Last Wednesday I referred to KV5, the tomb of Ramesses II of Abu Simbel fame. In the picture above you’ll see the sign posted above the entrance to KV2, the tomb of Ramesses (Rameses) IV. In case you’re wondering how this numbering system works, KV refers to Kings’ Valley, and the numbering began with the designations of the first 21 tombs discovered in the east valley. Tombs in the west valley were originally designated WV1 through WV4, but were later incorporated into the KV system as KV22 through KV25. As more tombs were discovered, the list grew. For instance, the most famous tomb, because it was untouched by tomb robbers, is that of Tutankhamun (i.e., “King Tut”), and his tomb is designated KV62 upon its 1922 discovery by Howard Carter. The list has grown with the addition of KV63 (discovered in 2005), originally thought to be a tomb but now believed to have been a storage facility for mummification; and KV64 (discovered 2011; excavated 2012) — the tomb of Egyptian Priestess Nehmes Bastet of the Twenty-second Dynasty. Before we head down into KV2, let’s see what awaits us:
And here are the views you’ll find deep within KV2:
Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)
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R. Doug Wicker — Author 