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A project of the American Research Center in Egypt
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Entrance to QV50. QV84, visitors shelter, and southern branch of the wadi in background.
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Entryway A

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A short Ramp provides access to this unfinished tomb. The entryway has an Overhang and access to the tomb is now deterred by a masonry surround with cement capping. Small areas of plaster and a preparatory layer of packing materials are visible on the ramp walls.

Architectural Features

Overhang
Ramp

Condition

Cutting finished
Decorated
Decoration damaged
Excavated

Gate B

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This gate provides access to the unfinished tomb. A preparatory layer of packing materials is visible on the entryway lintel.

Condition

Cutting finished
Excavated

Chamber B

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This chamber is irregular in shape and lies perpendicular to the tomb's entryway axis. The eastern section of the chamber is unfinished and there is a break in the eastern wall through to the Ramp of unfinished QV 49. Presumably the later construction of QV 50 was abandoned after this unintentional connection was made. The rock in this chamber is highly fractured and the north wall has substantial salt formations.

Condition

Cutting unfinished
Partly excavated

About

About

QV 50 is located at the Y-junction of the main and side wadis. It is entered through a short Ramp (A) to a rectangular-shaped chamber (B) perpendicular to the entrance axis. This chamber connects to QV 49 on the east side through a small opening. Presumably the later construction of QV 50 was abandoned after this unintentional connection was made with QV 49. According to Christian Leblanc, the date of construction of QV 50 is the 20th Dynasty.

Site History

Excavation of QV 50 began in the 20th Dynasty and was abandoned when an unintentional connection with QV 49 was made.

Dating

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

New Kingdom
Dynasty 20

Exploration

1959-1960: Documentation
Thomas, Elizabeth
1981: Mapping/planning
Theban Mapping Project
2006-2008: Survey and Documentation
Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) and the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA)

Conservation

Site Condition

According to the GCI-SCA, though highly fractured, QV 50 appears in stable condition. The north wall of chamber (B) has substantial salt formations. Small areas of plaster remain on the upper west side wall, as well as a preparatory layer of packing materials found on the upper part of north and east walls of the Ramp and the entryway lintel. The inherent quality of the rock and the presence of salts, particularly as veins within the rock, are the primary cause of rock fracturing and detachment. Exposure to moisture has and will continue to exacerbate these weaknesses in the rock. 

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.