terraeantiqvae : Mensaje: KV-63 Newly Discovered Tomb

KV-63 is located in the Valley of the Kings approximately 14.5 meters from the south edge of KV-62, the Tomb of Tutankhamun.

Dr. Zahi Hawass officially pronounced our newly discovered tomb, KV-63 on 10 February 2006. However, the initial shaft was discovered a few days before the end of our 2005 season.

KV-63 is the first tomb to be discovered in the Valley of the Kings since 1922.

Dr. Otto Schaden standing outside doorway to KV-63

Otto's Dig Diary

1 Mar 2006

Clearance of the front of the tomb and a pulley (hoist) mechanism has been completed this week in preparation for the removal of the storage jars and coffins to the pillared hall in KV-10.

One of the seven coffins is a smaller youth size coffin with a 'yellow face'. In addition to this we have two other adult size coffins with yellow faces. The remaining coffins are covered in black resin.

The storage jars measure ca. 70 cm high. One weighed in at approximately 90-95 pounds. Three of the 27 jars appear to be broken at the rim or lower neck. The lids of most of the jars are sealed or partially sealed. Contents of the jars is still pending examination and investigation.

Images of KV-63 will be posted periodically, so please check back soon, inshallah.

Best regards,

Mudir Otto Schaden

22 Feb 2006

This past week we have been concentrating on clearing stone and rock from inside the doorway of the tomb before we can safely gain access to the coffins. The wooden anthropoid (human-shaped) coffins currently number seven. Some of the coffins are in poor condition owing to prior termite damage and intrusion (there is no evidence of water damage).

At this time no names, titles or dates have been ascertained from the coffins but we do estimate the tomb to date to the late 18th Dynasty.

Our goal is to carefully remove the coffins and the large, sealed storage jars (approximately 27) to KV-10 where adequate space will enable a conservation team to thoroughly examine and analyze the coffins and jars in stages.

A pulley system is currently being devised to facilitate the safe removal of the coffins and jars from the shaft.

A special thanks for all the emails and well wishes.

Best Regards.

Dr. Otto Schaden

Director of the Amenmesse Project and KV-63

12 Feb 2006

Update information on KV-63 will be delayed until my return to the United States. Further information and photos will be posted pending evaluation.

Please see below for instructions regarding donations to our mission and contact information. All emails will be graciously forwarded to me in a timely manner.

We appreciate your support and well wishes.

Sincerely,

Dr. Otto J. Schaden

Director of the Amenmesse Project and KV-63

Contributions

Expedition funds are administered by the University of Memphis Foundation (UMF)

Checks should be made out to the University of Memphis Foundation Account 695.

A notation of either "Amenmesse Project" or "KV-10/KV-63" would be useful.

Checks should be mailed to Prof. Lorelei Corcoran, Director of the Institute of Art and

Archaeology, at University of Memphis, Jones Hall 201, Memphis, Tennessee 38152

ALL SUCH DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE

The KV-63 team.

The University of Memphis KV-63 team pose for a group photo.
Standing from Left to Right: The Dig Inspector Ezzat Abo Bakr Saber , Dr. Otto Schaden (Director), Dr. Ted Brock (Co-Director), Sharon Nichols (grad student), (standing slightly in front of Sharon) Heather Alexander (Photographer), Betty Schneider (Artist/Recorder), George Johnson
(Photographer), Roxanne Wilson (Artist/Recorder/Web Coordinator), Lorelei Corcoran (Director of the Intstitute of Egyptian Art and Archaeology, The Universty of Memphis). Seated is Earl Ertman, (Professor Emeritius, The University of Akron, Assistant Director of KV-10/KV-63 Mission). Alistair Dickey and Elaine Taylor not pictured.

Photos by Jane Akshar, Caption info by Jennifer Bassman