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Otto's Dig Diary
27 DECEMBER 2007
The 2008 Season
My departure date for Egypt is now slated for January 28th. I will spend a few days in Cairo meeting with the SCA officials before heading to Luxor. It is my aim to re-open KV-10 sometime in early February depending on the successful completion of necessary permits and other arrangements.
KV-10/KV-63 staff, conservators and specialists will stagger their arrivals throughout February and March so we have adequate coverage for the various tasks and projects planned this season. Our daily routine will probably not vary much from past seasons although this year we will be in a study and conservation mode.
Director Schaden
Lecture ~ Tomb 63 in the Valley of the Kings:
Current and Future Work
Dr. Otto Schaden, Director
Amenmesse Project [KV-10 and KV-63]
A Supreme Council of Antiquities Mission
October 20th, 2007 at 5 PM in Breasted Hall
Oriental Institute/University of Chicago
Hosted by ARCE/Chicago Chapter
12 SEPTEMBER 2007
It has been some time since my last update as many administrative issues necessitated my attention this summer.
As of June 30th, our contractual agreement with the University of Memphis (UM) expired hence requiring a search for a new affiliate.
Therefore, it gives me great pleasure to announce that the Amenmesse Project [KV-10 and KV-63] is now affiliated with the prestigious, Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) ~ The Egyptian Ministry of Culture.
The SCA, as ‘Guardians of the Monuments’ in Egypt require all missions to report directly to them for their approval and sanction. This amiable relationship has been the case during past seasons with KV-10 and during the clearance of KV-63, so this closer affiliation with the SCA should be beneficial to all concerned.
With the exception of transferring the name of our affiliation, no other changes are expected. I will continue as Director of the mission and Earl Ertman as Associate Director.
Our mission will now be identified as:
Amenmesse Project [KV-10 and KV-63]
A Supreme Council of Antiquities Mission
A few issues still remain unresolved but we are planning to resume our work in the King’s Valley this coming winter.
Mudir Schaden
25 JUNE 2007
My KV-63 Lectures to groups in California and Wisconsin were well received.
In addition to the Wisconsin lecture and reception at the Kenosha Museum I also participated in a twenty minute interview on Kenosha Radio. According to Peter Chiappori, the museum was so swamped with calls following the radio interview that they had to move the location of the lecture to a bigger auditorium!
Our latest news is that the SCA, Cairo will be meeting on our proposal in July. We hope to have more information for you at that time.
Otto Schaden
1 JUNE 2007
Dear All,
Our 2007 Season is still pending as we await some last minute paperwork. In the interim, I have a few lectures scheduled for the month of June:
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Orange County ARCE and LA Egypt Exploration Society
Sunday June 3, 2007
ARCE, Northern California Chapter at 2:30 PM in Room 20, Barrows Hall, UC Berkeley Campus
Valley of the Kings Tomb 63
By Dr. Otto Schaden, Director of the Amenmesse Project, KV-63 & KV-10
~ and ~
Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 2 PM ~ Free Admission
KV-63: The Latest Ancient Egyptian Discovery in the Valley of the Kings
By Dr. Otto Schaden, Director of the Amenmesse Project, KV-63 & KV-10
At the Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 First Avenue, Kenosha, WI
30 APRIL 2007
The 58th ARCE meeting in Toledo on April 20-22nd was quite eventful with yours truly giving a lecture entitled “Valley of the Kings Tomb KV-63”, Earl Ertman lecturing on “Use of the Eye with Descending Canthi” and Dr. Zahi Hawass giving the Keynote Address.
In attendance from our KV-63/KV-10 staff: Archie Chubb, Earl Ertman, Betty Schneider, Elaine Taylor, Bill Wilson, Roxanne Wilson, and myself along with consultant Salima Ikram.
Readers will note that there is now New Donor Information under the ‘Contributions’ Tab. Bill and Nancy Petty have graciously offered to use their 501K resources to administer KV-63 & KV-10 donation funds.
