Ancient Egyptian Tomb of Unknown King Unearthed in Abydos

An international team of archaeologists has discovered a vast royal tomb in the Mount Anubis necropolis in Abydos, Egypt, dating back to the Second Intermediate Period (c. 1640–1540 BCE). Though the king’s name remains unknown due to ancient looting, the discovery offers significant insights into the mysterious Abydos Dynasty and Egypt’s fragmented past.

Abydos, Egypt – March 2025

Archaeologists from the University of Pennsylvania and the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities have announced the discovery of a major royal tomb buried over seven metres beneath the desert surface at Abydos, one of ancient Egypt’s most sacred sites. Led by Egyptologist Professor Josef Wegner, the excavation reveals a large limestone burial chamber originally adorned with inscriptions and funerary art – most of which were damaged or stolen in antiquity.

The tomb, which stood over five metres high and is lined with mudbrick vaults, dates to the Second Intermediate Period, a time when political fragmentation saw Egypt split into competing dynasties. While the Hyksos ruled the north, the south was governed by native Egyptian kings forming the little-known Abydos Dynasty.

A Tomb with No Name – Yet

The burial site was likely constructed for a pharaoh, but robbers in the Roman period looted its contents, including the king’s sarcophagus, mummy, and the crucial hieroglyphic inscriptions identifying him. The surviving artwork includes depictions of the goddesses Isis and Nephthys, figures strongly tied to funerary rites.

“There are tantalising clues,” said Prof. Wegner. “We believe the tomb may belong to one of Senebkay’s predecessors—possibly King Senaiib or Paentjeni, both of whom are associated with Abydos monuments but whose burial places remain lost.”

A Forgotten Dynasty Reemerges

The Abydos Dynasty was first confirmed in 2014 when Wegner’s team uncovered the tomb of King Senebkay, revealing the existence of a regional power in Upper Egypt that coexisted with the Hyksos in Lower Egypt. The new tomb shows architectural continuity with Senebkay’s, and its scale suggests the occupant held considerable authority.

“This is the largest and earliest royal tomb found in this group,” said Wegner. “Its location within the larger mortuary complex of King Neferhotep I also signals a connection to earlier Middle Kingdom traditions.”

Technological Tools and Ongoing Excavation

Researchers employed magnetometry, photogrammetry, and remote sensing to map the expansive site. The burial complex, nestled at the base of a desert cliff near the Nile, spans more than 100,000 square feet. Excavations will continue in hopes of discovering additional tombs—perhaps one that escaped the ravages of looting.

Second Major Discovery in Sohag Governorate

Alongside the Abydos tomb, archaeologists unearthed a Roman-era pottery and glass workshop in Banawit village. The site includes kilns, storage rooms, and 32 ostraca—pottery shards bearing inscriptions in Greek and Demotic script that document trade and taxation. By the 14th century CE, the site had been reused as a cemetery, with mudbrick tombs housing mummies, including a child with a fabric cap and a woman aged around 30.

Traces of wheat, palm, and barley found among the graves link agricultural practices to burial customs in the Sohag region.

A Landmark Year for Egyptology

This discovery follows the identification of Thutmose II’s tomb near Luxor just weeks earlier, marking 2025 as a transformative year in Egyptian archaeology. Both finds highlight not only the richness of Egypt’s ancient legacy but also the gaps that remain in our understanding of its dynastic evolution.

“Despite looting, this tomb helps us trace the architectural and political transitions of a dynasty long overshadowed by its more powerful successors,” said Dr. Mohamed Abdel Badie of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities.

Conclusion

Though the tomb is empty, its scale, style, and proximity to other royal enclosures confirm it belonged to a ruler of high status in one of Egypt’s most obscure dynasties. The excavation shines light on a turbulent chapter of African history—one where resilience, local rule, and cultural identity persevered against fragmentation and foreign rule.

As Prof. Wegner aptly states, “Every brick and fragment still speaks. The story of this king is not yet finished.”

Learn more. Visit Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities