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| Burial Chamber - in total - J |
Finally reaching the Burial chamber, we find it divided into two sections with various annexes off its sides and northern extremity. The first part is a six Pillared Hall (J1), then, after descending a small flight of steps, the second part is the Sarcophagus Chamber (J2), the actual resting place of the sarcophagus. The whole chamber was intended to be decorated with the Book of Gates, which appears for the first time, here, in the tomb of Horemheb. However, decoration apparently ceased abruptly.
The creation of a "new canon" of afterlife concept begins with this tomb of Horemheb, albeit slightly, but with purpose. This, perhaps, is the "message" to which Siliotti refers - the purposeful intent to create a new type of tomb and decorative scheme, but was left unfinished due to the ongoing development of the concept during Horemheb's reign, be it short or long. This led to a change in tomb design for the creation of a new mythological space in the tomb, reversing the afterlife concepts of the Amarna Period, and changing those of the pre Amarna period.
The Burial Chamber, as a whole, was supplied with 9 annexes, those to the north of the chamber being still under construction when work stopped. The actual intended use for these is uncertain as only two were found to contain remnants left by the robbers, but how large an inventory was placed in the tomb, and in which rooms, we will never know.
As the two sections are physically different, they will be discussed separately.
| Burial Chamber - Pillared Hall - J1 |
This chamber is slightly irregular in shape, being approx. 7.8m in width, approx. 8.4m in length (between the entrance to the Sarcophagus Chamber) and with a height of 4.27m. The axis is the same as that of the Antechamber, but due to the slope of the floor of the entry, the floor of this chamber is 0.2m lower. The entry is positioned in the centre of the south wall.
The chamber contains 6 pillars, on average, just over 1 metre square. They are in two rows of 3, so providing three aisles (left, centre and right) to the Sarcophagus Chamber. The pillars are unevenly spaced. None of the pillars are decorated and several were in a broken condition when the tomb was discovered, they have since been restored to a safe condition.
From a point between the first pair of pillars, in the centre aisle, the floor gently slopes to a set of 5 steps located between the last pair of pillars, which descend to the Burial chamber. A similar stairway (but without the slope) was started at the end of the west (left) aisle, but not completed. These stairs were filled during restoration work.
Decoration of the Pillared Hall - J1.
Intended to be decorated on its three sides, the chamber was left in an uncompleted condition. This does however allow us to fully understand the stages of production, from initial draft in red, through correction in either red or black, the beginning of raised relief work and then painting; although the only painted areas are the uncarved surfaces.
The theme for this and the Sarcophagus chamber was the new "Book of Gates", being used for the first time in this tomb. Whether it existed in another form before this is uncertain, but it obviously had its origins in the "Book of the Amduat". This "Book of Gates" is also divided into 12 "hours" (of night) the journey of the deceased through the underworld. In this tomb only "hours" 2 to 6 are sketched out (or painted), although other "hours" may have been destined for one or other of the annexes. Above the imagery is, or should be, the descriptive text. A full English translation of the texts from this tomb is given in "T.M. Davis, The Tombs of Harmhabi and Touatankhamanou".
The ceiling was probably to have been decorated with stars, in a fashion similar to the Antechamber, though this also was not started.
View JJH b01
South-west
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View JJH b02
North-west
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View JJH b03
North-east
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View JJH b04
South-east
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The scenes are as follows:
South-west Walls
In participating in the afterlife journey, Horemheb partook of Osiris and Re's power by travelling from south to north befitting the reversed world of the afterlife, only to rise facing the sun in the sixth hour of the underworld journey.
The west (left) side of the south (entry) wall and the beginning of the west wall, up to the doorway to the First Western Annexe (K), was given over to the 2nd. hour of the Book of Gates.
This is the only colour decorated portion in this chamber.
(View b01 - South-east corner).
