Interestingly, two sketched plans of this tomb are known, the most famous and complete of which is contained within the a papyrus in Turin.
One unusual aspect of the tomb is that there is very little decline as one travels from the first part of the tomb through to its rear. The entrance begins with a split stairways to either side of a ramp, opening into a first, second and third corridors. The final corridor leads to a smallish antechamber, and then to the burial chamber. To the rear of the burial chamber are some small annexes, but otherwise the tomb contains no lateral annexes. The corridors are unusual for their width and height, some measuring three meters (10 feet) wide and four meters (15 feet high).
The facade of the tomb is decorated with scenes of the king's coronation, as well as a scene depicting Isis and Nephthys venerating the sun disk. Within the first two corridors are scenes and text from the Litany of Ra, proceeded by a typical painting of the king worshipping the falcon headed sun god, Re-Horakhthy. On the ceilings are vultures, falcons and winged scarabs with spread wings.
In the third corridor we find the first and second parts of the Book of Caverns, with simple ceilings decorated with stars, but which later becomes vaulted. From this corridor, a ramp leads through the antechamber into the burial chamber. The antechamber is decorated with scenes from the Book of the Dead, mostly chapter 125 which deals with the judgement of the dead. The burial chamber, which is not large, is almost filled by the still resident sarcophagus. However, this sarcophagus is unusually large. The burial chamber is decorated with the second, third and fourth hours from the Book of Gates. The ceiling is uniquely decorated with two large figures representing Nut, rather than the usual stellar constellations. There are also scenes from the Book of Nut, and the Book of the Night. The annexes behind the burial chamber contain text from the first part of the Book of Caverns. Other parts of this annex are painted with burial offerings such as beds, shrines and canopic jars.
Note the complete absence of pillars within this tomb, as well as the lack of the Amduat within its decorative program.
Little funerary equipment is known to have been found within the tomb itself. The sarcophagus was broken into at one end during antiquity and the lid displaced. The king's mummy was eventually found in KV 35. There were a total of nine foundation deposits discovered, including five by Howard Carter. Edward Ayrton and Carter also found considerable funerary material that was thrown out of the tomb, probably during antiquity. These included ostraca, shabtis figures in wood, calcite and faience, fragments of faience, glass and potsherds.
General Site Information
Structure: KV 2
Location: Valley of the Kings, East Valley, Thebes West Bank, Thebes
Owner: Rameses IV
Other designations: 13 [Champollion], 2 [Hay], 2 [Lepsius], B, plan A [Pococke], IIe Tombeau à l'ouest [Description], N [Burton]
Site type: Tomb
Description: KV 2 is cut into the base of a hill on the northwest side of the main wadiof the Valley of the Kings, just south of the branch wadi leading to KV 1. The tomb consists of three gently sloping corridors (B, C, D) followed by a chamber (E), a burial chamber (J), and a corridor beyond (K) with side chambers Ka-c. The tomb is decorated with scenes from the Litany of Ra (corridor B, corridor C), Book of Caverns(corridor D, corridor K), Book of the Dead (well chamber E), Book of Gates (burial chamber J), Imydwat (burial chamber J), Book of Nut (burial chamber J), Book of the Night (burial chamber J), Book of the Earth (gate Kb), deceased and deities (corridor B, corridor K, side chamber Ka, side chamber Kb, side chamber Kc), and burial furniture (side chamber Kb).
The original plan of the tomb was altered after the death of the king, and the chamber which would have been pillared chamber F was used for burial chamber J. Two plans of the tomb are known: a plan of the whole tomb drawn on a papyrus now in the Turin Museum (Cat. 1885), and a sketch of the doorway of the tomb on an ostracon found in the rubble at the entrance.
Noteworthy features: Notable architectural features of this tomb include: the barrel-vaulted ceiling of corridor D; the ramp through the floor of corridor D, gate E and chamber E; the conversion of a pillared chamber into a burial chamber; side chambers and recesses off the rear corridor K. Also unusual are the number of foundation deposit pits, although not all were used.
Decoration unique to this tomb includes the representation of Shu and Nut from the Book of Nut on the ceiling of burial chamber J, the mummiform figures in Ka and Kc, and parts of the Book of Caverns, which appear for the first time in the Valley of the Kings.
KV 2 is one of the few tombs for which an ancient plan has survived.
The tomb was frequently visited in antiquity, and graffiti are scattered throughout the tomb. In general, each visitor left his name, his profession, his origin, and personal comments about the tomb. There is a significant number of Coptic graffiti, including representations of saints and Coptic crosses.
Axis in degrees: 291.5
Axis orientation: West
Site Location
Latitude: 25.44 N
Longitude: 32.36 E
Elevation: 167.807 msl
North: 99,723.763
East: 94,074.579
JOG map reference: NG 36-10
Modern governorate: Qena (Qina)
Ancient nome: 4th Upper Egypt
Surveyed by TMP: Yes
Measurements
Maximum height: 5.21 m
Mininum width: 1.24 m
Maximum width: 8.32 m
Total length: 88.66 m
Total area: 304.88 m²
Total volume: 1105.25 m³
Additional Tomb Information
Entrance location: End of spur
Owner type: King
Entrance type: Ramp
Interior layout: Corridors and chambers
Axis type: Straight
Categories of Objects Recovered
Architectural elements
Furniture
Human mummies
Tomb equipment
Vegetal remains
Written documents
Site History
The construction of the pillared chamber was cut short at the king's death when little beyond the pillared chamber was completed. That chamber was converted into a burial chamber, the pillars removed, and the floor lowered to accommodate the massive sarcophagus. Later, after vandals had disturbed the burial, the king's mummy was reburied in a re-used coffin in the cache in KV 35.
