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A project of the American Research Center in Egypt

KV 05
Sons of Rameses II

About the image
Chamber 8 of KV 5 with chamber 9 beyond. Debris blocking side chamber 8a and breakthrough to side chamber 7a on right.
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selectedAsset 3
01
Chamber 01
02
Chamber 02
03
Pillared chamber 03
04
Pillared chamber 04
05
Pillared chamber 05
06
Chamber 06
07
Corridor 07
07a
Side chamber 07a
07b
Side chamber 07b
07c
Side chamber 07c
07d
Side chamber 07d
07e
Side chamber 07e
07f
Side chamber 07f
07g
Side chamber 07g
07h
Side chamber 07h
07i
Side chamber 07i
07j
Side chamber 07j
07k
Side chamber 07k
07l
Side chamber 07l
07m
Side chamber 07m
07n
Side chamber 07n
07o
Side chamber 07o
07p
Side chamber 07p
08
Chamber 08
08a
Side chamber 08a
09
Chamber 09
09a
Side chamber 09a
10
Corridor 10
10a
Side chamber 10a
10b
Side chamber 10b
10c
Side chamber 10c
10d
Side chamber 10d
10e
Side chamber 10e
10f
Side chamber 10f
10g
Side chamber 10g
10h
Side chamber 10h
10i
Side chamber 10i
10j
Side chamber 10j
10k
Side chamber 10k
10l
Side chamber 10l
10m
Side chamber 10m
10n
Side chamber 10n
10o
Side chamber 10o
10p
Side chamber 10p
11
Corridor 11
11a
Side chamber 11a
11b
Side chamber 11b
11c
Side chamber 11c
11d
Side chamber 11d
11e
Side chamber 11e
11f
Side chamber 11f
11g
Side chamber 11g
11h
Side chamber 11h
11i
Side chamber 11i
11j
Side chamber 11j
11k
Side chamber 11k
11l
Side chamber 11l
11m
Side chamber 11m
11n
Side chamber 11n
11o
Side chamber 11o
11p
Side chamber 11p
12
Corridor 12
12a
Side chamber 12a
12b
Side chamber 12b
12c
Side chamber 12c
12d
Side chamber 12d
12e
Side chamber 12e
12f
Side chamber 12f
12g
Side chamber 12g
12h
Side chamber 12h
12i
Side chamber 12i
12j
Side chamber 12j
12k
Side chamber 12k
12l
Side chamber 12l
13
Corridor 13
14
Pillared chamber 14
15
Chamber 15
16
Corridor 16
17
Chamber 17
18
Chamber 18
18a
Side chamber 18a
20
Corridor 20

Gate 01

See entire tomb

This is a deep gate, recut 20 cm (8 inches) wider in antiquity by removing part of the left (northeast) inner jamb. It is now 1.23 m (4 feet) wide. The left reveal bears traces of cartouches of Rameses II; on the left thickness is a figure of Ma'at. The entryway stairway continues into the gate and there is a door pivot hole in the ceiling of chamber 1 indicating that this gate was to be closed by a single-leaf door opening inward.

Architectural Features

Door pivot holes
Steps

Condition

Excavated
Cutting finished
Decorated
Decoration damaged
Damaged structurally

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.54 m
  • Width:

    1.2 m
  • Length:

    1.11 m
  • Area:

    1.28 m2
  • Volume:

    3.25 m3
  • Orientation:

    0° from entryway A

Decoration

  • Names and epithets

    left (Northeast) reveal
  • Winged Ma'at figures

    left (Northeast) thickness
  • Amuletic representations

    djed-pillars, tyet-knots Thicknesses
  • Names and epithets

    left (Northeast) thickness

Chamber 01

See entire tomb

The floor and ceiling of this chamber are level. Before it was cleared between 1980 and 1990, the chamber was completely filled with flood-borne debris except for a channel, about 50 cm (20 inches) wide and 40 cm (16 inches) high, dug through the top of the fill by James Burton in 1825. In 1988, it was discovered that the walls of the chamber were decorated with scenes of Rameses II presenting his sons to various deities. The names and damaged figures of two sons, Amenherkhepshef and Rameses, are preserved on the front (northwest) and right (southwest) walls, respectively. The ceiling has been damaged in recent years by heavy vehicles that parked on the roadway above and in front of the tomb and by a leaking sewage pipe laid over the tomb entrance in the 1960s.

Condition

Cutting finished
Damaged structurally
Decorated
Decoration damaged
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.6 m
  • Width:

    5.23 m Irregular
  • Length:

    3.65 m Irregular
  • Area:

    19.08 m2
  • Volume:

    49.61 m3
  • Orientation:

    0° from entryway A

Decoration

  • Deceased with deities

    Prince and Rameses II before two gods (right of gate); Amenherkhepeshef and Rameses II before Sokar and Hathor (left of gate) front (Northwest) wall
  • Deceased with deities

    Prince and Rameses II before Ptah left (Northeast) wall
  • Deceased with deities

    Prince Rameses before Nefertem, Rameses II before god, Rameses II with ka consecrating offerings right (Southwest) wall
  • Deceased with deities

    Seated Osiris and four sons of Horus [on both sides of gate] rear (Southeast) wall
  • Names and epithets

    front (Northwest) wall
  • Names and epithets

    right (Southwest) wall
  • Deceased with family

    Prince and Rameses II before meret chests left (Northeast) wall

Gate 02

See entire tomb

Like gate 1, gate 2 was also recut, made about 20 cm (8 cm) wider by cutting away the right (southwest) jamb. There is a pivot hole in the ceiling of burial chamber 2 indicating that this gate was meant to be closed by a single-leaf wooden door.

Architectural Features

Door pivot holes
Steps

Condition

Excavated
Cutting finished
Decorated
Decoration damaged
Damaged structurally

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.54 m
  • Width:

    1.17 m
  • Length:

    1.04 m
  • Area:

    1.21 m2
  • Volume:

    3.07 m3
  • Orientation:

    0° from chamber 1

Chamber 02

See entire tomb

Chamber 2 is slightly smaller than chamber 1 but similar in plan. Its walls are decorated with scenes of Rameses II and unidentifiable sons offering to various gods. It is possible that chambers 1 and 2, and perhaps the front half of pillared chamber 3, together constituted an original Dynasty 18 tomb later usurped and enlarged by Rameses II.

A long, narrow pit was cut into the floor and extended the length of the chamber's front (northwest) wall. A narrow ledge-0.15 m (6 inches) wide on the northeast side, 0.09 to 0.12 m (3.5 to 4.5 inches) wide on the southwest-was used to hold limestone sealing blocks, one of which-1.01 x 0.49 x 0.09 m (40 x 19.5 x 3.5 inches) thick-is still in situ. There originally were six such blocks.

