KV1 was the resting place of the ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses VII. It is a small tomb located at the entrance of the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of Luxor in Egypt. The tomb is relatively small in size and follows a typical design of most tombs during the late Ramesside era.
About KV1
KV1 is small and has just one corridor and a burial chamber. In addition, there is an unfinished room and niche after the burial chamber. The finishing of the masonry and the high-quality relief demonstrates a carefully planned and executed small-scale tomb. However, the small size shows that the king must have had little time to complete it.
KV1's sarcophagus is made up of a rock-cut hollow that is covered with a large, roughly cartouche-shaped stone block that has been decorated with scenes of Isis, Nephthys, Selkis, and the four sons of Horus.
Decorations Inside The Tomb
A traditional sun disc adorns the outer lintel of the tomb with a scarab flanked by Isis and Nephthys below the names of the king. Another unique feature is the two scenes in the wide corridor. Further inside are scenes from the Book of the Gates and one scene from the Book of the Caverns on the right. On both sides, the king has been shown as Osiris purified by the Iun-Mutef priest. The ceilings inside are decorated with cartouches of the king and vultures.
Remarkable Features Of KV1
Remarkable features include the conversion of the second corridor into the burial chamber, the central floor with two tiers and canopic jar niches, and a scene of the king with the goddesses parsing the sun disk on the entry lintel. Also, KV1 is among the latest tombs to be excavated in the Wadi. The tomb is said to have been used as a dwelling place of the Coptic monks.
Some Variations In KV1
Decorations of tomb KV1 share similarities with KV9, the tomb of Ramesses VI, but there are some variations. The atavistic emphasis on Osiris and its very traditional ethos is more strongly emphasized in this tomb compared to others from the same era.
Unique Discoveries In Tomb
Several ushabtis made from wood, calcite, and faience have been found in the burial chamber. Other things include amphora pottery fragments and ostraca, consisting of sketches of the tomb decoration discovered by Brock. Basket fragments, a floral garland, and fragments of an amphora with a five-line hieratic text on one side and a caricature of a serving scene on the other are some other materials that were found.
The mummy of Ramesses VII has still not been found. However, four faience cups with the king’s name were found near the BD320 mummy cache, showing that he must be one of the unidentified bodies found there.
