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A project of the American Research Center in Egypt
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Entrances of QV2, QV4, QV5, QV6, and QV81.
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Entryway A

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A shaft entrance with a modern masonry surround and metal grill provides access to the tomb.

Condition

Cutting finished
Excavated
Undecorated

Chamber B

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A large rough undecorated chamber situated south of the shaft (A). There is a break in the southern wall, and the ceiling and wall on the west of the chamber have collapsed.

Condition

Cutting finished
Damaged structurally
Excavated
Flood Damage
Undecorated

Chamber C

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Larger rough, northerly chamber located directly under the paved visitor path.

Condition

Cutting finished
Excavated
Flood Damage
Undecorated

About

About

QV 4 is located just south of the paved visitor path in the main valley, and as of February 2010, has been reburied. The tomb comprises of a shaft entrance (A) and two chambers on different axis, a northerly chamber (C) located under the paved visitor path and a southerly chamber (B) to the path's south. 

 

Site History

The tomb was constructed in the 18th Dynasty.

Dating

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

New Kingdom
Dynasty 18

Exploration

1981: Mapping/planning
Theban Mapping Project
2006-2008: Survey and Documentation
Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) and the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA)
2010: Conservation
Supreme Council of Antiquities

Conservation

Conservation History

The tomb was reburied by the SCA in February 2010.

Site Condition

Following an assessment by the GCI-SCA in December 2009, the shaft, chamber walls, and ceiling were judged to be stable, provided that the tomb remains dry. Dried, cracked mud on the floor of chamber (B) indicates past flooding. The rock in the tomb, particularly the shale, has disintegrated due to flooding and associated swelling and shrinking. Prior to 1995, the paved road above the tomb was used for vehicle access to the site and it is possible that vibrations from passing cars and buses contributed to structural instability within the tomb. Following reburial of the tomb, the threat from flooding is partially mitigated, though no information is available about the type of fill material used by the SCA.

Articles

Geography and Geology of the Valley of the Queens and Western Wadis

The Valley of the Queens and the Western Wadis are made up of numerous valleys spread out over a vast space of desert, each containing tombs for the New Kingdom queens and other royal family members. The poor quality rock has led to damage in several tombs after suffering from earthquakes and floods.

Bibliography

Demas, Martha and Neville Agnew (eds). Valley of the Queens. Assessment Report. Los Angeles: The Getty Conservation Institute, 2012, 2016. Two vols.