KV 2 has been open since antiquity. There are over seven hundred Greek and Latin graffiti throughout the tomb. Over fifty Coptic graffiti show that the tomb was used during the Byzantine Period. During the first half of the nineteenth century, the tomb was often used as a dwelling by European explorers investigating the Valley.
Dating:
This site was used during the following period(s):
New Kingdom, Dynasty 20, Rameses IV
Graeco-Roman Era
Byzantine Period
Entryway A
The open entryway has steps divided by a central ramp descending to gate B. The upper edges of the cutting for the entry were augmented during construction with rubble walls. A modern support constructed at the outer end of the damaged overhang gives the erroneous impression of a second outer set of door jambs. A crack in the overhang has been filled in. Various graffiti, including Coptic texts, are located near the first gate. Nine foundation deposit pits were located, two pairs on either side of the entry and one on the axis. However, only the axial pit and the two pair closest to the tomb door contained objects.
Architectural Features
Divided stairway
Overhang
Condition
Undecorated
Excavated
Cutting finished
Dimensions
Width: 3.66 m
Length: 14.01 m
Area: 51.52 m²
Orientation: 291.5°
Graffiti
Pictorial: Coptic cross Left (south) wall
Coptic text: one graffito Left (south) wall
Greek text: eight graffiti Left (south) wall
Greek text: two texts Right (north) wall
Gate B
Door pivot holes are present at the rear of the lintel at the beginning of the ceiling recess in corridor B, and there also are pivot holes beyond the step down from the threshold at the start of a flat landing. These features indicate that two wooden door leaves once closed the gateway. The sun disk in the horizon is shown on the outer lintel of the door leading into the tomb. The disk contains a scarab and the ram-headed form of the sun god Ra and is flanked by the king's cartouches and kneeling figures of Isis and Nephthys. On the jambs and thicknesses are the king's names executed in sunk relief.
Porter and Moss designation: A
Architectural Features
Door pivot holes
Condition
Decorated
Excavated
Cutting finished
Dimensions
Height: 4.01 m
Width: 2.78 m
Length: 0.77 m
Area: 2.14 m²
Volume: 8.38 m³
Orientation: 0° from entryway A
Maximum slope: -4.95°
Decoration
Names and epithets Lintel
Names and epithets Reveals
Names and epithets Thicknesses
Sun disk on the horizon: kneeling Isis and Nephthys flanking disk Lintel
Graffiti
Pictorial: four Coptic crosses Left (south) jamb
Pictorial: six Coptic crosses Right (north) jamb
Coptic text: two graffito Right (north) thickness
Coptic text: four painted texts Right (north) thickness
Greek text: four graffiti Right (north) jamb
Greek text: four graffiti Left (south) jamb
Modern European language text: "Ralli" Right (north) thickness
Corridor B
The decoration on the left (south) wall shows the king before Ra-Horakhty, the opening vignette of the Litany of Ra, followed by the text of that composition continued on the right (north) wall. On the ceiling are alternating depictions of vultures, falcons, winged scarabs and the king's names. There is either an artist's sketch or graffito of a man with a staff on the beginning of the left wall. A concentration of graffiti, many Coptic, is present in this corridor. These include prayers, saints' figures, and magical emblems (crosses, stars, knots).
There are three hieratic graffiti, including one of the Dynasty 21 official Penamen which may record the inspection that led to the reburial of the mummy of Rameses IV.
Porter and Moss designation: A
Architectural Features
There are three hieratic graffiti, including one of the Dynasty 21 official Penamen which may record the inspection that led to the reburial of the mummy of Rameses IV.
Porter and Moss designation: A
Architectural Features
Ceiling recess
Condition
Condition
Decorated
Excavated
Cutting finished
Dimensions
Height: 4.23 m
Width: 3.16 m
Length: 15.17 m
Area: 47.95 m²
Volume: 202.87 m³
Orientation: 0° from entryway A
Decoration
Deceased with deities: Ra-Horakhty Left (south) wall
Flying vultures: vultures alternating with falcons, scarabs, and king's names Ceiling
Litany of Ra: opening scene and text Left (south) wall
Litany of Ra Right (north) wall
Graffiti
Pictorial: two saints, raising their arms Right (north) wall
Pictorial: saint Left (south) wall
Pictorial: four Coptic crosses Left (south) wall
Pictorial: pharaonic figure (ca. 45 cm/18 inches) between gate and first scene Left (south) wall
Anatolian language text: one graffito Left (south) wall
Coptic text: nineteen graffiti Right (north) wall
Coptic text: seven graffiti Left (south) wall
Demotic text: fourteen graffiti Right (north) wall
Demotic text: seven graffiti Left (south) wall
Greek text: 185 graffiti Right (north) wall
Greek text: 128 graffiti, one dated to A.D. 144 (reign of Antonius Pius) Left (south) wall
Hieratic text: two graffiti Right (north) wall
Hieratic text: three graffiti Left (south) wall
Latin text: three graffiti Right (north) wall
Modern European language text: "Carmelo Bonello" (Maltese) Left (south) wall
Gate C
Door pivot holes in the floor and ceiling inside the lintel and threshold indicate that the gate was closed by a pair of wooden door leaves. There is a step down from the threshold to the floor of corridor C. There is a winged sun disk on the outer lintel, a vulture with spread wings on the soffit, and the king's names and titles on the reveals and thicknesses.
