Institute of Egyptian Art & Archaeology

New Tomb Discovered in the Valley of the Kings

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 the 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 Tomb Project), 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The new tomb was discovered in the Valley of the Kings by a project focused on preserving and recording a tomb originally made for King Amenmesse (KV 10), but actually used for the burials of two queens, Takhet and Baketwerel.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.