Hubbry Logo
WV23WV23Main
Open search
WV23
Community hub
WV23
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
WV23
WV23
WV23
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Tomb WV23, also known as KV23, was the burial place of Ay, a pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty, in the Western Valley of the Kings near modern-day Luxor. The tomb was discovered in 1816 by Giovanni Belzoni. Its architecture is similar to the royal tomb of Akhenaten at Amarna, with a straight descending corridor leading to a "well chamber" that has no shaft. This leads to the burial chamber, which contains the reconstructed sarcophagus, which was smashed in antiquity. The tomb was anciently desecrated, with many instances of Ay's image or name erased from the wall paintings. Its decoration is similar in content and colour to that of the tomb of Tutankhamun (KV62), with a few differences. On the eastern wall there is a depiction of a fishing and fowling scene, which is not shown in other royal tombs, normally appearing in burials of nobility.

Key Information

History

[edit]

Burial

[edit]

Ay ruled as pharaoh during the late Eighteenth Dynasty of the New Kingdom. He was a vizier under Tutankhamun, and later succeeded him as king.[1] Ay was likely an old man when he became king and only ruled for four years. He was buried in WV23, a tomb in the Western Valley of the Kings thought to have been originally intended for Tutankhamun.[2]

Ay's burial was a relatively modest affair as no trace was found of the canopic chest or its shrine, nor were any trace of faience or stone ushabti; also absent was any sign of the gilded burial shrines that presumably surrounded the sarcophagus. The Egyptologist Otto Schaden suggests that they may have been entirely removed or never placed in the tomb. The sarcophagus lid may never have been placed on the box. Instead, the sarcophagus may have been covered with a pall covered in gilded copper rosettes, as was found in the tomb of Tutankhamun.[3]

Ay's burial was likely vandalised in a sanctioned attack in the reigns of his successor Horemheb or the early Ramesside pharaohs, though Horemheb's treatment of Ay's monuments makes him the most likely culprit. At this time the sarcophagus was smashed, the names and images of Ay and Tey removed, and all the valuables thoroughly looted.[3] The contents of KV58 likely originated from WV23, as Ay's name occurs more frequently than that of Tutankhamun. They were either deposited there by robbers, or purposefully during the dismantling of the royal burials. Nicholas Reeves and Richard Wilkinson see this as support of the theory that the body of Ay was cached in KV57, the tomb of Horemheb, at that time.[4] Schaden considers that the body of Ay may be the rewrapped "yellow skeleton" interred with later mummies in WV25.[3]

Discovery

[edit]
Approach to the entrance of WV23

In 1816, WV23 was discovered by chance by the Italian explorer Giovanni Belzoni.[5] After visiting WV22, the tomb of Amenhotep III, he moved further into the valley "to examine the various places where water descends from the desert into the valleys after rain"[5] and upon finding an isolated pile of stones, probed the depth with his cane. Finding that there was a deep void under the rocks, he hired workmen and returned the following day. The tomb proved to be just below the surface, and within two hours the entrance had been cleared. Belzoni considered the tomb a modest find:

I cannot boast of having made a great discovery in this tomb, though it contains several curious and singular painted figures on the walls; and from its extent, and part of a sarcophagus remaining in the centre of a large chamber, have reason to suppose, that it was the burial-place of some person of distinction.[5]

Later visitors

[edit]

The tomb was visited by the early Egyptologist John Gardiner Wilkinson, who noted in his 1835 publication that the tomb "contains a broken sarcophagus and some bad fresco painting of peculiarly short and graceless proportions."[6] Karl Richard Lepsius visited the tomb in 1845 and noted too the destroyed sarcophagus and commented that Ay's name was "everywhere studiously erased, with the exception of a few traces on the walls, as well as upon the sarcophagus."[7] He also copied some of the wall paintings and made notes regarding the sarcophagus box. The sarcophagus, which had been damaged in antiquity not long after the burial of Ay, was deliberately damaged in the late nineteenth century and was subsequently moved to Egyptian Museum in Cairo before being returned to the tomb in the early 1980s.[3]

Excavation and contents

[edit]
Schematic of WV23

In 1972 the tomb was fully excavated and cleared by the University of Minnesota Egyptian Expedition (UMEE). Excavation began immediately outside the tomb in an attempt to locate foundation deposits in the hope that they would shed light on the theory proposed by Reginald Engelbach that the tomb was begun for Tutankhamun; despite an extensive search, none were discovered. It was found that the drystone wall on the northern side of the entrance, thought to be a later addition, proved to be contemporary with the tomb's construction as it served the very real purpose of retaining quarried limestone chippings. Schaden stated that its removal prompted "a mass of limestone dust and chips [to] literally flow down the stairs towards the door of the tomb."[3]

