Depiction of A Solar Eclipse from 1143 BCE in the Pharaonic Tomb KV9 near Thebes

Abstract

Tomb KV9 in the Valley of the Kings in western Thebes (see Fig. 1 for the layout of the tomb), originally cut into the rock for Ramesses V and later usurped and expanded by Ramesses VI, is famed for its celestial depictions. One of these motifs on a dropped section of the ceiling at the end of corridor G has hitherto only received passing mention. Ramesses V and Ramesses VI are both known to have been particularly interested in the heavens. The tomb is copiously adorned with the canopy of stars and other celestial objects.[1]