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A project of the American Research Center in Egypt

KV 14
Tausert and Setnakht

About the image
Horus-Iwnmutef; Horus and Anubis before Osiris.
More Details

Entryway A

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The undecorated entrance is cut directly into the cliff face and was open to the sky. The left (south) side of the entry is much shorter than the right (north). There is an overhang at the west end of the entry projecting from above the lintel of gate B. After the 1994 floods, a concrete roof was built over the entrance against the cliff face. The walls are in good condition.

Architectural Features

Overhang

Condition

Cutting finished
Excavated
Undecorated

Dimensions

  • Width:

    3.15 m
  • Length:

    3.86 m
  • Area:

    10.56 m2
  • Orientation:

    264°

Gate B

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The short overhang of entryway A projects out from above this gate's lintel, which is decorated with a sun disk containing the scarab and ram-headed forms of the sun god Ra, flanked by kneeling figures of Isis and Nephthys, and Tausert's queenly titles. A second, slightly larger version was carved over this by Setnakht. The reveals are decorated with texts. Both the outer and inner thicknesses on the left (south) side of the gate were cut away in antiquity, as was the inner thickness on the right (north) side (except at the top). The outer thicknesses have been replaced or supplemented by modern concrete jambs to support a metal gate. Three modern steps were added to the original step down to the floor of corridor B.

Porter and Moss designation:

Corridor A

Architectural Features

Compound jambs
Steps
Lintel beam slot
Door pivot holes

Condition

Excavated
Cutting finished
Decoration damaged
Damaged structurally
Decorated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.96 m
  • Width:

    1.15 m
  • Length:

    0.38 m
  • Area:

    0.44 m2
  • Volume:

    0.86 m3
  • Orientation:

    0° from entryway A

Decoration

  • Sun disk on the horizon

    two versions, Setnakht's cut over Tausert's Lintel
  • Names and epithets

    Reveals

Corridor B

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The corridor slopes down gently to corridor C. On the left (south) wall are altered scenes of Tausert offering vases to Ra-Horakhty and food to Anubis, Siptah (changed to Sety II) offering the image of Ma'at to Isis, and Setnakht (superimposed on Tausert) before Horus and receiving an ankh from Nefertem. The right (north) wall shows Tausert before Ptah and Ma'at, Siptah (changed to Sety II) followed by Tausert offering to Geb, and Setnakht (superimposed on Tausert) offering to Ra-Horakhty, Hathor and Nephthys.

Porter and Moss designation:

Corridor A

Architectural Features

Ceiling recess

Condition

Cutting finished
Decorated
Decoration damaged
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.75 m
  • Width:

    2.13 m
  • Length:

    7.56 m
  • Area:

    10.03 m2
  • Volume:

    44.22 m3
  • Orientation:

    0° from entryway A

Decoration

  • Deceased with deities

    Ptah, Ma'at, Geb, Ra-Horakhty, Hathor, Nephthys right (North) wall
  • Deceased with deities

    Ra-Horakhty, Anubis, Isis, Horus, Nefertem left (South) wall

Gate C

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The gate has a single step which leads to corridor C. The outer thicknesses have been cut away. On the inner thicknesses are representations of Hathor.

Porter and Moss designation:

Corridor B

Architectural Features

Steps
Compound jambs
Lintel beam slot
Door pivot holes

Condition

Excavated
Cutting finished
Decorated
Decoration damaged
Damaged structurally

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.33 m
  • Width:

    1.88 m
  • Length:

    1.23 m
  • Area:

    2.3 m2
  • Volume:

    5.84 m3
  • Orientation:

    0° from corridor B

Decoration

  • Deities

    Hathor performing nini rite left (South) inner thickness
  • Deities

    Hathor performing nini rite right (North) inner thickness
  • Names and epithets

    Setnakht left (South) outer thickness
  • Names and epithets

    Setnakht right (North) outer thickness

Corridor C

See entire tomb

Salt efflorescence has damaged the painted decoration here, which includes traces of excerpts from Book of the Dead spells 145 and 146. On the left (south) wall is a scene in which Sety II is purified by Anubis, followed by a partly preserved scene of a gate and guardian. On the right (north) wall, Sety II offers to three guardians. Beam holes are cut in the walls midway through the corridor.

Porter and Moss designation:

Corridor B

Architectural Features

Beam holes

Condition

Cutting finished
Decorated
Decoration damaged
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.61 m
  • Width:

    2.11 m
  • Length:

    6.7 m
  • Area:

    14.17 m2
  • Volume:

    36.66 m3
  • Orientation:

    0° from corridor B

Decoration

  • Book of the Dead

    spell 145 left (South) wall
  • Book of the Dead

    spell 145 right (North) wall

Gate D

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On the inner thicknesses, Meretseger as a winged cobra rests on a basket above a djed pillar and tyet knot. The outer thicknesses have been cut back and Setnakht's cartouches painted on the new surface.

Porter and Moss designation:

Corridor C

Architectural Features

Compound jambs

Condition

Excavated
Cutting finished
Decorated
Damaged structurally

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.28 m
  • Width:

    1.9 m
  • Length:

    1.05 m
  • Area:

    1.99 m2
  • Volume:

    4.54 m3
  • Orientation:

    0° from corridor C

Decoration

  • Deities

    Meretseger as winged cobra left (South) inner thickness
  • Names and epithets

    Setnakht left (South) outer thickness
  • Names and epithets

    Setnakht right (North) outer thickness
  • Deities

    Meretseger as winged cobra right (North) inner thickness
  • Amuletic representations

    djed-pillar, tyet-knot left (South) inner thickness
  • Amuletic representations

    djed-pillar, tyet-knot right (North) inner thickness

Corridor D

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Salt efflorescence has damaged the painted decoration on the walls. On the left (south) and right (north) walls are spells 145 and 146 of the Book of the Dead with four guardians holding knives.

