In a groundbreaking archaeological discovery, British Egyptologists have uncovered the long-lost tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II, a ruler of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty who lived nearly 3,500 years ago. The burial site, identified as “C4,” was found approximately 2.4 km west of the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt.
The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities confirmed the discovery, putting an end to centuries of speculation about the final resting place of Thutmose II. While scholars had long believed his tomb was near the Valley of the Kings, a team led by Professor Piers Litherland from the University of Cambridge found it in an unexpected location—an area historically linked to the burials of royal women.
According to reports from the BBC, the entrance to the tomb was first identified in 2022. However, extensive excavation was needed to confirm its significance. The team discovered a staircase carved into rock at the base of a cliff, leading to a descending corridor. Initially, experts suspected it belonged to a royal wife, but the tomb’s large doorway and unique architectural features suggested otherwise.
Inside, archaeologists uncovered a ceiling painted blue with yellow stars, a design reserved exclusively for pharaohs. The walls were adorned with scenes from the Amduat, an ancient religious text meant only for Egyptian kings. Additionally, fragments of alabaster jars bore inscriptions confirming Thutmose II as the tomb’s owner, alongside references to his wife, Hatshepsut.
Unlike the famous tomb of Tutankhamun, this chamber contained no treasures or mummified remains. Experts believe that flooding forced ancient Egyptians to relocate Thutmose II’s body to the Deir el-Bahri cache, where it was discovered in the 19th century in a damaged state. His remains, found with a severed right arm, have long been the subject of debate, as recent studies suggest they may belong to a man older than the pharaoh was believed to be at his death.
Thutmose II ruled Egypt for an estimated three to thirteen years between 1493 and 1479 BCE. His reign was part of the illustrious 18th Dynasty, a period often regarded as the pinnacle of Ancient Egyptian civilization. The dynasty, which spanned over 200 years (circa 1539–1292 BCE), produced legendary figures such as Hatshepsut, Amenhotep I, and Tutankhamun.
