Archaeologists Discover a Mysterious Royal Tomb of an Egyptian Pharaoh; 'Not Enough Survives To Read the King's Name'

Different cultures have distinct ways to honor their dead. These methods vary from person to person, based on preferences and place in life. Hence, analyzing these methods often gives insights to researchers about the person and their lifestyle in a particular period. Recently, researchers announced a finding in Abydos, Egypt, and its analysis gave them some meaningful insights, stated Live Science. 

The finding was a tomb nestled inside an Egyptian necropolis. The burial place was spotted around 23 feet (7 meters) under the ground. The chamber inside the tomb was made out of limestone. Researchers noted that the chamber was enveloped with mudbrick vaults. Results from examinations made experts think that the chamber, when built, must have been around 16 feet (5 m) in height. Experts believe the tomb belonged to a king who reigned over the region some 3,600 years ago. 

This time has been labelled the "Second Intermediate Period" (circa 1640 to 1540 B.C.) by historians. During this period, the northern part of the country was ruled by a group called the Hyksos, while the southern portion was under the control of many native kings. This meant that Abydos must have been under the jurisdiction of an Egyptian king. Analysis to date has not been able to accurately reveal the name of this particular king. The tomb also follows the same pattern.

Experts were delighted by the discovery as it is one of the few findings associated with the king who ruled Abydos during the "Second Intermediate Period." The team was also optimistic that the tomb would shed some light on how life was in those times. The tomb was placed in the Mount Anubis necropolis, stated Smithsonian Magazine. Analysis has unveiled that inscriptions dedicated to the goddesses Isis and Nephthys were present on the tomb. Researchers believe that the king who was laid to rest here was a predecessor of King Senebkay, whose tomb revealed his identity in 2014.

Experts claim that the king's name had been mentioned in the illustrations done on the underground entrance, but later events have made it indecipherable, according to Live Science. "The king's name was originally recorded in painted scenes on plastered brickwork that decorated the underground entrance to the limestone burial chamber," said Josef Wegner, a professor of Egyptology and Egyptian archaeology at the University of Pennsylvania who led the team. "However, the hieroglyphic texts were damaged by ancient tomb robbers and not enough survives to read the king's name."

The robbers not only damaged the tomb but also stole the king's remains. Hence, researchers have no idea if the individual's burial happened in a mummy or sarcophagus. Archaeologists continue to explore the area where the tomb was unearthed in hopes of finding more such burials from the same period. They think that tombs from the same period could give them more clues regarding the king's identity. This is the second tomb to be uncovered this year, which contained an Egyptian King. In February of 2025, the tomb of Thumtose II came to light in the Valley of the Kings.