Finds in the first corridor proved to be a mix of ancient and modern; the ancient finds consisted of a cornice from a small shrine or box, a small wooden beard, pieces of gold foil, and a fragmentary hieratic ostracon. The second set of stairs proved to be relatively free of debris but were in such poor condition that they were partially rebuilt with cement for safety. Darkened layers of fill at the far end of the second corridor indicated periods of flooding, although some thin smudges may suggest the presence of decayed wood. The second corridor contained a wooden hand from a statuette, and five discs of gilded copper embossed with rosette and star patterns crumpled into a ball. The doorway between the second corridor and the well-chamber was sealed in antiquity, as parts of the blocking were found there. The well chamber contained fill 119 centimetres (47 in) deep by the doorway, and yielded another gilded copper rosette, half of a human pelvis, another ushabti beard, a wooden leg from a statuette, and some pottery of Roman or Coptic date.[3]

No trace of blocking remained between the well chamber and the burial chamber. Inside the burial chamber the fill was uneven, with a gradual slope away from the door, and a depression in the centre from the removal of the sarcophagus; debris was piled against the walls. Hoping that the area close to the walls remained undisturbed, the centre of the chamber was cleared before excavating along the walls.

Many fragments of the sarcophagus box were encountered, but none of the lid; the lid was instead found intact, lying upside down against the east wall. Made of red granite, it has a vaulted shape with flat sides; the decoration is incised and infilled with green pigment. The top of the lid features two pairs of wedjat-eyes flanking a central column of text. The lid was found in the expected orientation, with the head end aligned to the north. However, the fragments of the sarcophagus found on the floor indicate that the box was oriented in the opposite direction, with the head to the south. The cartouches on the lid are entirely intact and the lid has no significant damage, suggesting that it was not toppled from atop the box. Schaden suggests that the lid may never have been put in place, and was instead left resting against the wall.

One section of alabaster teeth for a couch or bed, presumably Taweret-shaped, were found, indicating that Ay was interred with at least one funerary couch. Other finds included a piece of a coffin, part of a coffin-shaped lid, and the hand of a statuette, all of wood; more parts of a human skeleton were also encountered, along with an inscribed meat jar fragment.

The final chamber contained more fragments of the sarcophagus, further human bones, and the missing part of the meat jar inscription. The meat jar records that it contained "pressed meat for The Bull which was made [or prepared] as cargo for the nšmt-boat" and once formed part of the provisions for Ay's burial.[3]

Architecture

[edit]
A section of wall decoration in WV23

The tomb consists of an entrance stair, two sloping corridors separated by a set of stairs, and three chambers.[5] The plan of the tomb is more similar to the tomb of Akhenaten at Amarna than it is to any earlier royal tomb;[3] it has a straight axis, a well chamber with no well, and a pillared hall which was used as the burial chamber. The burial chamber is also offset to one side of the axis. Beyond the burial chamber is a small undecorated canopic chamber. The tomb is constructed on a large scale, as corridors are wider than those of the earlier WV22. Slots for beams used to lower the sarcophagus in the corridor make a reappearance for the first time since KV20.[4][4]

Decoration

[edit]
A section of wall decoration in WV23, showing a figure of the king's ka that escaped erasure.

Only the burial chamber is decorated, as was standard for the time.[3] The decorative scheme is similar to that seen in KV62, the tomb of Tutankhamun; several scenes are identical. Both tombs were possibly decorated by the same artists. Figures of the four sons of Horus appear for the first time in a royal tomb, above the doorway to the small canopic chamber. The west wall is decorated with a scene depicting Ay hunting in the marshes accompanied by his wife Tey; this is a unique occurrence for a New Kingdom royal tomb.[4] All images of Ay were thoroughly defaced, along with the removal of the cartouches of both Ay and Tey. Only a figure of the king's ka escaped erasure, possibly due to the figure bearing a slightly different title.[3]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

