[2] However, scholars argue that the Tombos stela is evidence of farther expansion by Thutmose into Nubia than previous kings.

The Nile flows generally north through Africa, passing through Nubia into Egypt and eventually empties into the Mediterranean Sea.

Two of the more prominently-used English versions of the text are those translated by scholars James Henry Breasted and Hans Goedicke.

In the 2d year that he was introduced: His appearance as Chief of the two lands in order to rule what the sun disc has encircled, South and also North , namely the parts of Horus and seth- uniting the Two lands, as he sits on the thrones of Geb; Elevating the appearances of the Shmty, Indeed as soon as his Majesty took possession of his heritage, he ascended the dais of horus, concerning the widening of the borders of Thebes and the measured plots of the West Side concerning the plain and hill dwellers, even abominations-of god and restrained of locks work for her.

Victorious is Horus, the Lord of the two lands; After he tied the moving campaign to the landing posts, the superiors and their villages belong to him in veneration, and the skin-garbed are (either) dancing for His Majesty or are in respect for his uraeus: After he overthrew the chief of the Nubians, the despoiled Nubian belongs to his grip.

Who opened wadis, which predecessors were ignorant of and any bearers of the Nbty have ever seen: his southern limit at the beginning of this earth and the northern one to that water which is circumvented.

As soon as his majesty is Horus who takes possession of his kingship of million of years, the islands of the sn-wr serve him as the earth to its limits under his sandals.

The desired one of the Ennead of gods of Karnak, given life, duration, luck, and health: he be joyous on the Horus-throne, while leading all living ones like Re eternally.

Her first piece of evidence is an inscription found at a site called Hagar el-Merwa, around the 4th cataract in the area of Kurgus in Nubian territory .

[6] She notes that Hagar el-Merwa and the inscription found there can offer proof of an expansion by Thutmosis I into the area around the fourth cataract.

[7] Bradbury argues that the Tombos stela was carved after Thutmose’s return trip north from Hagar el-Merwa.

Bradbury’s theory argues that the Tombos stela was a northern boundary marker for Thutmose’s expansion into Nubia and a description of his middle-east campaign.

Bradbury argues that the “inverted/circumvented water” phrase in the Tombos stela is actually a description of the Nile river in its natural change of direction.

[12] These inscriptions provide evidence that Thutmosis had some sort of military expansion into Nubia, and support the conclusions about the Tombos stela[clarification needed].

Budka agrees with scholar Louise Bradbury and her theory that the Tombos stela is evidence of an Egyptian expansion into Nubia during the reign of Thutmosis.

Other scholars see religious significance in the Tombos stela and deny the theory that the “inverted water” text is evidence for travel around the 4th cataract in Nubia.