Porter and Moss designation:

Corridor C

Architectural Features

Beam holes
Ceiling recess

Condition

Cutting finished
Decorated
Decoration damaged
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.61 m
  • Width:

    2.13 m
  • Length:

    6.83 m
  • Area:

    14.36 m2
  • Volume:

    37.77 m3
  • Orientation:

    0° from corridor C

Decoration

  • Book of the Dead

    spells 145, 146 left (South) wall
  • Book of the Dead

    spells 145, 146 right (North) wall

Gate E

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The outer thickness have been cut back flush to the inner ones. The outer thickness surfaces have cartouches of Setnakht painted on them and the inner thicknesses are decorated with figures of Hathor in sunk relief.

Porter and Moss designation:

Hall D

Architectural Features

Compound jambs

Condition

Excavated
Cutting finished
Decorated
Decoration damaged
Damaged structurally

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.34 m
  • Width:

    1.87 m
  • Length:

    0.91 m
  • Area:

    1.7 m2
  • Volume:

    4.17 m3
  • Orientation:

    0° from corridor D

Decoration

  • Deities

    Hathor left (South) inner thickness
  • Winged sun disk

    Lintel
  • Names and epithets

    Setnakht right (North) outer thickness
  • Names and epithets

    Setnakht left (South) outer thickness
  • Deities

    Hathor right (North) inner thickness

Chamber E

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There was no shaft cut in the floor. The walls are decorated with several scenes of deities: Osiris, Imsety, Anubis, Duamutef, Isis, Hapy, Qebehsenuef, Nephthys and Horus-Iwnmutef.
The painting surface is irregular. The painted plaster is composed of three layers: a thick plaster layer, white wash, and a final paint layer. An exception is the name of Setnakht, which was painted on a different plaster layer. In some places, the plaster has separated from the walls. A lot of color is preserved, although there is some damage to the blue paint due to lack of cohesion.

Porter and Moss designation:

Hall D

Condition

Cutting finished
Decoration damaged
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.59 m
  • Width:

    3.16 m
  • Length:

    2.26 m
  • Area:

    7.14 m2
  • Volume:

    18.5 m3
  • Orientation:

    0° from corridor D

Decoration

  • Deities

    Imsety, Anubis, Duamutef, Isis left (South) wall
  • Deities

    Hapy, Anubis, Qebehsenuef, Nephthys right (North) wall
  • Deities

    Osiris (on each side of gate) front (East) wall
  • Deities

    Horus-Iwnmutef (on each side of gate), two Sons of Horus (south of gate) rear (West) wall

Gate F

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The outer thicknesses have been cut back flush to the inner ones. The thicknesses are decorated with djed-pillars and the cartouches of Setnakht.

Porter and Moss designation:

Hall E

Architectural Features

Compound jambs

Condition

Cutting finished
Damaged structurally
Decorated
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.34 m
  • Width:

    1.86 m
  • Length:

    0.86 m
  • Area:

    1.61 m2
  • Volume:

    3.8 m3
  • Orientation:

    0° from chamber E

Decoration

  • Winged sun disk

    Lintel
  • Amuletic representations

    djed-pillar left (South) inner thickness
  • Amuletic representations

    djed-pillar right (North) inner thickness
  • Names and epithets

    Setnakht right (North) outer thickness

Chamber F

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The chamber lacks pillars, but a central descent takes up the axial floor space. Book of the Dead spell 146 decorates the right (north) and left (south) walls. A double scene of the deceased before Osiris on the rear (west) wall originally showed Tausert led before Osiris by Anubis and Horus, but her figures have been erased and replaced by large-scale cartouches of Setnakht. This was also done on the right and left walls.

Porter and Moss designation:

Hall E

Condition

Cutting finished
Decorated
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.58 m
  • Width:

    5.27 m
  • Length:

    4.75 m
  • Area:

    24.91 m2
  • Volume:

    64.58 m3
  • Orientation:

    0° from chamber E

Decoration

  • Book of the Dead

    spell 145 All walls
  • Deceased with deities

    Tausert (replaced by cartouches of Setnakht) brought by Horus and Anubis before a double image of Osiris (middle) rear (West) wall
  • Names and epithets

    cartouches of Setnakht (replacing images of Tausert) All walls

Descent F

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The slope of the descent begins at the inner edge of gate F and ends in gate G. There are no steps cut in the ramp; its surface is irregular. There are remains of scenes from Book of the Dead spell 151 at the lower ends of the side walls of the descent showing an Anubis jackal above kneeling figures of Isis and Nephthys on the left (south) and right (north), respectively.

Porter and Moss designation:

Hall E

Architectural Features

Overhang

Condition

Cutting finished
Decorated
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.4 m
  • Width:

    2.05 m
  • Length:

    6.28 m
  • Area:

    11.95 m2
  • Orientation:

    0° from chamber F

Decoration

  • Book of the Dead

    spell 151: Anubis jackal above Isis left (South) wall
  • Book of the Dead

    spell 151: Anubis jackal above Nephthys right (North) wall

Corridor G

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The floor and ceiling of corridor G are flat and the gate to a side chamber has been cut into the center of the left (south) wall. The decoration on the right (north) and left (south) walls shows scenes and texts from the Opening of the Mouth ritual.

Porter and Moss designation:

Corridor F

Condition

Cutting finished
Decorated
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.65 m
  • Width:

    2.09 m
  • Length:

    4.25 m
  • Area:

    8.84 m2
  • Volume:

    23.51 m3
  • Orientation:

    0° from chamber F

Decoration

  • Opening of the Mouth ritual

    scenes 1-5 left (South) wall
  • Opening of the Mouth ritual

    scenes 6-12 right (North) wall

Gate G

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The outer thicknesses have been cut back to the level of the inner thicknesses, which bear winged Ma'at figures. There is a step down in the gate at the location of the outer thicknesses.

