---
title: "Egypt announces first discovery of pharaoh's tomb in more than 100 years"
description: "CAIRO, Feb 18 (Reuters) - A joint Egyptian-British mission has identified an ancient tomb near Luxor as that of King Thutmose II, marking the first discovery of a pharaonic royal tomb in more than 100 years, Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said on Tuesday."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Archaeology"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-02-19-egypt-announces-first-discovery-of-pharaohs-tomb-in-more-than-100-years/"
published: "2025-02-19T23:17:27"
updated: "2025-02-19T23:17:29"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 149
---

# Egypt announces first discovery of pharaoh's tomb in more than 100 years

> CAIRO, Feb 18 (Reuters) - A joint Egyptian-British mission has identified an ancient tomb near Luxor as that of King Thutmose II, marking the first discovery of a pharaonic royal tomb in more than 100 years, Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said on Tuesday.

By Reuters · Published 20 February 2025, 01:17 SAST · Updated 20 February 2025, 01:17 SAST

## Key points
- In a thrilling twist of archaeological fate, Egypt has unearthed the long-lost tomb of Thutmose II, a royal resting place that’s more waterlogged than well-preserved, proving that even ancient kings can’t escape the occasional flood.
- Archaeologists have discovered Thutmose II's tomb, the last lost royal tomb of Egypt's 18th dynasty, near the Valley of the Kings.
- The tomb's identification was aided by alabaster vessels inscribed with the names of Thutmose II and Queen Hatshepsut.
- Additional findings include funerary furniture and mortar pieces featuring blue inscriptions and religious symbols.
- The tomb's preservation is poor due to flooding post-king's death, with many contents reportedly relocated.

## Content

Located west of the Valley of the Kings, Thutmose II's tomb was the last lost tomb of the kings of Egypt's 18th dynasty, and the first royal tomb discovered since King Tutankhamun's in 1922, the ministry said.

Archaeologists were able to identify the tomb due to alabaster vessels found on site and inscribed with the name of King Thutmose II and his wife Queen Hatshepsut, one of a small handful of women to have ruled Egypt.

They also found pieces of his funerary furniture, as well as pieces of mortar with blue inscriptions, yellow stars and religious writing, the statement said.

However, due to flooding soon after the king's death, the tomb was generally not well preserved, the ministry statement added. There were indications that most of its contents had been moved, and work to recover them was under way, it said.

(Writing by Nafisa EltahirEditing by Aidan Lewis)