A joint Egyptian-British archaeological team has made a remarkable discovery, unearthing a royal tomb belonging to ancient Egyptian king Thutmose II. The tomb, initially identified as “Tomb C4,” was found 2.4 kilometers west of the Valley of Kings in Egypt’s Luxor region.
Initially believed to be that of one of Thutmose II’s wives due to its proximity to Queen Hatshepsut’s and King Thutmose III’s wives’ tombs, the team revealed a new story upon further excavation. Fragments of alabaster jars inscribed with Thutmose II’s name, along with inscriptions featuring his wife and half-sister Queen Hatshepsut, confirmed the tomb’s connection to the ancient king.
The tomb’s location is unusual for a king, situated beneath two waterfalls and at the bottom of a slope where water would have poured in during the 18th dynasty. The discovery marks one of the most significant archaeological breakthroughs in recent years, providing critical insight into Thutmose II’s reign and history of the region.
Despite its significance, little is known about Thutmose II, with scholars debating his possible reign length ranging from three to 14 years. The tomb’s preservation was poor due to flooding shortly after the king’s death, but the team managed to restore fallen plaster fragments featuring blue inscriptions, yellow star motifs, and portions of the Book of Amduat.
The simple architectural design of the tomb served as a prototype for later royal tombs of the 18th dynasty. The mission will continue its work to uncover more secrets of the area and locate the final resting place of the tomb’s original contents, shedding light on this enigmatic ancient king.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/19/science/royal-tomb-thutmose-ii-discovered-egypt-intl-scli/index.html