KV55, Archaeological site in Valley of the Kings, Egypt

KV55 is a small, undecorated single-chamber tomb in the Valley of the Kings, 27.61 metres long. A flight of 20 steps cut into the bedrock leads down to a sloping corridor and the burial chamber, whose south wall holds a niche begun for an antechamber. Red mason's marks on the east wall show a further room was planned.

Edward Ayrton uncovered this tomb in 1907 while working for Theodore Davis, finding items linked to the royal family of the 18th dynasty. The discovery provided new insight into the reign of Akhenaten and his successors.

The tomb's popular name, the Amarna cache, comes from its mixed contents: a gilded wooden shrine bearing Queen Tiye's name and likeness, canopic jars resembling those of Akhenaten's secondary wife Kiya, and magical bricks inscribed with Akhenaten, Amenhotep III and Sitamun. The coffin's gold mask was torn away and the name cartouches chiselled out to condemn Akhenaten to oblivion.

Access is only possible through authorized guided visits, as the tomb remains closed at certain times for research and preservation work. Visitors should check current opening conditions in advance, as these vary depending on ongoing projects.

DNA analysis of remains from this tomb confirmed a direct family link to Tutankhamun, suggesting the burial of a male member of the royal line. The identity of the person buried here continues to be debated among scholars.