At the southeast end of the pit is a shelf, 0.52 m (20.5 inches) below the floor of chamber 2, 0.52 m (20.5 inches) long, 0.78 m (31 inches) wide, perhaps intended to hold a canopic chest. Three adult male skulls, a nearly-intact adult male skeleton, and a haunch of beef, all originally mummified, were found in the pit. None are necessarily original to the pit. Traces of decoration remain on the northwest wall of the pit, showing Hathor and the name of the god Anubis. All the walls were decorated with representations of Rameses II, accompanied by one of his sons, in front of various deities.

  • Chamber plan:

    Rectangular
  • Relationship to main tomb axis:

    Parallel
  • Chamber layout:

    Flat floor, no pillars
  • Floor:

    One level
  • Ceiling:

    Flat

Architectural Features

Burial pit

Condition

Cutting finished
Damaged structurally
Decorated
Decoration damaged
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.53 m
  • Width:

    5.07 m Irregular
  • Length:

    3.62 m Irregular
  • Area:

    18.32 m2
  • Volume:

    46.35 m3
  • Orientation:

    0° from chamber 1

Decoration

  • Deceased with deities

    Rameses II before Anubis and Hathor [left of gate], Rameses II and prince before offerings [right of gate] front (Northwest) wall
  • Deceased with deities

    Prince and Rameses II before god, prince and Rameses II before altar left (Northeast) wall
  • Deceased with deities

    Hathor cow in boat with Rameses II, Rameses II with prince offering cloth right (Southeast) wall
  • Deities

    two pairs of seated gods rear (Southeast) wall
  • Deities

    Hathor and the name of Anubis left (Northeast)

Descent 03

See entire tomb

This descent is a steeply sloping ramp-stair combination cut into a pit in the floor of pillared chamber 3. Its location marks a shift of the tomb's axis about 1.5 m ( 5 feet) left (northeast) of that in chamber 1, burial chamber 2 and pillared chamber 3.

Architectural Features

Steps

Condition

Excavated
Cutting finished
Damaged structurally

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.22 m
  • Width:

    1.74 m
  • Length:

    4.98 m
  • Area:

    8.73 m2
  • Orientation:

    0.03° Left from pillard chamber 03

Gate 03

See entire tomb

Like gates 1 and 2, gate 3 was also cut back, widened and a staircase added. The left (northeast) jamb was cut back 0.15 m (6 inches) after the walls of chamber 2 and pillared chamber 3 had been decorated. After the gate was widened and the front of pillared chamber 3 was lowered, two steps were cut in the gate. Door pivot holes in the floor and ceiling of pillared chamber 3 next to the right (southwest) side of the gate indicate that this gate was to be closed by a single-leaf wooden door. The carved feet of a deity, probably the godess Ma'at, are visible on both the left (northeast) and right (southwest) thicknesses of the gate.

Architectural Features

Steps
Door pivot holes

Condition

Excavated
Cutting finished
Decorated
Decoration damaged

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.34 m
  • Width:

    1.21 m
  • Length:

    0.89 m
  • Area:

    1.03 m2
  • Volume:

    2.4 m3
  • Orientation:

    -30.75° from burial chamber 2

Decoration

  • Deities

    traces of standing Ma'at Thicknesses

Pillared chamber 03

See entire tomb

Pillared chamber 3 is the largest chamber found to date in KV 5 and one of the largest known from the Valley of the Kings. Its flat ceiling is supported by sixteen pillars, a number not equalled in any other tomb in the Valley. Seven gates lead through its walls to other chambers and corridors. These gates lie at three different floor levels, evidence of the several architectural changes made to pillared chamber 3, all perhaps during the reign of Rameses II.

It is possible that the front (northwest) half of pillared chamber 3 originally constituted a transverse chamber which, together with chamber 1 and burial chamber 2, formed a Dynasty 18 tomb. The chamber would have had a row of four pillars down its midline and a long, high recess in the center of the rear (southeast) wall. When pillared chamber 3 was enlarged, creating a single chamber with sixteen pillars, the two central pillars 3(f) and 3(g) lay where the recess had been cut and therefore had to have their upper parts constructed of cut blocks.

At some point after gates 4, 5, and 6 were cut, the floor between the chamber's front wall and its first row of pillars was lowered by about 60 cm (2 feet) and gates 12 and 20 were cut. Then the floor was restored to its original height by laying down a thick layer of limestone chips and plastering it over with dark plaster. This raised floor sloped downward to the northeast and southwest, next to gates 12 and 20.

Architectural Features

Pillars

Condition

Cutting finished
Damaged structurally
Decorated
Decoration damaged
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.63 m Irregular
  • Width:

    15.44 m Irregular
  • Length:

    15.64 m Irregular
  • Area:

    244.16 m2
  • Volume:

    582.94 m3
  • Orientation:

    0° from burial chamber 2
  • Number of pillars:

    16
  • Average pillar width:

    1.05 m

Decoration

  • Opening of the Mouth ritual

    four princes seated before Iwnmutef priest with altar, repeated on both halves of wall front (Northwest) wall
  • Deities

    traces of a goddess right (Southwest) wall
  • Deceased with deities

    front (Northwest)
  • Deceased with deities

    front (Northwest)
  • Deceased with deities

    left (Northeast)
  • Deceased with deities

    right (Southwest)
  • Deceased with deities

    left (Northeast)

Graffiti

  • Hieratic text:

    extremely faint, but apparently reading RA-a front (Northwest)
  • Modern European language text:

    "Burton 1825" [between pillars 3(h) and 3(l) and wall] Ceiling
  • Hieratic text:

    "Year 19, the continuation [or completion] of the work" [between pillars 3(h) and 3(l) and wall] Ceiling

Gate 04

See entire tomb

This gate was cut before the floor in the front (northwest) part of pillared chamber 3 was lowered.

Condition

Cutting finished
Decorated
Decoration damaged
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.01 m
  • Width:

    1.03 m
  • Length:

    0.89 m

Pillared chamber 04

See entire tomb

Two rows of three pillars each run northeast to southwest paralleling the longitudinal axis of the chamber. It has only been partially cleared. Traces of painted plaster decoration remain on all walls and pillars. The start of a side chamber or a recess lies in the left (northeast) end of the left (southeast) wall.

Architectural Features

Pillars

Condition

Cutting finished
Decorated
Decoration damaged
Partly excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2 m
  • Width:

    8.85 m Irregular
  • Length:

    12.93 m Irregular
  • Area:

    114.63 m2
  • Volume:

    229.26 m3
  • Orientation:

    89.54° right from pillared chamber 3
  • Number of pillars:

    6
  • Average pillar width:

    1.02 m

Decoration

  • Theme undetermined

    traces of blue paint Ceiling

Gate 05

See entire tomb

There are no traces of decoration in this damaged gate. One step at the end of the gate leads into chamber 5. There is a large, well-cut door pivot hole cut into the lintel and a red granite one plastered in place on the floor on the left (northwest) side.

