Tomb of Lost Pharaoh Discovered in Egypt After 3,600 Years
Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery in Egypt’s ancient city of Abydos—a burial chamber belonging to an unidentified pharaoh dating back approximately 3,600 years. The tomb, buried seven meters (23 feet) underground, was unearthed at the necropolis of Anubis Mountain, offering new insights into one of the most turbulent periods in Egyptian history.
A Mysterious Ruler from Egypt’s Fragmented Past
The discovery, led by the University of Pennsylvania Museum and Egyptian archaeologists, reveals the second royal tomb announced this year. Despite being stripped bare by grave robbers centuries ago, the tomb’s entrance featured hieroglyphic inscriptions and painted scenes depicting the goddesses Isis and Nephthys. Unfortunately, the name of the buried king has been lost to time.
Experts believe the tomb may belong to a ruler from the Abydos Dynasty, a little-known line of kings who ruled Upper Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period (1640–1540 BC). Possible candidates include Senaiib and Paentjeni—monarchs known from other inscriptions but whose burial sites had remained a mystery.
Inside the Lost Pharaoh’s Resting Place
The burial chamber consists of multiple rooms with towering mudbrick vaults reaching five meters (16 feet) high. This architectural style connects it to both the Middle Kingdom and later Second Intermediate Period royal tombs. Intriguingly, it was built inside the larger tomb complex of the powerful pharaoh Neferhotep I, suggesting a deliberate link to past rulers.
“It seems to be the largest and earliest of the Abydos Dynasty group. There may be others in this same area,” said Josef Wegner, the University of Pennsylvania professor leading the excavation.
A Period of Chaos and Rival Kingdoms
This discovery sheds light on the fractured state of Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period—a time when multiple rival dynasties vied for control. The Abydos Dynasty ruled part of Upper Egypt, while the Hyksos controlled the Nile Delta. The eventual reunification of Egypt during this period set the stage for the rise of the powerful New Kingdom.
“Egypt was fragmented with as many as four rival kingdoms,” Wegner explained. “Understanding how the Abydos Dynasty fell and how Egypt was reunified holds important clues about social, political, and technological changes.”
What Comes Next?
Archaeologists believe this is just the beginning. More undiscovered royal tombs could lie near the site, waiting to reveal their secrets. The team’s previous discovery of Pharaoh Seneb-Kay’s tomb in 2014 suggests that additional Abydos Dynasty rulers could be buried in the region.
Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities also recently announced the identification of another royal tomb near Luxor belonging to New Kingdom Pharaoh Thutmose II. These discoveries continue to reshape our understanding of Egypt’s complex history, bringing lost rulers back into the light after millennia in the shadows.
As excavations continue, the mystery of the unnamed Abydos pharaoh may soon be solved, offering a new chapter in Egypt’s legendary past.
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Tomb of Lost Pharaoh Discovered in Egypt After 3,600 Years