Tomb of Rameses V/VI (Corridor C)

Identification

Title	Tomb of Rameses V/VI (Corridor C)
Type	Astronomical Representation
Decan List Family	AR1 variant
EAT3 Number and Name	23 Ramses VI C
EAT3 Pages and Plates	31-33, including fig 8 (drawing). EAT2 Pls 5 and 6.
EAT3 Decan List Family	Senmut B
Publications	EAT2; Theban Mapping Project
Location	In situ; Ceiling of Corridor C, KV 9, Valley of the Kings, Theban Necropolis
Date	20th dynasty

Content

Registers	3
Circumpolar Group and Deities	Yes:  8 behind Hippo; 10 opposite.  No names, no Isis figure
Planets	Superior:  Jupiter, Saturn, Mars Inferior:  Mercury, Venus
Decan Names	Yes
Decanal Stars	Yes
Personifications of the Decans	No
Cluster Numbers	None preserved
Depictions of Decanal Constellations	Yes
Decanal Deity Names	Yes
Decanal Deity Figures	No
Lunar Months	No
Civil Months	Yes, in the Ramesside star tables
Nut	No.
Other features	The third register contains Ramesside star clock tables 13-24

Notes

One of several astronomical decorations in this tomb. The paired representation in the previous Corridor B contains the Ramesside star clock tables 1-12.

Schematic

 

 

Legend for Schematic
C	Circumpolar group of constellations
A	Circumpolar attendant deities
D	Decans
P	Planets
M	Ramesside star clock tables 13-24, representing civil months III Peret (first half) to IV Shemu (last half)
	Location and orientation of the circumpolar hippo
	Indicates the starting point and directionality of list or procession of figures

Decan List

The list gives an approximate layout for how the decans, deities, cluster labels (x-nwt Xt), and decanal figures (in bold) are arranged.  However, the only way of perceiving the complete layout and orthography of the labels is by consulting photographs, drawings, or the original.  For conventions and abbreviations, see below the table.

Neugebauer and Parker also note that 13 Tms n xntt is visible in another part of the decanal area.

This represenation is one of four Ramesside ceilings that use a decan list (AR1 variant) with significant differences from that of Senenmut:

1. The order of the Sahu decans
2. The inclusion of the third superior planet, Mars
3. The writing of decan 35 sAH (Senenmut erroneously writes this decan as Xry rmn sAH)
4. The decanal deities differ, particularly for decans 1-10
5. There is a greater tendency to write only one decan per column (again, this is most noticeable at the beginning of the decan list, for decans 4-11)
6. The spelling of triangle decans D ipsD (hpds in Senenmut) and E sbSsn (abSs in Senenmut)
7. The preference of avoiding using Seth as a decanal deity, with the word "wesh" taking his place

All four of these representations are associated with Ramesside star clock tables.  EAT3 designates them as subgroup B of the Senmut family.  The other three members are Tomb of Rameses V/VI (Pillared Chamber F, North), Tomb of Rameses VII (Burial Chamber J, North), and Tomb of Rameses IX (Corridor C, North).

25 bA[wy]	[Hapy, Im]seti	(Figure of King)
		Cluster
27 xntw [Xrw]	[ ] of Horus
	[ ] of Horus
29 sAwy [qd]
30 xAw	[ ] of Horus	Xt 5-nwt
32 [Hry] rmn sAH	Children of Horus	Sahu
31 art	Eye of Horus
35 sAH?
33 Xry rmn sAH	Children of Horus
36 spdt	Isis	Sopdet
SP1 sbA rsy pt Hr-StA-tAwy rn=f Smsw n pt	Re	Planet
SP2 Hr-kA-pt rn=f sbA iAbty DA <pt>		Planet
SP3 Hr-Axty rn=f <sbA iAbty n pt sqdd=f m xtxt>	Re	Planet
	Hapy, Duamutef	Turtles
	[I]mse[ti]
	Eyes [of Horus]
D [i]psD
	Horus
	Duamutef
IP1 sbgw	Seth (stS m wx{A} nTr m dwA<y>t)	(Figure of King)
IP2 sbA-DA baH	Osiris	Benu

The decan numbers and letters shown here are for the decan family AR1 and AR1 variant.

SP = superior planet

IP = inferior planet

Grey shading = damage

< > = omitted but understood

{ } = included in error

[ ] = damaged text

( ) = explanatory notes or additional material

The number of star symbols accompanying the decans is also omitted here, as it is often impossible to tell to which decan the symbols refer.  EAT3 deals with star symbols in some detail.