The Tomb of Horemheb (KV 57)

With the construction of KV 57, Horemheb’s ambitious architects instigated a shift in the development of royal funerary architecture. The perpendicular tomb design, so popular with earlier 18th dynasty kings, was abandoned in favour of tombs with straighter central axes. The design of KV 57 represented a transitional phase between these dog-legged tombs and the perfectly defined straight-axis tombs of the later 20th dynasty. Here, the main entrance axis extends almost in a straight line as far as the first pillared hall. The tomb alignment is then slightly off-set to the west, before following an almost parallel course down to the burial chamber. The corridors and staircases still retain the steep incline of earlier tombs – giving the distinct impression that one is really accompanying the sun god into the depths of the underworld.

This tomb is a fascinating case study of the working techniques employed by the ancient craftsmen. For the first time in the valley’s history, the walls were carved in relief work, rather than simple murals. For whatever reason, the decoration of the burial chamber was abandoned, leaving several sections of its walls unfinished and in various stages of completion. Here and there, one can see the refined corrections of the master draughtsmen, drawn in black paint over the preparatory red outlined illustrations of their junior colleagues. The results give us a remarkable insight into this detailed work and the sublime skills of these unique artisans.

Date of Construction: 18th Dynasty, reign of Horemheb (c. 1328 – 1298 B.C.)

Highlights:
The Book of Gates, which appears in a royal tomb for the first time
Scenes in the Judgement Hall of Osiris
First examples of carved relief decoration in the Valley of the Kings

Your personal expert guide to The Tomb of Horemheb (KV 57): £2.99

 

1. An Introduction to the Reign of Horemheb - 2:18
2. The Tomb's Entrance - 2:00
3. The Well - 1:37
4. The Burial Chamber - 1:33
5. The Burial Chamber, An Introduction to The Book of Gates - 1:52
6. Burial Chamber, The Book of Gates, 1st Division, 2nd Hour - 2:07
7. Burial Chamber, The Book of Gates, 2nd Division, 3rd Hour - 1:45
8. Burial Chamber, The Book of Gates, 3rd Division, 4th Hour - 1:19
9. Burial Chamber, The Book of Gates, 4th Division, 5th Hour - 0:57
10. Burial Chamber, The Book of Gates, 5th Gate, The Judgement Hall of Osiris - 1:52
11. Burial Chamber, The Book of Gates, 5th Division, 6th Hour - 1:01
12. The Sarcophagus - 1:28

ICONIC<GUIDES<<NEW<<<CUSTOMER<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<10
The Tomb of Horemheb (KV 57)<AUDIO<<TOUR<<<<<<284FL747<<<<<00TY287V