Book of Gates - Hour 2 (as in KV 57)
The 2nd. Hour
The gate to the hour is only present in part. The leaf section contains the guardian snake, whose name is missing, we know to be "Guardian of the Mountain". The related text is written vertically on either side of the snake.
The detail
The division lines for the three registers have been drawn, and the middle and lower registers completed on the south wall; whereas, only the figures of the lower register and part of the background colour have been completed on the west wall.
Upper register
Apart from its delimiting lines, this register was never started.
Middle register
Completed up to the end of the wall only, it contains the barque of Ra, towed by four "people of the Duat (underworld)" towards a company of seven Gods. The barque contains Ra, with the head of a ram, holding a Was-sceptre of power in his hand. Before him stands a protective snake. The canopy is surrounded and protected by the folds of a great snake. Ra is protected by two Gods, one before and one behind.
The rest of this register should have concluded on the west wall.
Lower register
With his back to the gate, Atum stands leaning on his staff facing four men lying on their backs "the fainted ones". Twenty men walk away from this scene, with their hands tied behind their backs, six on the south wall and the others on the west wall. These are "those who have failed the judgement of Ra".
The descriptive text is only present on the south wall.
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West Wall
Beginning on the northern edge of the doorway to the First Western Annexe (K), is the 4th. hour of the Book of Gates.
This extends to the end of this wall, up to the beginning of the Burial Chamber. It is only sketched in draft but contains corrections. Some areas have been filled with either black or white paint, noticeably the shrine of Ra on his barque.
This "hour" also contains, at the top of the wall, an already sketched kheker-frieze, of the type found in the Well Chamber and Antechamber.
(View b02 - West wall (north)).
Book of Gates - Hour 4 (as in KV 57)
The 4th. Hour
The gate, called "Mistress of Provisioning" is complete. The upright guardian snake is this time called "The Biter".
The detail
The hour is divided into three registers, all of which are complete in outline.
Upper register
With their backs to the gate, stand twelve gods in human form called "Gods who carry their own likeness (their own ka)". In front of them, standing on two rectangles representing a lake, are twelve gods with human bodies and jackal heads. The gods stand, six on each half. The lake is named in hieroglyphs between the two halves, "Lake of Life". Beyond this lake is yet another, the "Lake of Uraei", on which are ten raised up uraei, five on each.
Middle register
This register begins like that of the hour 2, with the barque of Ra, drawn again by four "people of the Duat". In front of this is a low chapel divided into nine rooms, each containing a black human mummy lying on its back. These are the "Divine followers of Osiris" who are waiting to arise. The sun god will cause their resurrection and provide for them. The chapel is followed by two inclines, both rising towards the centre, at which there is a gap. The outer section of each incline is painted black, while the inner section contains a symbol for water. In the gulf between is coiled a large snake. The six females on each incline are the "Hours who dwell in the Duat" and writing above the snake proclaims that "when the snake has given birth, the twelve fly away and are eaten by the hours".
Lower register
Horus stands, leaning on a stick, with his back to the gate. In front of him, facing away from him, are eleven gods in human form ("Guardians of the Diadem"), walking towards a small shrine, containing Osiris, but in front of them is a large uraeus. Osiris is standing on a large snake. Behind the shrine are a further twelve gods ("Gods who are behind the Chapel"), also facing it.
The last section of this register shows four human forms ("Captains of the Furnaces") each in front of a vaulted furnace, where the enemies of Osiris are punished . This register is concluded by a another figure facing the last furnace. This has been restored from the fallen, damaged end section of the wall.
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East Wall
Beginning on the northern edge of the doorway to the First Eastern Annexe (S), is the 3rd. hour of the Book of Gates.
This extends to the end of this wall, up to the beginning of the Burial Chamber. It is only sketched in draft but contains corrections. Some areas have been filled with black paint.
This "hour" also contains, at the top of the wall, an already sketched kheker-frieze, of the type found in the Well Chamber and Antechamber.
(View b03 - East wall (north)).
