Latest news with #NewKingdomResearchFoundation
Euronews
02-04-2025
- General
- Euronews
Archaeologists unearth 3,200-year-old tomb linked to ancient Egypt's military elite
ADVERTISEMENT A team of Egyptian archaeologists have unearthed a 3,200-year-old tomb believed to belong to a high-ranking military commander from the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses III, often considered the last great pharaoh of ancient Egypt . The remarkable discovery, made at the Tell el-Maschuta site in northeastern Egypt, sheds light on the region's strategic role in defending the nation's eastern borders during the New Kingdom (spanning roughly 1550-1070 BCE). The tomb itself, constructed from mud bricks, consists of a main burial chamber and three adjoining rooms, their walls coated in white mortar. Inside, archaeologists uncovered a trove of artefacts indicating the high status of the man buried. Related British-Egyptian archaeologists reveal pharaoh's tomb after nearly a century in 'significant find' The Bashiri mystery: A 2,300-year-old Egyptian mummy that no archaeologist dares to open Bronze arrowhead, found in the Egyptian tomb of a possible military commander. Credit: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Overview of the tomb discovered in at the site of Tell el-Maschuta Credit: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Among the most significant finds was a gold ring bearing a name inscription of Ramesses III, along with bronze arrowheads and a small ivory box - clear evidence to suggest that the tomb belonged to someone of high military importance. Another particularly intriguing discovery was a collection of inscribed pottery vessels bearing the name of Pharaoh Horemheb, who reigned over a century before Ramesses III. Once a military leader himself before ascending to the throne (1323–1295 BCE), Horemheb's name appearing within the tomb suggests that the site may have been repurposed over time. An ancient Egyptian alabaster vessel, likely used for holding precious oils or perfumes. Credit: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Archaeologists also found alabaster vessels, semi-precious stones, and amulets depicting protective deities Taweret and Bes, as well as the Eye of Udjat, a symbol of healing and well-being in Egyptian mythology. Other recent ancient Egyptian discoveries The discovery of the military commander's tomb adds to a series of major Egyptian archaeological finds this year. Just last month, archaeologists unearthed the tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II - the first pharaonic burial site found since Tutankhamun's in 1922. Discovered by a joint British-Egyptian team led by Dr Piers Litherland, the tomb was hidden away in the Western Valleys of the Theban Necropolis, near Luxor. The exterior of Thutmose II's tomb, discovered in the Western Valleys of the Theban Necropolis, near Luxor. Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Amel Eweida/New Kingdom Research Foundation Mohamed Ismail Khaled, the secretary general of Egypt's Supreme Court of Antiquities, said in a statement that the discovery was 'one of the most significant archeological breakthroughs in recent years.' Days later, the same team announced they may have located a second tomb belonging to Thutmose II, buried 23 metres beneath a carefully disguised mound of rubble, limestone, ash, and mud plaster. Litherland believes the tomb could contain the pharaoh's mummified remains and grave goods. 'The best candidate for what is hidden underneath this enormously expensive, in terms of effort, pile is the second tomb of Thutmose II,' he told The Observer. And earlier this year, a French-Swiss archaeological team in Egypt made another remarkable discovery - the tomb of a high-ranking wizard-doctor who served the pharaohs some 4,000 years ago. Inscriptions identify the tomb's owner as Tetinebefou, a celebrated doctor during the reign of King Pepi II (circa 2305–2118 BC).
