Archaeologists in Egypt have made a major discovery: they have unearthed an ancient royal tomb, marking the first discovery of a pharaoh’s tomb in more than a century, since the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922.
So who was this pharaoh? What makes this tomb so special? And why do Egyptian royal tombs continue to fascinate the world?
In 1922, archaeologists discovered the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, a king of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty who ruled from 1332-1323 BC.
The discovery revealed many precious treasures, from a gilded chariot to a famous solid gold mask, becoming one of the most important events in the history of archaeology.
Now, more than a century later, the world has witnessed another sensational discovery: the tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II.
It is the last undiscovered royal tomb of the 18th Dynasty, located near the city of Luxor, west of the Valley of the Kings – one of the world’s most important archaeological sites, home to many ancient Egyptian kings.
Thutmose II was an important leader some 3,500 years ago, and he was an ancestor of King Tutankhamun. His wife, Queen Hatshepsut, was also one of the few women to have ruled Egypt as pharaoh.
Thutmose II’s mummified body was discovered two centuries ago, but the location of his tomb has remained a mystery to this day.
Notably, the area where the tomb was found has long been considered the resting place of queens. Archaeologists believe the tomb was flooded shortly after its burial, damaging many of the artifacts inside.
However, they still found a number of important artifacts, including royal furniture, an ornate ceiling, a grand staircase and many valuable documents that will help to understand this period of history.
The discovery not only adds to Egypt’s heritage, but also strengthens the appeal of the ancient civilization to global tourists.
Last year, more than 15.7 million tourists visited Egypt to explore the mysteries of its tombs and pyramids. The discovery of Thutmose II’s tomb will certainly contribute to attracting more public attention, creating momentum for tourism and Egyptological research.
