This tomb is a notable archaeological site in Theban Necropolis, situated within Egypt's Valley of the Kings. The tomb's construction commenced during the New Kingdom era, initially purposed to serve as the final resting place for Tausert, one of the few female pharaohs from the 19th Dynasty. Her rule spanned the late 13th century BC. Subsequently, the tomb was claimed and expanded by the 20th Dynasty's founder, Pharaoh Setnakht.
This sepulchre boasts a layered, multifaceted layout, which ranks it among the largest tombs within the Valley of the Kings. The initial architectural style followed the format established by Tausert's predecessors and successors, featuring a linear axis with several corridors branching towards the burial chamber. This design underwent modification upon Setnakht's orders, as he endeavored to add more spaces diverging from the main axis, encompassing the installation of pillared sections and auxiliary rooms.
The tomb's internal surfaces exhibit vibrant, intricate frescoes typical of this era's funeral art traditions. These depictions reveal an intriguing balance between the detailed religious illustrations prevalent during Tausert's reign, and the more minimalistic aesthetic that Setnakht preferred. The artistic adornments include images of the respective monarchs with divine entities, depiction of mortuary rituals, and extracts from the Book of the Dead, providing insightful cues into the sociocultural and religious practices of the epoch.
Inscribed details identified intermittently across the structure contribute to its historical significance. These inscriptions offer crucial textual information such as royal titles and genealogical records, thereby aiding in the contextual interpretation of the 19th and the 20th Dynastic transition. Interestingly, the tomb exhibits both Tausert's and Setnakht's inscriptions, with Setnakht choosing to retain certain sections of Tausert's original writings—even as he superimposed his messages—an unusual practice in tomb usurpation.
