Zahi about the tunnel of Sety I (KV17)

The Tomb of Sety I was discovered by Belzoni in 1817, whom also started excavating the tunnel for 100 meters. Another team digging in 1960, took a wrong turn - literally - and gave up on exposing more, afraid that the tunnel would collapse and destroy KV17.

Update: The end of the 'mysterious' tunnel of Seti I has now officially been reached, at 174 metres. No 'hidden burial chamber' has been found, and the abrupt ending makes that the tunnel does remain somewhat of a mysterty. ;)

Zahi Hawass talks about how they consulted with engineers, fortifying part of the tomb & tunnel and building a trolley system to remove debris from the tunnel. 

During the excavations, objects such as pottery, limestone cartouches, a model of a boat and shabtis which can be dated to Dynasty 19 (King Sety I's reign) were found. What the function of the tunnel was, or what will be found at the end is still uncertain but Dr. Hawass believes it's meaning might have been symbolic: 'Because of the way the tunnel descends, I believe that it may be intended to represent the path to the hidden cave of the god Sokar, which the Egyptians believed the deceased king would find in the afterlife. The path to this cave is represented on the wall of the second descending passage of the tomb of Seti I. We will see what secrets it may hold when we reach the end.'

They are at +-90 meters now. How much more tunnel will they need to excavate? Another 45 meters? Will they find something? What do you think?

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Ann Wuyts (follow me: e-mail or )

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Unique Iron Age Hoard goes on display at Ipswich Museum | Royal Artefacts - Including King Tut's Golden Trumpet - Returned to Egyptian Museum Cairo | SCA releases full list of treasures missing from the Cairo Museum

Ann 'Vint' Wuyts is looking after the Heritage Key community and avatar health & entertainment. She is slightly fascinated by everything to do with 3D technology and what's commonly defined as 'Web 2.0'. When she grows up, Ann - eventually - wants to be a mummy. Favourite game: Buzzword Bingo /…