WV23

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
WV23, also known as the Tomb of Ay or KV23, is the royal site of Ay, the penultimate of ancient Egypt's 18th Dynasty, who reigned from c. 1323 to 1320 BCE as the successor to . Located in the Western Valley of the Kings near , , the tomb exemplifies late 18th Dynasty architecture with a straight-axis reminiscent of Amarna-period , featuring a descending corridor, antechamber, and chamber, though only the chamber is decorated. Discovered in the winter of 1816 by Italian explorer Giovanni Battista Belzoni, WV23 was likely originally prepared for before being repurposed for Ay during his brief four-year rule, after which it was desecrated under his successor , who erased Ay's cartouches and shattered the . The tomb's significance lies in its artistic and religious elements, which reflect Ay's efforts to legitimize his rule and ensure his through Amarna-influenced blended with traditional Egyptian motifs. The burial chamber walls depict Ay and his queen Tey in marshland hunting scenes, alongside religious texts from the (Chapters 130, 141, 142, and 144) and the first hour of the , featuring deities such as , , and the . These decorations, executed in vibrant colors but later defaced, parallel those in Tutankhamun's tomb (KV62) and highlight the transitional post-Amarna artistic style. Archaeologically, the site yielded fragments of Ay's red granite , which was reconstructed, but no , shabti figures, or intact funerary furniture were found, indicating extensive looting and damage over time. Excavation and conservation efforts have provided deeper insights into WV23's history, with full clearance conducted by the Egyptian Expedition in 1972, building on earlier studies by scholars like Richard Lepsius in the and Alexandre Piankoff in 1958. The tomb's remote location in the Western Valley, which branches off the main and contains fewer burials, underscores its role in the royal necropolis during the late New Kingdom, serving as a testament to the political intrigues following the . Today, WV23 remains a key site for understanding the end of the 18th Dynasty, though access is limited due to preservation concerns.

Historical Context

Ownership and Intended Use

Ay, originally a non-royal , served as and close advisor to pharaohs and during the late 18th Dynasty, rising through the ranks of the before ascending to the himself. His wife, Tey, held titles such as royal and was associated with the court, further embedding Ay in the royal circle. Following 's death around 1323 BCE, Ay succeeded him as pharaoh, ruling for approximately four years until circa 1319 BCE, during a period of political transition after the interlude. The tomb WV23 in the West Valley of the Kings is attributed to Ay as his royal burial site, reflecting his status as the penultimate of the 18th Dynasty. Scholars propose that WV23 was initially commissioned for , based on its location in the less-trafficked West Valley and stylistic affinities to Amarna-period royal tombs, but was repurposed for Ay after Tutankhamun's unexpected early death necessitated a hasty alternative burial in KV62. This repurposing underscores the tomb's intended use as a royal sepulcher during a time of dynastic instability. After Ay's burial, his names and images in WV23 were systematically erased, likely by his successor or early in Ramesses I's reign, exemplifying aimed at legitimizing the new regime by suppressing Ay's legacy. This defacement extended to smashing Ay's into fragments, further evidencing efforts to obliterate his pharaonic record.

Construction and Burial Practices

Construction of tomb WV23 began during 's reign but was completed during Ay's brief reign, approximately 1323–1319 BCE, reflecting the hurried preparation typical of his four-year rule following the death of . The structure was carved primarily from local quarried in the Theban hills, forming a compact layout with descending corridors leading to a single decorated chamber. For the sarcophagus, imported red was employed, underscoring the use of high-quality materials for key royal elements despite the tomb's modest scale. Burial practices in WV23 adhered to standard 18th Dynasty royal conventions. The body underwent mummification, the core for preserving the deceased for the , yet archaeological evidence reveals the absence of elaborate items such as a , shabti figurines, or gilded shrines, due to extensive ancient looting and deliberate . Instead, the interment likely included basic wrappings and a possible pall adorned with gilded rosettes to cover the mummy, emphasizing ritual efficacy over opulence. Signs of ancient , occurring shortly after the , are evident throughout the , indicating a targeted violation soon after Ay's death. The red granite was deliberately smashed into fragments, human bones were scattered across the burial chamber, and major funerary items, including canopic jars for organ storage, were removed. This desecration aligns with patterns of post-Amarna Period tomb robberies, driven by political instability and economic pressures. Wall depictions in the burial chamber, including defaced hunting scenes in marshland settings, suggest the possible inclusion of Ay's wife Tey alongside him, as her figure appears in contexts implying shared afterlife provisions before the images were erased. Such joint burials were not uncommon in 18th Dynasty royal contexts, though direct physical evidence of her remains is lacking due to the disturbance.

