have been found, as no such artifacts exist in museums worldwide,” he stated. 

However, the tomb was found in a deteriorated condition due to severe flooding shortly after the king’s death. 

Water damage destroyed much of its original contents, which are believed to have been relocated in antiquity.

Water damage caused severe deterioration, leading to the loss of many original contents, which are thought to have been relocated during ancient times. 

Mohamed Abdel Badei, head of the ancient Egyptian antiquities sector, explained that archaeologists have been able to restore portions of fallen plaster adorned with intricate blue inscriptions, yellow star motifs, and elements from the Book of Amduat—a religious text used in royal burials.

Piers Litherland, head of the British team involved in the excavation, noted that the tomb follows the simple design typical of early 18th Dynasty royal burials. 

An unusual second corridor, originally mistaken for a looters’ tunnel, was later revealed to be a structural modification, possibly created to remove the king’s body after the tomb was flooded.

Who was King Thutmost II?

Thutmose II, who ruled Egypt for a short period around 1493–1479 BCE, was the husband of the powerful Queen Hatshepsut, who later became one of Egypt’s most famous female pharaohs. 

His reign was relatively brief and overshadowed by his wife’s later rule, but historical records suggest he led military campaigns in Nubia and the Levant. 

Despite his status as king, some scholars believe he was a weaker ruler, with Hatshepsut playing a major role in governance even during his lifetime. 

His burial site had remained a mystery until now.

The discovery sheds new light on the burial practices of the New Kingdom and underscores the enduring legacy of ancient Egypt’s royal lineage. 

Excavations will continue as researchers aim to uncover more secrets of this historic site.