Porter and Moss designation:

Corridor F

Architectural Features

Steps

Condition

Cutting finished
Damaged structurally
Decorated
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.29 m
  • Width:

    1.84 m
  • Length:

    1.01 m
  • Area:

    1.87 m2
  • Volume:

    4.47 m3
  • Orientation:

    0° from chamber F

Decoration

  • Winged Ma'at figures

    left (South) inner thickness
  • Winged Ma'at figures

    right (North) inner thickness
  • Names and epithets

    left (South) outer thickness
  • Names and epithets

    right (North) outer thickness

Gate Ga

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The gate is situated in the left (south) wall of corridor G and leads into side chamber Ga.

Porter and Moss designation:

Side-room G

Condition

Excavated
Cutting finished
Undecorated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.62 m
  • Width:

    1.06 m
  • Length:

    0.41 m
  • Area:

    0.44 m2
  • Volume:

    0.7 m3
  • Orientation:

    89.08° left from corridor G

Side chamber Ga

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Djed pillars were carved on both sides of the entrance gate of this small, rectangular side chamber, which is unique to this tomb. On the left (east) and right (west) walls, the king (originally the queen) offers to two Sons of Horus, Anubis, and two goddesses. On the rear (south) wall, Anubis tends a mummy between Isis and Nephthys.

Porter and Moss designation:

Side-room G

Condition

Cutting finished
Decorated
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.67 m
  • Width:

    2.09 m
  • Length:

    2.73 m
  • Area:

    5.69 m2
  • Volume:

    9.53 m3
  • Orientation:

    89.08° left from corridor G

Decoration

  • Amuletic representations

    djed-pillars front (North) wall
  • Deceased with deities

    two sons of Horus, Anubis, two goddesses left (East) wall
  • Book of the Dead

    spell 151 rear (South) wall
  • Deceased with deities

    two sons of Horus, Anubis, two goddesses right (West) wall

Gate H

See entire tomb

The left (south) jamb has been cut away flush to the wall and a figure of a king painted there. A winged Ma'at decorates the right (north) thickness.

Porter and Moss designation:

Corridor H

Condition

Excavated
Cutting finished
Decorated
Damaged structurally
Decoration damaged

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.41 m
  • Width:

    1.61 m
  • Length:

    0.77 m
  • Area:

    1.24 m2
  • Volume:

    2.99 m3
  • Orientation:

    0° from corridor G

Decoration

  • Winged Ma'at figures

    right (North) thickness
  • Deceased

    left (South) thickness

Corridor H

See entire tomb

Near the front (east) end of the corridor are a pair of beam holes. On the left (south) and right (north) walls are scenes and texts from the Opening of the Mouth ritual.

Porter and Moss designation:

Corridor H

Architectural Features

Beam holes

Condition

Cutting finished
Damaged structurally
Decorated
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.6 m
  • Width:

    2.09 m
  • Length:

    4.52 m
  • Area:

    9.3 m2
  • Volume:

    24.18 m3
  • Orientation:

    0° from corridor G

Decoration

  • Opening of the Mouth ritual

    scenes 13-20 left (South) wall
  • Opening of the Mouth ritual

    scenes 21-26 right (North) wall

Gate I

See entire tomb

The gate leading into corridor I has compound jambs with their outer thicknesses cut back. There are representations of Hathor on the inner thicknesses. The threshold slopes down from front to rear (east to west).

Porter and Moss designation:

Hall I

Architectural Features

Compound jambs

Condition

Excavated
Cutting finished
Decorated
Damaged structurally

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.35 m
  • Width:

    1.6 m
  • Length:

    1.08 m
  • Area:

    1.91 m2
  • Volume:

    4.32 m3
  • Orientation:

    0° from corridor H

Decoration

  • Deities

    Hathor left (South) inner thickness
  • Deities

    Hathor right (North) inner thickness

Chamber I

See entire tomb

On the right (south) half of the front (east) wall, a table of offerings replaced an erased figure of Tausert and representations of Thoth, Ra-Horakhty and Ptah, protected by a winged Ma'at. Osiris, Isis, Nephthys, Horus, Geb and Ptah are protected by Ma'at on the right (north) wall of the chamber. Representations of the king and queen have been replaced by large cartouches of Setnakht.

Porter and Moss designation:

Hall I

Condition

Cutting finished
Decorated
Decoration damaged
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.61 m
  • Width:

    4.17 m
  • Length:

    3.23 m
  • Area:

    13.39 m2
  • Volume:

    34.95 m3
  • Orientation:

    0° from corridor H

Decoration

  • Deities

    Isis and Nephthys, Horus and Geb right (North) wall
  • Deities

    Ra-Horakhty, Ma'at, Thoth alternating with large cartouches of Setnakht replacing erased figures of queen. left (South) wall
  • Deities

    Osiris, offering table replacing erased figure of queen front (East) wall
  • Deities

    Ptah protected by winged Ma'at on each side of gate rear (West) wall

Burial chamber J1

See entire tomb

This large rectangular chamber has a vaulted central ceiling above a sunken lower floor, flanked by a row of four pillars at the front and rear (east and west). The long axis of the vault is perpendicular to the axes of the preceding corridors. A ramp descends from gate J to the sunken floor, bisecting the front upper floor level, topped by a row of four square pillars. The row of pillars on the rear upper floor level are rectangular in section, their right (north) and left (south) faces wider than their front and rear faces. The rear half of the upper floor level is bisected by a passage at the level of the sunken floor leading to gate K1. Narrow benches project from the right and left halves of the rear wall above the upper floor level. The tops low walls surrounding the sunken lower area are all decorated with torus molding and a cavetto cornice.
The right end of the right wall and the left half of the front wall of the upper level are decorated with the eighth division (P)/ninth hour (H) of the Book of Gates. The right half of the front wall and left end of the left wall of this same level are decorated with the upper and lower registers of the ninth division (P)/tenth hour (H) and the middle register of the tenth division (P)/eleventh hour (H) of the Book of Gates. The Book of the Earth is shown on the upper level right and left walls, and the Book of Caverns on the right. The rear wall of the upper level was left undecorated.
The vault bears traces of an astronomical scene with decans, northern constellations, and associated deities. The pillars were partially decorated with representations of different deities and of the king, whose figure has been replaced, or at least re-named, by Setnakht. In the lower registers of the side walls, and on the walls surrounding the sunken central floor, were illustrations of traditional funerary equipment.