Architectural Features

Steps
Door pivot holes

Condition

Excavated
Cutting finished
Damaged structurally

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.92 m
  • Width:

    1.22 m
  • Length:

    0.85 m
  • Area:

    1.04 m2
  • Volume:

    2 m3
  • Orientation:

    90.53° left from pillared chamber 3

Pillared chamber 05

See entire tomb

There were several pillars in this large chamber, but all have been destroyed and traces of only four can be seen in the debris. (The chamber is still largely unexcavated.) One pillar, built of roughly-cut stones, stands in the north corner. It is almost certainly a later addition. Four niches, perhaps for magical bricks, are cut high in the four walls, near the corners. Faint traces of decoration can be seen on all the walls. The chamber's ceiling has been heavily damaged because of tour buses that have parked on the road partially overlying the chamber. Their idling motors vibrated and caused huge blocks to fall from the ceiling.

Architectural Features

Magical brick niches
Pillar

Condition

Cutting finished
Damaged structurally
Decoration undetermined
Partly excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.92 m
  • Width:

    9.73 m
  • Length:

    10.5 m
  • Area:

    101.85 m2
  • Volume:

    195.55 m3
  • Orientation:

    90.53° left from pillared chamber 3
  • Number of pillars:

    1

Gate 05-06

See entire tomb

This gate is unexcavated to date. It connects chambers 5 and 6, and has one of the few compound jambs in KV 5.

Architectural Features

Compound jambs
Steps

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.92 m
  • Width:

    0.94 m
  • Length:

    0.91 m
  • Area:

    0.96 m2
  • Volume:

    1.84 m3
  • Orientation:

    90.63° right from pillared chamber 5

Gate 06

See entire tomb

This gate has one of the few compound jambs to be seen in KV 5. The gate was anciently blocked with large, well-cut blocks of stone, about half of which remain today. There are door pivot holes cut into the floor and the lintel on the left (northwest) side.

Architectural Features

Compound jambs
Door pivot holes

Condition

Excavated
Cutting finished
Damaged structurally

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.98 m
  • Width:

    1 m
  • Length:

    1 m
  • Area:

    1.08 m2
  • Volume:

    2.14 m3
  • Orientation:

    90.53° left from pillared chamber 3

Chamber 06

See entire tomb

The chamber was half-filled with fine silt flood debris when it was cleared. In the debris, from the floor up to 30 cm (1 foot) above it were sherds from perhaps 50-75 amphorae and meat jars, all originally placed in this chamber with the bones of cattle, birds, and donkey.

Condition

Cutting finished
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.03 m
  • Width:

    5.17 m
  • Length:

    3.2 m
  • Area:

    16.47 m2
  • Volume:

    33.48 m3
  • Orientation:

    90.63° right from pillared chamber 5

Gate 07

See entire tomb

The threshold of this gate lies about 2 m (6.5 feet) below the floor of pillared chamber 3, at the end of a steep descent with a ramp and double stair combination.

Architectural Features

Steps

Condition

Excavated
Cutting finished
Damaged structurally

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.07 m
  • Width:

    1.11 m
  • Length:

    0.79 m
  • Area:

    0.85 m2
  • Volume:

    1.76 m3
  • Orientation:

    90° from pillared chamber 3

Corridor 07

See entire tomb

This long corridor varies in width from 2.46 to 2.54 m (97 to 100 inches), and in height from 2.27 to 2.43 m (89 to 96 inches). There are twenty gates, ten on each side, that penetrate its side walls. The walls between gate 7 and gates 7b and 7o are decorated with low, raised relief showing Rameses II and his sons with various deities. Beyond 7o, there are traces of painted plaster on the wall. Control marks are common on both walls and ceiling. At the end of corridor 7, gates on either side lead to corridors 10 and 11. Immediately beyond them, the floor of corridor 7 is irregularly cut. In the rear (southeast) wall is a recess in which was carved a figure of Rameses II as Osiris. There is substantial structural damage around the intersection of corridors 7, 10, and 11.

Architectural Features

Recesses

Condition

Cutting finished
Damaged structurally
Decorated
Decoration damaged
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.34 m
  • Width:

    2.5 m
  • Length:

    32.13 m
  • Area:

    81.2 m2
  • Volume:

    190.81 m3
  • Orientation:

    90° from pillared chamber 3

Decoration

  • Deceased with deities

    Rameses II brought by Horus to Osiris and Hathor, prince and Rameses II offering cloth to ram-headed god and Hathor, traces of a goddess left (Northeast) wall
  • Deceased with deities

    Thoth, traces of another deity right (Southwest) wall
  • Deities

    Osiris rear (Southeast) recess
  • Kheker frieze

    left (Northeast) wall
  • Names and epithets

    right (Southwest) wall

Graffiti

  • Mason's marks:

    left (Northeast) wall
  • Mason's marks:

    right (Southwest) wall
  • Mason's marks:

    Ceiling

Side chamber 07a

See entire tomb

Similar in size and plan to other side chambers off corridor 7, but with a vaulted ceiling (front to rear), one of only three vaulted ceilings in these side chambers (the others being in side chambers 7c and 7e).

Architectural Features

Vaulted ceiling

Condition

Partly excavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    3.1 m
  • Length:

    3.08 m
  • Area:

    9.55 m2
  • Orientation:

    89.21° right from corridor 7

Gate 07a

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (southwest) wall of corridor 7.

Condition

Partly excavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    0.74 m
  • Length:

    0.6 m
  • Area:

    0.45 m2
  • Orientation:

    89.15° right from corridor 7

Decoration

  • Names and epithets

    Lintel

Side chamber 07b

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    3.12 m
  • Length:

    3.13 m
  • Area:

    9.77 m2
  • Orientation:

    90.58° right from corridor 7

Gate 07b

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (southwest) wall of corridor 7.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.74 m
  • Width:

    0.76 m
  • Orientation:

    90.58° right from corridor 7

Gate 07c

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (southwest) wall of corridor 7.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.73 m
  • Width:

    0.68 m
  • Orientation:

    90.64° right from corridor 7

Side chamber 07c

See entire tomb

This chamber, together with 7a and 7e, are the only corridor 7 side chambers to have vaulted ceilings.

Architectural Features

Vaulted ceiling

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Orientation:

    89.93° right from corridor 7

Gate 07d

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (southwest) wall of corridor 7.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.72 m
  • Width:

    0.79 m
  • Orientation:

    89.73° right from corridor 7

Side chamber 07d

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.59 m
  • Length:

    3.65 m
  • Area:

    9.41 m2
  • Orientation:

    89.75° right from corridor 7

Gate 07e

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (southwest) wall of corridor 7.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.72 m
  • Width:

    0.72 m
  • Orientation:

    89.44° right from corridor 7

Side chamber 07e

See entire tomb

This, and side chambers 7a and 7c, are the only ones with vaulted ceilings.

