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Primary sourceArtifact

Tomb KV60

A small tomb in the Valley of the Kings where a female mummy, possibly Hatshepsut, was discovered.

This tomb held the mummy some scholars identify as Hatshepsut herself, central to debates about her fate.

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Three-view technical drawing of tomb KV60 from a 3D model: an isometric view at top, a plan view in the middle, and a side elevation at bottom. Dimensions in meters are labeled, including 5.21m, 2.78m, 1.88m, 1.25m, 5.19m, 9.79m and 2.56m. Light grey shapes on a grey background.
Tomb KV60, Valley of the Kings. 3D model drawing.

About this source

What it is

KV60 is a small, plain tomb in the Valley of the Kings. It was discovered by Howard Carter in 1903 and re-excavated by Donald P. Ryan in 1989. Inside were two female mummies, one of which some Egyptologists, including Elizabeth Thomas and Zahi Hawass, identify as Hatshepsut.

Why it matters

The uncertain identity of the mummy found here is central to the story of Hatshepsut's afterlife and to a 2007 identification effort. The tomb's ransacked state and the attempt to link a mummy to Hatshepsut show how archaeologists piece together evidence long after a pharaoh's death, and how incomplete records from early excavations can create lasting mysteries.

Look closer

  • What kinds of evidence would archaeologists need to prove a mummy's identity?
  • Why might the tomb's ransacked condition make identification harder?
  • What does the debate over this mummy show about the limits of ancient evidence?

This artifact is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Hatshepsut on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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View of the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, a tiered stone building with long colonnades and ramps set against towering tan limestone cliffs under a clear blue sky. Small figures and a low shelter are visible in the foreground.Artifact

Primary source

Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut

Senenmut and/or Hapuseneb (attributed) · c. 1479–1458 BCE

Photograph of a carved sandstone relief panel at Karnak. Columns of hieroglyphs divide the panel. On the left, a figure in a tall crown strides with one arm raised. On the right, a standing figure in a kilt faces left. Blue sky and a palm tree appear at the edge.Photograph

Secondary source

Hatshepsut Dancing Before Min, Karnak Relief

Carole Reeves · 1989

Painted relief on a temple wall showing men carrying a tree in a basket with a pole, between stylized incense trees and a palm, in orange, red and cream colors, with hieroglyphs above and a wave-pattern band below.Sculpture

Primary source

Punt Expedition Reliefs

Royal workshops of Hatshepsut · c. 1470 BCE

Photograph of a dark grey stone sculpture of a head, mounted on a red rectangular pedestal against a white background. The head has a tall, smooth-topped headdress, carved eyes, nose and mouth, and a worn surface. Catalogue label MM 11423 appears at lower right.Sculpture

Primary source

Sculpture Head Probably of Hatshepsut

Photograph of a seated limestone statue of a figure wearing a royal headcloth with a pleated nemes and a false beard-less face, hands resting on the lap, seated on a block with hieroglyphic inscriptions on its side.Sculpture

Primary source

Seated Statue of Hatshepsut

c. 1466 BCE

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