  • Chamber plan:

    Rectangular
  • Relationship to main tomb axis:

    Perpendicular
  • Chamber layout:

    Pillared front and rear upper level, sunken central lower level
  • Floor:

    Two levels
  • Ceiling:

    Vaulted center, flat sides

Porter and Moss designation:

Hall J (Sarcophagus chamber of Tausert)

Architectural Features

Pillars
Ramp
Vaulted ceiling

Condition

Cutting unfinished
Decorated
Decoration damaged
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    5.41 m
  • Width:

    10.77 m
  • Length:

    10.57 m
  • Area:

    114.28 m2
  • Volume:

    473.9 m3
  • Orientation:

    0° from chamber I
  • Number of pillars:

    8
  • Average pillar width:

    0.64 m

Decoration

  • Book of Gates

    eighth division (P)/ninth hour (H) (north side), ninth and tenth divisions (P)/tenth and eleventh hours (H) (south side) front (East) wall
  • Book of Caverns

    excerpt from final scene of sixth division right (North) wall
  • Deities

    large figure of Ra as ram-headed ba bird with outspread wings right (North) wall
  • Book of the Earth

    right (North) wall
  • Book of Gates

    beginning of eighth division (P)/ninth hour (H) right (North) wall
  • Book of Gates

    end of ninth and tenth divisions (P)/tenth and eleventh hours (H) left (South) wall
  • Book of the Earth

    part A left (South) wall
  • Deities

    Nefertem front (East) pillar 1
  • Astronomical scenes

    Ceiling
  • Funerary objects

    All walls
  • Deities

    Hathor left (South) pillar 1
  • Deceased with deities

    Horus [with Setnakht (replacing original figure), on right face] rear (West) pillar 1
  • Deceased with deities

    Setnakht (replacing original figure) [before Horus, on rear face] right (North) pillar 1
  • Deceased with deities

    Setnakht (replacing original figure) [before Osiris and Anubis, on right and rear faces respectively] front (East)
  • Deities

    Thoth left (South)
  • Deceased with deities

    Osiris [and Setnakht, on front face] right (North)
  • Deceased with deities

    Anubis [and Setnakht, on front face] rear (West)
  • Deceased with deities

    Setnakht (replacing original figure) [before Osiris and Anubis, on left and rear faces respectively] front (East)
  • Deceased with deities

    Osiris [and Setnakht, on front face] left (South)
  • Deities

    Ra-Horakhty rear (West)
  • Deceased with deities

    Anubis [and Setnakht, on front face] right (North)
  • Deceased with deities

    Mehitweret [and Setnakht, on left face] front (East)
  • Deceased with deities

    Setnakht (replacing original figure) [before Mehitweret and Khnum, on front and right faces respectively] left (South)
  • Deities

    Geb rear (West)
  • Deceased with deities

    Khnum [and Setnakht, on left face] right (North)
  • Deceased with deities

    Anubis [and Tausert, on left face] front (East) pillar 2
  • Deceased with deities

    Nut [and Tausert, on left face] rear (West) pillar 2
  • Deceased with deities

    Khnum [and Tausert, on left face] right (North) pillar 2
  • Deceased

    Sety II (replacing original Siptah) left (South)
  • Deities

    Nephthys rear (West)
  • Deities

    Ptah-Sokar-Osiris right (North)
  • Deities

    Ptah-Sokar-Osiris left (South)
  • Deities

    Mehitweret rear (West)
  • Deities

    Atum right (North)
  • Deities

    Anubis front (East)
  • Deities

    Horus left (South)
  • Deities

    Isis rear (West)
  • Deceased

    unnamed falcon-headed god right (North)
  • Kheker frieze

  • Deceased

    Tausert (erased and plastered over) left (South) pillar 2
  • Deceased

    Tausert (erased and plastered over) front (East)
  • Deceased

    Tausert (erased and plastered over) front (East)

Gate J1

See entire tomb

This large rectangular chamber has a vaulted central ceiling above a sunken lower floor, flanked by a row of four pillars at the front and rear (east and west). The long axis of the vault is perpendicular to the axes of the preceding corridors. A ramp descends from gate J to the sunken floor, bisecting the front upper floor level, topped by a row of four square pillars. The row of pillars on the rear upper floor level are rectangular in section, their right (north) and left (south) faces wider than their front and rear faces. The rear half of the upper floor level is bisected by a passage at the level of the sunken floor leading to gate K1. Narrow benches project from the right and left halves of the rear wall above the upper floor level. The tops of the low walls surrounding the sunken lower area are all decorated with torus molding and a cavetto cornice.

The right end of the right wall and the left half of the front wall of the upper level are decorated with the eighth division (P)/ninth hour (H) of the Book of Gates. The right half of the front wall and left end of the left wall of this same level are decorated with the upper and lower registers of the ninth division (P)/tenth hour (H) and the middle register of the tenth division (P)/eleventh hour (H) of the Book of Gates. The Book of the Earth is shown on the upper level right and left walls, and the Book of Caverns on the right. The rear wall of the upper level was left undecorated.

