26th September 2014
42c
Sikket Taqet Ziad Wadi and Hatshepsut’s Cliff Tomb Revisited
What a great mornings adventure and trek. Today I walked the full length of Sikket Taqet Ziad Wadi (Sikkat Taka ez-Zeida) to arrive at Hatshepsut’s cliff tomb at its end. It was my desire to get onto the base platform ledge under the tomb to take a closer look.
I set off at sunrise with a temperature of 25c and with a window opportunity of 4 hours before the temperature gets to 33c at around 10:30-am
The wadi is a hard walk with just the odd faint outline of patchy paths. Over time there has been a lot of rock fall that has almost rubbed out the old paths. It was a wonderful walk with the most amazing rock structures and colours. Naturally, there is nothing to be heard except for the occasional bird flutter. On route, I found some pottery, which is usually a tell tale sign of tomb activity.
I am careful and selective where I walk; avoiding cracks and holes in the rocks and always like to make some noise when walking over them. I have never seen a snake or a scorpion but that does not mean they are not there.
After walking almost 1 km, I finally have the tomb insight. Now I am looking for the path that will take me around the mountain’s edge to the tomb. I found it and it was a good path. I was now on route to the base of the tomb. With stunning views and scenery, the path zigzags around the mountain to finally end at the tomb. Well, it was great to be there and to see it so close. The views from the base platform were amazing and as the sun rose, it showed the Theban Hills in different light and colours. This is one of many wadis that truly have a wonderful gift waiting for you at its end. I spent some time at the tomb area resting and looking for graffiti before making my way back.
Local robbers discovered the tomb in 1916. Carter had local news that the tomb was being robbed and went to investigate. When he got there he could hear the robbers working inside. He cut their rope line and offered them the only way out by using his rope, they left and Carter continued to research the tomb
Hatshepsut’s cliff tomb was made when she was a royal wife. It was abandoned when she became Pharaoh (King) a sarcophagus was found in the tomb. As King, she was buried in KV20 in the Kings Valley.
See my earlier article “Hatshepsut Cliff Tomb 6th Dec’2013.
As usual, after such an adventure, I went to the Marsam Hotel for a coffee and to collect my thoughts and take a rest. Many Egyptologists and Archaeologists stay at this hotel. It is believed to be the oldest dig house on the West bank.
42c
Sikket Taqet Ziad Wadi and Hatshepsut’s Cliff Tomb Revisited
What a great mornings adventure and trek. Today I walked the full length of Sikket Taqet Ziad Wadi (Sikkat Taka ez-Zeida) to arrive at Hatshepsut’s cliff tomb at its end. It was my desire to get onto the base platform ledge under the tomb to take a closer look.
I set off at sunrise with a temperature of 25c and with a window opportunity of 4 hours before the temperature gets to 33c at around 10:30-am
The wadi is a hard walk with just the odd faint outline of patchy paths. Over time there has been a lot of rock fall that has almost rubbed out the old paths. It was a wonderful walk with the most amazing rock structures and colours. Naturally, there is nothing to be heard except for the occasional bird flutter. On route, I found some pottery, which is usually a tell tale sign of tomb activity.
I am careful and selective where I walk; avoiding cracks and holes in the rocks and always like to make some noise when walking over them. I have never seen a snake or a scorpion but that does not mean they are not there.
After walking almost 1 km, I finally have the tomb insight. Now I am looking for the path that will take me around the mountain’s edge to the tomb. I found it and it was a good path. I was now on route to the base of the tomb. With stunning views and scenery, the path zigzags around the mountain to finally end at the tomb. Well, it was great to be there and to see it so close. The views from the base platform were amazing and as the sun rose, it showed the Theban Hills in different light and colours. This is one of many wadis that truly have a wonderful gift waiting for you at its end. I spent some time at the tomb area resting and looking for graffiti before making my way back.
Local robbers discovered the tomb in 1916. Carter had local news that the tomb was being robbed and went to investigate. When he got there he could hear the robbers working inside. He cut their rope line and offered them the only way out by using his rope, they left and Carter continued to research the tomb
Hatshepsut’s cliff tomb was made when she was a royal wife. It was abandoned when she became Pharaoh (King) a sarcophagus was found in the tomb. As King, she was buried in KV20 in the Kings Valley.
See my earlier article “Hatshepsut Cliff Tomb 6th Dec’2013.
As usual, after such an adventure, I went to the Marsam Hotel for a coffee and to collect my thoughts and take a rest. Many Egyptologists and Archaeologists stay at this hotel. It is believed to be the oldest dig house on the West bank.