KV21

The tomb was re-investigated in 1989 by Donald Ryan as part of the Pacific Lutheran University Valley of the Kings Project. He found the entrance buried under flood debris; water had penetrated the tomb as evidenced by the "tide-line" on the wall of the burial chamber which indicated it had been filled with several inches of water. The once well-preserved mummies were found in scattered pieces, the white-washed jars in the side chamber had been smashed with large rocks, and a large graffito on one of the tombs walls proclaimed "ME 1826." The presence of bat guano indicated that the tomb had been open for some time after Belzoni and Burton had visited.[4]

In 1993 a crack monitor was installed; no or minimal movement was detected. The small finds from the tomb were analysed by the Project in 2005 and were able to group them into three categories: those that dated to the Eighteenth Dynasty; those that suggested the tomb was reused in the Third Intermediate Period; and strays washed in, one of which was an ushabti for a Ramesside pharaoh. Though a small amount of water had penetrated the tomb during the 1994 floods, the packed contents were secure and dry; objects from KV44 and KV45 were moved to this tomb for flood protection.[7]

This mummy is headless and poorly preserved. The back half of the torso is present and the abdominal cavity contains linen embalming packs and stones. The left shoulder and arm are missing; the left hand associated with the body is clenched, indicating the 'queenly' pose. Sections of the spine are missing. Both legs are present but are no longer articulated with the body. The left and right feet are severely clubbed. In his earlier report, Mark Papworth suggests this is due to soaking and compression of the body by debris during flood events. Her height in life is estimated at approximately 148 cm (4 ft 10+1⁄2 in) and her age is estimated to be no older than 21 based on the degree of epiphyseal union.[8]

The results of the DNA analysis announced in 2010 suggests that this mummy is the mother of the two mummified fetuses from the tomb of Tutankhamun, but not enough data was obtained to make a definitive identification. Hawass suggests this mummy may be Ankhesenamun, the Great Royal Wife of Tutankhamun, and daughter of Nefertiti.[2] Using a different interpretation of the DNA results, Gabolde suggests this mummy is instead that of Mutemwiya, the mother of Amenhotep III.[5]

This mummy was found in the upper corridor. The upper frontal part of the skull is missing but her left eye socket remains. The teeth that are present show moderate wear. Dark hair is present on the nape of the neck. Much of the chest wall is missing; the torso contains linen embalming packs. The left arm is broken but was once flexed across the chest in the 'queenly' pose; the left hand is clenched. Degenerative changes to the spine are present across multiple vertebrae. Most of both legs are present, but the front parts of both feet are missing. Her height in life is estimated to be approximately 151 cm (4 ft 11+1⁄2 in) while her age is estimated at 45 years based on degenerative bone changes.[8]

DNA analysis did not yield enough data to make a firm identification but tied her to the late Eighteenth Dynasty royal line.[2] Hawass considers this mummy is a candidate for the body of Nefertiti; this is based on her association with the possible body of Ankhesenamun. It is now known that in KV35, a mother (Tiye) was found lying next to her daughter (the Younger Lady); it is possible the same relationship exists between these mummies.[8]