A joint Egyptian-British archaeological mission has uncovered monumental find, which is the long-lost tomb of King Thutmose II, the final missing tomb of the 18th Dynasty pharaohs. This discovery took place during excavations at tomb C4 in the C Valley of the Theban Hills, located just 2.4 kilometers west of the Valley of the Kings near Luxor. The tomb’s entrance and main corridor were initially uncovered in 2022, and subsequent findings have confirmed its identity as the tomb of King Thutmose II.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Mr. Sherif Fathi, expressed his admiration for the ongoing excavations, which continue to unlock the secrets of Egypt’s ancient civilization. “This discovery is a remarkable addition to Egypt’s rich archaeological legacy,” he remarked. “It’s the first royal tomb to be found since the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922—a truly groundbreaking moment for history.”
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, shared that the initial discovery of the tomb’s entrance had led the team to believe it might be the final resting place of one of Thutmose III’s queens, due to its proximity to his queens’ tombs and Queen Hatshepsut’s. However, as excavation progressed, the team uncovered critical evidence that revealed the tomb was that of King Thutmose II, and that his burial was overseen by his wife and half-sister, Queen Hatshepsut.
The discovery of alabaster vessels bearing inscriptions identifying Thutmose II as “the deceased king,” along with the name of Queen Hatshepsut, provided the definitive proof of the tomb’s owner. This remarkable find has given Egyptologists new insights into the royal practices of the time.
Dr. Khaled praised the significance of the discovery, calling it one of the most important archaeological finds in recent years. “The artifacts found in this tomb are priceless additions to our understanding of Egypt’s history during the reign of Thutmose II,” he said. “What makes this discovery even more extraordinary is that it is the first time we have unearthed royal funerary items belonging to this king—items that had never been seen before in any museum worldwide.”
Mr. Mohamed Abdel-Badee, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector and leader of the Egyptian side of the mission, revealed that the tomb had been severely damaged by flooding shortly after the king’s death. The tomb was inundated with water, leading to the displacement and damage of many of its treasures. As a result, much of the tomb’s contents were relocated to other sites during ancient times. However, despite the tomb’s state of disrepair, the excavation team was able to recover many fallen artifacts and restore them to their original form.
One of the most captivating discoveries within the tomb were fragments of plaster adorned with blue and yellow sky stars, as well as depictions from the Amduat (Book of the Afterlife), an important religious text found in royal tombs. These elements have provided a deeper understanding of the spiritual beliefs that guided the burial practices of ancient Egypt.
Dr. Perz Lezerland, Head of the British side of the mission, explained that the tomb’s architectural design was quite simple compared to others in the Valley of the Kings. However, it served as the prototype for tombs that would follow during the reign of Thutmose II’s successors. The tomb’s corridor, lined with white plaster, leads to the burial chamber, which is positioned 1.4 meters higher than the main floor. This design suggests that it was specifically crafted to accommodate the transportation of the tomb’s contents, including the remains of Thutmose II, after the tomb was flooded.
Dr. Lezerland also announced that the mission would continue its work, conducting further archaeological surveys in the region. The team hopes to uncover even more secrets, including the location where the remaining contents of King Thutmose II’s tomb were moved after the flood.
This discovery offers a new window into Egypt’s ancient royal history, promising to provide invaluable insights into the reign of one of Egypt’s great pharaohs, while enriching the ongoing exploration of Egypt’s timeless heritage.
