Tomb of Nefertari

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Tomb of Nefertari (QV66)

What it is
QV66 is the tomb of Nefertari, the Great Wife of Pharaoh Ramesses II, located in Egypt’s Valley of the Queens near Thebes. The tomb is famous for its well-preserved wall paintings that illustrate Nefertari’s life and her journey to the afterlife.

Discovery
The tomb was found in 1904 by Ernesto Schiaparelli, the director of the Museo Egizio in Turin. He began systematic excavations in the Valley of the Queens. The tomb had likely been looted long ago; only a few items were recovered, including parts of the granite sarcophagus lid, about 30 ushabti figures, some pottery, and fragments of funerary boxes. Part of the mummy’s knees and the linen wrappings were found, along with an amulet depicting the djed.

Inside the tomb
The tomb has a mostly straight layout. An entrance leads to antechamber, then a side chamber, and finally the burial chamber, which is a large square room about 90 square meters. The burial chamber once held a red granite sarcophagus in the center and was surrounded by four pillars covered with paintings. The walls and ceilings are richly decorated and include an astronomical ceiling with many golden stars.

What the paintings show
The wall paintings focus on Nefertari’s life and her afterlife. A standout scene shows Nefertari playing the game Senet. The decorations draw on chapters of the Book of the Dead and depict ceremonies, gods, and journeys through the afterlife. The paintings include gods such as Isis, Osiris, Anubis, Hathor, Thoth, and many others, illustrating the queen’s rebirth and eternal life as the sun disk.

Afterlife beliefs
The artwork reflects late Old Kingdom and New Kingdom beliefs about the journey after death. Wall scenes from chapters of the Book of the Dead describe gates, guardians, spells, and rites that would help Nefertari reach the afterlife and become a ba (a bird) that could move freely in the world of the dead.

Loot and mummy
By the time Schiaparelli re-found it, the tomb had been robbed. Much treasure was gone, including the sarcophagus and mummy. Some mummy remains and linen wrappings were recovered and eventually taken to the Egyptian Museum in Turin, where they stay today.

Preservation and access
The tomb is extremely delicate and was closed to the public in 1950 due to deteriorating paint and plaster. A major restoration from 1988 to 1992, supported by the Egyptian Antiquities Organisation and the Getty Conservation Institute, helped preserve the paintings. After restoration, access was limited to small numbers at a time. It reopened to visitors for private tours in 1994 and has seen further access restrictions in recent years. As of December 2023, visitors with a valid entry ticket or Luxor Pass could visit, and the site is regularly monitored for preservation. The tomb was closed temporarily in 2024 for urgent renovations.

Summary
QV66 is one of ancient Egypt’s best-preserved royal tombs, offering detailed insight into Nefertari’s life and her beliefs about the afterlife. Its stunning wall paintings, including scenes of everyday life and divine imagery, provide a remarkable view of New Kingdom funerary art and the care taken to ensure the queen’s eternal memory.