KV63
Nr Luxor
Egypt
KV63 was discovered between KV10 and KV62 by a University of Memphis team headed by Otto Schaden and later supported by Dr Zawi Hawass and the Supreme Council of Antiquities. It is the first tomb to have been discovered in the Valley of the Kings since Howard Carter's famous discovery of the Tomb of Tutankhamun.
Dating from the 18th Dynasty Amarna period, KV63 is officially identified as a tomb, although there has so far been no evidence uncovered that the tomb was used for burial. It is now believed the tomb was used by embalmers as part of the mummification process. Inside the tomb, 7 wooden coffins and more than 28 large storage jars were discovered and all of them revealed several mummification materials, although none contained any mummies.
Dr Schaden and his team were originally working on the tomb of King Amenmesse, and in the process of clearing workman huts, they discovered white stone fragments. Further excavations led to the discovery of a straight cut wall, and KV63 was found just 13 feet underground.
Excavations at the site of KV63 continue today, and Dr Schaden periodically updates on progress at the dig's website. Dr Hawass has also stated that he believes the tomb to be that of Queen Kiya, the mother of King Tutankhamun.
Read more and see exclusive photography of KV63 by Sandro Vannini.
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