Archaeologists have uncovered a long-lost tomb in Egypt, the first to be discovered since Tutankhamun’s burial in 1922. Egyptian officials announced the discovery on Tuesday, revealing the tomb of King Thutmose II, the last of the missing royal tombs from Egypt’s 18th Dynasty.
Thutmose II, who reigned from around 1550 BC to 1292 BC, was the ruler for over two centuries.
Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, called the discovery one of the most significant in decades.
“This is the first time funerary furniture belonging to Thutmose II has been found, as no such items exist in museums worldwide,” he stated.
In spite of its historical importance, the tomb was found in poor condition, having suffered from flooding shortly after the king’s death.
Water damage caused significant deterioration, leading to the loss of many original contents, which are believed to have been moved during ancient times.
Archaeological teams restored parts of fallen plaster adorned with intricate designs, including blue inscriptions, yellow star motifs, and key religious texts.
British head of mission Piers Litherland noted a unique feature of the tomb: a second corridor, which had been enlarged twice and sloped upwards, possibly to allow the removal of the king’s body from the flooded tomb.
