The tomb of Prince Khaemwaset lies in the Valley of the Queens which is to the south of the Theban Hills. Ticket are available on site and cost 35 le to see any three open tombs including this one. Opening times are 7.00 a.m. until 5.00 p.m. in the winter and 7.00 a.m. until 6.00 p.m. in the summer.          

Like many of the tombs in the Valley, this tomb follows a straight axis with a sloping corridor that leads to a long antechamber which annexes run on either side.  Beyond this is the burial chamber, which has niches and a further annex at the rear.

Ramses III emulated Ramses II in many ways and he named several of his own sons after those of Ramses II.  The original Prince Khaemwaset was one of the more famous of Ramses II as he became High Priest of Ptah but this Prince Khaemwaset although he also became a priest of Ptah did not rise to the same heights as his namesake.  Nevertheless, he did hold high office and in his youth was ‘fan-bearer to the right of the King’.  He was one of Ramses III older sons and it is thought that Queen Tyti may have been his mother but his age at death has never been determined. 

Many of the tomb’s paintings show him with the side-lock of a child but markings on his sarcophagus indicate that he might have outlived his father.  However, this seems unlikely as there would have been evidence of him holding higher office than he did.  Also, most of the tomb’s paintings are of Ramses III presenting his son to the Gods and if Ramses were already dead, then this would not have been possible.  It is therefore safe to assume that although he did not die in infancy he probably did die before his father and that could be why a fifth son rather than him ascended to the throne.  Also, the sarcophagus could have been one that had been recycled.

The tomb bas elegant paintings throughout and several chapters of the Book of the Dead are shown on the burial chamber walls together with illustrations of Ramses III taking Prince Khaemwaset through the various Gates that lead to the Underworld and hence to the realm of Osiris.  On the rear wall of the burial chamber annex is a painting of Osiris with green skin between the goddesses Neith and Nephthys while at his feet, the four sons of Horus rise from a lotus flower.