Background:

The tomb of the sons of Rameses II (KV5) was discovered in February 1994 by Professor Kent R. Weeks, an American Egyptologist in the Valley of the Kings, Luxor. The tomb had been briefly and superficially explored before, but due to all the debris in the tomb, the preceding Egyptologists paid no further attention. The tomb had been badly damaged by the flash of floods that periodically swept through the valley. Unlike other tombs in the area, it was later discovered that KV5 was placed in an unusual location, and has great importance to Egypt as it is one of the largest tombs in the Valley of the Kings, maybe even in all of Egypt.

For more information, please refer to the tape Progression of 1995 Discovery of KV5:

http://www.arabwestreport.info/en/progression-1995-discovery-kv5

Side A:

Most tombs are long tube-like structures, Weeks mentions however, that KV5 looks more like the tentacles of an octopus and is therefore much more extraordinary with its 67 chambers found thus far. He says it is not common for an entire family to be buried in one tomb, especially when Rameses had presumably 52 children, which Weeks believes could possibly all have been buried in that tomb. The information that is found in this tomb is of great value in terms of reconstructing the history of that period during the 19^th dynasty. Weeks wonders if there might be more family mausoleums in Egypt after the KV5 discovry, this might be possible.

The problem with trying to interpret the objects and functions of the rooms is that it is extremely difficult because it is nothing like any of the other tombs that were found in the valley. The tomb is of very unusual and complex design and was definitely used because there were young adult male mummies found.

The fact that this tomb was built differently from all the other tombs that have been discovered thus far shows that there was a possible significant change in religious beliefs at the time of Rameses, according to Weeks. Either that, or that it is not the first mausoleum built, because it is uncommon to have tombs structured differently and it is more usual for people to follow traditions and thus also the traditional architecture of the tombs.

Weeks says his life has changed completely after the discovery; he says he knows what he will be doing for the next 12 years now. He had not at all anticipated the intense interest in the discovery by the media and the public; he has received numerous of requests for visits. The antiquities department is very interested in opening it to the public; he believes it will be one of the most exciting places for tourists to visit in the valley.

Side B:

Most of the first chambers in the tomb were filled with debris. The ceilings in the first chambers are very high, but due to the debris, there is just about barely enough space to flash a flashlight to see how far the tunnels go says Weeks. It is extremely hot, humid and claustrophobic.