A British-led excavation team discovers what they believe to be a second tomb of the pharaoh, only days after revealing his first tomb.
Hidden Secrets of Ancient Egypt: Second Pharaoh's Tomb Unearthed
Hidden Secrets of Ancient Egypt: Second Pharaoh's Tomb Unearthed
Recent discoveries by archaeologists indicate a stunning potential find in Egypt that may unveil the buried secrets of King Thutmose II.
In an astonishing archaeological turn of events, Dr Piers Litherland, a leading British Egyptologist, has unveiled promising signs of a second tomb belonging to King Thutmose II. This revelation comes mere days after he announced the discovery of the first tomb of a pharaoh since the significant find of Tutankhamun's tomb over a century ago.
According to Dr Litherland, this potential second burial site may still contain the mummified remains of King Thutmose II, as the initial tomb is believed to have been either flooded or relocated shortly after burial. The first tomb, which was located behind a waterfall, is thought to have been emptied due to flooding, prompting a search for a new resting place.
The newly suggested tomb is speculated to be located beneath a 23-meter (75 ft) mound of limestone, ash, rubble, and mud plaster. This structure was crafted by the ancient Egyptians to resemble a mountain, which is typical of the burial practices in the Theban Necropolis near Luxor.
Detecting the previous tomb involved locating a posthumous inscription that hinted at its contents being moved to a nearby site, presumably orchestrated by Thutmose II's wife and half-sister, Hatshepsut. The British-Egyptian excavation team is currently delicately unearthing the site by hand, after ruling out any tunneling attempts due to safety concerns. Dr Litherland estimates that the excavation could take around a month to complete.
Upon earlier discovery of Thutmose II’s first burial chamber, archaeologists were astonished to find elaborate decorations, including a distinctive blue-painted ceiling adorned with yellow stars, suggesting that it was undoubtedly a royal tomb. Dr Litherland expressed the emotional gravity of the find, noting that such unexpected discoveries evoke a profound sense of bewilderment and excitement.
Thutmose II, who is famously known for being the consort of Queen Hatshepsut—one of the most renowned pharaohs of ancient Egypt—and an ancestor of Tutankhamun, ruled approximately between 1493 to 1479 BC. The find underscores the continuous exploration and revelation of ancient Egyptian history as researchers strive to unlock its hidden mysteries.
According to Dr Litherland, this potential second burial site may still contain the mummified remains of King Thutmose II, as the initial tomb is believed to have been either flooded or relocated shortly after burial. The first tomb, which was located behind a waterfall, is thought to have been emptied due to flooding, prompting a search for a new resting place.
The newly suggested tomb is speculated to be located beneath a 23-meter (75 ft) mound of limestone, ash, rubble, and mud plaster. This structure was crafted by the ancient Egyptians to resemble a mountain, which is typical of the burial practices in the Theban Necropolis near Luxor.
Detecting the previous tomb involved locating a posthumous inscription that hinted at its contents being moved to a nearby site, presumably orchestrated by Thutmose II's wife and half-sister, Hatshepsut. The British-Egyptian excavation team is currently delicately unearthing the site by hand, after ruling out any tunneling attempts due to safety concerns. Dr Litherland estimates that the excavation could take around a month to complete.
Upon earlier discovery of Thutmose II’s first burial chamber, archaeologists were astonished to find elaborate decorations, including a distinctive blue-painted ceiling adorned with yellow stars, suggesting that it was undoubtedly a royal tomb. Dr Litherland expressed the emotional gravity of the find, noting that such unexpected discoveries evoke a profound sense of bewilderment and excitement.
Thutmose II, who is famously known for being the consort of Queen Hatshepsut—one of the most renowned pharaohs of ancient Egypt—and an ancestor of Tutankhamun, ruled approximately between 1493 to 1479 BC. The find underscores the continuous exploration and revelation of ancient Egyptian history as researchers strive to unlock its hidden mysteries.
