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Tomb of Thutmose II Recognized Among Leading Archaeological Discoveries of 2025

The recently uncovered tomb of King Thutmose II on the West Bank of Luxor has been named among the world’s top ten archaeological discoveries of 2025 by Archaeology magazine, highlighting its exceptional importance for the study of ancient Egypt.
The discovery marks a major milestone, as it is the first royal tomb of Egypt’s Eighteenth Dynasty to be identified since the unearthing of Tutankhamun’s burial in 1922. Its recognition reflects the global significance of the find and its contribution to understanding the political and religious landscape of the New Kingdom.
Excavations revealed clear evidence confirming the tomb’s royal ownership, including decorated plaster fragments bearing blue inscriptions and yellow stars symbolizing the night sky. Texts associated with the Book of Imyduat, a funerary composition closely linked to royal burials, were also identified. Together, these elements firmly place the tomb within the traditions of New Kingdom royal funerary architecture and belief.
Architecturally, the tomb displays a relatively simple plan, now understood as an early model for the royal tomb designs later adopted by several Eighteenth Dynasty rulers. This makes the site particularly valuable for tracing the development of royal burial practices during a formative period of Egyptian history.
Discovered during joint Egyptian–British archaeological work in the Theban Mountain area, the tomb was initially thought to belong to a royal consort. Continued research, however, produced decisive material evidence confirming its attribution to Thutmose II.
The discovery has attracted wide international attention, reinforcing Egypt’s central role in archaeological research and underlining the enduring ability of its ancient landscape to reshape modern understanding of the past.

Published on: 20-12-2025

Edited by: Abdulmnam Samakie

Source: Ahram Online