Wed Feb 19 07:13:15 UTC 2025: ## Egypt Unveils 3,500-Year-Old Tomb of King Thutmose II, a Major Archaeological Discovery

**Luxor, Egypt** – Egyptian and British archaeologists have announced the discovery of the tomb of King Thutmose II, a major archaeological find hailed as the most significant since the tomb of Tutankhamun was unearthed in 1922. Located near the Valley of the Kings in the Thebes area, west of Luxor, the approximately 3,500-year-old tomb contained funerary artifacts bearing the king’s name and that of his wife, Queen Hatshepsut.

The discovery, announced Tuesday by the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), was initially perplexing. The tomb’s dilapidated state, due to flooding, and its proximity to the tombs of Thutmose III’s wives and Queen Hatshepsut, initially led archaeologists to believe it belonged to a royal consort. However, fragments of alabaster jars inscribed with the names of Thutmose II and Hatshepsut confirmed its identity. The inscriptions also reveal that Hatshepsut, who was also Thutmose II’s half-sister, oversaw his burial.

Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary-general of the SCA, emphasized the significance of the find, stating that this is the first discovery of funerary furniture belonging to Thutmose II. No such items exist in museums worldwide. The excavation, a collaborative effort between Egyptian teams and the UK’s New Kingdom Research Foundation, began in 2022.

While the mummy of Thutmose II was discovered in the 19th century at the Deir el-Bahari Cachette – likely relocated after earlier grave robbing – this tomb’s discovery provides invaluable insight into his reign and the burial practices of the period. The artifacts unearthed are considered crucial additions to the historical record of the region. The mummy of Thutmose II is currently on display at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.

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