Ramesses IX is considered the most successful of all the Ramesside kings in helping return some stability and power to Egypt. He did many things to return wealth and prosperity to the country. He also opened trade routes by traveling to Asia and Nubia and reinvigorated state-sponsored buildings by contributing to the construction of the Temple at Karnak and Heliopolis. Very little is known about the relationship of the king with his predecessors. His tomb is designated as KV6.
More About Tomb Robbers In The Ramesside Era
Tomb robbing was very common during the reign of Ramesses IX, who left behind many prosecutions of the vandals and rules about the protection of the tombs that were vulnerable. It was during this era, that the mummies from the robbed tombs were removed and put into the royal cache of mummies located at Deir el Bahari, where they were found during the late 19th century.
About Tomb KV6
KV6 is among the first tombs in the Valley of the Kings. It's been open since antiquity. Many inscriptions have been left by ancient visitors in the tomb. The tomb is the burial place of the Pharaoh Ramesses IX, who ruled in the 20th Dynasty. The archeological findings, however, show that it was completed in a hurry since many corners were cut after Ramesses IX's death. Located in central wadi, KV6 has a total area of 105 meters and has a gate with a shallow descending ramp. Following this ramp, there are three stretches of corridors with four side chambers, two on both sides. However, none of these four chambers is finished or decorated.
Remarkable Features Of KV6
The tomb is said to have one of the largest entrances in the entire valley. Also, the intention of cutting pilasters at the end of the entryway and the presence of four side chambers are rare. The presence of a large two-tiered pit in the burial chamber is another remarkable feature. KV6 is included among the last tombs of the Valley which features a large amount of ornate decoration.
Decorations Inside The Tomb
The chambers at the end of the corridors have been decorated with the Opening of the Mouth ritual. The ceiling of the burial chamber is vaulted and has been decorated with splendid scenes of the goddess Nut. Side walls illustrate scenes from the Book of Caverns and the Book of the Earth. On the rear end is a scene of Ramesses on his bark, surrounded by several gods.
The use of colors like yellow, black, and dark blues adds a visually striking feel and is a rare thing among the decorations in the Valley's tombs. The sarcophagus is said to have vanished a long and the mummies of king Ramesses IX are among those found at the Deir el Bahari DB320 cache in 1881.
