Egyptologists have made a historic discovery—the first royal tomb uncovered since Tutankhamun’s in 1922. A British-Egyptian team has found the long-lost burial site of Pharaoh Thutmose II in Luxor, solving a major archaeological mystery.

Egyptologists have uncovered the first royal tomb since Tutankhamun’s discovery over a century ago. A British-Egyptian team found the tomb of King Thutmose II, a previously undiscovered burial site from the 18th Egyptian dynasty, in the Western Valleys of the Theban Necropolis near Luxor.

Initially believed to be in the Valley of the Kings, the tomb was instead found in an area associated with royal women. Inside, researchers discovered a blue-painted ceiling with yellow stars, a decoration exclusive to pharaohs. The burial chamber also contained religious artwork from the Amduat, further confirming it belonged to a king.

However, the tomb was empty, not due to looting but because it was deliberately cleared after being flooded in ancient times. Researchers identified the tomb’s owner by fragments of alabaster jars bearing the names of Thutmose II and his wife, Queen Hatshepsut.

The discovery solves a long-standing mystery about the location of early 18th dynasty pharaohs’ tombs. It marks the culmination of 12 years of work by the joint team from Dr. Piers Litherland’s New Kingdom Research Foundation and Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, called it “an extraordinary moment for Egyptology,” as it is the first royal tomb discovery since King Tutankhamun’s in 1922. The team believes a second tomb, potentially intact, may still be awaiting discovery.

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