Architectural Features

Vaulted ceiling

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.6 m
  • Length:

    3.66 m
  • Area:

    9.52 m2
  • Orientation:

    89.07° right from corridor 7

Gate 07f

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (southwest) wall of corridor 7.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.74 m
  • Width:

    0.75 m
  • Orientation:

    90° right from corridor 7

Side chamber 07f

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    3.1 m
  • Length:

    3.02 m
  • Area:

    9.36 m2
  • Orientation:

    90° right from corridor 7

Gate 07g

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (southwest) wall of corridor 7.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.81 m
  • Width:

    0.95 m
  • Orientation:

    90.05° right from corridor 7

Side chamber 07g

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.62 m
  • Length:

    3.68 m
  • Area:

    9.62 m2
  • Orientation:

    90.05° right from corridor 7

Gate 07h

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (southwest) wall of corridor 7.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.79 m
  • Width:

    0.66 m
  • Orientation:

    90.23° right from corridor 7

Side chamber 07h

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.58 m
  • Length:

    3.61 m
  • Area:

    9.25 m2
  • Orientation:

    90.23° right from corridor 7

Gate 07i

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (northeast) wall of corridor 7.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.01 m
  • Width:

    0.73 m
  • Orientation:

    89.39° left from corridor 7

Side chamber 07i

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    1.97 m
  • Length:

    3.64 m
  • Area:

    7.12 m2
  • Orientation:

    92.63° left from corridor 7

Gate 07j

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (northeast) wall of corridor 7.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.93 m
  • Width:

    0.93 m
  • Orientation:

    88.33° left from corridor 7

Side chamber 07j

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.62 m
  • Length:

    3.67 m
  • Area:

    9.58 m2
  • Orientation:

    88.33° left from corridor 7

Gate 07k

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (northeast) wall of corridor 7.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.8 m
  • Width:

    0.77 m
  • Orientation:

    91.01° left from corridor 7

Side chamber 07k

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.57 m
  • Length:

    3.64 m
  • Area:

    9.39 m2
  • Orientation:

    91.01° left from corridor 7

Gate 07l

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (northeast) wall of corridor 7.

Condition

Partly excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.79 m
  • Width:

    0.68 m
  • Length:

    0.58 m
  • Area:

    0.39 m2
  • Volume:

    0.7 m3
  • Orientation:

    88.84° left from corridor 7

Side chamber 07l

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Partly excavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.51 m
  • Length:

    3.67 m
  • Area:

    9.14 m2
  • Orientation:

    87.84° left from corridor 7

Gate 07m

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (northeast) wall of corridor 7.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.71 m
  • Width:

    0.69 m
  • Orientation:

    90.28° left from corridor 7

Side chamber 07m

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.59 m
  • Length:

    3.62 m
  • Area:

    9.35 m2
  • Orientation:

    88.89° left from corridor 7

Gate 07n

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (northeast) wall of corridor 7.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.73 m
  • Width:

    0.76 m
  • Orientation:

    90.39° left from corridor 7

Side chamber 07n

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.95 m
  • Length:

    3.12 m
  • Area:

    9.2 m2
  • Orientation:

    90.26° left from corridor 7

Side chamber 07o

See entire tomb

The side chamber is roughly square.

Condition

Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.94 m
  • Width:

    3.07 m
  • Length:

    3.04 m
  • Area:

    9.33 m2
  • Volume:

    18.88 m3
  • Orientation:

    88.8° left from corridor 7

Gate 07o

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (northeast) wall of corridor 7. This is the only gate in KV 5 to have a cavetto cornice as a lintel. It is to the right (southeast) of this gate that the decoration in corridor 7 changes from relief carving to carved and painted plaster.

Architectural Features

Cavetto cornice

Condition

Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.83 m
  • Width:

    0.76 m
  • Length:

    0.78 m
  • Area:

    0.61 m2
  • Volume:

    1.12 m3
  • Orientation:

    89.65° left from corridor 7

Gate 07p

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (northeast) wall of corridor 7.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.64 m
  • Width:

    0.75 m
  • Orientation:

    88.38° left from corridor 7

Side chamber 07p

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    3.11 m
  • Length:

    3.09 m
  • Area:

    9.55 m2
  • Orientation:

    88.42° left from corridor 7

Gate 08

See entire tomb

The threshold of this simple gate is at the same level as the floor of corridor 7 and 0.11 m (4 inches) higher than the floor of chamber 8.

Architectural Features

Steps

Condition

Excavated
Cutting finished
Decorated
Decoration damaged
Damaged structurally

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.83 m
  • Width:

    0.78 m
  • Length:

    0.68 m
  • Area:

    0.58 m2
  • Volume:

    0.8 m3
  • Orientation:

    89.14° right from corridor 7

Decoration

  • Names and epithets

    left (Southeast) reveal

Chamber 08

See entire tomb

This long chamber and its side chambers are nearly the mirror image of chamber 9 and its three small side chambers. The floor of the chamber is 0.11 m (4.5 inches) lower than the floor of corridor 7, and it slopes 0.04 m (1.5 inches) upward toward the rear (southwest). The left (northeast) end of the left (southeast) wall is broken away and pieces of it, decorated with relief carving, lay on the floor. The right (northwest) wall shows traces of decoration, where the artist cut through a layer of plaster and incised the limestone bedrock behind it. The ceiling is flat.

Condition

Cutting finished
Damaged structurally
Decorated
Decoration damaged
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.07 m
  • Width:

    2.63 m
  • Length:

    2.28 m
  • Area:

    18.88 m2
  • Volume:

    39.09 m3
  • Orientation:

    90.43° right from corridor 7

Decoration

  • Deceased with deities

    King and winged goddess right (Northwest) wall
  • Theme undetermined

    traces of throne, male figure and hieroglyphs left (Southeast) wall

Gate 08a

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (southeast) wall of chamber 8.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    0.7 m
  • Orientation:

    91.15° left from chamber 8

Side chamber 08a

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    3.04 m Irregular
  • Length:

    3.11 m Irregular
  • Area:

    9.15 m2
  • Orientation:

    92.08° left from chamber 8

Gate 08b

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (northwest) wall of chamber 8.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.36 m
  • Width:

    0.8 m
  • Orientation:

    88.9° right from chamber 8

Side chamber 08b

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Architectural Features

Vaulted ceiling

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.04 m
  • Length:

    3 m
  • Area:

    6.11 m2
  • Orientation:

    88.9° right from chamber 8

Gate 08c

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (northwest) wall of chamber 8.

Architectural Features

Steps

Condition

Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.4 m
  • Width:

    0.8 m
  • Length:

    0.47 m
  • Area:

    0.38 m2
  • Volume:

    0.53 m3
  • Orientation:

    88.71° right from chamber 8

Side chamber 08c

See entire tomb

The floor of this chamber is 0.43 m (17 inches) lower than that of chamber 8. This is one of two side chambers of chamber 8 to have a vaulted ceiling. There are traces of painted plaster on the chamber's roughly cut walls.

Architectural Features

Vaulted ceiling

Condition

Decoration damaged
Excavated
Decorated
Damaged structurally

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.68 m
  • Width:

    2 m
  • Length:

    3.08 m Irregular
  • Area:

    6.16 m2
  • Volume:

    10.8 m3
  • Orientation:

    90.31° right from chamber 8

Gate 09

See entire tomb

The gate is broken, but the figure of a recumbant Anubis can be seen on the right (southeast) thickness. There is a 0.20 m (8 inch) step down at the front of the gate into chamber 9.