Porter and Moss designation: B
Architectural Features
Door pivot holes
Steps
Condition
Excavated
Cutting finished
Decorated
Dimensions
Height: 3.86 m
Width: 2.72 m
Length: 1.05 m
Area: 2.84 m²
Volume: 11.17 m³
Orientation: 0° from corridor B
Decoration
Flying vultures: one vulture Soffit
Names and epithets Thicknesses
Names and epithets Reveals
Winged sun disk Lintel
Graffiti
Anatolian language text: one graffito Left (south) jamb
Greek text: thirteen graffiti Right (north) jamb
Greek text: sixteen graffiti Left (south) jamb
Corridor C
A pair of rectangular recesses are cut high in the walls near the beginning of the corridor. Manifestations of Ra decorate these recesses. These figures also continue as a register above the texts of the Litany of Ra, which cover both walls of this corridor. Frieze texts elaborate on the king's names and titles. A disk containing the ba of Ra, flanked by Isis and Nephthys as kites, and followed by further manifestations of Ra, adorns the central length of the ceiling. The remainder of the ceiling is decorated with a star pattern.
Porter and Moss designation: B
Architectural Features
Recesses
Condition
Excavated
Cutting finished
Decorated
Dimensions
Height: 4.23 m
Width: 3.15 m
Length: 12.66 m
Area: 39.89 m²
Volume: 168.73 m³
Orientation: 0° from corridor B
Recesses
Rectangular, right and left (height: 1.65 m, width: 2.64 m, length: 0.52 m)
Decoration
Litany of Ra Ceiling
Litany of Ra Left (south) wall
Litany of Ra Right (north) wall
Star pattern Ceiling
Graffiti
Pictorial: one Coptic cross Right (north) wall
Pictorial: one Coptic cross Left (south) wall
Coptic text: two graffiti Right (north) wall
Coptic text: two graffiti Left (south) wall
Demotic text: two graffiti Right (north) wall
Greek text: thirty-one graffiti Right (north) wall
Greek text: thirty-two graffiti Left (south) wall
Latin text: one graffito Right (north) wall
Gate D
On the outer lintel is a winged disk. The door jambs and thicknesses bear the king's names. Door pivot holes are found in the floor and ceiling inside the lintel and threshold and indicate that the gate was once closed by a pair of door leaves. There is a step down from the threshold to corridor D.
Porter and Moss designation: C
Architectural Features
Door pivot holes
Steps
Condition
Excavated
Cutting finished
Decorated
Dimensions
Height: 3.82 m
Width: 2.77 m
Length: 1.06 m
Area: 2.92 m²
Volume: 11.4 m³
Orientation: 0° from corridor C
Decoration
Names and epithets Thicknesses
Names and epithets Reveals
Winged sun disk Lintel
Graffiti
Demotic text: one graffito Right (north) jamb
Demotic text: one graffito Left (south) jamb
Greek text: six graffiti Right (north) jamb
Greek text: twelve graffiti Left (south) jamb
Corridor D
This corridor features a vaulted ceiling and a pair of vertical recesses set low at the rear ends of the walls. A ramp was cut into the rear half of the level floor and descends through E gate to chamber E. On the right (north) and left (south) walls are the first and second divisions of the Book of Caverns. The ceiling is decorated with the king's names surrounded by the star pattern. The vertical ends of the vault show pairs of winged uraei flanking the cartouches of the king.
Porter and Moss designation: C
Architectural Features
Vaulted ceiling
Recesses
Ramp
Condition
Decorated
Excavated
Cutting finished
Dimensions
Height: 5 m
Width: 3.12 m
Length: 12.17 m
Area: 38.05 m²
Volume: 191.29 m³
Orientation: 0° from corridor C
Decoration
Book of Caverns: first division Left (south) wall
Book of Caverns: second division Right (north) wall
Names and epithets Ceiling
Star pattern Ceiling
Graffiti
Pictorial: one Coptic cross Right (north) wall
Anatolian language text: one graffito Right (north) wall
Anatolian language text: one graffito Left (south) wall
Coptic text: three graffiti Right (north) wall
Coptic text: two graffiti Left (south) wall
Demotic text: nine graffiti Right (north) wall
Demotic text: seven graffiti Left (south) wall
Greek text: sixty-nine graffiti Right (north) wall
Greek text: ninety-eight graffiti, two dated to A.D. 5 and A.D. 20 Left (south) wall
Hieratic text: one graffito Right (north) wall
Latin text: one graffito Left (south) wall
Modern European language text: one graffito Right (north) wall
Gate E
The outer lintel displays a winged sun disk and a vulture with outspread wings is on the soffit. The reveals and thicknesses are covered with the king's names. A circular hole was cut in each thickness near the inner edge, probaly for door bolts. There are door pivot holes in the ceiling inside the soffit, but none are preserved in the sloping ramp, and it is uncertain how the gate would have closed.
Porter and Moss designation: D
Architectural Features
Door pivot holes
Door bolt hole
Ramp
Condition
Excavated
Cutting finished
Decorated
Dimensions
Height: 4.78 m
Width: 2.76 m
Length: 1.08 m
Area: 2.9 m²
Volume: 14.21 m³
Orientation: 0° from corridor D
Maximum slope: -8.29°
Decoration
Flying vultures Soffit
Names and epithets Thicknesses
Names and epithets Reveals
Winged sun disk Lintel
Graffiti
Greek text: one graffito Right (north) jamb
Greek text: eleven graffiti Left (south) jamb
Chamber E
Although no well shaft was ever cut, the floor level has been lowered by a descending ramp that begins in the floor of corridor D and ends in burial chamber J. The level of the original floor is preserved now as a bench on either side of the ramp. Texts from the Book of the Dead, including spell 125, which deals with the judgment of the dead, are inscribed on the walls in seventy-four columns.
Porter and Moss designation: D
Architectural Features
Ramp
Benches
Condition
Decorated
Excavated
Cutting finished
Dimensions
Height: 4.09 m
Width: 4.2 m
Length: 3.66 m
Area: 15.36 m²
Volume: 62.82 m³
Orientation: 0° from corridor D
Decoration
Book of the Dead: spells 123, 124, 127, 125 Left (south) wall
Book of the Dead: spell 125 Right (north) wall
Names and epithets Ceiling
Star pattern Ceiling
Graffiti
Modern European language text Right (north) wall
Gate J
A ramp was cut through the original threshold of the gate and still can be seen at the bottom of the inner thicknesses of the compound jambs. Door pivot holes are found inside the soffit, but not on the ramp surface, and it is not certain if the gate was closed by door leaves. On the outer lintel is a winged disk, and a vulture with spread wings is on the soffit. The reveals and thicknesses bear the king's names.
