Valley of the Kings Tomb 63 - Spring 2006
On February 9, 2006, the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt announced the discovery of a new tomb in the Valley of the Kings. This tomb, designated KV 63, was found by a mission of the University of Memphis' Institute of Egyptian Art & Archaeology working in collaboration with Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities.
University of Memphis team members in the Valley of the Kings (from right)
Dr. Lorelei Corcoran (Director, IEAA), Dr. Otto Schaden (Director, Amenmesse & KV 63 Tomb Projects), and Sharon Nichols (University of Memphis graduate student).
Image courtesy L.H. Corcoran.
The new tomb was discovered in the Valley of the Kings by a project focused on preserving and recording a tomb originally made for King Amenmesse (KV 10), but actually used for the burials of two queens, Takhet and Baketwerel. Work on the Amenmesse Tomb Project (KV 10) was begun by Dr. Otto Schaden, in collaboration with the Supreme Council of Antiquities, in the early 1990s. In 1995 the project joined the Institute of Egyptian Art & Archaeology of the University of Memphis.
Tomb of Amenmesse, screening newly excavated material for artifacts prior to the
discovery of the new tomb.
Image courtesy L.H. Corcoran.
The entrance to the new tomb is located just to the east of the entrance to the tomb of Amenmesse (KV 10) and about 25 meters south of the tomb of Tutankhamon (KV 62).
The tomb consists of a vertical shaft and a chamber directly adjacent to the shaft.
The burial chamber holds seven wooden anthropoid ("human-shaped") coffins with painted faces, about twenty pottery jars, and other materials that will come to light as the clearing of the tomb progresses.
According to Dr. Lorelei Corcoran, Director of the Institute of Egyptian Art & Archaeology and member of the team,
"We do not know as yet the names, titles or status of the individuals who may have been buried there ... and will not know ... until we can examine and analyze the material thoroughly. ...
Dr. Otto Schaden, project director and adjunct professor of the University of Memphis, has been working at the site for fourteen years, beginning with the clearance of the nearby tomb of King Amenmesse. In 2001, he discovered workmen's huts to the west of the tomb. This season work continued on the excavation of workmen's huts of the 19th dynasty that lie to the east of Amenmesse. In the course of this excavation the top of a shaft was revealed that lead to a door that concealed the burial chamber containing multiple wooden, black painted, anthropoid coffins and numerous pottery vessels ... We will continue to work carefully to resolve the mysteries surrounding this tomb."
"Opening Day" at the new tomb.
Dr. Zahi Hawass (right), Secretary General of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities and Dr.
Lorelei H. Corcoran (left), Director of the Institute of Egyptian Art and Archaeology
of the University of Memphis.
Image courtesy L.H. Corcoran.
Archive Links to News Articles and Images of KV 63
- "UofM-Sponsored Find in Egypt Promises more 'Wonderful Things'"
Official University of Memphis press release, February 9, 2006 - "Egypt unveils pharaonic embalming bed"
Google News May 19, 2009 - "Ancient flowers found in Egypt coffin"
National Geographic October 1, 2008 - "KV 63 from Dr. Otto Schaden"
Amenmesse Tomb Project Website for KV 63 - "KV63"
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - "Dr. Zahi Hawass Reveals the New Tomb in the Valley of the Kings"
- "A Long-Buried Tomb is Opened in Egypt"
February 11, 2006 - "Audio: New Discoveries at Egyptian Tomb"
February 10, 2006 - Dr. Corcoran talks to NPR - "Egypt offers first look at newly discovered tomb"
MSNBC February 10, 2006 (updated) - "Pharaonic tomb find stuns Egypt"
BBC February 10, 2006 - "Egypt gives first look at new tomb"
February 10, 2006
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