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A project of the American Research Center in Egypt
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Entrances to QV64 and QV63
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Chamber B

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A large roughly cut, rectangular, undecorated chamber situated parallel to the shaft (A).

Condition

Cutting finished
Excavated
Undecorated

Side chamber Ba

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A large, roughly cut rectangular and undecorated side chamber perpendicular and connected via a short passage to chamber B in the eastern wall.

Condition

Cutting finished
Excavated
Undecorated

About

About

QV 63 is on the north side of the main Wadi, between QV 64 and QV 62. The 7m deep shaft (A) has two doorways opposite each other, leading to two large chambers (B and C) and a large side chamber to the southwest of chamber B (Ba). The shaft has a modern cemented brick surround and a metal grill without mesh. 

Elizabeth Thomas noted that the two chambers visible at the time of her visit (chamber B and side chamber Ba) were cut at the same time. The tomb was surveyed by the TMP in 1981. QV 63 was subsequently cleared by the Franco-Egyptian team in 1986, at which time an additional large chamber with small appendage were discovered. This third chamber is not visible in the above TMP tomb plan.

Site History

The tomb was constructed in the 18th Dynasty and there is no evidence of reuse.

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)

Conservation

Site Condition

The rock into which the tomb is cut, though of inherently good quality, has a number of long vertical and diagonal fractures in the chambers and shaft. All chambers have piles of fallen rock lying atop a thick carpet of cracked mud. Mud also adheres to the ceiling, suggesting that the tomb filled completely with water. 

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.