BREAKING NEWS: Archaeologists Confirm Discovery of Pharaoh Thutmose II's Tomb After 3,500 Years
- Leigh
- Mar 6
- 2 min read
February 2025
The entrance to the tomb of King Thutmose II, who ruled three-and-a-half thousand years ago
In a remarkable archaeological breakthrough, researchers have confirmed the identity of Pharaoh Thutmose II's tomb in Luxor, Egypt - the first royal tomb discovered near the Valley of the Kings since Tutankhamun's in 1922.
This discovery coincides with our recently published "Gardening in Ancient Egypt" article, which explores the horticultural innovations of this exact royal dynasty. Thutmose II was the husband of Queen Hatshepsut and father of Thutmose III, both pivotal figures featured in our exploration of ancient Egyptian gardens.
A Three-Year Journey to Identification
A team of archaeologists discovered the tomb of Egyptian pharaoh Thutmose II in the Western Valleys of the Theban Necropolis in Egypt.
Excavator Ashraf Omar discovered the tomb in October 2022 during explorations near other royal tombs. Initially thought to belong to a queen or lesser royal family member, the tomb's true owner remained a mystery until February 2025, when artifact analysis provided conclusive evidence.
The joint Egyptian-British archaeological mission, led by the Supreme Council of Antiquities and the New Kingdom Research Foundation affiliated with Cambridge University, identified the tomb through two key pieces of evidence:
Royal Funerary Texts: Hieroglyphs from the "Amduat" (a text restricted to kings' tombs during this period) on the burial chamber walls
A Labeled Alabaster Vessel: An inscription reading: "The God's wife, the king's great wife Hatshepsut, she has made it [the tomb] as her monument for her brother, the good God, the lord of the two lands Aakheperare [Thutmose II]"
Garden Connections and Celestial Symbolism
The tomb features a blue ceiling decorated with yellow stars - a cosmic symbolism that directly parallels elements found in royal Egyptian gardens of the period. Gardens were designed to reflect this celestial imagery, creating earthly paradises that mirrored the heavens.
The alabaster jar inscription confirms Hatshepsut's involvement in creating her husband's tomb, providing a direct link to her revolutionary gardening innovations. Her famous expedition to Punt brought frankincense trees and exotic plants to Egypt, which were cultivated in her mortuary temple gardens.
Understanding the Historical Context
Thutmose II ruled for approximately 3-13 years around 1500 BCE. When he died, possibly at a young age, Hatshepsut arranged his burial since his son Thutmose III was still an infant. Shortly after burial, the tomb flooded catastrophically, forcing ancient officials to relocate the king's mummy and grave goods.
The tomb itself is located not in the Valley of the Kings but in a lesser cemetery about 1.5 miles west, in an area previously associated with royal women and children. Nearby tombs include those of Queen Hatshepsut (from before she declared herself Pharaoh) and Princess Neferure, daughter of Hatshepsut and Thutmose II.
A stone vase with an inscription recording Hatshepsut overseeing the burial
Watch the Expert Analysis
For a detailed explanation of this discovery and its significance, watch this comprehensive video (on YouTube) featuring expert commentary from Dr. Chris Naunton, former director of the Egypt Exploration Society: History of Egypt Podcast - Thutmose II's Tomb
Read our comprehensive "Gardening in Ancient Egypt" article to understand the profound garden legacy of this royal family and how their innovations continue to influence garden design today. https://www.rosecottagegardens.me/ancient-egypt
Rose Cottage Gardens: Where history blooms into modern inspiration
This is so exciting ! Thank you for adding this. It is a reminder of how far we have come.
This gardening website is amazing! The diversity of subjects and they way they are interesting and informative is not expected. I am so glad I found it. 😀