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A project of the American Research Center in Egypt
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Entrance to QV85
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About

About

QV 85 is located on the eastern branch of the main Wadi, between QV 51 and QV 52. The tomb is very shallow and unfinished. The Ramp walls were cut with partially finished surfaces. According to Christian Leblanc, the tomb was started in the 20th Dynasty and construction was stopped because of poor rock quality in the area.

Site History

Excavation of the tomb began in the 20th Dynasty and was abandoned due to the poor quality of the rock in the area.

Dating

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

New Kingdom
Dynasty 20

Exploration

1989: Study
Franco Egyptian Mission
2006-2008: Survey and Documentation
Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) and the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA)

Conservation

Site Condition

According to the GCI-SCA, the marl rock of QV 85 is weathered and exposed to rainfall. There are vertical fractures at south and north corners and an area of loss in the east wall of the Ramp. Exposure to water and weathering damage and the poor quality of rock that the tomb is cut into largely contributed to its deterioration. The GCI-SCA has recommended to leave the tomb as is, since it is only a shallow trench.

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.

Leblanc, Christian. Architecture et évolution chronologique des tombes de la Vallée des Reines. Bulletin de l’Institut français d’archéologie orientale du Caire  89 (1989): 227-247.