IMPORTANCE OF ZONES OF FRACTURE CONCENTRATION AND TOMBS WITHIN THE VALLEY OF KINGS

More than 10 years ago, K.A. Parizek first observed that some tomb entrances in the Valley of Kings, Luxor Egypt, were located within zones of fracture concentration revealed by fracture traces and lineaments. Further, some passages and resting chambers were aligned along these structures suggesting that tomb builders intentially exploited these avenues of less resistant carbonate rocks. We reported this in 2001 following initial fieldwork. Recent more extensive surface and subsurface mapping of zones of fracture concentration and master joints confirm this hypothesis. Many tomb entrances are located along the bottoms and sides of wadis and dry tributaries, straight segments of which are underlain by less resistant, more intensively fractured rock. Once sealed, these entrances tended to become obscured by unconsolidated overburden and excavation debris. Other entrances were selected within slots eroded along cliffs thus reducing their visibility and accessibility. Some tombs are aligned along these zones; others intersect them by chance. Damage to decorations and rock falls are more abundant along zones of fracture concentration, especially at intersections. Vein fillings, secondary mineral coating, more mechanically weathered rock and surface exposure of larger fracture apertures indicate that these structures serve as pathways for episodic flow of vadose water. These diffuse sources of water must be controlled to help conserve these unique antiquities and world class tourist attractions in addition to protecting tomb entrances. Katarin predicted that the location of still to be discovered tombs might be determined using the fracture-trace method. This is borne out by the discovery of KV-63 during February 2006.