Porter and Moss designation:

Hall J (Sarcophagus chamber of Tausert)

Architectural Features

Compound jambs

Condition

Cutting finished
Damaged structurally
Decorated
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.24 m
  • Width:

    1.98 m
  • Length:

    1.07 m
  • Area:

    2.1 m2
  • Volume:

    5.1 m3
  • Orientation:

    0° from chamber I

Decoration

  • Winged Ma'at figures

    Ma'at kneeling on basket over heraldic plants of Upper Egypt left (South) inner thickness
  • Winged sun disk

    Lintel
  • Winged Ma'at figures

    Ma'at kneeling on basket over heraldic plants of Lower Egypt right (North) inner thickness

Side chamber J1a

See entire tomb

Side chamber J1a is situated off the left (east) end of the left (south) wall of burial chamber J1. The chamber has been only roughly cut and is not decorated.

Condition

Cutting unfinished
Excavated
Undecorated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    0.94 m Irregular
  • Width:

    1.82 m Irregular
  • Length:

    2.4 m Irregular
  • Area:

    4.57 m2
  • Volume:

    4.41 m3
  • Orientation:

    89.38° left from burial chamber J1

Gate J1a

See entire tomb

The gate leads from the left (south) wall of burial chamber J1 to side chamber J1a.

Condition

Excavated
Cutting unfinished
Undecorated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.67 m
  • Width:

    1.02 m
  • Length:

    0.66 m
  • Area:

    0.6 m2
  • Volume:

    0.6 m3
  • Orientation:

    89.38° left from burial chamber J1

Side chamber J1b

See entire tomb

This side chamber was only roughly cut and is undecorated.

Porter and Moss designation:

Two inner side-rooms

Condition

Cutting unfinished
Excavated
Undecorated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.06 m Irregular
  • Width:

    1.36 m Irregular
  • Length:

    2.42 m Irregular
  • Area:

    3.03 m2
  • Volume:

    4.35 m3
  • Orientation:

    90.65° left from burial chamber J1

Gate J1b

See entire tomb

The gate leads from the right (west) end of the left (south) wall of burial chamber J1 to side chamber J1b.

Porter and Moss designation:

Two inner side-rooms

Condition

Excavated
Cutting unfinished
Undecorated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.06 m
  • Width:

    1.06 m Irregular
  • Length:

    0.59 m
  • Area:

    0.61 m2
  • Volume:

    0.7 m3
  • Orientation:

    90.65° left from burial chamber J1

Side chamber J1c

See entire tomb

Side chamber J1c was only roughly cut and is undecorated.

Porter and Moss designation:

Two inner side-rooms

Condition

Cutting unfinished
Excavated
Undecorated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    0.86 m Irregular
  • Width:

    1.04 m Irregular
  • Length:

    3.1 m
  • Area:

    4.64 m2
  • Volume:

    3.99 m3
  • Orientation:

    91.24° right from burial chamber J1

Gate J1c

See entire tomb

The gate leads through the left (west) end of the right (north) wall of burial chamber J1 to side chamber J1c.

Porter and Moss designation:

Two inner side-rooms

Condition

Excavated
Cutting unfinished
Undecorated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.28 m
  • Width:

    1.04 m
  • Length:

    0.35 m
  • Area:

    0.52 m2
  • Volume:

    0.67 m3
  • Orientation:

    91.24° right from burial chamber J1

Side chamber J1d

See entire tomb

Side chamber J1d was only roughly cut and is undecorated.

Condition

Cutting unfinished
Excavated
Undecorated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.06 m Irregular
  • Width:

    1.9 m Irregular
  • Length:

    2.6 m Irregular
  • Area:

    4.66 m2
  • Volume:

    4.94 m3
  • Orientation:

    94.4° right from burial chamber J1

Gate J1d

See entire tomb

The gate leads through the right (east) half of the right (north) wall of burial chamber J1 to side chamber J1d.

Condition

Excavated
Cutting unfinished
Undecorated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.51 m
  • Width:

    1.02 m
  • Length:

    0.58 m
  • Area:

    0.59 m2
  • Volume:

    0.89 m3
  • Orientation:

    94.4° right from burial chamber J1

Gate J2

See entire tomb

The gate has compound jambs and a single step. A slot for a beam beneath the lintel indicates an intention to close the gate by a pair of door leaves. The inner thicknesses are decorated with figures of Ma'at kneeling. The cartouches on the reveals were redone by Setnakht to cover the name of Tausert.

Porter and Moss designation:

Sarcophagus chamber L

Architectural Features

Compound jambs
Steps
Lintel beam slot

Condition

Excavated
Cutting finished
Decoration unfinished

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.41 m
  • Width:

    1.93 m
  • Length:

    1.58 m
  • Area:

    3.39 m2
  • Volume:

    8.37 m3
  • Orientation:

    2.2° right from corridor L

Decoration

  • Winged Ma'at figures

    left (South) inner thickness
  • Names and epithets

    Setnakht's cartouche over Tausert's cartouche Reveals
  • Winged Ma'at figures

    right (North) inner thickness

Burial chamber J2

See entire tomb

This chamber replicates the features of burial chamber J1, but on a larger scale. The upper floor level is interrupted by a sunken central area, flanked on the front (east) and rear (west) by a row of four pillars. Cavetto cornices decorate the tops of the low walls surronding the sunken central area. The eight pillars are square in section and the ceiling surfaces between them and the chamber walls are flat. The ceiling above the sunken lower floor is vaulted, with its longitudinal axis perpendicular to that of the tomb. Right (north) of the center of the floor stands the broken sarcophagus of Setnakht. The upper floor level is bisected at front and back by a ramp descending to the sunken lower floor level from the edges of gates J2 and K2.
Only the front (east) half of the chamber was decorated. On the left (north) part of the east wall is the eighth division (P)/ninth hour (H) of the Book of Gates, and on the right (south) part are scenes in three registers from the eleventh division (P)/twelfth hour (H) of the same composition. On the wall above the gate leading to side chamber J2a is the gate of the twelfth division of the Book of Gates. The pillars have suffered substantial damage and only pillar 1 is decorated with a representation of Thoth holding a palette. The vaulted ceiling has an astronomical scene.