Discovery and Investigation

Initial Exploration

The tomb WV23 was first uncovered in 1816 by the Italian explorer Belzoni during his expeditions in the West Valley of the Kings, where he entered through a previously breached entrance indicative of ancient . Belzoni documented the interior, noting the presence of a broken red granite in the burial chamber, which he described as a significant but damaged feature amid scattered debris. In 1817, Belzoni marked the discovery by carving his name and the date beside the entrance, but his exploration yielded no major artifacts beyond the fragmented remains, as the tomb had been thoroughly plundered in antiquity. The itself remained at that time, with its lid undiscovered until later efforts. Subsequent visits by European scholars provided further initial documentation. In 1835, John Gardner Wilkinson examined the tomb and recorded the defaced wall decorations and the deteriorated state of the , highlighting the systematic erasure of royal inscriptions likely dating to the post-Amarna period. Karl Richard Lepsius visited in 1845 as part of his Prussian expedition, producing sketches of the remaining decorations and noting the deliberate defacement of Ay's cartouches and images on both walls and fragments. By the early 20th century, conducted a clearance of the tomb in on behalf of the Fund, confirming its looted condition with no significant new artifacts recovered, though he documented the architectural features and surviving paintings for publication. This effort marked the end of major pre-modern explorations, leaving the site partially filled with debris until later systematic work.

Modern Excavations and Conservation

In 1972, the Egyptian Expedition (UMEE), directed by Otto J. Schaden, conducted a systematic excavation of WV23, fully clearing the tomb of accumulated debris from ancient and modern periods. The team documented the architectural features, removed a dry-stone at the entrance to reveal original construction details, and recovered scattered artifacts, including intrusive materials from later burials in the corridors and side chambers. This work marked the first comprehensive archaeological investigation since the tomb's initial discovery, providing detailed records of the site's condition and confirming its ancient desecration. A key finding during the 1972 clearance was the intact lid of Ay's red granite , discovered inverted against the burial chamber's east wall, while fragments of the shattered base had been removed to the Egyptian Museum in in 1908 during Howard Carter's clearance for restoration and display by Maspero. The , deliberately damaged in antiquity, underwent reconstruction in the 1970s at the museum, with the lid reunited to the base following Schaden's excavation. It was returned to the burial chamber in 1993, though installed in a reversed orientation to accommodate structural constraints. No royal mummy was recovered from WV23, and uncertainties persist regarding Ay's remains, with Schaden suggesting possible transfer to (Horemheb's tomb) or identification with the "yellow skeleton" found in nearby WV25 based on associated bone fragments and historical context. Osteological analysis of human remains from the site, including potential royal skeletal elements, has not conclusively identified Ay, leaving the mummy's fate unresolved amid evidence of ancient reburials in the West Valley. Ongoing conservation efforts at WV23 focus on structural stabilization, control, and restricted visitor access to mitigate and impacts on the decorations. No major excavations have occurred since the 1970s, but routine maintenance, including monitoring for rockfall risks and wall painting preservation, continues as part of broader initiatives to ensure long-term site integrity.

Architectural Design

Overall Layout

The tomb WV23 exhibits a linear, straight descending axis characteristic of late Eighteenth Dynasty royal burials, extending approximately 60 meters in total length. This progression commences with entrance stairs (A) leading into the first corridor (B), which measures about 11.4 meters in length and slopes gently downward. This is followed by a stairwell (C), roughly 8 meters long, and the second corridor (D), about 14 meters long, which continues the descent before reaching the well room (E). The well room (E) features an unfinished shaft, with no excavation through the floor, suggesting a hasty completion process amid the tomb's overall abbreviated design. The axis then terminates in the burial chamber (J), a rectangular space measuring approximately 8.9 meters wide by 6.5 meters long and originally intended as a pillared hall but completed without pillars. No side chambers branch off from the main axis except a small (Ja) behind the burial chamber, further emphasizing the tomb's simplified and direct layout. This offset positioning of the burial chamber relative to the primary axis served to mitigate risks from floodwater accumulation, an adaptive feature common in West Valley tombs to enhance structural longevity in the region's variable . The absence of additional chambers, the incomplete well shaft, and lack of pillars underscore the rushed execution, likely tied to the brief construction timeline during Ay's short reign (c. 1323–1319 BCE).