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Archaeologists may have found second tomb of mysterious Egyptian pharaoh
A British archaeologist and his team who uncovered the long-lost tomb of an Egyptian pharaoh believe they are close to finding a second buried 23 metres beneath a man-made mountain. Last week Piers Litherland revealed he had found the tomb of Thutmose II, the last undiscovered king of the 18th dynasty, in the Western Valleys of the Theban Necropolis. It was the first time in over a century that archaeologists have discovered the final resting place of another Egyptian pharaoh, since the unearthing of Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922. However, Mr Litherland has now revealed they are trying to unearth a second site which they believe holds the pharaoh's mummified body and grave goods. Archaeologists believe the first tomb was emptied six years after burial, due to a flood, and relocated to a second. The experts believe this second tomb has been hiding in plain sight for 3,500 years, secretly buried beneath 23 metres of limestone flakes, rubble, ash and mud plaster and made to look like part of the mountain. 'There are 23 metres of a pile of man-made layers sitting above a point in the landscape where we believe – and we have other confirmatory evidence – there is a monument concealed beneath,' he told The Observer. 'The best candidate for what is hidden underneath this enormously expensive, in terms of effort, pile is the second tomb of Thutmose II.' On the idea of finding his remains, he added: 'You dream about such things. But like winning the lottery, you never believe it will happen to you.' When Egyptologists were searching for the initial tomb, they found a posthumous inscription that indicated contents may have been moved to a second location nearby by the pharaoh's wife and half-sister Hatshepsut. Mr Litherland and his team think they are about a month away from accessing the second tomb, after struggling to tunnel to it by hand. 'We've tried to tunnel into it, we've tried to shave away the sides, but there are overhanging rocks, so it's too dangerous,' he said. 'We should be able to take the whole thing down in about another month.' When they found the first tomb, located near a waterfall, archaeologists believed they had found the tomb of a royal wife. However, the wide staircase and illustrated burial chamber indicated it was likely to be the resting place of a king. The reign of Thutmose II is thought to date from approximately 1493 to 1479 BCE. He is best known for being the husband of Queen Hatshepsut, regarded as one of Egypt's greatest pharaohs and one of the few female pharaohs who ruled in her own right. The discovery was made by a joint mission formed by the New Kingdom Research Foundation (NKRF), a British independent academic foundation, and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Egypt, a project affiliated to the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research at the University of Cambridge. Mr Litherland, leader and field director, said of the find: 'This discovery solves a great mystery of ancient Egypt: the location of the tombs of the early 18th dynasty kings. 'The tomb of this ancestor of Tutankhamun had never been found because it was always thought to be at the other end of the mountain near the Valley of the Kings. 'Initially we thought we might have found the tomb of a royal wife, but the wide staircase and the large doorway suggested something more important. 'The discovery that the burial chamber had been decorated with scenes from the Amduat, a religious text which is reserved for kings, was immensely exciting and was the first indication that this was a king's tomb.' Artefacts discovered in the tomb, including fragments of alabaster jars bearing inscriptions with the names of Thutmose II and his wife are the only artefacts connected with his burial ever found.
The Independent
23-02-2025
- General
- The Independent
Archaeologists may have found second tomb of mysterious Egyptian pharaoh
A British archaeologist and his team who uncovered the long-lost tomb of an Egyptian pharaoh believe they are close to finding a second buried 23 metres beneath a man-made mountain. Last week Piers Litherland revealed they had found the tomb of Thutmose II, the last undiscovered king of the 18th dynasty, in the Western Valleys of the Theban Necropolis. It was the first time in over a century that archaeologists have discovered the final resting place of another Egyptian pharaoh, since the unearthing of Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922. However, Mr Litherland has now revealed they are trying to unearth a second site which they believe holds the pharaoh's mummified body and grave goods. Archaeologists believe the first tomb was emptied six years after burial, due to a flood, and relocated to a second. The experts believe this second tomb has been hiding in plain sight for 3,500 years, secretly buried beneath 23 metres of limestone flakes, rubble, ash and mud plaster and made to look like part of the mountain. 'There are 23 metres of a pile of man-made layers sitting above a point in the landscape where we believe – and we have other confirmatory evidence – there is a monument concealed beneath,' he told The Observer. 'The best candidate for what is hidden underneath this enormously expensive, in terms of effort, pile is the second tomb of Thutmose II.' On the idea of finding his remains, he added: 'You dream about such things. But like winning the lottery, you never believe it will happen to you.' When Egyptologists were searching for the initial tomb, they found a posthumous inscription that indicated contents may have been moved to a second location nearby by the pharaoh's wife and half-sister Hatshepsut. Mr Litherland and his team think they are about a month away from accessing the second tomb, after struggling to tunnel to it by hand. 