Soon....we will have some very exciting news regarding our 2007 Season and impending events.
Otto Schaden
24 MARCH 2007
The Donation section of our website is being revised due to some organizational restructuring. As we will need a fair-sized staff and probably several more seasons of work in the field, we do encourage your contributions to cover the excavation and conservation expenses. We simply ask donors and potential contributors to be patient while we reorganize.
At this time our proposal and security papers are in the hands of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA). As soon as the SCA issues its rulings we will update everyone on our plans, progress and travel itineraries.
We are excited about the upcoming 2007 season and are anxious to return to our work in KV-10 and KV-63.
Many thanks for your patience and support. Please check this site frequently for updated donor information.
In April, many of the KV-63 staff members will be at the ARCE Annual Meeting in Toledo, we hope to see some of you there.
A Special Thanks for all the ‘Get Well’ & ‘Well-Wishes’ emails and letters!
Ma salama
Mudir Otto Schaden
5 FEBRUARY 2007
On the eve of our One Year Anniversary on the discovery of KV-63 I would like to take this opportunity to bring everyone up to date on recent events and our plans for 2007.
After directing the daily operations of KV-63 for seven continuous months in 2006 (without one sick day) I suffered a heart attack in late November, which laid me up in the hospital for a few weeks. I am well, now, but as a result, it has taken time for me to regain my strength and catch up on necessary administrative paperwork concerning our impending KV-63 season.
Along with my heart attack, a variety of others factors have led to our decision to delay our 2007 season until this summer. The very long season of 2005-2006 made it practical to shift our normal schedule back a month or so. In addition, both myself and Earl Ertman plan to lecture at the 2007 American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE) Annual meeting in Toledo, Ohio in April 20-22.
Currently, the SCA proposal, all reports and necessary paperwork have been completed. We anticipate starting our season in early May and running through August. The late start for 2007 means we will have to work during the hot months, but to our advantage, the bulk of the tasks awaiting us can be carried out inside the relatively cool back rooms of the tomb of Amenmesse (KV-10).
The coming season will emphasize restorations and conservation work, plus the examination of the remaining unopened storage jars. Several more seasons will ultimately be needed due to the variety and quantity of the materials from the tomb chamber.
Be sure to watch for the most recent "KV63 Update" in the Spring 2007 issue of KMT magazine!
Otto Schaden
26 NOVEMBER 2006
Since the closing of KV10 and KV63 on July I6th I have been busy with reports to the SCA and a proposal for the 2007 season which will commence in February or March 2007. Our immediate plans will include continued conservation work on the coffins, exploration of the remaining storage jars, consolidation of various artifacts, and mending of ceramic vessels. The conservation work on the coffins will be a top priority, as we attempt to identify names and texts on the KV63 coffins.
Till next year,
Otto Schaden
25 JULY 2006
***KV-63 and KV-10 closed for the 2006 season***.
Botanists Ahmed Fahmy and Rim Hamdy were out earlier this month to inspect the garlands and floral collars from Coffin ‘E’, with plans to return again next season. A few of our larger ‘treasures’ were transferred to the Luxor SCA magazine for storage, as they have been registered.
Following the installation of an iron gate covering the KV-63 entrance and the clearance of the far corner of the chamber floor (to make sure there were no hidden mummies or tunnels), packing of equipment and securing the crated coffins inside KV-10, both tombs were closed and padlocked on Sunday, July 16th.
After a few days of packing up I was on my way to Cairo via train (yes, via train) for a few days of meetings and paperwork before heading home to Chicago at the end of the month.
I will be bringing with me the long awaited images of Coffin E floral collars and much, much, more to pass on to our Webmaster, Bill Wilson.
Signing off.....
Director Otto Schaden
9 JULY 2006
Excuse the delay in updating the diary, as events have been very hectic these last few weeks with the clearance of Coffin ‘E’ and preparations for shutting down the site for the season.