Structural Elements

The tomb WV23 was constructed primarily by excavating into the local and formations characteristic of the , which provided a relatively soft yet durable medium for . These materials formed the walls and ceilings of the corridors and chambers, with surfaces often left roughly hewn in undecorated areas to expedite construction. Where decoration was intended, particularly in the burial chamber, a layer of was applied over the limestone to create a smooth base for paintings, facilitating the adhesion of pigments and enhancing visual clarity. The , positioned centrally in the burial chamber, was crafted from red , a high-quality hard stone transported from southern to underscore the tomb's royal status. This rectangular, vaulted structure measured approximately 2.96 meters in length and 1.79 meters in height, featuring sunk-relief carvings of protective deities at the corners. Construction techniques evident in the tomb include the use of chisels and picks to carve the rock faces, leaving discernible tool on exposed surfaces that indicate manual labor by skilled workers during the late Eighteenth Dynasty. WV23 adopts a straight-axis reminiscent of Akhenaten's royal tomb (TA26) at , featuring descending corridors that slope gently to promote natural drainage and prevent water accumulation in the lower chambers. These corridors, measuring about 2.6 meters in width and height, lack the sharp bends common in earlier Theban , reflecting an adaptation of Amarna-period engineering for efficiency. The burial chamber itself lacks pillars, having been adapted from an intended pillared for structural reinforcement, a practical choice given the chamber's irregular shape and the need to stabilize the overhead rock. In contrast to more elaborate tombs like those of earlier pharaohs, WV23 omits side rooms, a deep well shaft, and a pillared hall, likely attributable to Ay's short reign (c. 1323–1319 BCE) and limited resources, resulting in a compact, linear plan spanning approximately 60 meters. This abbreviated layout prioritizes functionality over grandeur, diverging from the multi-chambered complexity of standard Eighteenth Dynasty royal burials.

Decorative Program

Burial Chamber Scenes

The burial chamber of WV23 is the sole decorated space in the tomb, adorned with painted scenes that emphasize Ay's transition to the through ritualistic and mythological narratives. These decorations exhibit stylistic similarities to those in Tutankhamun's KV62, indicating a shared artistic tradition during the late 18th Dynasty. On the north wall, scenes from the depict the first hour of the sun god's nocturnal journey, including twelve baboons representing the night hours, a with as the rising sun, and accompanying deities such as five guardians and . Vertical columns of text from the accompany the imagery. The south wall features barques carrying the goddess , falcon standards of , and the (nine gods including Ra-Horakhty, , Shu, , , Nut, , , and ), symbolizing divine protection in the underworld. It includes vertical columns of text from the (Chapters 130, 141, 142, and 144). Ay's names were deliberately erased. The east wall depicts Ay and his wife Tey in a , hunting birds with throw sticks and spearing a from a boat, an unusual apotropaic motif for a royal emphasizing protection against chaos. The figures of Ay and Tey were defaced, leaving the naturalistic marsh elements intact. The west wall shows Ay interacting with deities: his ka receiving life from (Goddess of the West), embraced by Hathor and , and Nut performing the nini ritual. Above the entrance to the canopic annex, the —Imsety, Hapy, Duamutef, and Qebehsenuef—are depicted seated in pairs around an offering table, symbolizing protection of the viscera. Following the burial, the tomb experienced deliberate defacement, with Ay's and Tey's cartouches and figures systematically chiseled out, likely by order of to erase their legacy from official records. This act of targeted royal imagery across the walls but spared some divine elements.

Iconographic Features

The iconographic program of WV23 exhibits a pronounced Amarna-influenced style, characterized by elongated figures, intimate portrayals of the royal couple, and naturalistic elements that diverge from the more rigid Theban conventions of earlier Eighteenth Dynasty tombs. This artistic approach, evident in the fluid lines and dynamic poses of Ay and his wife Tey in the marsh hunting scenes, reflects the lingering impact of Akhenaten's court aesthetics, emphasizing personal vitality and over idealized divine formality. Such naturalism is particularly apparent in the fowling and hippopotamus-harpooning depictions, where the figures interact with the environment in a lifelike manner, contrasting sharply with the static, hierarchical compositions typical of Theban royal art. Symbolism in the tomb's decorations underscores themes of , , and eternal kingship, tailored to Ay's posthumous deification. The —Imsety, Hapy, Duamutef, and Qebehsenuef—are prominently depicted on the west wall above the canopic annex entrance, seated in pairs with their characteristic animal or human heads, symbolizing the safeguarding of the king's viscera despite the absence of the jars themselves; this representation marks a rare early inclusion in royal tomb , predating its widespread adoption. Ay's assimilation to is vividly conveyed in scenes where the king is embraced by the , signifying his transformation into the of the and assurance of rebirth, a motif that personalizes the standard Osirian narrative to affirm Ay's legitimacy as . The inclusion of religious texts further enriches the iconography, with excerpts from the (Chapters 130, 141, 142, and 144) and the inscribed alongside the scenes to guide Ay's journey through the . These selections, appearing on the south and north walls in vertical columns, adapt traditional funerary spells—such as those detailing the sun god's nocturnal passage and protective rituals—to Ay's elevated status, integrating textual and visual elements for ritual efficacy. Notably, the rarity of featuring Tey alongside Ay in the intimate hunting scenes highlights a personal dimension, prioritizing the couple's shared life and apotropaic renewal symbolism over the conventional focus on solitary divine kingship, a departure that underscores the tomb's unique blend of private and royal motifs.

