Tomb of Ramesses III, Valley of the Kings

the Tomb of Ramesses III, called by Bruce the Harper's Tomb, which is exceeded in size only by Nos. 17 and 14. As far as the third chamber the tomb was constructed by Ramesses's father Sethnakhte, whose names are still to be seen in various places where the later stucco has fallen off. Peculiar to this tomb are the side chambers opening off the two corridors. The sunk reliefs are not particularly well executed, but they are notable for their variety and the excellent preservation of the colors.
On each side of the entrance, which is approached by a flight of steps with a ramp in the middle, are two pilasters adorned with cows heads. On the door lintel are the usual representations of Isis and Nephthys worshiping the solar disc, within which are the sun god and a scarab.

Tomb of Ramesses III - First Corridor

First corridor, to the right and left of the entrance: the goddess Maat kneeling, sheltering with her wings those who enter the tomb; on the left hand wall, the King before Harakhty; beyond this the title-picture of the "Praising of Re", the sun between a snake, a crocodile and two gazelles' heads; then the text of the "Praising", which is continued on the right hand wall. First side chamber, on the left: bakers, slaughtermen and cooks at work. Second side chamber, on the right: two rows of ships, the upper row with sails set, the lower row with sails furled. 

Tomb of Ramesses III - Second Corridor

Second corridor (with niches on the right and left): on both sides the continuation of the "Praising", with the appropriate figures of the sun god approaching Isis on the left and Nephthys on the right. Third side chamber, on the left: upper row, to the left of the entrance, a kneeling Nile god bestowing gifts on seven fertility gods (with ears of corn on their heads); to the right of the entrance a Nile god before the snake headed goddess Napret ("corn"), five royal cobras wearing aprons and two fertility gods. Upper row (much damaged), left: the Nile god of Upper Egypt presenting gifts to ten clothed royal cobras; right,  

the Nile god of Lower Egypt before Napret and three cobras. The fourth side chamber, on the right, was the King's armory. Left hand entrance wall: the sacred black bull Meri on the "Southern Lake". Right hand entrance wall: the black cow Hesi on the "Northern Lake". Left hand wall, above: standards, with pictures of sacred animals, heads of the goddess Hathor, etc. Rear wall, above: bows, arrows, quivers. Right hand wall, above: standards, with gods' heads; lower row destroyed.

 

Tomb of Ramesses III - Fifth Side Chamber

Fifth side chamber, on the left: upper row, various local divinities, alternately hermaphrodites (with pendulous breasts) and goddesses, bringing offerings; lower row, kneeling Nile gods. The sixth side chamber, on the right, was the King's Treasury. On its walls are depicted various vases, jars and bottles (including the stirrup jars imported into Egypt from the Greek islands), elephants' tusks, necklaces and beds with head rests and steps leading up to them. Seventh side chamber, on the left: entrance wall, to the right and left, the King's guardian spirit holding a staff topped by a King's head; other walls, in two rows (lower row destroyed), snakes, sacred bulls and cows. Eighth side chamber, on the right: work in the sacred fields (plowing, sowing, reaping); the King sailing on a canal. Ninth side chamber, on the left: left, a harpist singing before the god Enhuret and the falcon headed Harakhty; right, a similar scene, largely destroyed. The text of the songs is inscribed on the entrance walls. 10th side chamber, on the right: 12 different figures of Osiris.

Tomb of Ramesses III - Third Chamber

The third chamber is deflected to the right in order to avoid the adjoining tomb, No. 10. On the rear wall is a goddess, representing the South, raising a water jar; on the other walls the King is depicted making offerings to various gods. Fourth corridor: on the left hand wall the sun's journey during the fourth hour of night, on the right hand wall during the fifth hour (both from the "Book of what is in the Underworld").  

Fifth chamber: figures of gods.

Tomb of Ramesses III - Sixth Chamber

 

The sixth chamber is a sloping passage with side galleries and four pillars, on which the King is depicted in the presence of various gods. Walls on the left (beginning on the entrance wall): the sun's journey through the fourth part of the Underworld ("Book of the Gates"); in the bottom row representatives of the four chief races of man known to the ancient Egyptians. Walls on the right: the sun's journey through the fifth part of the Underworld ("Book of the Gates"). Rear wall, to the right and left: the King before Osiris. Seventh chamber: right hand entrance wall, the King conducted by Thoth and the falcon headed Harkhentekhtai; left hand entrance wall, the King presenting an image of Truth to Osiris; other walls, scenes from the "Book of what is in the Underworld" (gods felling trees, etc.).

Tomb of Ramesses III - Pillared Chamber

 

The other rooms are much damaged and of little interest. In the tenth room, a pillared chamber, stood the King's sarcophagus. His mummy was found at Deir el-Bahri and is now in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

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