Excavated into the Theban hillsides, KV10 follows the typical plan of Nineteenth Dynasty royal tombs, with a descending corridor leading to a series of halls and a burial chamber. The tomb’s walls were initially adorned with painted decoration and reliefs celebrating Amenmesse’s kingship and his divine associations. However, at some point during the late Twentieth Dynasty (circa 1100 BCE), the tomb was reappropriated for two royal women, Takhat and Baketwerner. The original imagery was partly erased and repainted with scenes tailored to these two figures, suggesting either secondary burials or commemorative use.

First noted by early European visitors including Richard Pococke in 1737 CE, Jean-François Champollion in 1829 CE, and Karl Richard Lepsius in 1844 CE, KV10 remained mostly undocumented until Edward R. Ayrton undertook a brief examination in 1907 CE. The tomb was finally subjected to a full archaeological investigation by the University of Memphis under Otto Schaden in 1992 CE. This project resulted in a more systematic study of the tomb’s architecture, epigraphy, and history, greatly improving scholarly understanding of its original purpose and later reuse.

circa 1205 BCE

Entryway A
Entryway A measures approximately 3.24 m in width and 15.81 m in length. The first steps and ramp in this section are modern additions, while the divided ramp that follows is of original construction. The entryway itself is undecorated; however, the sides have been replastered, as has the underside of the overhang. Graffiti in Greek, Arabic, and modern European languages can be observed on the upper sides of the walls near Gate B.

circa 1205 BCE

Corridor B
Corridor B is a sloping passage measuring 3.25 m in height, 2.59 m in width, and 14.2 m in length. The walls were originally decorated with a combination of raised relief for the first two scenes on the left (eastern) wall and sunk relief for the inscriptions of the Litany of Ra. This decoration was subsequently erased and plastered over. Although much of this plaster and the decoration itself have disappeared, faint traces remain visible. Amenmesse is depicted alongside Ra-Horakhty at the beginning of the left wall, followed by the opening scene of the Litany of Ra.

circa 1205 BCE

Side Chamber Ba
Side Chamber Ba is an undecorated, roughly rectangular room located midway along the western wall of Corridor B. It measures 1.59 m in height, 1.64 m in width, and 2.12 m in length.

circa 1205 BCE

Corridor C
Corridor C is a sloping passageway with dimensions of 3.16 m in height, 2.63 m in width, and 8.87 m in length. Two substantial trapezoidal recesses face each other on the left (eastern) and right (western) walls. The walls of this corridor were adorned with the Litany of Ra and included depictions of the god’s manifestations.

circa 1205 BCE

Corridor D
Corridor D measures 3.15 m in height, 2.66 m in width, and 7.88 m in length. Opposing low rectangular niches were cut into the walls near the southern end of this level-floored corridor. The left (eastern) wall contains remnants of the Fourth Hour of the Imydwat, while the right (western) wall preserves traces of the Fifth Hour. Fallen stone and plaster debris cover approximately the first 1.5 m of the floor at the front end of this corridor.

circa 1205 BCE

Chamber E
Chamber E is 3.07 m high, 4.16 m wide, and 2.71 m long. Initially, there was no well shaft cut into its floor. Following the tomb’s usurpation, Amenmesse’s name was covered with plaster and paint, and the walls were redecorated with images of Takhat accompanied by various deities.

circa 1205 BCE

Pillared Chamber F
Pillared Chamber F is a substantial hall measuring 3.10 m in height, 9.48 m in width, and 8.84 m in length. Following its usurpation and the plastering and painting over of Amenmesse’s name, the walls were redecorated with scenes showing Baketwerel in the presence of different deities.

circa 1205 BCE

Side Chamber Fa
Side Chamber Fa, which is incomplete, is 2.23 m high, 7.87 m wide, and 5.66 m long. This chamber was designed to have two pillars, but these were only partially quarried from the bedrock. Work on this chamber ceased before completion. Later, workmen excavating tomb KV11 for Siptah (reigned circa 1197–1191 BCE) accidentally broke into this unfinished space.

circa 1205 BCE

Descent F
Descent F is a divided stairway measuring 2.65 m in width and 10.94 m in length. Excavation of this section has recently been completed and wooden steps (inspect) have been installed.

circa 1205 BCE

Corridor G
Corridor G is 3.85 m high, 2.59 m wide, and 9.77 m long. No decoration survives in this corridor. Its ceiling is barrel vaulted, and sections of the ceiling and walls have collapsed as a result of past floods. Burial equipment fragments, including pieces of a red granite sarcophagus lid and canopic jars bearing Takhat’s name, suggest this corridor may also have been adapted for burial purposes.

circa 1205 BCE

Corridor H
Corridor H measures 2.87 m in height, 2.52 m in width, and 6.3 m in length. This short corridor was never completed; its ceiling has collapsed, but surviving traces indicate that it was originally flat. No evidence of decoration survives, though any inscriptions or painted scenes would have been executed on a plaster coating that is now entirely lost.