Contents and Significance

Artifacts Recovered

The primary artifact recovered from WV23 is the of Ay, crafted from red granite and featuring protective winged figures of the goddesses and at the head and foot ends, along with representations of and Selket at the corners. The was found smashed in the burial chamber during initial explorations, with fragments bearing Ay's cartouches scattered throughout; it was subsequently reconstructed from these pieces. Among the other notable finds were gilded copper rosettes and star-patterned discs, likely remnants of a shroud or pall that once covered the , discovered in crumpled form within the corridors and well chamber. jars were also recovered, including one inscribed with text indicating it contained pressed meat for "The ," a reference to Ay as part of his funerary provisions. Scattered human bones were unearthed in the chamber and side rooms, potentially belonging to Ay or accompanying servants, though their fragmented state and lack of DNA analysis as of 2025 prevent definitive identification. Excavations in 1908 by and in 1972 by Otto J. Schaden yielded no ushabtis, , shrines, or significant gold and jewelry, underscoring the tomb's sparse furnishing as an likely robbed soon after interment. Most recovered items were in poor condition due to ancient , with fragments requiring careful and stabilization immediately following discovery to preserve their integrity.

Historical Implications

The tomb of Ay (WV23) provides key insights into the transitional dynamics of the late 18th Dynasty, particularly the incomplete restoration of traditional Egyptian religious and funerary practices following the . Despite Ay's role in reinstating orthodox cults after Akhenaten's monotheistic reforms, the tomb's linear architectural plan and decorative motifs—such as elongated corridors and subtle Amarna-style influences in the burial chamber scenes—demonstrate a lingering departure from pre-Amarna Theban norms, where tombs typically featured more complex, bent-axis layouts with pillared halls. This hybrid design underscores the gradual, uneven shift back to traditionalism under Ay, bridging the experimental aesthetics with emerging Ramesside conventions. Ay's status as a pharaonic ruler of commoner origins further illuminates the political instability of the post-Amarna era, as evidenced by the tomb's deliberate defacement and sparse burial goods. Likely orchestrated by his successor Horemheb, who sought to consolidate power by erasing Ay's cartouches and images from the walls, this iconoclasm highlights Ay's contested legitimacy; as a non-royal vizier elevated through courtly marriages, including possibly to Ankhesenamun, Ay represented an atypical "commoner king" whose brief four-year reign (c. 1327–1323 BCE) lacked the dynastic pedigree of earlier pharaohs. The minimal artifacts recovered, including a fragmented sarcophagus but no substantial grave goods, reinforce interpretations of Ay's rule as precarious and overshadowed by Horemheb's restorative agenda. Ay succeeded Tutankhamun around the end of the latter's reign (c. 1323 BCE). The absence of Ay's mummy remains one of Egyptology's enduring mysteries, fueling theories of post-burial relocation amid ancient . While no definitive evidence confirms the mummy's fate, scholars propose it was either destroyed during the tomb's robbery or transferred to (Horemheb's tomb) as part of later reburial efforts to obscure Ay's legacy; alternatively, some suggest WV25, an unfinished nearby tomb possibly intended for royal use during the Amarna transition. Geophysical surveys, including conducted near WV23 in 2009–2010 by the Glen Dash Foundation, detected anomalies suggestive of undocumented structures or deposits in the vicinity, potentially linked to additional burials, though no chambers or remains were confirmed by 2025 excavations. On a broader scale, WV23 contributes to ongoing debates about the West Valley's role in 18th Dynasty burial practices, serving as evidence for its selective use by non-traditional rulers like Ay amid the shift from Amarna's eastern plans. The discovery of intact foundation deposits nearby—containing 18th Dynasty pottery and tools—hints at Akhenaten's aborted intentions to establish a royal here, challenging assumptions about the Valley of the Kings' exclusive Theban focus and highlighting adaptive strategies during dynastic upheaval. Future non-invasive analyses, such as DNA testing on any faunal or human fragments from the tomb, could yield further clarity on Ay's era, though no such remains have been identified to date.
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.