Book of Gates - Hour 3 (as in KV 57)
The 3rd. Hour
The gate, called "Provided with flame" is complete. The upright guardian snake is this time called "The Winding One".
The detail
The hour is divided into three registers, all of which are complete in outline.
Upper register
Next to the gate, with their backs to it, stand twelve black mummies ("the gods who dwell in the Duat"), inside round topped shrines. A long serpent stretches over them facing away from the gate. An oblong lake with slightly rounded ends, fills the rest of the upper register.
On top of this are twelve conical white shapes with black human heads. Before each of these stands a large flame. They represent the "gods who dwell in the lake of flame".
Middle register
As usual, this register begins with the barque of Ra, pulled by the usual four "people of the Duat". The contents of the barque are also as before. However, this time the towing rope enters the head of a bull, connected by a long straight beam (supposedly an intestine) and exits from the head of another bull, to be towed at this other end by the emerged same four "people of the Duat". A bull stands at each end, on top of the beam; this whole assembly is called the "Barque of the Earth" and is carried on the shoulders of eight mummies facing towards the oncoming barque. At the end of this register, facing the approaching retinue, stand four human mummies with uncovered faces and protruding elbows. These are the "Bandaged Ones".
Lower register
Standing with his back to the gate, leaning on a staff, is Atum in front of the large coiled snake Apophis and nine gods in human form, the "assessors who overthrow Apophis", who all face him. The second image of Atum leaning on his staff, also with his back to gate, face nine gods in human form with Was-sceptres and Ankh symbols in their hands, these are the "Lords of Provisioning".
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South-east corner
Apart from a line drawn around the doorway to the First Eastern Annexe (the northern edge of which starts the 3rd hour of the Book of Gates) the southern end of the east wall is totally devoid of decoration. As too is the eastern side of the south wall.
(View b04 - South-east corner).
| Burial Chamber - Sarcophagus Chamber - J2 |
Slightly wider than the Pillared Hall, this chamber is stepped outwards on both sides. Its floor is just over 1 metre below that of the Pillared Hall, we are now approx. 30 metres below the entrance to the tomb. The chamber is 8.95m wide by 5.73m long, the flat ceiling is 4.25m above the floor. In the middle of the chamber, but offset towards the north-east corner, is a large red granite sarcophagus. High up on the west side wall are two small niches, which would have originally contained the "magical bricks". A similar pair are found on the east wall.
The scenes of this chamber would have only extended down to the same level as those of the Pillared Hall.
Decoration of the Sarcophagus Chamber - J2.
Intended to be decorated on its three sides with the 5th and 6th hours of the "Book of Gates" (hours 2, 3 and 4 being the decoration of the Pillared Hall) it was left in a very incomplete state. The ceiling was probably to have been decorated, but its theme will remain a mystery.
The lower part of the walls of this chamber contain several hieroglyphic marks to indicate direction during decoration (view symbols).
View JJH s01
South-west
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View JJH s02
North-west
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View JJH s03
North-east
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View JJH s04
South-east
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The scenes are as follows:
West Wall
Originally starting on the small south-west
side-step from the Pillared Hall, is what would have
been the 5th. hour
of the Book of Gates.
This would have covered not only the whole of this
wall, but also the west half of the north wall, however
work was only started on the west wall.
The portion of the gate originally on the side-step was lost with
the damage which has occurred there.
The only section sketched is the upper register.
The upper register area also contains the location for
the "magical bricks".
Lines were drawn for the position of a kheker-frieze
but nothing more.
Lines for the lower registers were not even added.
(Views s01
- West wall (south) and s02
- North-west corner)).
Book of Gates - Hour 5 (as in KV 57)
The 5th. Hour
The
gate is incomplete, only the upper portion
of main section and that of the guardian snake
survive. The name of the gate is missing but
the upright guardian snake is this time called
"Face of Fire".
The detail
The hour would have been divided
into three registers, only an upper one was
started.
Upper register
Twelve gods in human form
walk away from the gate, slightly stooped.