  • Chamber plan:

    Rectangular
  • Relationship to main tomb axis:

    Perpendicular
  • Chamber layout:

    Pillared front and rear upper level, sunken central lower level
  • Floor:

    Two levels
  • Ceiling:

    Vaulted center, flat sides

Porter and Moss designation:

Sarcophagus chamber L

Architectural Features

Pillars
Ramp
Sarcophagus
Vaulted ceiling

Condition

Cutting finished
Decoration damaged
Decoration unfinished
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    6.02 m
  • Width:

    13.31 m
  • Length:

    12.63 m
  • Area:

    170.48 m2
  • Volume:

    790.35 m3
  • Orientation:

    2.2° right from corridor L
  • Number of pillars:

    8
  • Average pillar width:

    1.11 m

Decoration

  • Book of Gates

    eighth division (P)/ninth hour (H) (north side), eleventh division (P)/twelfth hour (H) (south side) front (East) wall
  • Book of Gates

    twelfth gate (P)/(H) (above gate J2a) left (South) wall
  • Astronomical scenes

    Ceiling
  • Deities

    Thoth with palette (preliminary sketch) rear (West) pillar 1
  • Theme undetermined

    destroyed front (West)
  • Deities

    male deity front (West)
  • Deities

    goddess, feet only remaining (preliminary sketch) front (West)

Sarcophagus

  • Extant remains:

    Box and lid
  • Sarcophagus form:

    Cartouche-shaped with effigy on lid
  • Material:

    Red granite
  • Length:

    3.25 m
  • Width:

    1.62 m
  • Height:

    2.6 m
  • Orientation:

    north
  • Emplacement:

    Floor
  • Comments:

    This sarcophagus belonged to Setnakht. The sides and ends of the sarcophagus box were completely smashed to the level of the floor of the box and are now partly reconstructed. The lid is mostly intact but with a lateral crack, and now is placed over the box.
  • Decoration:

  • Book of the Earth:
    in sunk relief Box exterior
  • Deities:
    winged Nephthys in sunk relief Occupant's head end
  • Deities:
    Isis in raised relief Lid interior
  • Deceased with deities:
    snake, crocodile, and human-headed uraei; Isis and Nephthys appearing twice Lid exterior
  • Enigmatic compositions:
  • Enigmatic compositions:
  • Deities:
    kneeling Isis and Nephthys Lid exterior
  • Names and epithets:
    cartouches of Setnakht Lid exterior

Side chamber J2a

See entire tomb

The chamber is undecorated.

Condition

Cutting finished
Excavated
Undecorated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.84 m
  • Width:

    2.55 m
  • Length:

    2.51 m
  • Area:

    6.42 m2
  • Volume:

    11.78 m3
  • Orientation:

    85.18° left from burial chamber J2

Gate J2a

See entire tomb

The gate leads from the left (east) end of the left (south) wall of burial chamber J2 into side chamber J2a.

Condition

Excavated
Cutting finished
Undecorated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.86 m
  • Width:

    0.9 m
  • Length:

    0.46 m
  • Area:

    0.41 m2
  • Volume:

    0.77 m3
  • Orientation:

    85.18° left from burial chamber J2

Side chamber J2b

See entire tomb

The chamber is undecorated.

Condition

Cutting finished
Excavated
Undecorated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.8 m
  • Width:

    2.58 m
  • Length:

    2.5 m
  • Area:

    6.5 m2
  • Volume:

    11.84 m3
  • Orientation:

    87.73° left from burial chamber J2

Gate J2b

See entire tomb

The gate leads through the right (west) end of the right (south) wall of burial chamber J2 into side chamber J2b.

Condition

Excavated
Decoration undetermined
Cutting finished

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.77 m
  • Width:

    0.9 m
  • Length:

    0.57 m
  • Area:

    0.51 m2
  • Volume:

    0.87 m3
  • Orientation:

    87.7° left from burial chamber J2

Side chamber J2c

See entire tomb

The chamber is undecorated.

Condition

Cutting finished
Excavated
Undecorated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.82 m
  • Width:

    2.55 m
  • Length:

    2.05 m
  • Area:

    6.36 m2
  • Volume:

    11.51 m3
  • Orientation:

    91.64° right from burial chamber J2

Gate J2c

See entire tomb

The gate leads from the left (west) end of the right (north) wall of burial chamber J2 into side chamber J2c.

Condition

Excavated
Cutting finished
Undecorated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.77 m
  • Width:

    1.05 m
  • Length:

    0.5 m
  • Area:

    0.55 m2
  • Volume:

    0.97 m3
  • Orientation:

    91.64° right from burial chamber J2

Side chamber J2d

See entire tomb

The chamber is undecorated.

Condition

Cutting finished
Excavated
Undecorated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.77 m
  • Width:

    2.52 m
  • Length:

    2.51 m
  • Area:

    6.31 m2
  • Volume:

    10.94 m3
  • Orientation:

    92.22° right from burial chamber J2

Gate J2d

See entire tomb

The gate leads from the right (east) end of the right (north) wall of burial chamber J2 into side chamber J2d.

Condition

Excavated
Cutting finished
Undecorated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    1.74 m
  • Width:

    1.05 m
  • Length:

    0.52 m
  • Area:

    0.55 m2
  • Volume:

    0.98 m3
  • Orientation:

    92.22° right from burial chamber J2

Corridor K1

See entire tomb

Corridor K1, together with side chambers K1a and K1b, represents an abandoned attempt to cut a second pillared burial chamber. Two gates in the right (north) and left (south) walls, each with a step at the bottom, lead from the beginning of corridor K1 to chambers K1a and K1b, respectively. The north and south walls of the corridor are decorated with unfinished texts and scenes from the Imydwat.