Coffin ‘D’, the infant coffin, has been removed from KV-63. The wood coffin is covered in gold, but unfortunately empty. The face and head area appear to be in good condition and elaborately ‘executed’; but the remainder of the wood is in poor condition due to termite damage. The coffin measures ca. 46 cm in length, thus a bit longer than the gilt coffinette from Coffin ‘G’.
Coffin E --- Many garlands and floral collars appear to be in very good condition, including some with papyrus backing and one with gold interwined.
Shortly, a multitude of images displaying Coffin ‘E’ and its contents of exquisite garlands and collars will be posted. In the meantime, a few images have been added on Photo Page 2. We apologize for the delay in posting new images but all photos for the website need prior approval by Dr. Zahi Hawass before posting.
A new perimeter or enclosure wall has been under construction this last week and should be completed by Tuesday or Wednesday. If all goes well, the long awaited ‘shut-down’ of KV-63 will be on Thursday, July 13th. (As, I have been here since Dec. 2005 I anxiously look forward to returning home to get some rest and delicious ‘home cooking’!)
On behalf of the 2006 staff, (in alphabetical order) Alistair, Archie, Bill, Betty, Earl, Elaine, George, Heather, Roxanne, Roxie W., Salima and myself, thank you for your support, it has been a wonderful year. At this time, plans for the next season are still pending.
The highly acclaimed second Discovery Special “Egypt’s New Tomb Revealed ~ Opening the Coffin” is due to be broadcasted this evening. We sincerely hope you enjoy the climatic end to our exciting discovery this year.
The Fall 2006 Issue of Kmt, A Modern Journal of Ancient Egypt will feature a jointly authored article by Earl Ertman, Roxanne Wilson, and myself entitled “Unraveling the Mysteries of KV63”, with expected release date the end of August.
Please check back with us very soon…. for NEW photos, before we take a few months off.
Director Otto Schaden
10 JUNE 2006
Feedback from the recent Discovery Special has been very positive. Speaking for the whole team we thank everyone for their sincere encouragement and support.
Coffin ‘C’ has been completely cleared. Two long, un-inscribed limestone cornices were found at the head of the coffin along with a miniature bowl, one large storage jar, and some worked stone blocks.
Coffins ‘D’ and ‘F’ ~ we are just beginning to examine so a report will be forthcoming soon.
Coffin ‘E’ (against the back wall of the chamber) has already received some conservation work. Resin-covered bands of texts are visible stretching across the torso, and extending midline towards the footboard. Intense conservation measures will be utilized to preserve these precious bands of texts in hopes of discovering names or cartouches. In the interim, we are considering x-raying (and other non-intrusive tools) this particular coffin and the infant coffin to determine contents and aid the team in formulating a timetable for examination.
The lid and facemask (this face mask is certainly one of the ‘treasures’ of the tomb) from Coffin ‘F’ was removed this week and has already been transferred to KV-10. The interior coffin contained many pottery sherds, natron, chaff, textiles, and six small bowls.
The Discovery crew is still filming as the temperatures continue to climb here in the Valley of the Kings.
Be on the lookout for the new June/July 2006 issue of "Ancient Egypt" magazine for: An Update on Tomb KV 63 in the Valley of the Kings as staff member Roxanne Wilson details the clearance of KV-63 spanning from February to April 2006.
Director Otto Schaden ~~~~~~~~ Now for a brief report from Elise van Rooij
Preliminary Report on the Unique Pillows found in KV-63’s Coffin ‘G’ ….by Textile Specialist Elise van Rooij.
