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A project of the American Research Center in Egypt
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Entrances to QV49, QV50, QV63, QV64, QV65, QV69, and QV84. Visitors shelter and southern branch of wadi in the background.
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About

About

QV 69 is a shaft tomb with five chambers on the north side of the main Wadi, adjacent to QV 67 and QV U1. The tomb has been dated to the 18th Dynasty and the owner is unknown. The shaft entrance has a modern, cemented brick surround and metal grill with mesh.

The tomb is currently used as a magazine for archaeological study materials cleared from other tombs in the QV. These materials were stored in the tomb by SCA and CNRS in October 2008 and December 2010. When Elizabeth Thomas attempted to visit the tomb, it was reburied to such a degree that she was unable to locate the shaft entrance. The tomb was last cleared by the Franco-Egyptian Mission in 1988, at which time the chambers were filled with debris to a third the total height of their walls. The discovery of a photographic plate from the Italian Archaeological Expedition (1903-1905) amongst the debris suggests that QV 69 was probably investigated previously, though it is not mentioned specifically in the Italian reports. The 1987-88 CNRS mission report incorrectly refers to QV 69 as QV 67.

Site History

The tomb was constructed in the 18th Dynasty and reused during the Roman Period. 

Dating

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

New Kingdom
Dynasty 18
Graeco-Roman Era
Roman Period

Exploration

1903-1904 (?): Discovery
Italian Archaeological Expedition
1988: Excavation
Franco Egyptian Mission
2008: Documentation
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA)
2006-2008: Survey and Documentation
Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) and the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA)
2010: Documentation
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA)

Conservation

Site Condition

According to the GCI-SCA, the tomb is in very good condition, with only localized fractures in some of the chambers. Large veins of salt or gypsum infill are present in some of the fractures. The large size and excellent condition resulted in its choice as a magazine for study materials. Some areas of cracked mud were noted on the tomb floor indicating water infiltration during the 1994 flood. At that time, the tomb opening was adjacent to the asphalt parking lot. Removal of the parking lot and deepening of the Wadi will have reduced the risk of flooding.

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

CNRS mission report: Centre national de la recherche scientifique (France). Rapport d'activité 1987-1988 URA no. 1064, 1987-1988.

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