Egypt makes largest archaeological discovery since King Tut’s tomb

A recently unearthed ancient Egyptian tomb is being described by Egyptian officials as the biggest archaeological discoverysince King Tutankhamen’s tomb was found in 1922.

The entrance to the tomb, located west of Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, was discovered three years ago by British and Egyptian archaeologists. They initially believed it belonged to the wife of an Ancient Egyptian king. But on Tuesday, Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities announced that it belonged to King Thutmose II, CBS reports. 

This discovery is believed to be the last missing royal tomb from the Eighteenth Dynasty, which spanned from 1550 BC to 1292 BC.

Dr. Khaled said the tomb’s owner was identified through inscriptions on alabaster vessels discovered in the chamber. They bore the name of King Thutmose II and referred to him as the "deceased king." The name of his wife, Queen Hatshepsut, was also inscribed on the artifacts.

King Thutmose II ruled from approximately 1493 to 1479 BC and is believed to have died before reaching the age of 30. Although little is known about his reign, he is most famous for his marriage to his half-sister, Hatshepsut, who eventually assumed the throne, becoming one of a handful of female pharaohs in Ancient Egypt.

Egyptian authorities report that the tomb is in poor condition, with much of its contents missing due to flooding that occurred shortly after the king’s death. Archaeologists are now focusing on locating any surviving artifacts that may have been displaced.

Thutmose II’s mummy was not found within the tomb itself. His mummified remains were unearthed nearly 200 years ago at a nearby site, likely relocated by ancient tomb raiders. Today, his mummy is displayed at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.