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Tomb of Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Thutmose II Discovered
A team of British and Egyptian archaeologists discovered the tomb of Thutmose II, an 18th Dynasty pharaoh, in the West Valley of Thebes near Luxor; the tomb, initially misidentified, was found empty, its contents likely moved after a flood damaged it.
- What is the significance of discovering the tomb of Thutmose II, given the prior discovery of his mummy?
- The tomb of Thutmose II, an 18th Dynasty pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, has been discovered in the West Valley of Thebes' necropolis near Luxor by a joint British-Egyptian team. The discovery is significant because Thutmose II's original burial place was unknown, despite his mummy being found in Deir el-Bahari two centuries ago. The tomb, initially thought to belong to a royal wife, contained inscriptions from the Amduat funerary text and alabaster fragments bearing Thutmose II and Hatshepsut's names.
- Why was the tomb of Thutmose II found empty, and what does this reveal about the handling of royal burials in ancient Egypt?
- The tomb's contents had been deliberately removed, likely after a flood damaged the tomb's structure. This suggests a deliberate relocation of the pharaoh's possessions to a secondary location during antiquity. The discovery highlights the challenges of studying ancient Egyptian burial practices, as even royal tombs weren't immune to significant disturbance and relocation of their contents.
- What are the implications of the discovery for future research on ancient Egyptian funerary practices and the potential for finding the missing grave goods?
- Future research will focus on identifying the secondary location where Thutmose II's original grave goods were moved. The discovery underscores the dynamic nature of ancient Egyptian funerary practices and the potential for further significant discoveries in the area. The deliberate removal of the tomb's contents raises questions about the motivations and methods employed in this relocation, offering new avenues for research.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The narrative emphasizes the excitement and significance of the discovery, using strong positive language such as "extraordinary find" and "one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of recent years." This framing might unintentionally downplay the challenges of interpreting the findings or the incomplete nature of the discovery.
Language Bias
The article uses positive and evocative language to describe the discovery, which is understandable given the context, but some phrases such as "extraordinary find" could be considered subjective. More neutral alternatives might include "significant discovery" or "important archaeological find.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the discovery and the individuals involved, but provides limited detail about the historical context of Thutmose II's reign or the significance of the Amduat text found within the tomb. While acknowledging the tomb was empty, the article doesn't explore potential reasons beyond flooding and intentional removal, neglecting alternative explanations for the lack of artifacts. Further, the article doesn't discuss any potential controversies or alternative interpretations surrounding the discovery.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic narrative of discovery without exploring any alternative theories or interpretations of the evidence. The presentation of the flooding as the sole reason for the tomb's emptiness might overshadow other possible explanations.
Gender Bias
The article mentions Hatshepsut, but focuses primarily on Thutmose II. While this is appropriate given the focus on his tomb, a more balanced treatment might include more details on Hatshepsut's own reign and legacy, especially considering her close relationship with Thutmose II.
Sustainable Development Goals
The discovery of the tomb is an archaeological find and does not directly relate to poverty reduction.