A team led by Dr. Piers Litherland is investigating a potential second tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II in Egypt, following the groundbreaking find of his first tomb. The discovery could shed light on ancient Egyptian burial practices, with hopes of revealing the pharaoh's mummified remains.
Discovery of Possible Second Tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II Sparks Excitement
Discovery of Possible Second Tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II Sparks Excitement
Archaeologists may have unearthed the second tomb belonging to Pharaoh Thutmose II just days after another significant discovery.
British archaeologist Dr. Piers Litherland has announced that his team may have discovered a second tomb belonging to Pharaoh Thutmose II, mere days after revealing the first tomb of a pharaoh since the iconic Tutankhamun was unearthed over a century ago. The news has generated a wave of enthusiasm among Egyptologists.
Dr. Litherland expressed that the new site may hold valuable artifacts, possibly including the mummified body of Thutmose II. The first tomb was believed to have been emptied shortly after burial, following flooding that led to a relocation to a secondary site.
The prospective second tomb is hidden beneath a considerable man-made structure—23 metres (75 ft) of limestone, ash, rubble, and mud plaster—intended to simulate a natural mountain. This site is located in the Western Valleys of the Theban Necropolis, near Luxor, an area rich in ancient history.
Previously, when searching for the first tomb, Egyptologists uncovered a posthumous inscription pointing to the relocation of Thutmose II's remains by his wife and half-sister Hatsheput. Concerned for safety, the British-Egyptian team is now painstakingly clearing the potential tomb site by hand rather than tunneling.
Dr. Litherland shared his excitement with the BBC, recalling his astonishment upon discovering the first tomb in a section associated with the burial sites of royal women, only to find it artistically adorned—a hallmark of a pharaonic burial. This tomb featured a well-preserved ceiling painted blue with yellow stars, a design exclusive to royal tombs.
Thutmose II, husband to the revered Queen Hatshepsut and ancestor of Tutankhamun, is believed to have reigned around 1493 to 1479 BC. The implications of these discoveries could significantly enhance our understanding of Egypt’s rich history and funerary traditions and provide critical insights into the lives of its ancient rulers.
