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QV 49
Unfinished

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Entrance to QV49 and QV50 in background

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A
Entryway A
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Entryway A

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A very steep stepped Ramp provides access to this unfinished tomb. The rock-hewn Steps are still visible, although somewhat eroded. Remains of plaster survive on the ramp walls. The entryway is now closed off with a modern cemented masonry surround with metal grill.

Architectural Features

Steps

Condition

Cutting unfinished
Decorated
Decoration damaged
Partly excavated
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Entrance to QV49

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View of steps in the entryway. © Getty Conservation Institute and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

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View of the corner of the entryway. © Getty Conservation Institute and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

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View into QV 50 through the break in the entryway. © Getty Conservation Institute and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

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View into QV 50 through the break in the unfinished entryway. © Getty Conservation Institute and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

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View into QV 50 through the break in the unfinished entryway. © Getty Conservation Institute and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

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View of the steps. © Getty Conservation Institute and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

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About

QV 49 is located at the Y-junction of the main and south wadis. It has a steep Ramp (A) with rough-hewn Steps and entryway with low ceiling. Tomb excavation was abandoned after the entryway was cut. The chamber of QV 50 connects with QV 49 on the east side through a small opening. Presumably the later construction of QV 50 was abandoned after this unintentional connection was made.

QV 49 was noted by John Gardner Wilkinson (1828) and Heinrich Karl Brugsch (1854). Elizabeth Thomas indicated that at the time of her visit, plaster was apparent on the top two-thirds of the entryway lintel where she found a graffito of a modern traveler. There is no record of the recent clearance of the tomb. According to Christian Leblanc, the date of construction of QV 49 is the early 19th Dynasty.

Excavation of the tomb began in the early 19th Dynasty and was abandoned once the tomb workers broke through into QV 50.

Dating

This site was used during the following period(s):

New Kingdom
Dynasty 19
1828: Documentation
Wilkinson, John Gardner
1854: Documentation
Brugsch, Heinrich Karl
1959-1960: Documentation
Thomas, Elizabeth
1981: Mapping/planning
Theban Mapping Project
2006-2008: Survey and Documentation
Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) and the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA)

Site Condition

According to the GCI-SCA, though highly fractured, QV 49 appears in stable condition. Elizabeth Thomas indicated that at the time of her visit, plaster was apparent on the top two-thirds of entryway lintel where she found a graffito of a modern traveler. The plaster was also observed by the GCI-SCA assessment team, though not the graffito. The inherent quality of the rock and the presence of salts, particularly as veins within the rock, are the primary cause of rock fracturing and detachment in this tomb. Exposure to moisture has and will continue to exacerbate these weaknesses in the rock. 

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Entrances to QV49, QV50, QV63, QV64, QV65, QV69, and QV84. Visitors shelter and southern branch of wadi in the background.

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Entrance to QV50. QV84, visitors shelter, and southern branch of the wadi in background.

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Retaining wall of QV49 in foreground. Entrances to QV21, QV22, QV23, QV24, QV25, QV26, QV27, QV29, and old electricity building in background.

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Entrance to QV49

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Entrance to QV49 with QV50, QV84 and visitors shelter in the background.

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Entrance to QV49 with southern branch of wadi and QV45 in background

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Entrance to QV49 and QV50 in background

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View up Southern branch of the wadi leading to QV45, QV44, QV43, QV42, QV41, QV40, QV39, QV38, QV37, QV36, and QV34. QV49 and QV50 in foreground.

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View up Southern branch of the wadi leading to QV45, QV44, QV43, QV42, QV41, QV40, QV39, QV38, QV37, QV36, and QV34. QV49 and QV50 in foreground.

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Entrance to QV27, with QV48, QV26, and QV49 in background

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QV49 and QV50 in the foreground with the southeastern side of the main wadi, southern branch, and entrance to the QV in the background.

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Southeastern side of the main wadi with a view of the southern branch. Entrances to QV29, QV30, QV31, QV32, QV33, QV45, QV46, QV47, and QV48

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View of steps in the entryway. © Getty Conservation Institute and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

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View of the corner of the entryway. © Getty Conservation Institute and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

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View into QV 50 through the break in the entryway. © Getty Conservation Institute and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

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View into QV 50 through the break in the unfinished entryway. © Getty Conservation Institute and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

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View into QV 50 through the break in the unfinished entryway. © Getty Conservation Institute and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

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View of the steps. © Getty Conservation Institute and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

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Geography and Geology of the Valley of the Queens and Western Wadis

The Valley of the Queens and the Western Wadis are made up of numerous valleys spread out over a vast space of desert, each containing tombs for the New Kingdom queens and other royal family members. The poor quality rock has led to damage in several tombs after suffering from earthquakes and floods.

Bibliography

Brugsch, Heinrich Karl. Reiseberichte aus Aegypten. Leipzig: F.A. Brockhaus, 1855.

Demas, Martha and Neville Agnew (eds). Valley of the Queens. Assessment Report. Los Angeles: The Getty Conservation Institute, 2012, 2016. Two vols.

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