The Development of Tomb Architecture in the Valleys of the Kings by MICHAEL J MARFLEET

The development of tomb architecture in the Valleys of the Kings by MICHAEL J MARFLEET

Over the five hundred years or so of activity in the Valleys of the Kings the architecture of the tombs systematically matured.

Entryway to KV34 Entryway to KV23

The development of tomb architecture in the Valleys of the Kings July 12th, 2021

The progression of tomb architectural development in the Valleys of the Kings (VoK) can be separated roughly into six sequential classes. Many architectural elements are common to all tombs - the entry stairway, corridors, stairways, antechambers, halls, the well room, storerooms and the essential burial chamber. The tombs became more lengthy and elaborate with time; that is until the death of Ramses IV in c1145bc when designs started to become more compact. The common tomb elements are illustrated in KV57, (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1

After Bib. 68

A description of the characteristics of each architectural class follows; (for detailed plans of most hypogea in the VoK see Bib. 68):

CLASS I - So far, only one tomb of this class is known - KV20 - the tomb of Tuthmosis I and later his daughter, Queen Hatshepsut, (Fig.2). Essential characteristics: Non-geometric, ‘freeform’; clockwise orientation; c1km from el- Qurn; sealed doorway (mudbrick & plaster); steep stairways (45deg) with horizontal ceilings; steep corridors (35deg), corridors 2m wide; 3 initial corridors; crudely cut; burial chamber oriented N-S or E-W; no well; no decoration; valley head location.

2 Fig. 2

CLASS II - Three tombs - KV33, 34 & 38, [Fig. 3]. Essential characteristics: Non-geometric, bent axis, becoming more or less orthogonal; anticlockwise orientation; sealed doorway (mudbrick & plaster); steep stairways (45deg) with sub-horizontal* ceilings; 2 initial steep corridors (20deg), 2m wide*; vestibule; rooms not squared; finely cut; burial chamber cartouche-shaped & oriented north-south; no well*; ‘cursive’ decoration; proximal, valley head locations.

Fig. 3

CLASS III - Three tombs - KV22; 35 & 43, (Fig. 4). Essential characteristics: Larger & truly orthogonal (anticlockwise orientation); sealed doorway (mud brick & plaster); steep stairways (40-45deg) with sloped ceilings; fairly steep 1st corridor (15deg+), 2+m wide; 2 initial corridors; vestibule; rooms squared; well + annex chamber (unique feature); finely cut; sunken burial chamber + pillared hall, oriented N-S or E-W; painted decoration; broadly scattered locations.

3 Fig. 4

CLASS IV - Five tombs - KV16; 23; 25 & 57 and probably KV39, (Fig. 5). Essential characteristics: Linear; sealed doorway (mud brick & plaster); stairway with stepped ceiling; 1st corridor (10-20deg); 2+m wide; 2 initial corridors*; vestibule; squared rooms; well*; painted & engraved decoration; finely cut*; sunken burial chamber & pillared hall*; no common orientation; 2 mixed, proximal location groupings, (except KV39).

Fig. 5

CLASS V - Nine tombs - KV6; 8; 9; 10; 11; 14; 15; 17 & 47, (Fig. 6). Essential characteristics: Linear*, symmetrical*; sealed doorway (wood & plaster); modest* or no stairway; 1st corridor (0-10deg*); width & height 2+m; 3 initial corridors*; anteroom; squared rooms; finely cut; sunken burial chamber, vaulted & pillared

4 + pillared hall; no common orientation; well*; full decoration; 2 mixed, proximal location groupings.

Fig. 6

CLASS VI - Five tombs - KV1; 2; 4; 18 & 19, (Fig. 7). Essential characteristics: Linear, symmetrical, compact; sealed doorway (wood & plaster); no stairway; 1st corridor (0-10dreg); width & height 2+m; 3 initial corridors, (unless foreshortened); opposing high level niches in 2nd corridor; anteroom; squared rooms; finely cut; sunken, smaller burial chamber with arched ceiling* + pillared hall*; no common orientation; no well; full decoration; mixed, scattered, northern locations.

Fig. 7

It is true to say that while tombs in each class bear similarities in architecture, no two tombs are exactly alike. However, there is one possible

5 exception. There is a striking similarity between the upper two stairways, the two upper corridors and the well rooms in KV23 (Ay) & KV57 (Horemheb, immediate successor to Ay). It is tempting to suggest that the original plan for the fore-shortened KV23 was used in cutting the virtually complete KV57; ie: KV23 would have looked like KV57 had it been fully completed, (Technical Essay 8 appearing February 11th, 2022). Additionally, there are a couple of king tombs that do not fit with the classifications - each at opposite ends of the size scale: the diminutive KV62, of course, which is an enlarged noble's tomb that had been modified for the burial of Tutankhamun - this tomb should lie in Class IV, (Fig. 5); & KV7, the extraordinary and architecturally elaborate orthogonal tomb of Ramses II (builder of all builders) with clockwise orientation - this tomb should lie in Class V, (Fig. 6).

Finally (and not the subject of this note but very much worth a mention), is KV5. Its entryway lies more or less opposite and just a few meters from the entrance to KV7. This 'necro-apartment complex' is even more extraordinary than KV7. It was commissioned by Ramses II to house the multitude of his pre- deceased sons. The tomb plan covers almost one acre, is more or less symmetric, includes more than ninety separate burial chambers and is cut on three connect- ing levels. Its excavation and clearance, led by Dr Kent Weeks, is still in under- way, (Bib. 68, 'The Lost Tomb'). The class types through time are illustrated in Fig. 8.

Fig. 8

------* Not exclusively