KV12

Welcome to the area of KV12, one of the more unusual and architecturally complex tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Unlike the linear, focused tombs of the Pharaohs, KV12 appears to have been designed as a communal or family…

The descent into KV12 begins with a relatively standard entrance corridor, sloping downward into the limestone. This upper level provides the first sense of the tomb's scale. …

The entrance corridor opens into a significant pillared hall, a central feature of the tomb's upper level. Here, several large pillars were left in situ from the surrounding rock to support the ceiling. …

One of the most intriguing features of KV12 is the descent to a lower level, located at the rear of the pillared hall. This second set of stairs or a sloping ramp leads deeper into the earth, creating a multi-story subterranean…

Throughout both the upper and lower levels, KV12 is characterized by its numerous side chambers and niches. These vary in size, from small alcoves to larger rooms capable of holding multiple coffins. …

To truly appreciate KV12, it is helpful to compare it with the standard royal tombs of the period. While a Pharaoh's tomb like that of Ramesses the Fourth or Seti the First follows a strictly linear and axial path toward a single…

KV12 was known to early travelers in the nineteenth century, including James Burton and Robert Hay, who began the long process of mapping the valley’s numerous openings. In eighteen twenty-seven, Wilkinson painted the number…

As we exit the cool depths of KV12, we leave behind a site that continues to baffle and intrigue. This multi-chambered, multi-level tomb stands as a symbol of the complexity of the Valley of the Kings. …