Architectural Features

Steps

Condition

Damaged structurally
Decorated
Decoration damaged
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.61 m
  • Width:

    0.79 m
  • Length:

    0.77 m
  • Area:

    0.6 m2
  • Volume:

    0.97 m3
  • Orientation:

    87.69° left from corridor 7

Decoration

  • Deities

    Anubis jackal on shrine right (Southeast) thickness
  • Winged sun disk

    Lintel
  • Names and epithets

    Lintel
  • Names and epithets

    right (Southeast) reveal

Chamber 09

See entire tomb

Unlike chamber 8, this chamber has a slightly vaulted ceiling. The vaulting in the front of the chamber is more pronounced than in the rear of the chamber, suggesting that chamber 9 was cut in two stages. That could mean that the original plan included 9 and 9c, and 9a and 9b were added later, when 9 was enlarged. Faint traces of carved decoration are visible on the front (southwest) wall of the chamber. Numerous control marks can be seen on all walls and the ceiling in the front half of the chamber.

Architectural Features

Vaulted ceiling

Condition

Damaged structurally
Decorated
Decoration damaged
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.3 m
  • Width:

    2.55 m Irregular
  • Length:

    7.27 m
  • Area:

    18.54 m2
  • Volume:

    42.65 m3
  • Orientation:

    88.32° left from corridor 7

Decoration

  • Winged sun disk

    front (Southwest) wall

Graffiti

  • Mason's marks:

    control marks All walls
  • Mason's marks:

    control marks Ceiling

Gate 09a

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (southeast) wall of chamber 9.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    0.71 m
  • Orientation:

    90.71° right from chamber 9

Side chamber 09a

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    3.62 m Irregular
  • Length:

    2.6 m
  • Area:

    9.41 m2
  • Orientation:

    90.71° right from chamber 9

Gate 09b

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (northwest) wall of chamber 9. Two steps lead down to the floor of chamber 9b.

Architectural Features

Steps

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.7 m
  • Width:

    0.68 m
  • Orientation:

    89.29° left from chamber 9

Side chamber 09b

See entire tomb

This chamber is vaulted. The vaulting is more like that at the front of chamber 9 than at the rear.

Architectural Features

Vaulted ceiling

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    1.97 m Irregular
  • Length:

    3.06 m Irregular
  • Area:

    6.06 m2
  • Orientation:

    89.29° left from chamber 9

Gate 09c

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (northwest) wall of chamber 9.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    0.7 m
  • Orientation:

    89.37° left from chamber 9

Side chamber 09c

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.26 m Irregular
  • Length:

    3.09 m Irregular
  • Area:

    6.94 m2
  • Orientation:

    89.36° left from chamber 9

Gate 10

See entire tomb

The badly broken gate is located in the right (southwest) wall of corridor 7.

Architectural Features

Steps

Condition

Damaged structurally
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.91 m
  • Width:

    0.91 m
  • Length:

    0.63 m
  • Area:

    0.54 m2
  • Volume:

    1.07 m3
  • Orientation:

    88.15° right from corridor 7

Corridor 10

See entire tomb

The corridor extends toward the southwest, beneath the rear chambers of KV 6. At least sixteen side chambers exist, none of them vaulted. There are seven chambers on the right (northwest) side, nine on the left (southeast). The ceiling level changes at least twice: it goes from from sloping to level at gates 10e and 10n, and drops about 0.17 m (6.5 inches) between gates 10g and 10h. At this last point, the corridor also narrows from 2.62 m to 1.96 m (8.5 to 6.5 feet). Traces of plaster decoration and red painted control marks can be seen on the walls.

Condition

Decoration undetermined
Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.29 m Irregular
  • Length:

    22.63 m
  • Area:

    57 m2
  • Orientation:

    88.2° right from corridor 7

Graffiti

  • Mason's marks:

    All walls

Gate 10a

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (southeast) wall of corridor 10.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    0.7 m

Side chamber 10a

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Side chamber 10b

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Gate 10c

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (southeast) wall of corridor 10.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    0.95 m

Side chamber 10c

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Gate 10d

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (southeast) wall of corridor 10.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    1.15 m

Side chamber 10d

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Gate 10e

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (southeast) wall of corridor 10.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    0.8 m

Side chamber 10e

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Gate 10f

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (southeast) wall of corridor 10.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    1.09 m

Side chamber 10f

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Gate 10g

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (southeast) wall of corridor 10.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    1.79 m

Side chamber 10g

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Gate 10h

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (southeast) wall of corridor 10.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    0.73 m

Side chamber 10h

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Gate 10i

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (southeast) wall of corridor 10.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    0.7 m

Side chamber 10i

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Gate 10j

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (northwest) wall of corridor 10.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    0.69 m

Side chamber 10j

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Gate 10k

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (northwest) wall of corridor 10.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    0.8 m

Side chamber 10k

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Gate 10l

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (northwest) wall of corridor 10.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    0.73 m

Side chamber 10l

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Gate 10m

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (northwest) wall of corridor 10.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    1.21 m

Side chamber 10m

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Gate 10n

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (northwest) wall of corridor 10.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    0.78 m

Side chamber 10n

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Side chamber 10o

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Gate 10o

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (northwest) wall of corridor 10.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    0.97 m

Gate 10p

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (northwest) wall of corridor 10.

Condition

Unexcavated

Side chamber 10p

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Gate 11

See entire tomb

The badly broken gate is located in the left (northeast) wall of corridor 7.

Architectural Features

Steps

Condition

Damaged structurally
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.61 m
  • Width:

    0.84 m
  • Length:

    0.63 m
  • Area:

    0.56 m2
  • Volume:

    0.9 m3
  • Orientation:

    90° left from corridor 7

Corridor 11

See entire tomb

Corridor 11 extends toward the northeast from the end of corridor 7. It basically mirrors corridor 10, but there are also differences, perhaps including the presence of a stairway between gates 11e-f/11m-n, and two ceiling drops above the stairs. There is a narrowing of the corridor from the top of the stairs to the end of the corridor from 2.63 m to 1.97 m (8.5 to 6.5 feet). Sixteen gates, seven on the left (northwest), nine on the right (southeast), lead into side chambers. Control marks in red ink can be seen on the ceiling.