Porter and Moss designation:

Corridor K

Condition

Cutting finished
Decoration unfinished
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    3.5 m
  • Width:

    2.48 m
  • Length:

    14.94 m
  • Area:

    36.18 m2
  • Volume:

    120.62 m3
  • Orientation:

    0° from burial chamber J1

Decoration

  • Imydwat

    ninth hour right (North) wall
  • Imydwat

    sixth hour left (South) wall

Gate K1

See entire tomb

The gate has compound jambs.

Porter and Moss designation:

Corridor K

Architectural Features

Compound jambs

Condition

Excavated
Cutting finished
Decoration undetermined

Dimensions

  • Height:

    3.1 m
  • Width:

    2.06 m
  • Length:

    1.59 m
  • Area:

    3.58 m2
  • Volume:

    11.1 m3
  • Orientation:

    0° from burial chamber J1

Decoration

  • Theme undetermined

Side chamber K1a

See entire tomb

The unfinished chamber K1a was originally intended as the southeast quadrant of a pillared burial chamber. The front (north) wall of K1a was to have been cut as a pillar. A single step leads into K1a which adjoins corridor K1 and contains a single pillar. The walls are cracked and were anciently patched with mortar and stone. There is a large hieratic graffito on the left (south) wall giving the date regnal year 6, month 2 of Akhet, day 18. Some have taken this as a work docket from the reign of Tausert. Others have interpreted this graffito and its companion in K1b as inspection dockets from the reburial activities of the priests at the end of Dynasty 20 during the sixth year of the "Renaissance." There is an additional marking in black at the right (west) end of the rear (south) wall, perhaps part of the stonecutter's sketch for carving the central vault.

Porter and Moss designation:

Inner side room

Architectural Features

Pillar
Steps

Condition

Cutting unfinished
Excavated
Undecorated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    3.02 m
  • Width:

    6.13 m
  • Length:

    4.5 m
  • Area:

    27.64 m2
  • Volume:

    83.52 m3
  • Orientation:

    89.67° left from corridor K1
  • Number of pillars:

    1
  • Average pillar width:

    1.04 m

Graffiti

  • Hieratic text:

    graffito dated to regnal year 6, month 2 of Akhet, day 18 rear (South) wall
  • Mason's marks:

    sketch for vault cutting rear (South) wall

Side chamber K1b

See entire tomb

This side chamber adjoins corridor K1 and mirrors side chamber K1a in shape. It would have represented the northeast quadrant of an abandoned burial chamber. A single step leads into the chamber. The walls are badly cracked and were anciently patched with mortar and stone. A projection from the rear (north) wall represents an uncompleted pillar. A hieratic graffito on the left (west) wall in black gives the date of regnal year 6, month 2. Some have seen this as a work docket dated to the reign of Tausert, while others see it as an inspection docket from the priestly reburial activities in the sixth year of the "Renaissance" at the end of Dynasty 20.

Porter and Moss designation:

Inner side room

Architectural Features

Pilaster
Steps

Condition

Cutting unfinished
Excavated
Undecorated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.96 m
  • Width:

    6.12 m
  • Length:

    4.49 m
  • Area:

    27.59 m2
  • Volume:

    99.12 m3
  • Orientation:

    88.27° right from corridor K1
  • Number of pillars:

    1
  • Average pillar width:

    1.06 m

Graffiti

  • Hieratic text:

    graffito dated to regnal year 6, month 2 left (West) wall

Corridor K2

See entire tomb

Near the rear (west) end of the corridor are a pair of beam holes. On the left (south) and right (north) walls are scenes and texts from the Opening of the Mouth ritual.

Architectural Features

Recesses

Condition

Cutting unfinished
Excavated
Undecorated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.56 m
  • Width:

    2.35 m
  • Length:

    9.96 m
  • Area:

    22.67 m2
  • Volume:

    54.68 m3
  • Orientation:

    4.37° left from burial chamber J2

Gate K2

See entire tomb

Only the left jamb is preserved.

Condition

Undecorated
Cutting unfinished
Damaged structurally
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.73 m
  • Width:

    2.12 m Irregular
  • Length:

    0.27 m
  • Area:

    1.21 m2
  • Volume:

    3.3 m3
  • Orientation:

    3.1° left from burial chamber J2

Gate L

See entire tomb

The cartouches on the reveals were redone by Setnakht to cover the name of Tausert.

Porter and Moss designation:

Corridor K.1

Condition

Excavated
Decorated
Cutting finished

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.84 m
  • Width:

    2.07 m
  • Length:

    0.91 m
  • Area:

    1.88 m2
  • Volume:

    5.33 m3
  • Orientation:

    1.02° right from corridor K1

Decoration

  • Names and epithets

    Setnakht over Tausert left (South) reveal
  • Imydwat

    seventh hour, introductory text left (South) reveal
  • Imydwat

    ninth hour right (North) reveal

Corridor L

See entire tomb

The axis of this corridor is shifted to the north of previous ones. Beam holes are set in the middle of the walls of the corridor. The right (north) and left (south) walls are decorated in unpainted sunk relief with scenes from the Imydwat.

Porter and Moss designation:

Corridor K.1

Architectural Features

Beam holes

Condition

Cutting finished
Decoration unfinished
Excavated

Dimensions

  • Height:

    2.95 m
  • Width:

    2.4 m
  • Length:

    10.91 m
  • Area:

    26.89 m2
  • Volume:

    77.64 m3
  • Orientation:

    1.02° right from corridor K1

Decoration

  • Imydwat

    eighth hour right (North) wall
  • Imydwat

    seventh hour left (South) wall

About

About

The tomb entrance of KV 14 is cut into the base of the cliff face at the end of the southwest branch of the main Wadi. The short open entryway A is followed by three corridors (B, C and D) decorated in sunk relief with scenes of the queen accompanying Siptah (subsequently changed to Sety II) before various deities, followed by representations of the guardians of the portals of the realm of Osiris from the Book of the Dead. Chamber E had no shaft cut into its floor. It was succeeded by pillared chamber F with a central descent but without the usual flanking pair of pillars.

