In a discovery, archaeologists have uncovered the lost tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II, marking the first royal burial site found since the tomb of Tutankhamun was revealed over a century ago.

A British-Egyptian team, led by Dr. Piers Litherland of the New Kingdom Research Foundation, discovered the tomb in the Western Valleys of the Theban Necropolis near Luxor. The find is particularly significant as researchers had long believed the 18th Dynasty pharaohs were buried closer to the Valley of the Kings, more than two kilometers away.

Thutmose II, who ruled around 1493–1479 BC, was the husband of Queen Hatshepsut, one of Egypt’s most renowned female pharaohs. His tomb, hidden beneath debris and partially collapsed ceilings, featured a grand staircase and a descending corridor, hinting at its royal stature. Upon entering the burial chamber, archaeologists identified a blue-painted ceiling adorned with yellow stars—an exclusive feature of pharaohs' tombs.

Despite the elaborate decorations, the chamber was found empty, not due to looting but because the burial had been deliberately relocated in ancient times. Evidence suggests the tomb was flooded shortly after Thutmose II’s burial, leading to the transfer of its contents elsewhere. Among the few remaining artifacts, fragments of alabaster jars bearing inscriptions of Thutmose II and Hatshepsut provided crucial confirmation of the tomb’s owner.

The discovery concludes a 12-year excavation effort by the team, which has previously identified over 50 tombs and the remains of royal wives and court women in the area. Dr. Litherland described the moment as "emotionally overwhelming," stating that solving the mystery of the early 18th Dynasty royal burials was a major breakthrough in Egyptology.

Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, hailed the discovery as a historic moment. "This is the first royal tomb uncovered since King Tutankhamun’s in 1922. It is an extraordinary moment for Egyptology and our shared human story," he said.

Dr. Litherland and his team now believe they have a strong lead on the location of the relocated burial site, which could still contain intact treasures. Their search continues, holding the promise of further significant finds in the near future.