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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.
Sky News
19-02-2025
- Science
- Sky News
Tomb of Egyptian pharaoh found in 'remarkable discovery' - the first since Tutankhamun
The tomb of an Egyptian pharaoh has been found for the first time since Tutankhamun was discovered in 1922. In what has been dubbed a "remarkable discovery", the tomb of Thutmose II, the last missing royal tomb of the 18th dynasty, was found in the Western Valleys of the Theban Necropolis in Egypt. The tomb was uncovered by a joint British-Egyptian mission, about 1.5 miles west of the Valley of the Kings in Luxor's western mountain region. Objects recovered from the mission included fragments of alabaster jars (used to store perfumes, oils, and ointments) inscribed with the name Pharaoh Thutmose II, as well as inscriptions bearing the name of his wife Queen Hatshepsut - who became one of Egypt's few female pharaohs who ruled in her own right. For the first time ever, funeral furniture belonging to the pharaoh was found, according to Egypt 's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. No funeral furniture of Thutmose II currently exists in any museum worldwide. The mission was formed by the New Kingdom Research Foundation (NKRF), a British independent academic foundation, and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, a project affiliated to the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research at the University of Cambridge. "This discovery solves a great mystery of Ancient Egypt: the location of the tombs of the early 18th dynasty kings," said mission leader and field director Piers Litherland. "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." Thutmose II died 3,500 years ago. He is believed to have ruled for around 14 years, from about 1493 to 1479 BCE, and fathered one child, Thutmose III. Mohamed Abdel Badi, head of the Egyptian antiquities sector and co-leader of the mission, said the tomb was discovered in a poor state due to flooding that occurred shortly after the pharaoh's death. Archaeological evidence suggests the contents were moved to a second tomb due to the flood. Mohsen Kamel, assistant field director, said: "The possible existence of a second, and most likely intact, tomb of Thutmose II is an astonishing possibility."
The Independent
19-02-2025
- General
- The Independent
Tomb of mysterious missing pharaoh is biggest archaeological find in a century
The tomb of Thutmose II, the last undiscovered king of the 18th dynasty, has been located in the Western Valleys of the Theban Necropolis. It is the first time in over a century, since the unearthing of Tutankhamun's tomb, archaeologists have discovered the final resting place of another Egyptian pharaoh. The discovery came as a surprise, as archaeologists initially thought the tomb belonged to a royal wife. However, the presence of a wide staircase and an intricately illustrated burial chamber pointed towards a royal burial, confirming it as the long-lost tomb of the pharaoh. An ancestor of Tutankhamun, whose tomb was found in 1922, Thutmose II died 3,500 years ago and was thought to be buried at the other end of the mountain near the Valley of the Kings. 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. Who was Thutmose II? Thutmose II was the husband as well as the half-brother of Hatshepsut, considered one of Egypt's greatest pharaohs. He is believed to have ruled for around four years, and fathered one child, Thutmose III. The reign of Thutmose II is thought to date from approximately 1493 to 1479 BCE, but his life has been overshadowed by his more famous father Thutmose I, his wife Hatshepsut (one of the few women who reigned in her own right), and his son, Thutmose III. 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. The leader and field director, Piers Litherland, from Galashiels, is an Honorary Research Associate of the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research at Cambridge University. Co-head of the mission is Dr Judith Bunbury, Fellow of Wolfson College, and the team includes Egyptian and international experts and local workers. The discovery is the result of 12 years' work in the Western Valleys. It previously established the identities of more than 30 royal wives and court women of this period and has excavated a total of 54 tombs in the western part of the Theban mountain in Luxor. Mr Litherland said: '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 principal wife, Hatshepsut, provided definitive evidence, and are the only artefacts connected with Thutmose II's burial ever found. Sometime before Year 6 of Thutmose III's reign, archaeological evidence suggests there was a catastrophic flood in this tomb after which the contents were moved to a second tomb. The discovery by the mission of an intact foundation deposit suggests that this second tomb is hidden in the same valley – casting doubt on the identity of the CG61066 body found in the Royal Cache in 1881 and previously identified as Thutmose II. The body has been dated consistently as over 30 years of age, but Thutmose II was described as 'the falcon in the nest' when he came to throne and ruled just long enough to father Thutmose III before he died. Minister of tourism and antiquities Sherif Fathy said: 'This is the first royal tomb to be discovered since the ground-breaking find of King Tutankhamun's burial chamber in 1922. 'It is an extraordinary moment for Egyptology and the broader understanding of our shared human story.'
The Independent
19-02-2025
- General
- The Independent
Tomb of missing pharaoh found in biggest discovery since 1922
The tomb of an Egyptian pharaoh has been found for the first time since the discovery of Tutankhamun more than a century ago. The tomb of Thutmose II, the last king's tomb to be found from the 18th dynasty, has been located in the Western Valleys of the Theban Necropolis in Egypt. An ancestor of Tutankhamun, whose tomb was found in 1922, Thutmose II died 3,500 years ago and was thought to be buried at the other end of the mountain near the Valley of the Kings. 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. Thutmose II was the husband as well as the half-brother of Hatshepsut, considered one of Egypt's greatest pharaohs. He is believed to have ruled for around four years, and fathered one child, Thutmose III. The reign of Thutmose II is thought to date from approximately 1493 to 1479 BCE, but his life has been overshadowed by his more famous father Thutmose I, his wife Hatshepsut (one of the few women who reigned in her own right), and his son, Thutmose III. 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. The leader and field director, Piers Litherland, from Galashiels, is an Honorary Research Associate of the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research at Cambridge University. Co-head of the mission is Dr Judith Bunbury, Fellow of Wolfson College, and the team includes Egyptian and international experts and local workers. The discovery is the result of 12 years' work in the Western Valleys. It previously established the identities of more than 30 royal wives and court women of this period and has excavated a total of 54 tombs in the western part of the Theban mountain in Luxor. Mr Litherland said: '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 principal wife, Hatshepsut, provided definitive evidence, and are the only artefacts connected with Thutmose II's burial ever found. Sometime before Year 6 of Thutmose III's reign, archaeological evidence suggests there was a catastrophic flood in this tomb after which the contents were moved to a second tomb. The discovery by the mission of an intact foundation deposit suggests that this second tomb is hidden in the same valley – casting doubt on the identity of the CG61066 body found in the Royal Cache in 1881 and previously identified as Thutmose II. The body has been dated consistently as over 30 years of age, but Thutmose II was described as 'the falcon in the nest' when he came to throne and ruled just long enough to father Thutmose III before he died. Mohsen Kamel, assistant field director, said: 'The possible existence of a second, and most likely intact, tomb of Thutmose II is an astonishing possibility.' Minister of tourism and antiquities Sherif Fathy said: 'This is the first royal tomb to be discovered since the ground-breaking find of King Tutankhamun's burial chamber in 1922. 'It is an extraordinary moment for Egyptology and the broader understanding of our shared human story.'
