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

 23RamsesVIC  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)
 Hippo symbol

Location and orientation of the circumpolar hippo

 Human symbol 

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.