There are two corridors (G and H) beyond the descent, followed by a chamber (I). There is a side chamber (Ga) off the left (south) wall of corridor G, thought by some to have been intended as a burial chamber in an earlier phase of the tomb's construction. The first burial chamber J1 has a Vaulted ceiling and sunken floor flanked by two rows of four pillars on benches to the front (east) and rear (west). Four unfinished side chambers are located at the corners of burial chamber J1. The corridor K1 to the west, with two side chambers (K1a, K1b), represents an abandoned start of the cutting of a second burial chamber. A second corridor (L) leads to the ultimate, second burial chamber J2, of larger dimensions than the first one. This chamber also has a sunken central floor and vaulted ceiling flanked by two rows of four pillars on benches to the front (east) and rear (west).

The four side chambers were completely cut, but undecorated, and only the front (east) wall of this burial chamber received preliminary drawings for decoration. A broken Sarcophagus and lid are located right (north) of the center of the sunken floor. An unfinished axial corridor (K2) to the rear (west) has an abandoned gateway cutting in each side. The tomb is decorated with scenes from the Book of the Dead (corridor C, corridor D, pillared chamber F, descent F, side chamber Ga), Opening of the Mouth ritual (corridors G and H), Book of Caverns (burial chamber J1), Book of the Earth (burial chamber J1), Book of Gates (burial chambers J1 and J2), the Imydwat (corridor K1, corridor L), as well as images of the deceased and/or deities (corridor B, gates C-E, chambers E and F, side chamber Ga, gate H, gate I, chamber I and burial chamber J1).

Noteworthy features:

KV 14 is a rare example of a queen' s tomb of the Rameside period in the Valley of the Kings re-used for a king's burial. This tomb possesses two complete burial chambers (J1 and J2); the thicknesses of gates before the first burial chamber J1 were cut back. A third burial chamber (K1, K1a and K1b) was begun but abandoned between the other two. Names and images were altered from Tausert to Setnakht and from Siptah to Sety II. Side chamber Ga is unique.

Site History

Several phases of construction have been recognized by Altenmüller, reflecting the changing status of Tausert from royal wife under Sety II, to regent during the reign of Siptah, and finally to independent ruler at the end of Dynasty 19. In the last phase, Altenmüller believes that Sety II was buried in the first burial chamber J1, but this is questionable since work was being carried out for the construction of the second burial chamber J2.

The fate of Tausert's own burial is uncertain since the tomb was taken over in Dynasty 20 for the burial of Setnakht. Her mummiform granite Sarcophagus was recently found in KV 13 where it had been re-used for the burial of prince Amenherkhepeshef. In most instances, the image and name of the queen were replaced with those of Setnakht. At some point, the names of Siptah were altered to those of Sety II, although the date of this change is not known.

Dating

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

New Kingdom
Dynasty 19
Tausert
New Kingdom
Dynasty 20
Setnakht

Exploration

1983-1987: Excavation
Altenmüller, Hartwig
1825: Mapping/planning
Burton, James
1828-1829: Epigraphy
Franco-Tuscan Expedition
1844-1845: Epigraphy
Lepsius, Carl Richard
1799: Epigraphy
Napoleonic Expedition
1737-1738: Mapping/planning
Pococke, Richard
1893-1895: Excavation
Service des Antiquités

Conservation

Conservation History

New walkways and lighting have recently been installed. Following the 1994 floods, a cement shelter was constructed over entryway A.

Site Condition

The painted plaster relief in the upper corridors has suffered some damage, partly as a result of ancient alterations of decoration, and the action of salt efflorescence. In general, however, the rock is stable, the painted paste decoration is largely intact, and the colors are bright. Water staining is visible around cracks in the plaster of the vaulted ceilings in the two burial chambers J1 and J2.

Hieroglyphs

Setnakht

King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Powerful are the Manifestations of Ra, Chosen of Ra, Beloved of Amen, Son of Ra, Set is Victorious, Beloved of Amen-Ra
niswt-bity wAsr-xAw-Raw stp-n-Raw mry-Imn sA-Raw stx-nxt mry-Imn-Raw

Tausert

King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Daughter of Ra, Beloved of Amen, Daughter of Ra, The Powerful Female One, Chosen by Mut
niswt-bity sAt-Raw-mry-Imn sA<t>-Raw tA-wAsrt stp-n-Mwt

Bibliography

Cauville, Sylvie and Mohammed Ibrahim AliLa Vallée des Rois: Itinéraire du Visiteur. Leuven: Peeters, 2014. Pp. 343-386.

Gardiner, Alan H. The Tomb of Queen Twosre.  Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 40 (1954): 40-44.

Gardiner, Alan H.  Only One King Siptah and Twosre Not His Wife.  Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 44 (1958): 12-22.

Helck, Wolfgang.  Königsgräbertal.  Wolfgang Helck, Eberhart Otto and Wolfhart Westendorf (eds.).  Lexikon der Ägyptologie.  7 vols. Wiesbaden, 1972-1992.  3: 516-517.

Porter, Bertha and Rosalind Moss.  Topographical Bibliography of Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphic Text, Reliefs, and Paintings. I, 2. The Theban Necropolis: Royal Tombs and Smaller Cemeteries.  Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1964.  Pp. 527-532.

Reeves, Carl Nicholas.  Valley of the Kings: The Decline of a Royal Necropolis (= Studies in Egyptology).  London:  KPI, 1990. Pp. 109-111.

Scheel, Bernd.   The Power Behind the Tomb.  The Illustrated London News.  274, 7057 (1986): 62-63

Simon-Boidot, Claire.  Canon et étalon dans la tombe de Taousret.  Chronique d’Égypte: Bulletin périodique de la Fondation égyptologique Reine Elisabeth 75, 149 (2000): 30-46.