Porter and Moss designation: E
Architectural Features
Door pivot holes
Compound jambs
Ramp
Condition
Decorated
Excavated
Cutting finished
Dimensions
Height: 5.04 m
Width: 2.76 m
Length: 1.08 m
Area: 2.97 m²
Volume: 15.24 m³
Orientation: 0° from chamber E
Maximum slope: -5.54°
Decoration
Flying vultures Soffit
Names and epithets Thicknesses
Names and epithets Reveals
Winged sun disk Lintel
Graffiti
Pictorial: one Coptic cross Left (south) jamb
Pictorial: Coptic cross Right (north) jamb
Greek text: two graffiti Right (north) jamb
Greek text: four graffiti Left (south) jamb
Hieratic text: one graffito noting delivery of five items of tomb equipment Left (south) jamb
Burial chamber J
The burial chamber, located where normally would have been pillared chamber F, reflects an alteration of the traditional royal tomb plan resulting from an apparent need to finish the tomb prematurely. A ramp descends from corridor D through chamber E to the floor of the chamber which was cut one meter (three feet) lower.
The background color of the walls is a rich golden yellow, with the figures and texts executed in multiple colors, and with the texts on a white background. The decoration of the walls of the burial chamber is executed in sunk relief and consist of excerpts from the first three divisions (P)/opening scene and first two hours (H) of the Book of Gates. The composition begins with the first division on the right side of the front (east) wall and continues clockwise around the walls of the chamber. Two frieze texts beginning on the rear (west) wall and ending on the front wall give excerpts from the sixth and ninth hours of the abbreviated version of the Imydwat. Two elongated Nut figures decorate the center of the ceiling enclosing part of the Book of the Night on the right (north) half and the Book of Nut on the left (south) half, where a centrally placed figure of Shu with upraised arms supports Nut.
Chamber plan: Square
Relationship to main tomb axis: Parallel
Chamber layout: Flat floor, no pillars
Floor: One level
Ceiling: Flat
Porter and Moss designation: E
Architectural Features
Sarcophagus emplacement
Sarcophagus
Ramp
Burial pit
Condition
Decorated
Excavated
Cutting finished
Dimensions
Height: 5.22 m
Width: 8.33 m
Length: 7.3 m
Area: 60.53 m²
Volume: 317.23 m³
Orientation: 0° from chamber E
Decoration
Book of Gates: third division (P)/fourth hour (H) Front (east) wall
Book of Gates: first division (P)/second hour (H) Front (east) wall
Book of Gates: first and second division (P)/second and third hour (H) Left (south) wall
Book of Gates: third division (P)/fourth hour (H), fourth gate Rear (west) wall
Book of Gates: second division (P)/third hour (H) Rear (west) wall
Book of Gates: third division (P)/fourth hour (H) Right (north) wall
Book of Nut Ceiling
Book of the Night: second, third and fourth hours Ceiling
Imydwat: ninth hour, abridged version Front (east) wall
Imydwat: sixth hour, abridged version Front (east) wall
Imydwat: sixth hour, abridged version Left (south) wall
Imydwat: ninth hour, abridged version Rear (west) wall
Imydwat: sixth hour, abridged version Rear (west) wall
Imydwat: ninth hour, abridged version Right (north) wall
Graffiti
Pictorial: Coptic cross Left (south) wall
Coptic text: two graffiti Left (south) wall
Greek text: one graffito Right (north) wall
Greek text: fourteen graffiti Left (south) wall
Sarcophagus
Extant remains: Box and lid
Sarcophagus form: Cartouche-shaped with effigy on lid
Material: Red granite
Length: 3.5 m
Width: 2.06 m
Height: 2.95 m
Orientation: west
Emplacement: Pit
Comments: The lid was broken in half laterally and its upper edges were damaged by tomb robbers.
Decoration:
Book of the Earth Box exterior
Deceased with deities: Isis, Nephthys along with crocodile, serpent and human-headed uraei flanking king as Osiris; Nut standing at foot end. Lid exterior
Gate K
Door pivot holes inside the soffit at the beginning of a ceiling recess show that the gate was closed with a pair of wooden door leaves. The outer lintel panel displays the king's names in the centre, flanked by figures of a falcon with outspread wings standing on the sign for gold and presenting the symbol for the heb seb or jubilee festival. The king's names again are repeated as vertical columns on the door jambs and thicknesses.
Porter and Moss designation: F
Architectural Features
Door pivot holes
Condition
Decorated
Excavated
Cutting finished
Dimensions
Height: 3.5 m
Width: 2.08 m
Length: 0.68 m
Area: 1.42 m²
Volume: 4.98 m³
Orientation: 0° from burial chamber J
Decoration
Names and epithets Thicknesses
Names and epithets Reveals
Names and epithets: flanked by two falcons with outstretched wings standing on gold symbols Lintel
Graffiti
Greek text: seven graffiti Left (south) jamb
Corridor K
There is a gate in each side wall leading to a side chamber. Beyond each gate is a two-tiered recess. A gate in the rear wall leads to a small side chamber. The walls of the corridor are painted with columns of text from the Book of Caverns. Images of enshrined gods below offerings are painted in the recesses. On the ceiling, a central text band gives the king's names and epithets and is flanked by stars.