On my initial observation of the ‘pillows’ (for a lack of a word to describe them otherwise, as very few ‘pillows’ have survived from Ancient Egypt) inside Coffin ‘G’, there appeared to be four pillows, all tightly stuffed into the base of the coffin. It wasn’t until the pillows were removed that we discovered we had a total of six ‘high quality’ pillows. The pillows are round or perhaps oval in diameter and measure ca. 40 cm long in shades of brown, possibly originally red (currently pending dye-analysis). The stuffing appears to be small feathers and/or down-like material. All six pillows are made up of several layers of densely woven ‘linen’ textile sewn together with very precise, regular stitching. The outer fabric is very fine woven material, whilst some of the under laying fabric appears somewhat coarser. Traces of ink markings (i.e. hieroglyph signs in variations of Life, Prosperity, Health) and embroidered signs, are also apparent on some of the pillows along with traces of resin. (A detailed report will be filed with Dr. Schaden pending lab analysis)
23 MAY 2006
Much has been accomplished recently with consolidation of the remaining coffins inside KV-63.
Coffin B revealed a large date palm fibre ‘mat’ resting on floor at the head end of the coffin. Conservators Amani Email and Ahmed Baghdady quickly ‘treated’ the mat. As you can see from the enclosed photos the mat is in remarkably good condition. The floor of the coffin, although exhibiting a midline split in the wood, proves to be surprisingly solid and strong. As of now, both side panels and the base of Coffin B have been removed, and the floor swept and sifted of debris.
Coffin C has already received preliminary consolidation work by the conservators and clearance should begin mid to late week.
Coffin G, the youth coffin, contains several high quality pillows layered on top, just beneath the lid. These ‘pillows’ are finely stitched and stuffed with a ‘down’ material. Textile specialist, Elise Van Rooij from Holland, arrived on Friday to examine the pillows along with textiles found from Coffin B. She will photograph, study, and analyze the pillows before they are removed, hopefully in the next week or so.
Needless to say, we are all curious as to the color(s), actual stuffing contents, the consequence on removal (will they expand?), and what lies underneath the pillows. Be sure to watch for ‘new’ images of the ‘pillows’, Elise’s examination, and her initial report to be added to the website….soon.
Both Coffin A and Coffin B has yielded an abundance of different types of ceramics including two alabaster jars, 3-4 large storage jars, a ‘lug’ jar, three large red slip ‘punch-bowl’ size vessels, a red/black floral vessel, a black ‘dotted’ rimmed vessel and numerous blue-painted ware (mostly from the end of Coffin B) in various shapes and sizes.
Secretary-General Dr. Zahi Hawass paid us a short visit on Wednesday, May 17, where he viewed the remaining coffins (C,D,E,F) and progress of clearing KV-63.
Be sure to catch my Q & A Interview on http://msnbc.msn.com/id/12990529/
The Discovery Channel Special entitled "The New Tomb Revealed" will air on Sunday, June 4th, please check your local listings for times. Also be sure to watch for subsequent special(s), as the Discovery crew is currently filming our latest ‘finds’ for future broadcast.
Ma Salama
Director Otto Schaden
9 MAY 2006
Coffin G (the Youth Coffin) was bought up successfully. The coffin appears very solid and in good condition (no termite damage). The coffin does possess a very exquisite painted face. Of particular interest is the resin-coated underside of the lid, this is indeed unusual, and possibly points to an effort to conceal decoration and/or text.
Lid fragments, a side panel, and the mask from Coffin B were also removed from the chamber this week. The inside of Coffin B is filled with pot-sherds (some belonging to large storage jars and blue-painted ceramics), natron, small animal bones, linen, seals (object seals not to be confused with door seals), wood items, and additional funerary goods. By tomorrow, clearing of the interior of Coffin B should be completed and after a day or two of conservation work on the base, the remaining side panel and base should be ready for removal.
A new SCA inspector was assigned to the expedition this month from Karnak Temple, he is Abd Ulghani Abd El Rhman.
I would like to include a few highlights from Earl Ertman's recent online article with Archaeology. Special thanks to Mark Rose, Executive and Online Editor of Archaeology). One can view the full article by accessing the link on the KV-63 'Links' button located on the left sidebar.
Excerpt from Earl Ertman's Archaeology article:
Concerning the KV-63 shaft, Ertman noted that it had an overhang similar to two 18th Dynasty tombs, KV-46 and KV-55. KV-46 was the tomb of Yuya and Tjuyu (parents of Queen Tiye, wife of Amenhotep III, and likely mother and grandmother, respectively, of Akhenaten and Tutankhamen).
