| KV62 | ||
|---|---|---|
| File:KV62.jpg | ||
| Location | East Valley of the Kings | |
| Coordinates | 25°26'24"N, 32°21'36"E | |
| Status | Intact | |
| Dynasty | Eighteenth | |
| Occupants | Tutankhamun | |
Tomb KV62 in Egypt's Valley of the Kings is the Tomb of Tutankhamun, which became famous for the wealth of treasure it contained.
History
The tomb was discovered in 1922 by Howard Carter, underneath the remains of workmen's huts built during the Ramesside Period. This explains why it was spared from the worst of the tomb depredations of that period.
It is often said that Tutankhamun's tomb was never violated, but this is not true. In fact, it was entered at least twice, and not long after he was buried. There is clear evidence that the sealed doors were breached in the upper corners, and later resealed. It is estimated that 60% of the jewelry which had been stored in the so-called "Treasury" was removed. Necropolis officials tried to set things right, but they did so hastily, repacking boxes with the wrong objects (based on inscriptions on the boxes themselves). The outermost doors of the shrines enclosing the king's nested coffins were left opened, and unsealed.
After one of these ancient robberies, some items from KV62 are believed to have been buried in KV54 along with the embalming tools used for Tutankhamun.
Construction
In design, the tomb appears to have originally been intended for a private individual, not for royalty. There is some evidence to suggest that the tomb was hastily adapted for a royal occupant during its excavation. This is supported by the fact that only the burial chamber walls were decorated, unlike royal tombs in which nearly all walls were painted with scenes from the Book of the Dead.
The tomb was densely packed with items, but they were in great disarray. Carter was able to photograph garlands of flowers, which disintegrated when touched. Due to the state of the tomb, and to Carter's meticulous recording technique, the tomb took nearly a decade to empty, the contents all being transported to the Egyptian Museum.
External link
- KV62 – Plans of the tomb and other details (Theban Mapping Project)
Further reading
- The Discovery of the Tomb of Tutankhamen, by Howard Carter, Arthur C. Mace.
- The Complete Tutankhamun: The King, the Tomb, the Royal Treasure, by C. N. Reeves, Nicholas Reeves, Richard H. Wilkinson.
- Reeves, N & Wilkinson, R.H. The Complete Valley of the Kings, 1996, Thames and Hudson, London
- Siliotti, A. Guide to the Valley of the Kings and to the Theban Necropolises and Temples, 1996, A.A. Gaddis, Cairo