bbc.com
Empty Tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II Discovered in Egypt
A team of archaeologists in Egypt discovered the tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II, who ruled 3,500 years ago, marking the first such discovery since Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922; although empty, the tomb contained fragments of gypsum vases bearing the names of Thutmose II and his wife Hatshepsut, confirming its identity.
- What is the significance of discovering Pharaoh Thutmose II's tomb after such a long period?
- A team of Egyptian and British archaeologists unearthed the tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II, who ruled Egypt around 3,500 years ago. Initially believed to be the burial place of one of his wives, the discovery marks the first pharaonic tomb found since Tutankhamun's in 1922. The tomb, located in the western part of the Theban Necropolis near Luxor, was surprisingly empty, suggesting a deliberate removal of its contents.
- How did the archaeologists determine that the empty tomb belonged to Thutmose II, and what are the implications of this discovery?
- The discovery challenges previous assumptions about the location of 18th Dynasty pharaohs' burial chambers, which were thought to be over two kilometers away. The blue ceiling, a hallmark of pharaonic tombs, and depictions from the Book of Amduat confirmed the tomb's identity. Fragments of gypsum vases bearing the names of Thutmose II and Hatshepsut further validated the finding, despite the tomb's emptiness.
- What are the potential future implications of this discovery, considering the possibility of a second tomb and the challenges to previous identifications?
- The empty tomb suggests a deliberate relocation of Thutmose II's remains and possessions shortly after his burial. The discovery raises questions about the accuracy of previous identifications of Thutmose II's mummy and may lead to the discovery of a second, potentially intact tomb. The research highlights the ongoing potential for discoveries in Egypt and the complexities of ancient Egyptian burial practices.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The narrative emphasizes the archaeologists' emotional reactions and the surprising nature of the discovery, possibly prioritizing human interest over strictly historical analysis. The headline itself, focusing on the 'first time since Tutankhamun,' frames the discovery as exceptionally rare and important, potentially overshadowing the significance of other findings.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral, but phrases like "bursty feelings" and "completely bewildered" lean toward emotionally charged descriptions. These could be replaced with more neutral terms like "intense emotions" and "surprised." The use of "thank God" in the archaeologist's quote is also informal and potentially introduces a religious bias.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the discovery and the archaeologists' emotional responses, but omits details about the historical significance of Tutmose II beyond his relationship to Hatshepsut and Tutankhamun. More context on his reign and its impact on Egypt would enrich the narrative.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a false dichotomy by contrasting the discovery of Tutmose II's tomb with the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb and implying that this is the first significant discovery since then. Other important discoveries in Egyptian archaeology are not mentioned.
Gender Bias
The article mentions Hatshepsut, a female pharaoh, but does so only in relation to Tutmose II. There is no in-depth discussion of her reign or accomplishments. While this might be due to the article's focus, it highlights a potential gender bias in how female figures are treated in relation to their male counterparts.
Sustainable Development Goals
The discovery of the tomb is an archaeological find and does not directly relate to poverty reduction.