KV42

Welcome to KV42, a tomb that offers a unique perspective on the intersection of royal ambition and the practicalities of ancient construction. This tomb was originally intended for Hatshepsut-Meryetre, the Great Royal Wife of…

The descent into KV42 follows a series of sloping corridors and staircases that lead deep into the rock. This 'sunken' path was a symbolic journey into the underworld, typical of the 18th Dynasty's funerary architecture. …

Deep within the tomb, we encounter a pillared hall, a common feature in royal tombs intended to represent the celestial supports of the sky. The pillars here are massive, providing the necessary structural support for the weight…

We now enter the climax of KV42: the burial chamber. Like the tomb of Thutmoses III, this room is carved in the shape of an enormous royal cartouche. …

While Hatshepsut-Meryetre may never have rested here, the tomb of KV42 is inextricably linked to Sennefer, the Mayor of Thebes during the reign of Amenhotep II. Sennefer was one of the most powerful and wealthy officials of his…

The preservation of KV42, like many tombs in the valley, has been a constant battle against the elements. Its location at the base of the cliffs makes it particularly susceptible to the rare but violent flash floods that can turn…

The central mystery of KV42 remains: why was Hatshepsut-Meryetre not buried here? Some scholars suggest that she may have been buried with her husband in KV34, or perhaps in a different, as-yet-undiscovered tomb. …

As we conclude our tour of KV42 and step back into the heat of the valley, we are left with a sense of the dynamic and sometimes surprising nature of ancient Egyptian history. This tomb, with its elegant cartouche-shaped chamber…