KV50

Tomb KV50 is located in the Valley of the Kings, in Egypt. It was discovered in 1906 by Edward R. Ayrton, excavating on behalf of Theodore M. Davis. Together with KV51 and KV52 it forms a group known as the Animal Tombs. It contained the burial of a dog mummy and a mummified monkey, and is probably associated with the nearby tomb of Amenhotep II (KV35).

The tomb lies on the same rocky promontory as KV49, in the side valley that leads towards KV35, at a slightly higher level and to the west of KV49. It was the first of a cluster of three tombs found by Ayrton while clearing this part of the valley. Its entrance was buried under 6 feet (1.8 m) of debris.

The tomb consists of a shaft, 12 feet (3.7 m) deep and 4 feet square, which opens to the south onto a chamber 19 feet (5.8 m) long and 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 m) wide. This was found partly filled with debris from the shaft. Ayrton noted that the tomb had been thoroughly robbed in antiquity, though wooden fragments suggest it once held a coffin. No trace was found of the tomb owner's name. The only occupants were two animal mummies posed against one wall: a large dog, quite perfect although stripped of its wrappings, and a monkey still partially wrapped. KV50, KV51 and KV52 seem to have formed a burial ground for royal pets.

The area was excavated again in winter 2009-2010 by a team led by Zahi Hawass and Ahmed el-Leithy, trying to relocate KV50, KV51, KV52 and KV53. They found Eighteenth Dynasty pottery, tools and ostraca, including figured examples such as a sketch of a seated queen presenting an offering and cartouches of Ramesses II. The Valley of the Kings generally holds tombs excavated for pharaohs and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom, over a period of nearly 500 years, from the Eighteenth to the Twentieth Dynasty.

The tomb is located on the same rocky promontory as KV49, in the side valley that leads towards KV35. It is at a slightly higher level than KV49, and is located to the west of that tomb. KV50 was the first of a cluster of three tombs discovered by Edward R. Ayrton in his clearance of this part of the valley on behalf of Theodore Davis. The entrance was buried under 6 feet (1.8 m) of debris.

The tomb consists of a shaft, 12 feet (3.7 m) deep and 4 feet (1.2 m) square, which opens to the south onto a chamber 19 feet (5.8 m) long and 6–8 feet (1.8–2.4 m) wide. This was found partly filled with debris from the shaft.

Ayrton noted that the tomb had been thoroughly robbed in antiquity, though from the presence of wooden fragments it likely once held a coffin. No trace was found of the tomb owner's name. The only occupants of the chamber were two animal mummies, posed against one wall.

Propped up against the eastern wall was a large dog, quite perfect although stripped of its wrappings, and a monkey still partially wrapped.

The tomb, along with KV51 and KV52, seem to have formed a burial ground for royal pets.