All of the coffins had been coated with a black resin, perhaps to preserve them or obscure inscriptions on them, according to Ertman. It is still possible that a coffin at the back of the chamber, coffin 'E' and the infant coffin 'D' contain mummies.
According to Ertman, the shape of the 28 ceramic jars from KV-63 have parallels in finds from KV-46 and KV-54, which was a cache of embalming materials from Tutankhamen's burial.
Seals (Objects Seals) from KV-63 have parallels from other tombs according to Ertman. A mud seal depicting a crocodile, lion, and captive is known from Tutankhamen's tomb (KV-62) and KV-55. A seal depicting a seated Osiris is also known from KV-62. Other seals from KV-63 bear the jackal and nine captives, a seal of the royal necropolis.
KV-63's shaft overhang, coffins, ceramics, and sealings all point to an 18th Dynasty. Connections with material found in KV-46, 54, 55, and 62 suggest the later part of the 18th Dynasty. According to Ertman, the top of the shaft, just below the level of a cluster of foundations of 19th Dynasty workers' huts indicates KV-63 was sealed no later than the very beginning of that period.
Badein,
Dr. Otto Schaden
30 APRIL 2006
Youth coffin, ‘G’, is still insitu, but is expected to be transferred out of the chamber tomorrow. Extraditing the youth coffin will have to be performed carefully to avoid potential shifting or collision of the remaining coffins 'B' and 'E'. News on our success will be forthcoming next week, inshallah.
Conservation work continues to be time-consuming and meticulous at this stage so unfortunately I have little more to add for this week.
However, readers will note the addition of a new ‘Publications’ button on the KV-63 website featuring new and upcoming magazines and journals pertaining to our new discovery. In addition, we will keep you posted on the date of the upcoming Discovery Channel/Atlantic Productions Special on KV-63. Word on the ‘street’ says Discovery Channel is very pleased with the footage thus far.
Director Otto Schaden
19 APRIL 2006
Additional images of KV-63 have been added today, including never before seen photos of our 'newest addition', the infant coffin, labeled 'D' (see the tomb diagram) located on the floor beneath the youth coffin.
Mudir Otto Schaden
18 APRIL 2006
As the temperatures rise in Luxor and summer advances, most of our work is concentrated inside KV-63 or KV-10. We have halted the removable of the last of the storage jars for lack of space inside KV-10, as the remaining jars do not present an obstacle for the removal of Coffins ‘A’ and ‘F’.
As I believe the time is right, I would like to make mention of the small infant coffin, labeled ‘D’ that some of you previously ‘picked-up’ on from the (revised) tomb diagram. The tiny wood coffin is situated under the head of Coffin ’G’. The superior section of the coffin is barely visible but the foot of the coffin juts out near the left ear of Coffin ’G’. In the near future, we will post a few images of the infant coffin on the KV-63 website. Filming the small coffin has posed some difficulties due to the tight arrangement of the larger coffins and the difficulty in photographing over the storage jars. It will most likely be May?? before we are able to reach the baby coffin and examine its contents. At this point, we are not certain if the coffin and/or face is painted, decorated or covered in black resin, since it lays flat on the floor, tucked in the shadow of Coffin ‘G’.
In regards to my absence at this year’s annual ARCE meeting, Professor Earl Ertman has consented to speak on my behalf, Sunday, April 30th at 8:40 AM on the new tomb, KV-63 (in addition to his scheduled lecture later that morning). *This is a last minute arrangement made today and is not listed on earlier programs.
As it stands now, I will remain in Luxor, all summer, to oversee the complete clearance of KV-63, as we cannot close the tomb until this is achieved. It is in our best interest to excavate and close KV-63 quickly, before potential rains occur in the valley and so that we can focus on necessary conservation and study of the artifacts.