Next are seven gods in human form holding a
rope, which is coiled between each of them.
This scene should have been continued on the
west half of the north wall.
Middle register
Nothing.
Lower register
Nothing.
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North-east and East Walls
The east wall of the chamber and concluding on the
east half of the north wall is the 6th.
hour and "Judgement scene" of the Book
of Gates.
The gate (not started) should
have been placed on the side-step from the Pillared
Hall and the southern end of the east wall. However,
the current position of the sketch of the "Barque
of Ra" would not have allowed enough room for the
whole gate. The last scene, the "Judgement scene"
is sketched in total on the east half of the north
wall.
The area of the east wall which would have
contained the upper register, contains the location
for the "magical bricks".
The east wall contains
the register division lines and space for a kheker-frieze.
The north wall contains the end of the three registers
of the 6th. hour; the Judgement scene takes up the
height of three registers and does not have enough
space available for the kheker-frieze.
(Views
s03
- North Wall and s04
- East Wall).
Book of Gates - Hour 6 and Judgement scene (as in KV 57)
The
6th. Hour and "Judgement scene"
The gate is
missing.
The
detail
The hour, with the exception
of the Judgement scene, is divided into three
registers, which are only partially sketched.
Upper register
Only the end (north wall) section has been sketched.
The existing part of the scene shows a standing
mummy held upright by a twisted rope, representing
time. Holding the rope are two of what should
be twelve men.
Middle
register
At the southern end of the
east wall is the "barque of Ra" hauled by the
four gods in human form.
At the east end
of the north wall is located the end of the
middle register. It contains two (of nine) "gods
who dwell in the Duat".
Lower
register
Only the end (north wall)
section has been sketched.
This contains
two mummies standing face to face. Between them
is a round well full of water from which arises
an uraeus.
Judgement
scene
This completely sketched section
is located on the eastern half of the north
wall.
This represents the judgement of the
dead by Osiris, seen sitting on a chair mounted
on a platform at the top of a flight of nine
steps. In front of him is a balance supported
by a mummy. On the steps are the "Ennead who
follow him", each on his own step.
In the
top right corner is Anubis, with the head of
a jackal, looking towards Osiris. Under him
floats a barque in which a large ape ("Devourer
of the Arm") is seen beating a pig with a stick.
Along the top edge, above Osiris, hang four
upturned gazelle heads.
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Looking back into the Pillared Hall:
View JJH
x01
South-east |
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View JJH x02
South
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View JJH x03
South-west
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Situated towards the north-east corner,
offset from the centre of the Sarcophagus Chamber,
is the large reasonably well intact red granite sarcophagus.
It measures 2.72m in length, 1.15m in width and 1.41m
in height (including the lid). It is sits with its
long edge facing the north wall. The main box is beautifully
carved in relief and apart from scratches, probably
incurred during the robberies, is in extremely good
condition. Along the top edges of the box runs an
ornate Egyptian cornice.
The lid, also of red
granite, has been cut with three slots for wooden
cramps as part of ancient repairs to diagonal split.
The design of the lid is in the form of a vault with
rectangular block ends.
Horemheb was the first
and only king of the 18th Dynasty (where the Books
of the Netherworld were used) to orient the head of
his sarcophagus to the east.
View JJH
sarcophagus
Looking south-east |
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Decoration of the sarcophagus:
At each end of the long sides are goddesses, their arms outstreched but inclined downwards and supporting large wings. One arm and its wing stretching to the middle of the long side, but not as far as the mid-point; the other stretching along the short side (the end of the sarcophagus) and crossing that of the other goddess. These goddesses are in raised relief. The goddesses are, Isis (north-east corner) facing Neith (north-west corner) and Nephthys (south-east) facing Selkis (south-west).
