Summary

• The Tomb of Ramses IV, located in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt, is an important burial site from the New Kingdom period of ancient Egypt. Designated KV2, it was discovered by Edward Ayrton between 1905 and 1906 and excavated again in 1920.
• The tomb has been used for various purposes over time, including as a hotel for early Egyptologists and a residence for Coptic Christians. It features 656 individual graffiti from Coptic and Greek visitors.
• Ramses IV, the third pharaoh of the 20th Dynasty, ruled from 1155 to 1149 BC. He was known for his grand building projects, including expanding the Temple of Khonsu at Karnak and sending expeditions to mines and quarries. His reign marked significant contributions to Egyptian architecture and the economy.
• The tomb’s design follows a straight axis, typical of 20th Dynasty royal tombs. It includes multiple corridors with religious inscriptions, a well chamber, a pillared hall, and a large burial chamber with an astronomical ceiling depicting the goddess Nut.
• The Tomb of Ramses IV is renowned for its intact and enchanting decorations, including scenes from the Litany of Ra, the Book of Caverns, the Book of the Dead, and the Book of Gates.

The Tomb of Ramses IV, located in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt, is a significant ancient Egyptian burial site. This tomb, designated as KV2, is part of a larger necropolis that served as the final resting place for pharaohs and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom period of ancient Egypt. Ramses IV, who reigned during the 20th Dynasty, commissioned this tomb, which reflects the grandeur and intricacies of Egyptian burial practices. The tomb’s architecture and art are exemplary of the period’s style, featuring vibrant wall paintings and inscriptions from religious texts. These artistic elements provide insights into the beliefs and funerary rituals of ancient Egypt. The Tomb of Ramses IV continues to be an important site for archaeological studies and attracts scholars and tourists alike, drawn by its historical significance and artistic beauty.

This article explores the Tomb of Ramses IV, showcasing its architectural splendor and artistic richness while illuminating the ancient Egyptian beliefs and practices surrounding death and the afterlife.

Facts About the Tomb of Ramses IV

The tomb of Ramses IV was first discovered by Edward Ayrton between 1905 and 1906, and then it was excavated again in 1920. Various materials like wood, Shabtis, Ostraca, faience, and glass were found inside the tomb. The tomb of Ramses IV “KV2” is located at the base of the hill on the northwest side of the Valley of the Kings. KV2 is highly famous and unique in various ways, as it contains a great deal of graffiti.

The tomb is in very good condition as it was used as a hotel by early Egyptologists like Champollion, Theodore Davis, Robert Hay, and others while excavating the Valley of the Kings. Ramses IV’s tomb was used as a residence for Coptic Christians. The tomb walls display 656 individual graffiti left by a large amount of Coptic and Greek visitors.

Who is Ramses IV

King Ramesses IV was the 3rd pharaoh of the 20th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt, the second son of Ramesses III, and his mother was Tyti. He was born in 1176 BC and died in 1149 BC at the age of 27. His promotion to crown prince was suggested by his appearance in a festival scene at the Ramesses III temple. Despite his father’s 31-year reign, Ramesses IV became pharaoh at 21 and ruled from 1155 to 1149 BC. His burial chamber is called KV2 in the Valley of the Kings. His most incredible and renowned monument is the Temple of Khonsu at Karnak Temples complex. As crown prince, he held titles like “Royal scribe,” “Hereditary Prince” and “Generalissimo“. Ramesses IV’s reign was succeeded by his son, Ramesses V, at the age of 13.

Ruler Ramesses IV embarked on a grand building initiative that mirrors the monumental projects of Ramesses II. This included expanding the workforce at Deir el-Medina and organizing multiple expeditions to quarries and mines across Egypt. The largest venture involved over 8,000 men, including soldiers, temple personnel, and laborers, led by the High Ramessesnakht “Priest of Amun“. Ramesses IV concentrated on enlarging his father’s Temple of Khonsu at Karnak and erecting a sizable mortuary temple near the Temple of Hatshepsut. He dispatched multiple expeditions to the Sinai’s turquoise mines, with documented missions by a trusted official named Sobekhotep and a senior army scribe named Panufer. The latter expedition’s purpose was to acquire turquoise and establish a chapel honoring Ramesses IV at the Hathor temple in Serabit el-Khadim. His reign lasted for about six and a half years, and he was buried in the Valley of the Kings. His mummy was relocated from the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in April 2021, where 17 Kings and four Queen mummies were moved in the Pharaohs’ Golden Parade.

Architectural Layout of Tomb of Ramses IV

The architectural layout of the Tomb is a remarkable example of ancient Egyptian tomb design during the New Kingdom period. The tomb, known as KV2, follows a straight axis, a common feature in 20th Dynasty royal tombs. It begins with a descending entranceway that leads into a series of three successive corridors. These corridors are decorated with religious texts and iconography, including excerpts from the Book of Gates and the Book of Caverns, reflecting the journey of the pharaoh through the underworld.

Following these corridors, there is a well chamber, which was traditionally believed to protect the tomb against intruders and floodwaters. However, in the case of Ramses IV’s tomb, this chamber was left unfinished and undecorated.

Beyond the well chamber lies a pillared hall leading into the burial chamber. This chamber is significant for its size and the detailed astronomical ceiling, depicting the goddess Nut. The burial chamber also housed the sarcophagus of Ramses IV, a massive red granite piece that remains in situ.

Adjacent to the burial chamber are small annexes, which were intended for storing funerary goods and offerings. The entire layout of the tomb, with its straight axis and specific chambers, was designed to facilitate the pharaoh’s journey to the afterlife, a journey deeply embedded in the religious and cultural beliefs of ancient Egypt.

Tomb of Ramses IV Decorations

Most of the decorations are intact, totally enchanting, and able to reveal the use of several artistic elements and how they are created and used. The first two passages of the tomb have scenes from the litany of Ra, and the third scene of the tomb is the Book of Caverns, while the anteroom is decorated with images of the Book of the Dead. The walls of the tomb hold parts of the Book of Gates, books of the Heavens, and the Amduat.

The sarcophagus of the pharaoh Ramses IV is broken at one end, the lid is missing, and the mummy is removed. The tomb’s façade is decorated with images and illustrations depicting the king’s coronation with the pictures of Isis and Nephyths venerating the sun disk; the ceilings have pictures of winged scarabs with spread wings, vultures, and falcons.