The Valley of the Kings, located in Luxor, Egypt, has long been a treasure trove for archaeologists, revealing the secrets of ancient pharaohs and their legacies. One such remarkable discovery is the tomb of Tuthmosis III, uncovered in 1898 by the workmen of Victor Loret. This tomb, known as KV-34, has provided a wealth of information about the Pharaoh’s life, burial customs, and the artistic traditions of the time.
The Discovery and Exploration of the Tomb
The tomb of Tuthmosis III was discovered in 1898 by the workmen of Victor Loret, a French Egyptologist. Loret then carefully cleared the tomb, making a detailed plan of the location of each object found within. Despite the fact that the tomb had been robbed in antiquity, with the mummy of Tuthmosis III already discovered in 1881 as part of the mummy cache of TT320, the objects found in the tomb were in a poor state. The tomb robbers had been meticulous in their search for anything precious, leaving the sarcophagus damaged and the wooden figures thrown against the walls to remove any gilding.
The Unique Features of the Tomb
The tomb of Tuthmosis III is unique in many ways, both in terms of its size and decoration. Unlike earlier tombs in the Valley of the Kings, it features three corridors, a well (the first true well in any tomb in the Valley of the Kings), an antechamber decorated with the gods of the Amduat, and a burial chamber decorated with scenes from the Amduat. This tomb was the first to be decorated by being plastered and then painted, rather than having the scenes of the Amduat painted onto limestone blocks and placed onto the walls.
The Burial Chamber and the Amduat Scenes
The most striking feature of the tomb is the burial chamber, which is oval in shape and decorated with three registers of the Amduat scrolling around the room. These scenes depict the journey of the sun god through the underworld, including the crossing of the “secret cave of Sokar” and the confrontation with the snake god Apophis. The pillars in the burial chamber are also decorated with an abbreviated version of the “Litany of Re”, a funerary text.
The Sarcophagus and Its Decoration
The sarcophagus of Tuthmosis III, despite the damage inflicted by tomb robbers, is considered to be one of the finest examples of ancient Egyptian design and craftsmanship. The inner and outer surfaces of the lid and the bottom of the sarcophagus are decorated with the goddess Nut, while the sides feature the gods Hapy, Anubis-Khentysehnetjer, Qebehsenuef, Imseti, Anubis-Imywet, and Duamutef. Additionally, a pair of Wadjet-eyes were carved on one side of the sarcophagus to allow the mummy to look out.
The tomb of Tuthmosis III is a remarkable testament to the artistry and religious beliefs of ancient Egypt. The discovery and exploration of this tomb have provided invaluable insights into the burial customs, funerary texts, and artistic traditions of the Pharaonic period. The unique features of the tomb, the well-preserved sarcophagus, and the stunning Amduat scenes make it a testament to the enduring legacy of one of ancient Egypt’s most renowned rulers.
