FRACTURE TRACE-STRUCTURES: KEY TO DISCOVERY AND PRESERVATION OF TOMBS, VALLEY OF KINGS AND QUEENS, EGYPT

In 1988, Katarin A. Parizek first observed that some tomb entrances in the Valley of Kings, Luxor Egypt, were located on zones of fracture concentration and some passages and burial chambers were aligned along these structures: others intersected them by chance. From these observations, she deduced that tomb builders may have intentionally exploited these avenues of less resistant limestone when creating tombs. Further, she predicted that the location of new tombs might be discovered using the fracture trace method. This evidence was reported in 2001 following initial fieldwork. More extensive surface and subsurface mapping of master joints and zones of fracture concentration during 2006-2008 seasons confirm this hypothesis. To date 33 out of 63 known tombs entrances are directly located on structure, 2 are located diagonally on structure, and only 1 is off structure. Of the 63 tombs, 18 entrances and interiors have been extensively mapped and field checked by the authors. Many tomb entrances are located along bottoms and sides of wadis and dry tributaries; straight drainage segments are underlain by less resistant, more intensively fractured rock, especially at fracture zone intersections. Open fractures, vein fillings, mineral coatings, unstable tomb passages, destruction of interior plasters, paint, more mechanically weathered rock and surface exposure of larger fracture apertures indicate that these structures serve as pathways for episodic flow of storm water adding to the destruction of interior decorations. These permeable fracture zones must be identified and sources of infiltrating storm water diverted to help conserve these unique, world-class antiquities. The discovery of KV-63 during February 2006 and the excavations currently underway by Dr. Z. Hawass and Egyptian Archeologists within the Valley continue to supply evidence to prove Katarin's original hypothesis.