The long sides each contain three gods, one in the centre between the wing tips and the others midway between the centre god and the end goddess, partially obscured by the wing. The gods on the north side (facing east) are, starting with the eastern-most, Hapy, Anubis and Qebehsenuef. The gods on the south side (facing east) are, starting with the eastern-most, Amseti, Anubis and Duamutef. This places the four sons of Horus at each corner of the deceased, in addition to the goddesses.
The lid is inscribed only with text, but placed as if wrapping the sarcophagus in bandages, two strips running along the long edges and one centrally along the length; two strips running over the curved top at the ends with a further two equally spaced crossing over the curve of the lid.
The First Western Annexe (K) is entered through a doorway in the west wall of the Pillared Hall, adjacent to the first pillar. This room is 2.63m in width (north to south), 2.11m in length and 2.2m in height. The entrance is positioned at the northern edge of its entry wall, and is slightly higher than the floors at either side. It is totally undecorated.
In the south-east corner of the floor is the entrance to a short (0.9m deep) shaft, with a recessed lip for the stone cover slab which originally sealed it.
This shaft gives access to a crypt, Annexe L, below and to the rear of K. This room is 2.87m wide (north to south), 2.3m in length and 1.07m in height. The entrance is positioned roughly central on its entry wall. It is total undecorated.
The Second Western Annexe (M), the "Osiris Room", is entered through a doorway in the west wall of the Sarcophagus Chamber, towards the south end of the wall. The room is 3.16m in width (north to south), 3.19m in length and 2.64m in height. The floor is slightly lower than the outside chamber due to a shallow step on the inside. The entrance is positioned towards the northern edge of its entry wall. With the exception of a hurriedly painted "Osiris in front of a djed-pillar, enclosed in a shrine" on the rear (west) wall (see view s01), the room is undecorated.
At the north-west corner of M, on the north wall, is the entrance to Annexe N, which is 2.65m in width (east to west), 2.13m in length and 1.81m in height. The entrance is positioned just to the west of its entry wall. This room is undecorated.
The First Northern Annexe (O) is entered through a doorway in the the western side of the north wall of the Sarcophagus Chamber. The doorway is a complex structure with door jambs, intended for a door. This room is 7.25m in width (east to west), 5.23m in length and 3.11m in height. The entrance is positioned at the western edge of its entry wall. The floor is lower than that of the Sarcophagus Chamber (0.3m) due to a single step at the entry. It was not totally excavated and is undecorated. In the north-east corner is another doorway to a further annexe.
Annexe P is much smaller than the previous one. It is 2.65m in width (east to west), 3.14m in length and 2.14m in height. The entrance is positioned at the eastern edge of its entry wall. It was again not totally excavated and is undecorated. In the north-east corner, high on the wall, is the beginnings of another entry to the final northern annexe.
Annexe Q is only started, but its current floor level, along with that of its entry, is approx. 1.25m above that of the previous room. It is approx. 2.5m in width (east to west), 2.1m in length and less than 1m in height. The entrance is positioned at the eastern edge of its entry wall. It is definitely not decorated.
The Second Eastern Annexe (R) is entered through a doorway in the east wall of the Sarcophagus Chamber, towards the northern end. This room is 3.14m in width (north to south), 2.13m in length and 1.84m in height. The floor is slightly higher than the Sarcophagus Chamber, due to a step at its entrance. The entrance is positioned towards the northern edge of its entry wall. It is undecorated.
The First Eastern Annexe (S) is entered through a doorway in the east wall of the Pillared Hall, towards the southern end, prior to the first pillar. This room is 2.57m in width (north to south), 2.07m in length and 2.02m in height. The entrance is positioned towards the northern edge of its entry wall, and is slightly higher than the floors at either side. It is undecorated.
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Original page created by Jon Hirst
© Copyright OsirisNet 2006 |
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Bibliography
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Gaston Maspero, Georges Daressy and L. Crane.
The Tombs of Harmhabi and Touatânkhamonou
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VI, and Ramesses IX. 4 Vols. Ph. D. Dissertation
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31: 79-86, 1994
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