GEOLOGICAL HAZARDS: TOMBS WITHIN VALLEY OF KINGS, LUXOR, EGYPT

Flooding remains the greatest threat to tombs within the Valley of Kings despite the extreme arid climate. Episodic seepage along secondary structural openings slowly degrades/destroys fragile decorations: plaster, paint, hieroglyphs, even structural integrity of some tombs that date from 1570 to 1085 B.C. Since Roman to recent discovery, bounty plundered and dispersed, some tombs were repeatedly flooded. Merneptah's (KV-8) deep interior contains nearly 29 flood sequences. Bay (KV-13), Tia'a (KV-32), Siptah (KV-47), etc. record fewer events.

Sons of Rameses II (KV-5) flood deposits are still being excavated. Flood debris scoured or damaged decorations along sloping corridors to flood stage. Pools in deep interiors obliterated decorations, caused walls, ceilings and columns to collapse. Ancient Roman to recent visitors also damaged decorations by body contact, increased humidity, graffiti, image removal, theft, soot from fire/torches, use as shelter, modifications by pilgrims, road and walkway construction, along with bat and bird droppings. Some designs contributed to instability e.g. room and column size, stacking and interconnection of tombs, proximity to clay/shale enriched substraits approaching the Esna Shale. Montmorillonite, salt, anhydrite, gypsum, deeply dissected Thebes Limestone floundering on the unstable Esna Shale and various structures continue to add instability to the tombs.

Despite measures adopted to reduce flood hazards, immediate action is required to protect these world class antiquities and important sources of revenue. Our flood hazard ranking ranging from 0 to 10, considers: drainage area, floodway width and obstructions, proximity to tributaries and cliffs, aspect, available overburden debris, entrance width and stoop height, and adequacy of existing protective structures. Tutankhamen's (KV-62) risk is 9. Other tombs are as high as 10, i.e., Hatshepsut (KV-20) unknown (KV-28), Maiherperi (KV-36), Userhet (KV-45), KV-63, etc. Financial support and innovations are urgently needed.