Architectural Features

Steps

Condition

Damaged structurally
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.19 m Irregular
  • Width:

    2.3 m Irregular
  • Length:

    22.22 m
  • Area:

    50.99 m2
  • Volume:

    120 m3
  • Orientation:

    91.97° left from corridor 7

Graffiti

  • Mason's marks:

    control marks Ceiling

Gate 11a

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (southeast) wall of corridor 11.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.47 m
  • Width:

    1 m
  • Orientation:

    90.59° right from corridor 11

Side chamber 11a

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    1.99 m
  • Length:

    3.66 m
  • Area:

    7.29 m2
  • Orientation:

    91.98° right from corridor 11

Gate 11b

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (southeast) wall of corridor 11.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.48 m
  • Width:

    0.79 m
  • Length:

    84.45 m

Side chamber 11b

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.05 m
  • Length:

    3.59 m
  • Area:

    7.37 m2
  • Orientation:

    90.02° right from corridor 11

Gate 11c

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (southeast) wall of corridor 11.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.51 m
  • Width:

    0.67 m
  • Orientation:

    90.61° right from corridor 11

Side chamber 11c

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.16 m
  • Length:

    3.67 m
  • Area:

    7.93 m2
  • Orientation:

    92.76° right from corridor 11

Gate 11d

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (southeast) wall of corridor 11.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.52 m
  • Width:

    0.67 m
  • Orientation:

    90.61° right from corridor 11

Side chamber 11d

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    1.99 m
  • Length:

    3.68 m
  • Area:

    7.31 m2
  • Orientation:

    92.76° right from corridor 11

Gate 11e

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (southeast) wall of corridor 11.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.64 m
  • Width:

    0.75 m
  • Orientation:

    90.62° right from corridor 11

Side chamber 11e

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.03 m
  • Orientation:

    90.29° right from corridor 11

Gate 11f

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (southeast) wall of corridor 11.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.64 m
  • Width:

    0.8 m
  • Orientation:

    89.36° right from corridor 11

Side chamber 11f

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.34 m
  • Length:

    4.12 m
  • Area:

    9.64 m2
  • Orientation:

    90.91° right from corridor 11

Gate 11g

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (southeast) wall of corridor 11.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.64 m
  • Width:

    0.74 m
  • Orientation:

    89.56° right from corridor 11

Side chamber 11g

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.15 m
  • Length:

    4.23 m
  • Area:

    9.11 m2
  • Volume:

    89.56 m3

Gate 11h

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (southeast) wall of corridor 11.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.64 m
  • Width:

    0.83 m
  • Orientation:

    88.99° right from corridor 11

Side chamber 11h

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.29 m
  • Length:

    4.16 m
  • Area:

    9.5 m2
  • Orientation:

    88.52° right from corridor 11

Gate 11i

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (southeast) wall of corridor 11.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.64 m
  • Width:

    0.71 m
  • Orientation:

    88.1° right from corridor 11

Side chamber 11i

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.26 m
  • Length:

    4.1 m
  • Area:

    9.28 m2
  • Orientation:

    87.99° right from corridor 11

Gate 11j

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (northwest) wall of corridor 11.

Condition

Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.52 m
  • Width:

    0.73 m
  • Length:

    0.65 m
  • Area:

    0.45 m2
  • Volume:

    0.68 m3
  • Orientation:

    87.37° left from corridor 11

Side chamber 11j

See entire tomb

The chamber is roughly rectangular. There was no plaster on the floor.

Condition

Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.32 m
  • Width:

    2.26 m Irregular
  • Length:

    4.69 m
  • Area:

    9.61 m2
  • Volume:

    12.69 m3
  • Orientation:

    88.91° left from corridor 11

Gate 11k

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (northwest) wall of corridor 11.

Condition

Excavated
Undecorated
Cutting finished
Damaged structurally

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.8 m
  • Width:

    0.79 m
  • Length:

    0.65 m
  • Area:

    0.51 m2
  • Volume:

    0.91 m3
  • Orientation:

    89.71° left from corridor 11

Side chamber 11k

See entire tomb

The floor of the chamber had three one-centimeter (half inch) thick plaster layers, each in a different color, laid down directly atop eachother.

Condition

Cutting finished
Excavated
Undecorated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2 m
  • Width:

    2.3 m
  • Length:

    4.82 m
  • Area:

    10.07 m2
  • Volume:

    20.14 m3
  • Orientation:

    91.5° left from corridor 11

Gate 11l

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (northwest) wall of corridor 11.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.5 m
  • Width:

    2.33 m
  • Orientation:

    91.6° left from corridor 11

Side chamber 11l

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    0.65 m
  • Length:

    4.15 m
  • Area:

    9.68 m2
  • Orientation:

    91.6° left from corridor 11

Side chamber 11m

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.31 m
  • Length:

    4.15 m
  • Area:

    9.56 m2
  • Orientation:

    91.19° left from corridor 11

Gate 11m

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (northwest) wall of corridor 11.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.5 m
  • Width:

    0.79 m
  • Orientation:

    91.1° left from corridor 11

Gate 11n

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (northwest) wall of corridor 11.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.8 m
  • Width:

    0.65 m
  • Orientation:

    91.16° left from corridor 11

Side chamber 11n

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.03 m
  • Length:

    3.6 m
  • Area:

    7.31 m2
  • Orientation:

    89° left from corridor 11

Gate 11o

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (northwest) wall of corridor 11.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.8 m
  • Width:

    0.74 m
  • Orientation:

    86.75° left from corridor 11

Side chamber 11o

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.01 m
  • Length:

    3.65 m
  • Area:

    7.33 m2
  • Orientation:

    89.58° left from corridor 11

Gate 11p

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (northwest) wall of corridor 11.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.52 m
  • Width:

    0.93 m
  • Orientation:

    91.41° left from corridor 11

Side chamber 11p

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.05 m
  • Length:

    3.56 m
  • Orientation:

    88.62° left from corridor 11

Gate 12

See entire tomb

This gate was cut after the floor along the front (northwest) wall of chamber 3 was lowered. The first four steps of the nine-step stairway at leading into corridor 12 lie within this gate.

Architectural Features

Steps

Condition

Excavated
Decorated
Decoration damaged
Damaged structurally
Cutting finished

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.32 m
  • Width:

    1.04 m
  • Length:

    1.07 m
  • Area:

    1.1 m2
  • Volume:

    2.55 m3
  • Orientation:

    180° Left from chamber 3

Decoration

  • Amuletic representations

    djed-pillar left (Southwest) thickness

Corridor 12

See entire tomb

Nine steps lead into the corridor, the last five of them in the corridor itself. Twelve gates, six on each side, lead into side chambers. A badly broken stairway with perhaps two steps was cut between gates 12d-i/12e-h. The ceiling slope is reduced at the top of the stairs. Traces of a royal figure and of cartouches of Rameses II can be seen incised on the right (northeast) wall. There are traces of painted plaster farther along.

Architectural Features

Steps

Condition

Cutting finished
Decorated
Decoration damaged
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.53 m Irregular
  • Width:

    2.02 m Irregular
  • Length:

    18.42 m
  • Area:

    36.65 m2
  • Volume:

    97.1 m3
  • Orientation:

    180° from chamber 3

Decoration

  • Deceased with deities

    Rameses II and god right (Northeast) wall
  • Names and epithets

    right (Northeast) wall

Gate 12a

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (northeast) wall of corridor 12.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.67 m
  • Width:

    0.74 m
  • Orientation:

    90.12° right from corridor 12

Side chamber 12a

See entire tomb

The side chamber lies below the floor of chamber 2.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.3 m
  • Length:

    2.3 m
  • Area:

    5.29 m2
  • Orientation:

    90.12° right from corridor 12

Gate 12b

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (northeast) wall of corridor 12.

