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A project of the American Research Center in Egypt

Entryway A

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A narrow vertical shaft that provides access to the tomb. At the bottom of the shaft is a ledge constructed of rough stones.

Condition

Cutting finished
Excavated
Undecorated

Burial chamber B

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A square, undecorated burial chamber that lies on axis with the tomb's entrance. The northeastern and southeastern sides of the chamber contain rubble. The walls are well-cut and the corners rounded.

  • Chamber plan:

    Square
  • Relationship to main tomb axis:

    Parallel
  • Chamber layout:

    Flat floor, no pillars
  • Floor:

    One level
  • Ceiling:

    Flat

Condition

Cutting finished
Excavated
Undecorated

About

About

QV 93 is located towards the head of the Valley of the Rope, to the north beyond the hill behind Dayr al-Rumi. The tomb consists of a vertical shaft (A) leading to a square, undecorated burial chamber (B).

The tomb was discovered by Ernesto Schiaparelli and the Italian Archaeological Expedition in 1903-1905. It was surveyed by the Theban Mapping Project in 1981. The Franco-Egyptian Mission excavated the tomb in 1988-1990 and have speculated that it was carved during the beginning of the New Kingdom, possibly during the 18th Dynasty

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

1903-1905: Discovery
Italian Archaeological Expedition
1981: Survey and Documentation
Theban Mapping Project
1988-1990: Excavation
Franco Egyptian Mission

Conservation

Site Condition

Given the relatively remote location and comparatively deep shaft, it was not possible for the GCI-SCA to assess the interior. However, the shaft itself seems to be in good condition, composed of high quality marl punctuated by occasional bands of chert nodules. The shaft is partially filled with debris resulting from upslope erosion and trash. Debris eroding from the slope above the tomb will gradually fill its shaft. Water also continues to infiltrate the tomb, due to the fact that it is located adjacent to a small, natural drainage path. 

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

Černý, Jarosłav, Christiane Desroches-Noblecourt and Marcel Kurz. Graffiti de la Montagne thébaine, I/1. Cartographie et étude topographique illustrée. Collection scientifique du CEDAE-CNRS. Cairo, 1969-1970.

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

Kurz, Marcel. Graffiti de la montagne thébaine: II, 4: plans de position. Cairo: Centre d'études et de documentation sur l'ancienne Egypte, 1973.

Leblanc, Christian and Magdi Mohamed Fekri. L’exploration archéologique des vallées laterales de tA st nfrw. Atti del Sesto Congresso Internazionale di Egittologia. Vol. 1. Turin: International Association of Egyptologists, 1993: 259-268.