'We've tried to tunnel into it, we've tried to shave away the sides, but there are overhanging rocks, so it's too dangerous,' he said. 'We should be able to take the whole thing down in about another month.' When they found the first tomb, located near a waterfall, archaeologists believed they had found the tomb of a royal wife. However, the wide staircase and illustrated burial chamber indicated it was likely to be the resting place of a king. The reign of Thutmose II is thought to date from approximately 1493 to 1479 BCE. He is best known for being the husband of Queen Hatshepsut, regarded as one of Egypt's greatest pharaohs and one of the few female pharaohs who ruled in her own right. The discovery was made by a joint mission formed by the New Kingdom Research Foundation (NKRF), a British independent academic foundation, and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Egypt, a project affiliated to the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research at the University of Cambridge. Mr Litherland, leader and field director, said of the find: 'This discovery solves a great mystery of ancient Egypt: the location of the tombs of the early 18th dynasty kings. 'The tomb of this ancestor of Tutankhamun had never been found because it was always thought to be at the other end of the mountain near the Valley of the Kings. 'Initially we thought we might have found the tomb of a royal wife, but the wide staircase and the large doorway suggested something more important. 'The discovery that the burial chamber had been decorated with scenes from the Amduat, a religious text which is reserved for kings, was immensely exciting and was the first indication that this was a king's tomb.' Artefacts discovered in the tomb, including fragments of alabaster jars bearing inscriptions with the names of Thutmose II and his wife are the only artefacts connected with his burial ever found.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
See it: Egypt uncovers ancient pharaoh's tomb for first time in over 100 years
For the first time in more than a century, a pharaoh's tomb has been uncovered in Egypt. The tomb of King Thutmose II was found in a joint Egyptian-British archaeological expedition by the Supreme Council of Antiquities and the New Kingdom Research Foundation. Thutmose II was the fourth pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty. This discovery is the first of a royal tomb since King Tutankhamen's tomb was found in 1922, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said in a news release. Archaeologists found the tomb in October 2022, and initially thought it was the tomb of one of the royal wives based on its location to the tombs of King Thutmose III's wives and Queen Hatshepsut's tomb, the ministry said. Continued excavation of the tomb over the course of the last few years, revealed it actually belonged to Thutmose II, based on findings of pieces of alabaster jars with the pharaoh's name inscribed, identifying him as the "deceased king", the ministry said. 'Unusual Bumps' Found By Quarry Worker Leads To Discovery Of 'Dinosaur Highway' Inscriptions of Queen Hatshepsut's name, Thutmose II's wife, royal consort and later a pharaoh of Egypt herself, were also found in the tomb, confirming its ownership. The artifacts found in the tomb will help archaeologists learn more about the reign of Thutmose II and help them understand the history of the region at that time, the ministry said. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the discovery of Thutmose II's tomb is one of the most notable archaeological breakthroughs in recent years. Archaeologists also found the first-ever funerary furniture of Thutmose II when excavating his tomb. Remnants of plaster with blue inscriptions and yellow star motifs, as well as the Book of Amduat, a key religious text associated with royal tombs of Ancient Egypt were found as well, the ministry said. Mohamed Abdel Badi, co-leader of the mission and head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, said in the release that the tomb flooded shortly after the king died, leaving it in a poor state of preservation. Extensive restoration was done by the archaeological team to recover fallen plaster pieces from the tomb, as seen in the above photo shared by the ministry. Piers Latherland, head of the British side of the mission, said the tomb's simple architectural design served as a prototype for later royal tombs of Dynasty 18. The tomb features a plastered corridor leading to the burial chamber, with the floor of the corridor elevated about 1.4 meters above the burial chamber's floor, the release said. Dozens Of Bottles Of Cherries Found By Archeologists At The Home Of The United States' First President It's believed that the original contents of King Thutmose II's tomb were removed to another location after the flooding happened, the ministry said in the release. The ministry said the elevated corridor of the tomb is likely how the tomb's contents, including the mummy of the pharaoh, were relocated after the flooding. Latherland said in the release that the team will continue its work to "uncover more secrets of the area" and find the final resting place of the tomb's original article source: See it: Egypt uncovers ancient pharaoh's tomb for first time in over 100 years
The Guardian
22-02-2025
- General
- The Guardian
‘You dream about such things': Brit who discovered missing pharaoh's tomb may have unearthed another
