A Scottish archaeologist has recently revealed one of the most significant archaeological finds of the century, announcing the discovery of not just one but two burial tombs that likely belong to the legendary Pharaoh Thutmose II, an ancestor of the famous Tutankhamun.
A Decade of Exploration and Discovery
Piers Litherland, an Egyptologist from Selkirk, has spent the past ten years working tirelessly on uncovering the final resting places of the Egyptian ruler, who died around 3,500 years ago.
His discovery marks a monumental achievement in the field of Egyptology.
Litherland’s work is being hailed as the first major Pharaoh tomb discovery since the famous discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb by British archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922.
Finding the First Tomb
Just last week, Litherland and his team stumbled upon the first tomb located under a waterfall in the Theban Mountains in Luxor, Egypt.
However, this tomb was found to be empty, with only debris remaining inside.
But the journey didn’t stop there. A few days later, they unearthed the second tomb, which Litherland believes could hold the mummified body of Thutmose II, along with priceless artifacts from the Pharaoh’s reign.
Second Tomb Hidden Beneath Layers of Rubble
The second tomb was buried deep under 23 meters of limestone rubble, ash, and mud, hidden for centuries.
Litherland, a professor at Cambridge University who is known for his Indiana Jones-style fedora, expressed excitement about the discovery.
He explained that the second tomb, tucked under such an enormous pile of debris, was the most likely location for the final resting place of the Pharaoh.
A Link to Hatshepsut’s Power Struggle
During their search near the first tomb, Litherland’s team found evidence suggesting that Thutmose II’s wife, Hatshepsut, may have moved the Pharaoh’s remains to this second tomb.
Hatshepsut, who is believed to have ascended to the throne after her husband’s death, could have been motivated by flooding or a desire to protect the tomb from grave robbers.
Careful Excavation to Access the Tomb
Litherland and his team have been working carefully to safely access the second tomb.
They’ve already discovered artifacts like beer jars and chisel ends used by the workers who built the tombs during that era.
The excavation is slow and meticulous, with the team taking extra caution to avoid the dangerous overhanging rocks.
A Dream Come True for Litherland
For Litherland, who became fascinated by ancient Egypt as a young boy, this discovery feels like a dream come true. He described the process as similar to winning the lottery – something you dream about but never believe will actually happen.
Recognition from Egyptology Experts
The double discovery was officially confirmed by the New Kingdom Research Foundation, an independent British academic organization, and the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
Egyptian officials, including Sherif Fathy, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, have praised Litherland for this groundbreaking find.
Fathy noted that this is the first royal tomb to be discovered since the find of King Tutankhamun’s burial chamber over a century ago.
The Astonishing Potential of the Second Tomb
The discovery of the second tomb is especially exciting, as it could be the first intact royal tomb of the 18th dynasty found in modern times.
Mohsen Kamel, the team’s assistant field director, shared his amazement at the possibility of uncovering a perfectly preserved tomb, calling it an “astonishing” discovery that will help further illuminate our understanding of ancient Egyptian history.
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