The Ramesses III (KV 11) Publication and Conservation Project

The tomb KV 11 was initially built for pharaoh Sethnakht, the father of Ramesses III. When he died after a short reign, the burial site was left unfinished, and his remains were buried in another tomb (KV 14). However, his son, Ramesses III, resumed work on KV 11 and rearranged some decorations in the front part of the tomb by covering them and inserting his own names in the royal cartouches. Later on, the tomb became the center of attention for several travelers and researchers in the 18th, 19th, and 20th Centuries. 

Between 1885/90 and 1914, several rainwater flash floods ran down into the rear compartments of KV 11 causing the accumulation of a large amount of sediments and debris as well as the destabilization of walls and pillars. Since then - for approx. more than 100 years - the tomb was not fully accessible anymore. 

In 2019, an initial visual and Total Station survey by The Ramesses III (KV 11) Publication and Conservation Project took place in order to record the status quo and to develop a concept for the work in the tomb regarding its urgently needed conservation, excavation, scientific documentation, publication, and site management. The work proceeds until today. Now, we are preparing our upcoming fieldwork this year to carry our goal forward to protect KV 11 from further decay. 

In 2023, we aim to clear parts of the rear compartments of KV 11 in order to provide space for the conservation treatment of walls and pillars. This is a necessary step for the safety of our conservators who are working on the preservation of the remaining fragile wall paintings on plaster. The excavation will take place in three steps: 1) clearing the current floor level from loose rubble and collapsed limestones, 2) lifting the dried and baked sediments from the flash floods, and 3) removing the sand which covers the original floor. 

Afterwards, we will publish our results in a peer-reviewed journal. Along with the team of archaeologists, find specialists, conservators, photographers, 3D modeling specialists, a storekeeper, and student assistants are needed for the excavation work. The fundraiser will cover different costs. 

With our work, we are focussing on the detail without losing sight of the big picture. Research, excavation, conservation, and site management are done simultaneously. While find specialists will document small finds in order to understand the history of use and reuse of KV 11, researchers are recording texts and the decoration in order to prepare them for the final publication. Our conservators are going to stabilize fragile wall reliefs on plaster together with field school members and their Egyptian colleagues.