Egypt announces first discovery of royal tomb in over a century

• Egyptian officials announced the discovery of King Thutmose II’s tomb, the last missing royal tomb of the 18th Dynasty. A joint Egyptian-British archaeological team found the tomb in the Thebes region.
• Ancient flooding damaged the tomb, leaving it in poor condition.
• Researchers discovered decorated plaster fragments, including inscriptions from the “Book of Amduat,” which offer rare insights into Thutmose II’s funerary practices and the early architecture of New Kingdom tombs.

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Egyptian officials announced the discovery of the tomb of King Thutmose II, marking the last missing royal tomb of the 18th Dynasty. A joint Egyptian-British archaeological team uncovered the tomb, previously designated “Tomb C4,” in the Thebes region, west of Luxor and near the Valley of the Kings.

Archaeologists first identified the entrance and central passage in 2022, but further excavation confirmed its royal ownership.

Thutmose II’s tomb was the first royal Egyptian tomb discovered since King Tutankhamun’s final resting place was found in 1922.

How did archaeologists identify the tomb?

At first, archaeologists believed the tomb belonged to a royal wife, given its location near the burial sites of King Thutmose III’s wives and Queen Hatshepsut.

However, further investigation revealed alabaster vessels inscribed with the name of King Thutmose II, confirming it was his burial site.

The inscriptions also referenced his wife, Queen Hatshepsut, suggesting she oversaw his burial arrangements.

What condition was the tomb in?

Ancient flooding after Thutmose II’s death damaged the tomb, leaving it in poor condition.

Archaeologists found evidence that much of the original funerary furniture and artifacts was relocated in antiquity, likely to Deir el-Bahari, where his mummy was discovered in the 19th century.

His remains are now on display at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.

What did archaeologists discover?

Despite the tomb’s damage, researchers uncovered decorated plaster fragments, including blue inscriptions, yellow stars and sections from the “Book of Amduat” — an important religious text meant to guide the deceased through the underworld.

These findings provided rare insights into Thutmose II’s funerary practices and the architectural styles of early New Kingdom tombs.

Why is this discovery significant?

The discovery enhances the historical understanding of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, a period renowned for its powerful rulers, including Hatshepsut and Thutmose III.

The architectural style of the tomb seems to have influenced subsequent royal burials in the Valley of the Kings. Excavation efforts will proceed, with researchers eager to find the tomb’s missing contents and further investigate its connection to other burial sites in the region.

Egyptian and British archaeologists emphasized that this discovery enhances knowledge of ancient Egyptian burial traditions and underscores the rich history buried beneath Luxor’s sands.