To uncover the location of one long-lost pharaoh's tomb is a career-defining moment for an archaeologist. But to find a second is the stuff of dreams. Last week British archaeologist Piers Litherland announced the find of the century – the first discovery of a rock-cut pharaoh's tomb in Egypt since Tutankhamun's in 1922. His team found the pharaoh Thutmose II's tomb underneath a waterfall in the Theban mountains in Luxor, about 3km west of the Valley of the Kings. It contained almost nothing but debris, and the team believe it was flooded and emptied within six years of the pharaoh's death in 1479BC. Now Litherland has told the Observer he believes he has identified the location of a second tomb belonging to Thutmose II. And this one, he suspects, will contain the young pharaoh's mummified body and grave goods. Archeologists believe this second tomb has been hiding in plain sight for 3,500 years, secretly buried beneath 23 metres of limestone flakes, rubble, ash and mud plaster and made to look like part of the mountain. 'There are 23 metres of a pile of man-made layers sitting above a point in the landscape where we believe – and we have other confirmatory evidence – there is a monument concealed beneath,' he said. 'The best candidate for what is hidden underneath this enormously expensive, in terms of effort, pile is the second tomb of Thutmose II.' While searching close to the first tomb for clues about where its contents were taken after the flood, Litherland found a posthumous inscription buried in a pit with a cow sacrifice. This inscription indicates the contents may have been moved by the king's wife and half-sister Hatshepsut – one of Egypt's greatest pharaohs and one of the few women to rule in her own right – to an as-yet undiscovered second tomb nearby. Last week the New Kingdom Research Foundation, a British independent academic body, and the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities revealed that a project led by Litherland had found the first tomb in 2022, after more than a decade of work. For about a year, he and his team of Egyptian archaeologists – 'discoveries like this are not made by individuals', he says – have been investigating ways to get access to the second tomb by excavating the 3,500-year-old human-made layers of rock and plaster that surround it. At the top of layers of thick limestone plaster, limestone flakes 'the size of a dining room table', tufa (a flaky limestone which forms a cement) and rubble, is a layer of mud plaster with ash on top, Litherland said. 'Among that ash, we found the remains of beer jars and chisel ends used by workmen who made tombs. So there's no doubt these layers are man-made.' At that point, any tomb underneath the layers would have been well covered. But a further step was taken 'and that is what is slowing everything down' on the dig, said Litherland. The ancient Egyptians then 'levered away large portions of the cliff and made them come crashing down on top'. These large rocks – some of which are the size of a car – were then 'cemented in place using limestone plaster'. Now Litherland's team is trying to detach those rocks and the limestone plaster by hand: 'We've tried to tunnel into it, we've tried to shave away the sides, but there are overhanging rocks, so it's too dangerous,' Litherland said. He, his foreman, Mohamed Sayed Ahmed, and his archeological director, Mohsen Kamel, took the difficult decision to remove the entire structure – which stands out from the cliff – three weeks ago, and are about halfway there. 'We should be able to take the whole thing down in about another month,' Litherland said. Sign up to Observed Analysis and opinion on the week's news and culture brought to you by the best Observer writers after newsletter promotion He speculates that both tombs were constructed by the 18th dynasty architect Ineni, who wrote in his biography that he had 'excavated the high tomb of His Majesty, no one seeing, no one hearing', and was facing 'a very serious problem' after the first tomb flooded. 'If [Ineni] was being regarded as a failure for not delivering what he was supposed to deliver – a secure resting place for a king who, on his death, became a god – he may have been in a bit of a panic, trying to make sure that whatever happened this time, the tomb was not going to be flooded.' All kings from the 18th dynasty were buried under waterfalls. By covering the tomb with layers of plaster and limestone flakes, Ineni protected it from water while simultaneously sealing and concealing the site from robbers. 'Ineni says in his biographies that he did a lot of clever things to hide the locations of tombs, including covering the tombs with layers of mud plaster, which he says has never been done before. This has not been remarked on ever, to my knowledge.' It is a strategy that appears to have worked. While grave goods from the ransacked tombs of pharaohs from the 18th, 19th and 20th dynasties are commonplace in museums, 'there are no burial goods of any sort relating to the burial of Thutmose II in any museum or private collection', Litherland said. The body of a 30-year-old, found in 1881 in Deir el-Bahari and previously identified as Thutmose II, is too old to belong to the pharaoh, Litherland said. 'He is described in Ineni's biography as coming to the throne 'the falcon in the nest' – so he was a young boy.' Some Egyptologists believe he reigned for just three to four years and died shortly after fathering Thutmose III. For Litherland, who became fascinated with ancient Egypt as a young boy, the thought of finding Thutmose II's final resting place is breathtaking. 'You dream about such things. But like winning the lottery, you never believe it will happen to you.'
