Archaeologists in Egypt just hit the jackpot: the tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II near Luxor—the first royal burial discovery since King Tut’s in 1922. Found beneath a waterfall (because history loves drama), the tomb was emptied by ancient flooding but still held artifacts confirming its royal ties. The real thrill? A second, intact tomb might be hiding nearby.

Meanwhile, a discovery 100 years in the making: Howard Carter’s lost suitcase—yep, the guy who unearthed King Tut—has resurfaced under a bed in England and is now headed to auction. With an estimate of £1,000–£1,500 ($1,260–$1,900), it's a modest price for something that once held the secrets of the Valley of the Kings.

Not to be outdone, Pompeii just delivered a masterpiece: a Dionysian fresco packed with wine, chaos, and high-status mythological drama. Found in a luxurious dining room, the artwork captures the essence of Roman elite life—a reminder that some things never change. 🍷🎭 (Take a look here)

👀 What’s next—Atlantis rising?

Museums and governments are finally sending stolen artifacts home. The Netherlands is repatriating 119 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, stolen during a British military raid in 1897.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is returning a 6th-century BCE marble griffin head to Greece.

And in Germany? One of the biggest Nazi-looted art scandals in decades is unfolding. Nearly 200 artworks stolen from Jewish art dealer Alfred Flechtheim have been sitting in the Bavarian State Painting Collections, and new evidence shows officials knew but stayed silent. Will this set the stage for a massive restitution wave? 👀

Despite devastating wildfires, Frieze LA went full steam ahead, proving that the art world doesn’t back down. Collectors turned up in force, and the numbers speak for themselves:

Norwegian cinema is on fire—literally. Dag Johan Haugerud’s ‘Drømmer’ (Dreams) just snagged the Golden Bear at Berlinale, proving that Scandinavian storytelling is here to stay.

Meanwhile, Danish film ‘Flickan med nålen’ has critics raving, calling it a “phenomenal visual attack” that blends artistry with raw emotional depth. 🎞️

On the documentary front, ‘Gissel’ (Hostage) took Best Documentary at Berlinale, offering a gut-wrenching deep dive into hostage trauma.

NB! Thessaloniki Documentary Festival—held March 6–16 in the historic Greek port city—is unleashing 261 films on the world, proving once again that real stories hit the hardest. If you’re wondering where to be next week, this is your sign. Check it out. 📽️✨

It’s raining money in the art world..

💸 Houston just dropped $14 million in grants for artists and nonprofits, proving that the city’s art scene is thriving—even in tough times.
🎨 The Conru Art Foundation is launching the Seattle Prize Masters Fellowship, offering a $100,000, two-year program for early-career classical painters.
🌍 The Vilcek Foundation is awarding $250,000 to immigrant artists, honoring those whose work explores migration, resilience, and cultural identity.

With funding opportunities this big—who’s applying? 🚀

This week, the creative world lost some of its most legendary voices. R&B icon Roberta Flack (88) and soul legend Jerry Butler (85) leave behind Grammy-winning legacies, while Rick Buckler (69), The Jam’s powerhouse drummer, shaped British punk.

In film, Malian cinema pioneer Souleymane Cissé (84) and TV star Alice Hirson (95) bid farewell, alongside Finnish composer Ilkka Kuusisto, whose operas defined Finland’s musical identity. Rock mourns Karl Cochran, a KISS collaborator, lost in a tragic car accident.

Architectural photography also says goodbye to Elizabeth Felicella (58), whose work captured the soul of design.

✨ Legends never die—they live on through their art.