KV5: A Preliminary Report on the Excavation of the Tomb of the Sons of Ramesses II in the Valley of the Kings.

The discovery in 1995 that a long-ignored doorway in the Valley of the Kings was actually the entrance to the largest tomb ever found in Egypt made headlines around the world. Called KV 5, it contains over 150 corridors and chambers, and was used as a family mausoleum for several sons of the New Kingdom pharaoh, Ramesses II. This preliminary report is the first comprehensive, technical publication on the work of the Theban Mapping Project in the tomb. It includes detailed archaeological and architectural studies, epigraphic surveys, object and pottery descriptions, discussions of conservation work, and extensive reports on the site's geology, hydrology, mineralogy, and geotechnical engineering. Copiously illustrated with photographs and line drawings, KV 5 is the essential source for the study of this fascinating and important tomb. Table of Contents 6 Preface 8 Introduction 10 Archæological and Architectural Description 14 The Entrance to KV 5 17 Chamber 1 19 Chamber 2 23 Chamber 3 29 Chamber 4 36 Chambers 5 and 6 37 Corridor 7 39 Chamber 8 45 Chamber 9 47 Corridor 10 49 Corridor 11 51 Corridor 12 54 Chamber 13 57 Chamber 14 57 Chamber 15 59 Corridor 16 59 Corridor 20 60 Wall Decoration 62 Inscribed Objects 102 Shabtis 102 Canopic Jars and Other Objects 111 Pottery 126 Fauna 134 Conservation, 1994 - 1999 142 Appendices 154 I. Mineralogical Analysis 154 IIa. Rock Mechanics Index Tests 164 IIb. Lithologic, Petrographic, and Mineralogic Identification of Two Surface Samples (Indurated Rocks) 166 III. Hydraulic Response of the Valley of the Kings 168 IV. Slope Deformations in the Valley of the Kings 174 V. Geotechnical Studies for KV 5 180 VI. KV 5 Tomb Stability and Rehabilitation 196 Acknowledgments 208 "The Theban Mapping Project (TMP) was established in 1979 to prepare a detailed survey and archaeological database for the Theban Necropolis. As part of its work in the Valley of the Kings, it relocated KV 5. Clearing that tomb, the TMP discovered that what had been thought to be an unimportant, uninteresting, uninscribed pit tomb was actually the largest tomb ever found in Egypt. KV 5 is known to have 150 corridors and chambers on several levels and many more are likely to be discovered. The tomb is unique in size and plan and in its function as a family mausoleum for many of the sons of the pharaoh Rameses II." "This is the first technical report on KV5. It covers much of the work undertaken between 1988 and 1999. Copiously illustrated, this study is a reference for understanding one of the most important discoveries ever made in the Theban Necropolis."--Jacket This book is the first comprehensive technical publication on the work of the Theban Mapping Project in KV5. It includes detailed archaeological and architectural studies, epigraphic surveys, discussions of conversation work and extensive reports on the sites of geology, hydrology, mineralogy, and geotechnical engineering. 11 x 8 1/2, 90 line drawings, 90 halftone illustrations.