Porter and Moss designation: F
Architectural Features
Recesses
Ceiling recess
Condition
Decorated
Excavated
Cutting finished
Dimensions
Height: 3.46 m
Width: 2.58 m
Length: 6.96 m
Area: 17.87 m²
Volume: 62.23 m³
Orientation: 0° from burial chamber J
Recesses
Rectangular, right and left (height: 0.93 m, width: 3.02 m, length: 0.72 m)
Decoration
Book of Caverns Left (south) wall
Book of Caverns Right (north) wall
Deities Left (south) wall
Deities Right (north) wall
Names and epithets Ceiling
Star pattern Ceiling
Graffiti
Greek text: ten graffiti Right (north) wall
Greek text: fifteen graffiti Left (south) wall
Gate Ka
The gate leads into side chamber Ka.
Porter and Moss designation: G
Condition
Excavated
Decoration undetermined
Cutting finished
Dimensions
Height: 1.8 m
Width: 1.3 m
Length: 0.39 m
Area: 0.5 m²
Volume: 0.93 m³
Orientation: 89.01° left from corridor K
Maximum slope: -1.75°
Side chamber Ka
The walls are decorated with mummified figures of the king.
Porter and Moss designation: G
Condition
Excavated
Cutting finished
Decorated
Dimensions
Height: 1.75 m
Width: 1.6 m
Length: 3.66 m
Area: 5.85 m²
Volume: 10.25 m³
Orientation: 89.01° left from corridor K
Decoration
Funerary objects: Rameses IV as shabtis All walls
Graffiti
Coptic text Rear (south) wall
Gate Kb
On the outer lintel is a depiction of the sun god Ra's bark poised over a double sphinx, the personification of Aker. The jambs and thicknesses are decorated with the kings names and epithets.
Porter and Moss designation: I
Condition
Excavated
Cutting finished
Decorated
Dimensions
Height: 1.85 m
Width: 1.3 m
Length: 0.39 m
Area: 0.51 m²
Volume: 0.94 m³
Orientation: 0° from corridor K
Decoration
Book of the Earth Lintel
Names and epithets Thicknesses
Names and epithets Reveals
Side chamber Kb
Situated at the rear of corridor K is a side chamber extending west. On the side walls are depictions of a couch and stool set between shrines. Below are canopic jars. The rear wall bears representations of two goddesses making a nini gesture.
Porter and Moss designation: I
Condition
Excavated
Decorated
Cutting finished
Dimensions
Height: 1.78 m
Width: 1.54 m
Length: 3.72 m
Area: 5.74 m²
Volume: 10.19 m³
Orientation: 0° from corridor K
Decoration
Deities Rear (west) wall
Funerary objects: canopic equipment Left (south) wall
Funerary objects: canopic equipment Right (north) wall
Graffiti
Greek text: twenty-eight graffiti Left (south) wall
Latin text: two graffiti Left (south) wall
Gate Kc
The gate leads into side chamber Kc.
Porter and Moss designation: H
Condition
Excavated
Decoration undetermined
Cutting unfinished
Dimensions
Height: 2.07 m
Width: 1.24 m
Length: 0.51 m
Area: 0.64 m²
Volume: 1.32 m³
Orientation: 90.87° right from corridor K
Maximum slope: -1.63°
Side chamber Kc
The walls of this side chamber, located off the right (north) wall of corridor K, are decorated with mummified figures of the king representing shabti figures.
Porter and Moss designation: H
Condition
Excavated
Decorated
Cutting finished
Dimensions
Height: 2.09 m
Width: 2.25 m
Length: 2.35 m
Area: 5.29 m²
Volume: 11.07 m³
Orientation: 90.87° right from corridor K
Decoration
Funerary objects: Rameses IV as shabtis All walls
Graffiti
Coptic text
Greek text Left (west) wall
History of Exploration
Sicard, Claude (1718): Visit
Pococke, Richard (1737-1738): Mapping/planning
Bruce, James (1768): Visit
Burton, James (1825): Mapping/planning
Wilkinson, John Gardner (1825-1828): Visit
Franco-Tuscan Expedition (1828-1829): Epigraphy
Jones, Owen (1832): Visit
Pückler-Muskau, Hermann Ludwig Heinrich (1837): Visit
L'Hôte, Nestor (1838): Visit
Ayrton, Edward Russell (1905-1906): Excavation (discovery of foundation deposits at entrance, made for Theodore M. Davis)
Carter, Howard (1920): Excavation (conducted for Earl of Carnarvon)
Conservation
Conservation history: Recent work by the Egyptian Antiquities Association/Supreme Council of Antiquities included in-filling of cracks and holes in walls and ceiling, the cleaning of painted decoration, the installation of new lighting, wooden walkways and glass panels.
Site condition: KV 2 was spared floodwater damage, and the painted decoration on the walls is well-preserved.
Excavated
Cutting finished
Dimensions
Height: 4.23 m
Width: 3.16 m
Length: 15.17 m
Area: 47.95 m²
Volume: 202.87 m³
Orientation: 0° from entryway A
Decoration
Deceased with deities: Ra-Horakhty Left (south) wall
Flying vultures: vultures alternating with falcons, scarabs, and king's names Ceiling
Litany of Ra: opening scene and text Left (south) wall
Litany of Ra Right (north) wall
Graffiti
Pictorial: two saints, raising their arms Right (north) wall
Pictorial: saint Left (south) wall
Pictorial: four Coptic crosses Left (south) wall
Pictorial: pharaonic figure (ca. 45 cm/18 inches) between gate and first scene Left (south) wall
Anatolian language text: one graffito Left (south) wall
Coptic text: nineteen graffiti Right (north) wall
Coptic text: seven graffiti Left (south) wall
Demotic text: fourteen graffiti Right (north) wall
Demotic text: seven graffiti Left (south) wall
Greek text: 185 graffiti Right (north) wall
Greek text: 128 graffiti, one dated to A.D. 144 (reign of Antonius Pius) Left (south) wall
Hieratic text: two graffiti Right (north) wall
Hieratic text: three graffiti Left (south) wall
Latin text: three graffiti Right (north) wall
Modern European language text: "Carmelo Bonello" (Maltese) Left (south) wall
Gate C
Door pivot holes in the floor and ceiling inside the lintel and threshold indicate that the gate was closed by a pair of wooden door leaves. There is a step down from the threshold to the floor of corridor C. There is a winged sun disk on the outer lintel, a vulture with spread wings on the soffit, and the king's names and titles on the reveals and thicknesses.
