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A project of the American Research Center in Egypt
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Entrances QV57, QV58, and QV59 with workers' huts. Grotto in background.
More Details

Entryway A

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The shaft entrance has a modern cemented masonry surround with a metal grill with mesh.

Condition

Cutting finished
Excavated
Undecorated

Chamber B

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A large, well-cut rectangular undecorated chamber, situated perpendicular to the shaft (A) on the southeast side.

Condition

Cutting finished
Excavated
Undecorated

Chamber C

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A large, well-cut rectangular undecorated chamber, situated perpendicular to the shaft (A) on the west side.

Condition

Cutting finished
Excavated
Undecorated

About

About

QV 59 is located on the north side of the main Wadi between QV 58 and QV 60. The tomb has two similar sized chambers on different axes, one lying to the east (B) and another to the north (C). The shaft entrance (A) has a modern cemented masonry surround with a metal grill and mesh.

Elizabeth Thomas mentions that the tomb was in pristine condition and cut from good quality rock. The tomb was last cleared by the Franco-Egyptian team in 1986, at which time they noted that they cleared the tomb unusually quickly.

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

1959-1960: Documentation
Thomas, Elizabeth
1981: Mapping/planning
Theban Mapping Project
1986: Excavation
Franco Egyptian Mission
1990-1991: Conservation
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
2006-2008: Survey and Documentation
Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) and the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA)
2010: Tomb clearance
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA)

Conservation

Site Condition

According to the GCI-SCA, the tomb seems to be in stable condition. A number of fractures run through both chambers (B and C) and the shaft (A). Substantial salt growth is present, both as encrustations and crystals protruding from the rock. A quantity of bat guano is present on the floors and mud wasps' nests are attached to the ceiling. Water infiltration and resulting mobilization of salts is the largest concern in this tomb. 

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.

Leblanc, Christian. Ta set nefrou: une nécropole de Thèbes-ouest et son histoire, 1: géographie- toponymie: historique de l'exploration scientifique du site. Cairo: Nubar Printing House, 1989.