Dr. Litherland, an archaeologist, claims to have found a second tomb belonging to a pharaoh in Egypt. Archaeologists believe that the pharaoh’s first tomb was emptied due to a flood in the past and moved to a second tomb. Egyptianologists found a postmortem inscription indicating that the first tomb was moved to a second location while searching for it. Dr. Litherland stated that they are working to uncover the tomb by hand due to the danger of tunneling and that they could reveal the entire structure in about a month. A British archaeologist believes that their team may have found a second tomb belonging to King 2nd Thutmose in Egypt.
Dr. Litherland stated to the Observer newspaper that he suspects this second tomb may contain the pharaoh’s mummified body.
Archaeologists believe that the first tomb was emptied six years after being buried due to a flood and moved to a second tomb. Dr. Litherland believes that the second tomb was found beneath an artificial mound made of limestone, ash, rubble, and mud, measuring 23 meters in height.
It is speculated that it was designed by the Ancient Egyptians to resemble a part of a mountain at the Teb Necropolis in the Western Valleys near the city of Luxor.
The first tomb was found behind a waterfall and is believed to have been exposed to floodwaters as a result.
While Egyptianologists were searching for the first tomb, they found a postmortem inscription indicating that the tomb’s contents were moved to a nearby second location by 2nd Thutmose’s wife and step-sister, Hatshepsut, after his death. The British-Egyptian team is currently working to uncover the tomb by hand due to the perceived dangers of tunneling.
Dr. Litherland said, “We believe that we can reveal the entire structure in about a month.” The team found the first tomb in an area associated with the burial places of royal women, but when they entered the burial chamber, they noticed wall decorations indicating that it belonged to a pharaoh.
Dr. Litherland added, “Part of the ceiling was still intact. It was painted blue with yellow stars on it. Blue ceilings and yellow stars are only found in the tombs of kings.” Dr. Litherland expressed great excitement over the discovery in an interview with the BBC’s Newshour program this week.
Litherland stated, “The feeling of reaching such things is an extraordinary amazement. When you encounter something unexpected, it is emotionally truly overwhelming.” 2nd Thutmose is known as one of Egypt’s greatest pharaohs and as the husband of Queen Hatshepsut, considered one of the rare female pharaohs who ruled in her own right.
2nd Thutmose is believed to be one of the ancestors of Tutankhamun, who ruled between approximately 1493 and 1479 BC.
Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered by British archaeologists in 1922.