Director Otto Schaden
13 APRIL 2006
Conservation work on Coffins A and F is proceeding slowly as Nadia Lukma has been in China on business for the past week. This weekend Nadia will return and continue the slow, painstaking process to prepare the coffins for relocation. This procedure involves the application of bonding agents, gentle dismantling of coffin sections, transferring these sections to a custom-made tray and transporting this tray out of the tomb and shaft. Once the coffin sections arrive in KV-10, they are cleaned, repaired, and further applications of special adhesives and preservatives are applied. This process is slow but neccessary for good preservation work.
With the temporary slowdown of the conservation work during Nadia's absence, much pot-mending, drawing and cataloging of pottery found in the shaft, chamber, jars, and coffins have been completed. This is all very necessary work, but our main goal for the next couple weeks will be clearing objects from the tomb. In the immediate future, we hope to raise what remains of the bottom (hull) of Coffin 'A', the mask of Coffin 'B' (which is lying face down inside that coffin at present), and finally, we hope to remove the youth's coffin 'G' (see tomb diagram).
The Discovery TV Crew has temporarily finished filming but plan on returning in early May for the raising of the youth coffin 'G'.
Circumstances have developed to prevent me from lecturing at ARCE as planned. However, Professor Earl Ertman and artist Betty Schneider will be in attendance at the meeting.
Lastly, be on the lookout for the May issue of 'KMT, A Modern Journal of Ancient Egypt' magazine for an‘exclusive’ on KV-63, the new tomb discovery in the Valley of the Kings.
More badein...
El Mudir Otto Schaden
2 APRIL 2006
Dr. Zahi Hawass and the SCA have graciously made available a team of Egyptian conservators to work on our fragile coffins.
Ray Johnson of the Oriental Institute's "Chicago House" has also made specialists available to assist with the work.
*Funding for this season has been due to the generosity of the INSTITUTE FOR BIOARCHAEOLOGY and Private Benefactors.
(See new sponsor information under 'Contributions' button)
Additional KV-63 Tomb News: We hope that the chief conservator Nadia Lukma will return sometime early this month so that the remains of the bottom of the first Coffin 'A' may be removed. No human remains were found in it, but there were several alabaster vessels, fragments of one more large storage jar, several bowls (requiring mending), cloth and natron.
After Coffin A is removed to further consolidation into KV-10, we hope that it will soon be possible to take out the youth's coffin which now rests atop the other coffins.
Ma salama,
EL MUDIR OTTO SCHADEN
31 MARCH 2006
***Sorry for the delay in recent postings as the webmaster has just returned from Egypt.
Please stay tuned for a NEW AND IMPROVED KV-63 WEBSITE COMING….. including a tomb diagram,a map,new postings, images, and links on the latest KV-63 news and discoveries!
THE KV-63 STAFF WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THE VISITORS THAT HAVE COME BY KV-10 & KV-63 AND FOR ALL YOUR EMAILS AND INQUIRIES (rest assure that all emails are read unfortunately we are unable to answer all emails due to the volume of mail and our facilities).
Much as happened in the last two weeks, as Coffin’A’ (the first coffin) panel pieces and ‘mask’ were safely raised and relocated into KV-10. In addition, to some large pottery fragments, an inscribed Alabaster Jar and lid was also retrieved from inside the coffin ‘A’. The Alabaster Jar contained an inscription pertaining to ‘18 small jars’ was examined to disclose resin bandages which may have held moringa oil. A second alabaster jar and lid was also found which indicates ‘20 jars’ and faintly mentions Amen-Re.
Ongoing conservation work is proceeding slowly but steadily on Coffin ’F’ with hopes of transporting the coffin and its ‘yellow-faced mask’ relatively soon.
A continual effort has been made to move the remaining storage jars from KV-63. So far, approximately 24 of the 28 storage jars have been raised with 12 of the jars opened and examined. Additional contents, besides the previously mentioned items, include papyrus fragments, mud trays, shells, mud seals, and pieces of twine/rope.