Condition

Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.81 m
  • Width:

    0.71 m
  • Length:

    2.3 m
  • Area:

    5.14 m2
  • Volume:

    9.3 m3

Side chamber 12b

See entire tomb

The side chamber lies below the floor of chamber 1.

Condition

Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.01 m
  • Width:

    2.3 m
  • Length:

    2.89 m
  • Area:

    5.7 m2
  • Volume:

    11.37 m3
  • Orientation:

    92.05° right from corridor 12

Gate 12c

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (northeast) wall of corridor 12.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.76 m
  • Width:

    0.74 m
  • Orientation:

    90.19° right from corridor 12

Side chamber 12c

See entire tomb

The side chamber lies below the floor of chamber 1.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.2 m
  • Length:

    2.28 m
  • Area:

    5.05 m2
  • Volume:

    90.19 m3

Gate 12d

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (northeast) wall of corridor 12.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.66 m
  • Width:

    0.87 m
  • Orientation:

    85.42° right from corridor 12

Side chamber 12d

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.23 m
  • Length:

    2.3 m
  • Area:

    5.14 m2
  • Orientation:

    85.42° right from corridor 12

Gate 12e

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (northeast) wall of corridor 12.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.62 m
  • Width:

    0.73 m
  • Orientation:

    91.12° right from corridor 12

Side chamber 12e

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.23 m
  • Length:

    2.3 m
  • Area:

    5.4 m2
  • Orientation:

    91.12° right from corridor 12

Gate 12f

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (northeast) wall of corridor 12.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.72 m
  • Width:

    0.68 m
  • Orientation:

    91.13° right from corridor 12

Side chamber 12f

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.23 m
  • Length:

    2.3 m
  • Area:

    5.1 m2
  • Orientation:

    91.13° right from corridor 12

Gate 12g

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (southwest) wall of corridor 12.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.51 m
  • Width:

    0.61 m
  • Orientation:

    90.89° left from corridor 12

Side chamber 12g

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.29 m
  • Length:

    2.29 m
  • Area:

    5.26 m2
  • Orientation:

    90.89° left from corridor 12

Gate 12h

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (soutwest) wall of corridor 12.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.72 m
  • Width:

    0.68 m
  • Orientation:

    90.85° left from corridor 12

Side chamber 12h

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.29 m
  • Length:

    2.29 m
  • Area:

    5.26 m2
  • Orientation:

    90.85° left from corridor 12

Gate 12i

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (southwest) wall of corridor 12.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.7 m
  • Width:

    0.79 m
  • Orientation:

    90.85° left from corridor 12

Side chamber 12i

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.29 m
  • Length:

    2.3 m
  • Area:

    5.26 m2
  • Orientation:

    90.85° left from corridor 12

Gate 12j

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (southwest) wall of corridor 12.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.78 m
  • Width:

    0.78 m
  • Orientation:

    90.85° left from corridor 12

Side chamber 12j

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.3 m
  • Length:

    2.3 m
  • Area:

    5.29 m2
  • Orientation:

    90.85° left from corridor 12

Gate 12k

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (southwest) wall of corridor 12.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.81 m
  • Width:

    0.71 m
  • Orientation:

    90.85° left from corridor 12

Side chamber 12k

See entire tomb

The side chamber lies below the floor of pillared chamber 4.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    0.71 m
  • Length:

    0.59 m
  • Area:

    0.42 m2
  • Orientation:

    90.85° left from corridor 12

Gate 12l

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (southwest) wall of corridor 12.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.82 m
  • Width:

    0.71 m
  • Orientation:

    89.92° left from corridor 12

Side chamber 12l

See entire tomb

The side chamber lies below the floor of pillared chamber 4.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.3 m
  • Length:

    2.3 m
  • Area:

    5.29 m2
  • Orientation:

    89.92° left from corridor 12

Gate 13

See entire tomb

Three steps descend through this well-cut gate. The level ceiling drops 0.75 m (2.5 feet) below the ceiling of corridor 12.

Architectural Features

Steps

Condition

Excavated
Cutting finished

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.25 m
  • Width:

    1.46 m
  • Length:

    0.96 m
  • Area:

    1.43 m2
  • Volume:

    3.22 m3
  • Orientation:

    0° from corridor 12

Corridor 13

See entire tomb

The corridor's width increases from 1.50 m (5 feet) at the front to 1.70 (5.5 feet) at the end. Chamber height increases from 2.64 m (8.5 feet) to 3.08 m (10 feet) due to a downward slope in the floor of 0.43 m (17 inches).

Condition

Cutting finished
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.86 m Irregular
  • Width:

    1.6 m Irregular
  • Length:

    6.2 m
  • Area:

    10.12 m2
  • Volume:

    27.51 m3
  • Orientation:

    0° from corridor 12

Gate 14

See entire tomb

Three steps descend through this well-cut gate.

Architectural Features

Steps

Condition

Excavated
Cutting finished

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.31 m
  • Width:

    1.2 m
  • Length:

    1.17 m
  • Area:

    1.13 m2
  • Volume:

    2.61 m3
  • Orientation:

    0° from corridor 13

Pillared chamber 14

See entire tomb

This rectangular chamber has three pillars cut along its longitudinal axis, which lies at a right angle to that of corridors 12-13. There are three gates cut in its front (southeast) wall, two in its left (southwest), one in its rear (northwest), and none in its right (northeast). There are traces of painted plaster on the walls and pillars. The stone and workmanship here are of especially good quality.

Architectural Features

Pillars

Condition

Cutting finished
Damaged structurally
Decorated
Decoration damaged
Partly excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.55 m
  • Width:

    11.12 m
  • Length:

    6.4 m
  • Area:

    71.57 m2
  • Volume:

    182.49 m3
  • Orientation:

    0° from corridor 13
  • Number of pillars:

    3
  • Average pillar width:

    0.9 m

Gate 15

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the front (southeast) wall of pillared chamber 14. This gate is unusual in that the first of its three steps was cut 0.36 m (14 inches) in front of the gate, in the floor of pillared chamber 14.

Architectural Features

Steps

Condition

Excavated
Cutting finished

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.88 m
  • Width:

    0.95 m
  • Length:

    0.88 m
  • Area:

    0.89 m2
  • Volume:

    1.67 m3
  • Orientation:

    180° Left from pillared chamber 14

Chamber 15

See entire tomb

The floor and ceiling of this rectangular chamber are level.

Condition

Cutting finished
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.2 m
  • Width:

    1.99 m Irregular
  • Length:

    4.74 m
  • Area:

    8.54 m2
  • Volume:

    18.5 m3
  • Orientation:

    180° from pillared chamber 14

Gate 16

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (southwest) wall of pillared chamber 14. There is a single low step in this gate that leads to corridor 16.

Architectural Features

Steps

Condition

Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.77 m
  • Width:

    1.01 m
  • Length:

    0.91 m
  • Area:

    0.93 m2
  • Orientation:

    90° left from pillared chamber 14

Corridor 16

See entire tomb

Only the first meters of this long corridor have been cleared, revealing six gates leading into side chamber. The corridor appears to be at least 8 m (26 feet) long, with at least eight side chambers (as yet unmapped). The floor and ceiling are level.

