A team of archaeologists in Egypt has identified the original burial site of Pharaoh Thutmose II, a discovery hailed as a major breakthrough in Egyptology. The tomb, hidden for thousands of years, was found in Wadi Gabbanat el-Qurud and sheds new light on the ancient ruler’s final resting place.
A Royal Burial Mystery Solved
For more than a century, historians and archaeologists puzzled over the whereabouts of Thutmose II’s original tomb. His mummified body, discovered in 1881, was not found in its intended burial chamber. Now, experts believe they have finally located the pharaoh’s long-lost resting place, which had been heavily damaged by flooding shortly after his death in 1479 B.C.E.
The tomb, identified as No. C4, was initially assumed to belong to a royal wife. It wasn’t until archaeologists unearthed key inscriptions and artifacts inside that they confirmed its connection to Thutmose II. Among the relics were alabaster vessels bearing inscriptions that referred to him as the “deceased king” and references to his wife, Queen Hatshepsut.
Artifacts Provide Key Evidence
Inside the burial chamber, researchers uncovered an array of significant artifacts:
- Funerary furniture belonging to Thutmose II, marking the first known discovery of such items.
- Painted plaster fragments adorned with yellow star motifs, a feature commonly found in royal tombs.
- Sections of the Book of Amduat, an ancient Egyptian funerary text meant to guide the deceased through the afterlife.
Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary-general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, called the find “one of the most important archaeological breakthroughs in recent years.”
Flooding and Relocation of the King’s Remains
Despite its historical significance, the tomb was found in poor condition. Experts believe water damage led to the relocation of Thutmose II’s remains in antiquity. Mohamed Abdel Badi, co-leader of the excavation, explained that floodwaters had inundated the chamber, damaging the interior and displacing key elements of the burial.
“Preliminary studies suggest that the tomb’s original contents were relocated to another site during ancient times after the flooding,” Badi said.
Thutmose II’s mummy was eventually placed in the Deir el-Bahari Cachette, where it was discovered in the 19th century. The recent excavation provides a clearer picture of the events that led to this relocation.
The Layout of an Early Royal Tomb
Dr. Piers Latherland, head of the British team involved in the excavation, noted that the tomb’s design represents an early example of what later became standard for 18th Dynasty royal burials.
“It features a plastered corridor leading to the burial chamber, with the floor of the corridor elevated approximately 1.4 meters (4.59 feet) above the burial chamber’s floor,” Latherland explained.
This raised passageway likely played a role in the relocation of the tomb’s contents. After the flooding, ancient Egyptians may have used the corridor to transport the pharaoh’s remains and funerary items to a safer location.
Continued Excavation and Future Prospects
While the tomb’s discovery marks a major milestone, archaeologists say there is still much more to uncover. Excavations at the site are expected to continue for at least two more years, with hopes of uncovering additional insights into the burial practices and history of the period.
The rediscovery of Thutmose II’s original tomb is not only a triumph for Egyptology but also a reminder of how much remains hidden beneath the sands of ancient Egypt. With ongoing research, experts anticipate even more revelations about this enigmatic period of history.