Porter and Moss designation: B
Architectural Features
Door pivot holes
Steps
Condition
Excavated
Cutting finished
Decorated
Dimensions
Height: 3.86 m
Width: 2.72 m
Length: 1.05 m
Area: 2.84 m²
Volume: 11.17 m³
Orientation: 0° from corridor B
Decoration
Flying vultures: one vulture Soffit
Names and epithets Thicknesses
Names and epithets Reveals
Winged sun disk Lintel
Graffiti
Anatolian language text: one graffito Left (south) jamb
Greek text: thirteen graffiti Right (north) jamb
Greek text: sixteen graffiti Left (south) jamb
Corridor C
A pair of rectangular recesses are cut high in the walls near the beginning of the corridor. Manifestations of Ra decorate these recesses. These figures also continue as a register above the texts of the Litany of Ra, which cover both walls of this corridor. Frieze texts elaborate on the king's names and titles. A disk containing the ba of Ra, flanked by Isis and Nephthys as kites, and followed by further manifestations of Ra, adorns the central length of the ceiling. The remainder of the ceiling is decorated with a star pattern.
Porter and Moss designation: B
Architectural Features
Recesses
Condition
Excavated
Cutting finished
Decorated
Dimensions
Height: 4.23 m
Width: 3.15 m
Length: 12.66 m
Area: 39.89 m²
Volume: 168.73 m³
Orientation: 0° from corridor B
Recesses
Rectangular, right and left (height: 1.65 m, width: 2.64 m, length: 0.52 m)
Decoration
Litany of Ra Ceiling
Litany of Ra Left (south) wall
Litany of Ra Right (north) wall
Star pattern Ceiling
Graffiti
Pictorial: one Coptic cross Right (north) wall
Pictorial: one Coptic cross Left (south) wall
Coptic text: two graffiti Right (north) wall
Coptic text: two graffiti Left (south) wall
Demotic text: two graffiti Right (north) wall
Greek text: thirty-one graffiti Right (north) wall
Greek text: thirty-two graffiti Left (south) wall
Latin text: one graffito Right (north) wall
Gate D
On the outer lintel is a winged disk. The door jambs and thicknesses bear the king's names. Door pivot holes are found in the floor and ceiling inside the lintel and threshold and indicate that the gate was once closed by a pair of door leaves. There is a step down from the threshold to corridor D.
Porter and Moss designation: C
Architectural Features
Door pivot holes
Steps
Condition
Excavated
Cutting finished
Decorated
Dimensions
Height: 3.82 m
Width: 2.77 m
Length: 1.06 m
Area: 2.92 m²
Volume: 11.4 m³
Orientation: 0° from corridor C
Decoration
Names and epithets Thicknesses
Names and epithets Reveals
Winged sun disk Lintel
Graffiti
Demotic text: one graffito Right (north) jamb
Demotic text: one graffito Left (south) jamb
Greek text: six graffiti Right (north) jamb
Greek text: twelve graffiti Left (south) jamb
Corridor D
This corridor features a vaulted ceiling and a pair of vertical recesses set low at the rear ends of the walls. A ramp was cut into the rear half of the level floor and descends through E gate to chamber E. On the right (north) and left (south) walls are the first and second divisions of the Book of Caverns. The ceiling is decorated with the king's names surrounded by the star pattern. The vertical ends of the vault show pairs of winged uraei flanking the cartouches of the king.
Porter and Moss designation: C
Architectural Features
Vaulted ceiling
Recesses
Ramp
Condition
Decorated
Excavated
Cutting finished
Dimensions
Height: 5 m
Width: 3.12 m
Length: 12.17 m
Area: 38.05 m²
Volume: 191.29 m³
Orientation: 0° from corridor C
Decoration
Book of Caverns: first division Left (south) wall
Book of Caverns: second division Right (north) wall
Names and epithets Ceiling
Star pattern Ceiling
Graffiti
Pictorial: one Coptic cross Right (north) wall
Anatolian language text: one graffito Right (north) wall
Anatolian language text: one graffito Left (south) wall
Coptic text: three graffiti Right (north) wall
Coptic text: two graffiti Left (south) wall
Demotic text: nine graffiti Right (north) wall
Demotic text: seven graffiti Left (south) wall
Greek text: sixty-nine graffiti Right (north) wall
Greek text: ninety-eight graffiti, two dated to A.D. 5 and A.D. 20 Left (south) wall
Hieratic text: one graffito Right (north) wall
Latin text: one graffito Left (south) wall
Modern European language text: one graffito Right (north) wall
Gate E
The outer lintel displays a winged sun disk and a vulture with outspread wings is on the soffit. The reveals and thicknesses are covered with the king's names. A circular hole was cut in each thickness near the inner edge, probaly for door bolts. There are door pivot holes in the ceiling inside the soffit, but none are preserved in the sloping ramp, and it is uncertain how the gate would have closed.
