Rameses VII

The tomb of Rameses VII is an impressive testament to the power and ambition of the pharaoh. It is also a symbol of the changing times of the 20th Dynasty. The tomb is located in the Valley of the Kings, the final resting place for the pharaohs of the New Kingdom. Though it has been open since antiquity, it was only properly investigated and cleared by Edwin Brock in 1984 and 1985. The tomb is marked by a simple facade, typical of tombs built during the later periods of ancient Egyptian history. Beyond the entrance, a sloping corridor leads down to the heart of the tomb. The corridor is decorated with intricate reliefs that depict scenes from religious texts and the pharaoh’s journey to the afterlife. As you walk through these corridors, you can practically see the priests performing the ancient rituals that would have brought the pharaoh safely into the afterlife. The walls are adorned with illustrations of Osiris, Horus, and Anubis. The gods Osiris, Horus, and Anubis are among the most prominent figures depicted in KV1. The tomb itself is much smaller than other tombs from the same period. The tomb is just 44 m long, and experts believe this is probably because Ramesses VII died suddenly. The architects had to hastily modify the tomb to make it suitable for burial. While the corridor leading to the burial chamber is decorated with excerpts from the Book of Caverns and the Opening of the Mouth ritual, the burial chamber features passages from the Book of the Earth. The tomb of Rameses VII is a reminder that even the most powerful of rulers are not immune to the ravages of time. It is a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit and the legacy that we leave behind.