Egyptian archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery by unearthing the first tomb of a pharaoh since the famous tomb of Tutankhamun was found more than a century ago.

Prior to this find, King Thutmose II’s tomb was considered the last undiscovered royal burial site from the 18th dynasty of ancient Egypt.

A collaborative effort between British and Egyptian teams led to the tomb’s discovery in the Western Valleys of the Theban Necropolis, situated near Luxor. Researchers had previously believed these burial sites were located over 2 kilometers away, closer to the Valley of the Kings.

The excavation team initially searched an area known for royal women’s resting places, but upon entering the burial chamber, they encountered lavish decorations indicative of a pharaoh’s tomb.

Dr. Piers Litherland, the mission’s field director, remarked, “A section of the ceiling remained intact, showcasing a blue-painted design adorned with yellow stars. This type of ceiling is exclusively found in royal tombs.”

He shared with the BBC’s Newshour programme that he was overcome with emotion during this significant moment.

“Experiencing such a surprising discovery creates a wave of intense emotions; it is truly overwhelming,” he expressed. “When I stepped out, my wife was waiting, and all I could do was break down in tears.”

According to Dr. Litherland, this remarkable find clarifies the longstanding mystery surrounding the locations of early 18th dynasty royal tombs.

Two centuries ago, Thutmose II’s mummified remains were identified, yet the original burial site remained undiscovered until now.

Thutmose II was an ancestor of the renowned Tutankhamun, who ruled around 1493 to 1479 BC. The famed tomb of Tutankhamun was unearthed by British archaeologists in 1922.

Thutmose II is most recognized for being the spouse of Queen Hatshepsut, one of Egypt’s most prominent pharaohs and one of the few female rulers in her own right.

Dr. Litherland noted the “imposing staircase and a grand descending corridor” of the tomb hinted at its significance.

“It took us considerable time to navigate through the space, as it was obstructed by debris and the ceilings had partially collapsed,” he detailed.

“Finally, after crawling through a 10-meter (32-foot) passage with a narrow 40 cm gap at the top, we reached the burial chamber.”

Once inside, the team uncovered the stunning blue ceiling and illustrations from the Amduat, a sacred text typically reserved for kings. This further confirmed they had discovered a king’s burial site, according to Dr. Litherland.

The team immediately set to work removing the debris, anticipating they would find remnants of a burial.

However, Dr. Litherland stated, “The tomb was entirely empty, not due to looting but because it had been intentionally cleared.”

They determined that the tomb had been inundated—”constructed beneath a waterfall”—only a few years after the king was buried, leading to the relocation of its contents in antiquity.

As they sifted through tons of limestone in the chamber, they discovered fragments of alabaster jars inscribed with the names of Thutmose II and Hatshepsut.

Dr. Litherland remarked, “These fragments likely broke during the tomb’s relocation,” adding, “We are truly fortunate that a few items broke, as it was crucial in identifying whose tomb it was.”

These artefacts represent the first findings directly linked to the burial of Thutmose II.

Dr. Litherland indicated that his team has a rough idea of where a second tomb might be located, which could still contain invaluable treasures.

This significant discovery by the team is the culmination of over a decade of collaborative efforts involving Dr. Litherland’s New Kingdom Research Foundation and Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

The team had previously excavated 54 burial sites in the western region of the Theban mountain range in Luxor and successfully identified over 30 royal women and court figures.

According to Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, “This represents the first royal tomb unearthed since the historic discovery of King Tutankhamun’s burial chamber in 1922. It marks an extraordinary milestone for Egyptology and enhances our understanding of our shared human history.”