Porter and Moss designation: D
Architectural Features
Door pivot holes
Door bolt hole
Ramp
Condition
Excavated
Cutting finished
Decorated
Dimensions
Height: 4.78 m
Width: 2.76 m
Length: 1.08 m
Area: 2.9 m²
Volume: 14.21 m³
Orientation: 0° from corridor D
Maximum slope: -8.29°
Decoration
Flying vultures Soffit
Names and epithets Thicknesses
Names and epithets Reveals
Winged sun disk Lintel
Graffiti
Greek text: one graffito Right (north) jamb
Greek text: eleven graffiti Left (south) jamb
Chamber E
Although no well shaft was ever cut, the floor level has been lowered by a descending ramp that begins in the floor of corridor D and ends in burial chamber J. The level of the original floor is preserved now as a bench on either side of the ramp. Texts from the Book of the Dead, including spell 125, which deals with the judgment of the dead, are inscribed on the walls in seventy-four columns.
Porter and Moss designation: D
Architectural Features
Ramp
Benches
Condition
Decorated
Excavated
Cutting finished
Dimensions
Height: 4.09 m
Width: 4.2 m
Length: 3.66 m
Area: 15.36 m²
Volume: 62.82 m³
Orientation: 0° from corridor D
Decoration
Book of the Dead: spells 123, 124, 127, 125 Left (south) wall
Book of the Dead: spell 125 Right (north) wall
Names and epithets Ceiling
Star pattern Ceiling
Graffiti
Modern European language text Right (north) wall
Gate J
A ramp was cut through the original threshold of the gate and still can be seen at the bottom of the inner thicknesses of the compound jambs. Door pivot holes are found inside the soffit, but not on the ramp surface, and it is not certain if the gate was closed by door leaves. On the outer lintel is a winged disk, and a vulture with spread wings is on the soffit. The reveals and thicknesses bear the king's names.
Porter and Moss designation: E
Architectural Features
Door pivot holes
Compound jambs
Ramp
Condition
Decorated
Excavated
Cutting finished
Dimensions
Height: 5.04 m
Width: 2.76 m
Length: 1.08 m
Area: 2.97 m²
Volume: 15.24 m³
Orientation: 0° from chamber E
Maximum slope: -5.54°
Decoration
Flying vultures Soffit
Names and epithets Thicknesses
Names and epithets Reveals
Winged sun disk Lintel
Graffiti
Pictorial: one Coptic cross Left (south) jamb
Pictorial: Coptic cross Right (north) jamb
Greek text: two graffiti Right (north) jamb
Greek text: four graffiti Left (south) jamb
Hieratic text: one graffito noting delivery of five items of tomb equipment Left (south) jamb
Burial chamber J
The burial chamber, located where normally would have been pillared chamber F, reflects an alteration of the traditional royal tomb plan resulting from an apparent need to finish the tomb prematurely. A ramp descends from corridor D through chamber E to the floor of the chamber which was cut one meter (three feet) lower.
The background color of the walls is a rich golden yellow, with the figures and texts executed in multiple colors, and with the texts on a white background. The decoration of the walls of the burial chamber is executed in sunk relief and consist of excerpts from the first three divisions (P)/opening scene and first two hours (H) of the Book of Gates. The composition begins with the first division on the right side of the front (east) wall and continues clockwise around the walls of the chamber. Two frieze texts beginning on the rear (west) wall and ending on the front wall give excerpts from the sixth and ninth hours of the abbreviated version of the Imydwat. Two elongated Nut figures decorate the center of the ceiling enclosing part of the Book of the Night on the right (north) half and the Book of Nut on the left (south) half, where a centrally placed figure of Shu with upraised arms supports Nut.
Chamber plan: Square
Relationship to main tomb axis: Parallel
Chamber layout: Flat floor, no pillars
Floor: One level
Ceiling: Flat
Porter and Moss designation: E
Architectural Features
Sarcophagus emplacement
Sarcophagus
Ramp
Burial pit
Condition
Decorated
Excavated
Cutting finished
Dimensions
Height: 5.22 m
Width: 8.33 m
Length: 7.3 m
Area: 60.53 m²
Volume: 317.23 m³
Orientation: 0° from chamber E
Decoration
Book of Gates: third division (P)/fourth hour (H) Front (east) wall
Book of Gates: first division (P)/second hour (H) Front (east) wall
Book of Gates: first and second division (P)/second and third hour (H) Left (south) wall
Book of Gates: third division (P)/fourth hour (H), fourth gate Rear (west) wall
Book of Gates: second division (P)/third hour (H) Rear (west) wall
Book of Gates: third division (P)/fourth hour (H) Right (north) wall
Book of Nut Ceiling
Book of the Night: second, third and fourth hours Ceiling
Imydwat: ninth hour, abridged version Front (east) wall
Imydwat: sixth hour, abridged version Front (east) wall
Imydwat: sixth hour, abridged version Left (south) wall
Imydwat: ninth hour, abridged version Rear (west) wall
Imydwat: sixth hour, abridged version Rear (west) wall
Imydwat: ninth hour, abridged version Right (north) wall
Graffiti
Pictorial: Coptic cross Left (south) wall
Coptic text: two graffiti Left (south) wall
Greek text: one graffito Right (north) wall
Greek text: fourteen graffiti Left (south) wall
Sarcophagus
Extant remains: Box and lid
Sarcophagus form: Cartouche-shaped with effigy on lid
Material: Red granite
Length: 3.5 m
Width: 2.06 m
Height: 2.95 m
Orientation: west
Emplacement: Pit
Comments: The lid was broken in half laterally and its upper edges were damaged by tomb robbers.
Decoration:
Book of the Earth Box exterior
Deceased with deities: Isis, Nephthys along with crocodile, serpent and human-headed uraei flanking king as Osiris; Nut standing at foot end. Lid exterior
Gate K
Door pivot holes inside the soffit at the beginning of a ceiling recess show that the gate was closed with a pair of wooden door leaves. The outer lintel panel displays the king's names in the centre, flanked by figures of a falcon with outspread wings standing on the sign for gold and presenting the symbol for the heb seb or jubilee festival. The king's names again are repeated as vertical columns on the door jambs and thicknesses.