Condition

Partly excavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.03 m
  • Orientation:

    90° left from pillared chamber 14

Chamber 17

See entire tomb

This chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Orientation:

    90° left from pillared chamber 14

Gate 17

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the left (southwest) wall of pillared chamber 14.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.75 m
  • Width:

    1 m
  • Orientation:

    90° left from pillared chamber 14

Gate 18

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the rear (northwest) wall of pillared chamber 14.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    0.9 m
  • Orientation:

    0° from pillared chamber 14

Chamber 18

See entire tomb

This chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Orientation:

    0° from pillared chamber 14

Gate 18a

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the right (northeast) wall of chamber 18.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Orientation:

    0° from chamber 18

Side chamber 18a

See entire tomb

This side chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Orientation:

    90° right from chamber 18

Gate 19

See entire tomb

The gate is located in the front (southeast) wall of pillared chamber 14.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    1.1 m
  • Orientation:

    180° Right from pillared chamber 14

Chamber 19

See entire tomb

This chamber is unexcavated.

Condition

Unexcavated

Dimensions

  • Orientation:

    180° Right from pillared chamber 14

Gate 20

See entire tomb

This gate appears to be the mirror image of gate 12. It too was cut after the floor in the front (northwest) of pillared chamber 3 was lowered.

Condition

Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.25 m
  • Width:

    0.99 m
  • Length:

    1.04 m
  • Area:

    1.05 m2
  • Volume:

    2.36 m3
  • Orientation:

    180° Left from chamber 3

Corridor 20

See entire tomb

This corridor is very similar to corridor 12. Only the first few meters have been cleared at the time of this writing. Four gates and side chambers have so far been found. None lie beneath chamber 1 or burial chamber 2. Like corridor 12, another corridor and pillared chamber, still under excavation, lie beyond this corridor.

Condition

Decoration undetermined
Partly excavated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.06 m Irregular
  • Orientation:

    180° from chamber 3

Entryway A

See entire tomb

A staircase, now badly broken, descends 4.46 m (14.5 feet) through bedrock to the gate of chamber 1. Only the lower six of what were probably twelve steps are preserved. There is an inwardly-sloping overhang before gate 1.

Architectural Features

Steps
Overhang

Condition

Excavated
Cutting finished
Undecorated
Damaged structurally

Dimensions

  • Width:

    2.84 m
  • Length:

    4.17 m
  • Area:

    3.14 m2
  • Orientation:

    134.18°

About

About

KV 5 is located in the main Wadi of the Valley of the Kings. The tomb may originally have been a Dynasty 18 tomb (consisting of chambers 1, 2, and part of 3) usurped by Rameses II as the burial place for several of his principal sons. Still under excavation, the tomb has so far revealed more than 120 corridors and chambers. Since the tomb appears to have several bilaterally symmetrical sections, it is likely that the number of chambers will increase to 150 or more in subsequent field seasons.

KV 5 is the largest tomb in the Valley; pillared chamber 3 is the largest chamber of any in the Valley of the Kings. At least four royal sons are known to have been interred in KV 5. However, since there are more than twenty representations of sons carved on its walls, there may have been that many sons interred in the tomb. The tomb is decorated with scenes from the Opening of the Mouth ritual (pillared chamber 3) and representations of the king, princes and deities (chamber 1, chamber 2, gate 3, pillared chamber 3, corridor 7, chamber 8, gate 9, corridor 12).

Noteworthy features:

The overall plan of this tomb is unusual; the plan is unlike any other royal tomb. There is a shift in the tomb's principal axis after chamber 3; several chambers lie beneath other chambers; two corridors extend toward the northwest beneath the entrance and the road in front of the tomb. Pillared chamber 3 has more pillars (sixteen) than any other chamber in the Valley of the Kings. The sculpted Osiris figure in the recess at the end of corridor 7 is similar to that found in chamber Je, KV 7, the tomb of Rameses II.

Site History

A small tomb perhaps dating to Dynasty 18 was appropriated by Rameses II and considerably enlarged in several phases. There is no evidence of re-use of KV 5 after the reign of Rameses II. The tomb was first visited in modern times by James Burton, who mapped its first nine chambers. Its greater extent was realized by the Theban Mapping Project in 1995, and more chambers continue to be discovered. For the history of the excavation of KV 5 by the Theban Mapping Project, see the About section. 

Dating

This site was used during the following period(s):

New Kingdom
Dynasty 18
New Kingdom
Dynasty 19
Rameses II

Exploration

1825: Mapping/planning
Burton, James
1902: Visit
Carter, Howard
1987-: Excavation
Theban Mapping Project
1994-: Conservation
Theban Mapping Project
1995-: Photography
Theban Mapping Project
1987-: Epigraphy
Theban Mapping Project

Conservation

Conservation History

The tomb is currently undergoing engineering and conservation work as it continues to be cleared.

Site Condition

The tomb was robbed in antiquity. Since then, it has been hit by at least eleven flash floods caused by heavy rains in the Valley. These have completely filled the tomb with debris and seriously damaged its once-comprehensively decorated walls. From about 1960 to 1990, tour buses parked above the tomb; their vibrations caused serious damage to parts of the tomb near the roadway, as did a leaking sewer line installed over the entrance when the Valley of the Kings rest house was built.

Articles

Funerary Equipment

The types of funerary equipment Egyptians put into their tombs had become standardized long before the New Kingdom.

Bibliography

Bibby, Miriam.  Eternity of Princes Revealed.  Ancient Egypt: The History, People and Culture of the Nile Valley 1, 1 (2000): 8-13.

Carter, Howard.  Report on General Work Done in the Southern Inspectorate.  Annales du Service des Antiquités de l’Égypte 4 (1903): 43 50.  See esp. p. 45.

Castel Ronda, Elisa.  El Valle de los Reyes: El entorno de la KV 5.  Revista de Arqueologia 175 (1995): 18-29.

Clayton, Peter.  The Tomb of Sons of Ramsses II Discovered?  Minerva 6/4 (1995):  12-15.

Cooke, Neil.  Burton and KV5.  Minerva 7/3 (1996):7-9.

Desroches-Noblecourt, Christiane.  A propos de la ‘nouvelle’ tombe de la Vallée des Rois.  Archéologia  314 (1995): 4-6.

Edgerton, William F.  The Strikes in Ramses III’s Twenty-Ninth Year.  Journal of Near Eastern Studies 10 (1951): 137-145.

Eisenberg, Jerome M.  The Tomb of the Sons of Ramesses II: Its Origin or its Consequence?  Minerva 6, 6 (1995): 25.

Fischer, Marjorie M.  The Sons of Ramesses II.  (= Agyptens und Altes Testament: Studien zu Geschichte, Kultur und Religion Ägyptens und des Alten Testaments, 53).  Two vols.  Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, 2001.