As speculation and rumors abound in regards to our tomb containing mummies, well it is still too early to say, for we still have not managed to safely gain access to the rear coffins, such as Coffin C, E, G. *Refer to the newly added tomb diagram for specific coffin and storage jars locations.
A Discovery TV crew has been onsite since March 12th filming and interviewing for an upcoming special or specials to be aired starting in June. Please continue to access our website for further details.
This coming April, I will be taking a short break from KV-63 to lecture at the Fifty-Seventh Annual American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE) meeting in New Jersey on Saturday, April 29th on Recent Work in KV-63 and Professor Earl Ertman on Sunday, April 30th on Notes on the Decorative Wall Program in the Tomb of King Ay, WV-23, Plus Analysis of a Chryselephantine Fragment Found outside WV-24.
I SINCERELY HOPE TO SEE SOME OF YOU IN THE AUDIENCE.
Dr. Otto Schaden
13 March 2006
My lecture last Thursday night at the Mummification Museum was given to a standing room only audience. A summary of the lecture can be found at
http://touregypt.net/TEBlog/luxornews/?p=181
A total of twelve storage jars have been removed from KV-63 along with one large alabaster jar. Six of the storage jars have thus far been examined. Contents include natron, wood, seeds, carbon, assorted pottery and small animal bones.
Preliminary conservation and stabilization of sections of Coffin-A (the first coffin) has been completed. Panels of Coffin-A have been transferred to KV-10 and preparation in removing the mask and the additional pieces are underway.
Badein
Mudir Otto Schaden
4 March 2006
On March 2nd we began the successful removal of five of the large storage jars and continued with four additional jars on March 4th and one jar on March 5th. The jars vary slightly in size and weight. Salima Ikram is supervising the removal and examination of the contents. Thus far, we have examined only two of the 28 jars, as one additional jar was found under the collapsed footboard of the first coffin.
On March 9th, I am scheduled to lecture at the Mummification Museum here in Luxor on KV-63's path to discovery.
Dr. Otto Schaden
1 Mar 2006
Clearance of the front of the tomb and a pulley (hoist) mechanism has been completed this week in preparation for the removal of the storage jars and coffins to the pillared hall in KV-10.
One of the seven coffins is a smaller youth size coffin with a 'yellow face'. In addition to this we have two other adult size coffins with yellow faces. The remaining coffins are covered in black resin.
The storage jars measure ca. 70 cm high. One weighed in at approximately 90-95 pounds. Three of the 27 jars appear to be broken at the rim or lower neck. The lids of most of the jars are sealed or partially sealed. Contents of the jars is still pending examination and investigation.
Images of KV-63 will be posted periodically, so please check back soon, inshallah.
Best regards,
Mudir Otto Schaden
22 Feb 2006
This past week we have been concentrating on clearing stone and rock from inside the doorway of the tomb before we can safely gain access to the coffins. The wooden anthropoid (human-shaped) coffins currently number seven. Some of the coffins are in poor condition owing to prior termite damage and intrusion (there is no evidence of water damage).
At this time no names, titles or dates have been ascertained from the coffins but we do estimate the tomb to date to the late 18th Dynasty.
Our goal is to carefully remove the coffins and the large, sealed storage jars (approximately 27) to KV-10 where adequate space will enable a conservation team to thoroughly examine and analyze the coffins and jars in stages.
A pulley system is currently being devised to facilitate the safe removal of the coffins and jars from the shaft.
A special thanks for all the emails and well wishes.
Best Regards.
Dr. Otto Schaden, Director of the Amenmesse Project and KV-63
12 Feb 2006
Update information on KV-63 will be delayed until my return to the United States. Further information and photos will be posted pending evaluation.
Please see below for instructions regarding donations to our mission and contact information. All emails will be graciously forwarded to me in a timely manner.
We appreciate your support and well wishes.
Sincerely,
Dr. Otto J. Schaden, Director of the Amenmesse Project and KV-63
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