Porter and Moss designation: F
Architectural Features
Door pivot holes
Condition
Decorated
Excavated
Cutting finished
Dimensions
Height: 3.5 m
Width: 2.08 m
Length: 0.68 m
Area: 1.42 m²
Volume: 4.98 m³
Orientation: 0° from burial chamber J
Decoration
Names and epithets Thicknesses
Names and epithets Reveals
Names and epithets: flanked by two falcons with outstretched wings standing on gold symbols Lintel
Graffiti
Greek text: seven graffiti Left (south) jamb
Corridor K
There is a gate in each side wall leading to a side chamber. Beyond each gate is a two-tiered recess. A gate in the rear wall leads to a small side chamber. The walls of the corridor are painted with columns of text from the Book of Caverns. Images of enshrined gods below offerings are painted in the recesses. On the ceiling, a central text band gives the king's names and epithets and is flanked by stars.
Porter and Moss designation: F
Architectural Features
Recesses
Ceiling recess
Condition
Decorated
Excavated
Cutting finished
Dimensions
Height: 3.46 m
Width: 2.58 m
Length: 6.96 m
Area: 17.87 m²
Volume: 62.23 m³
Orientation: 0° from burial chamber J
Recesses
Rectangular, right and left (height: 0.93 m, width: 3.02 m, length: 0.72 m)
Decoration
Book of Caverns Left (south) wall
Book of Caverns Right (north) wall
Deities Left (south) wall
Deities Right (north) wall
Names and epithets Ceiling
Star pattern Ceiling
Graffiti
Greek text: ten graffiti Right (north) wall
Greek text: fifteen graffiti Left (south) wall
Gate Ka
The gate leads into side chamber Ka.
Porter and Moss designation: G
Condition
Excavated
Decoration undetermined
Cutting finished
Dimensions
Height: 1.8 m
Width: 1.3 m
Length: 0.39 m
Area: 0.5 m²
Volume: 0.93 m³
Orientation: 89.01° left from corridor K
Maximum slope: -1.75°
Side chamber Ka
The walls are decorated with mummified figures of the king.
Porter and Moss designation: G
Condition
Excavated
Cutting finished
Decorated
Dimensions
Height: 1.75 m
Width: 1.6 m
Length: 3.66 m
Area: 5.85 m²
Volume: 10.25 m³
Orientation: 89.01° left from corridor K
Decoration
Funerary objects: Rameses IV as shabtis All walls
Graffiti
Coptic text Rear (south) wall
Gate Kb
On the outer lintel is a depiction of the sun god Ra's bark poised over a double sphinx, the personification of Aker. The jambs and thicknesses are decorated with the kings names and epithets.
Porter and Moss designation: I
Condition
Excavated
Cutting finished
Decorated
Dimensions
Height: 1.85 m
Width: 1.3 m
Length: 0.39 m
Area: 0.51 m²
Volume: 0.94 m³
Orientation: 0° from corridor K
Decoration
Book of the Earth Lintel
Names and epithets Thicknesses
Names and epithets Reveals
Side chamber Kb
Situated at the rear of corridor K is a side chamber extending west. On the side walls are depictions of a couch and stool set between shrines. Below are canopic jars. The rear wall bears representations of two goddesses making a nini gesture.
Porter and Moss designation: I
Condition
Excavated
Decorated
Cutting finished
Dimensions
Height: 1.78 m
Width: 1.54 m
Length: 3.72 m
Area: 5.74 m²
Volume: 10.19 m³
Orientation: 0° from corridor K
Decoration
Deities Rear (west) wall
Funerary objects: canopic equipment Left (south) wall
Funerary objects: canopic equipment Right (north) wall
Graffiti
Greek text: twenty-eight graffiti Left (south) wall
Latin text: two graffiti Left (south) wall
Gate Kc
The gate leads into side chamber Kc.
Porter and Moss designation: H
Condition
Excavated
Decoration undetermined
Cutting unfinished
Dimensions
Height: 2.07 m
Width: 1.24 m
Length: 0.51 m
Area: 0.64 m²
Volume: 1.32 m³
Orientation: 90.87° right from corridor K
Maximum slope: -1.63°
Side chamber Kc
The walls of this side chamber, located off the right (north) wall of corridor K, are decorated with mummified figures of the king representing shabti figures.
Porter and Moss designation: H
Condition
Excavated
Decorated
Cutting finished
Dimensions
Height: 2.09 m
Width: 2.25 m
Length: 2.35 m
Area: 5.29 m²
Volume: 11.07 m³
Orientation: 90.87° right from corridor K
Decoration
Funerary objects: Rameses IV as shabtis All walls
Graffiti
Coptic text
Greek text Left (west) wall
History of Exploration
Sicard, Claude (1718): Visit
Pococke, Richard (1737-1738): Mapping/planning
Bruce, James (1768): Visit
Burton, James (1825): Mapping/planning
Wilkinson, John Gardner (1825-1828): Visit
Franco-Tuscan Expedition (1828-1829): Epigraphy
Jones, Owen (1832): Visit
Pückler-Muskau, Hermann Ludwig Heinrich (1837): Visit
L'Hôte, Nestor (1838): Visit
Ayrton, Edward Russell (1905-1906): Excavation (discovery of foundation deposits at entrance, made for Theodore M. Davis)
Carter, Howard (1920): Excavation (conducted for Earl of Carnarvon)
Conservation
Conservation history: Recent work by the Egyptian Antiquities Association/Supreme Council of Antiquities included in-filling of cracks and holes in walls and ceiling, the cleaning of painted decoration, the installation of new lighting, wooden walkways and glass panels.
Site condition: KV 2 was spared floodwater damage, and the painted decoration on the walls is well-preserved.
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