EGYPT: In a monumental discovery, archaeologists have uncovered the tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II, the husband of Queen Hatshepsut, in Egypt’s Western Valley. This discovery, labelled the largest royal tomb find since Tutankhamun’s tomb over a century ago, has sent ripples through the archaeological world.
Located near Deir el-Bahari, the famous funerary temple of Hatshepsut, the tomb is essential for further understanding a transformative period in ancient Egypt’s history. Though the tomb is empty, its importance lies in shedding light on Thutmose II’s reign, which remains overshadowed by his more famous wife.
Thutmose II, also known as Akheperenre, reigned in the 15th century BCE and was the fourth ruler of the 18th Egyptian Dynasty, marking the New Kingdom period’s beginning. His reign lasted between three and ten years, depending on various sources.
Despite his relatively short reign, Thutmose II’s legacy remains significant. He was the son of Thutmose I and his lesser wife Mutnofret. To solidify his rule, he married his half-sister Hatshepsut, and together they had a daughter named Nefrure.
A monument featuring a unique depiction of Thutmose II, Hatshepsut as his wife before becoming a ruler, and their daughter Nefrure, offers a glimpse into their royal lives. Although only fragments of this structure survive, it was reconstructed by French researchers and is now housed at the Open Air Museum in Karnak.
Thutmose II tomb discovery provides a rare opportunity to revisit a lesser-known chapter of Egyptian history, long overshadowed by the grandeur of Hatshepsut’s reign.
