Wall Relief from the Tomb of Ramses V and VI (KV9)

This wall relief, rendered in shallow carving and polychrome, features registers of Egyptian hieroglyphs interspersed with pictorial scenes. At the top, a series of human figures with arms raised in adoration face a row of birds. Below this, a long, undulating serpent spans the length of the composition, its body segmented into curves that each contain a small, standing human figure. To the left and right, various anthropomorphic deities and spirits are depicted in profile, dressed in traditional Egyptian kilts, gesturing towards the central texts and symbolic creatures.

This artwork represents scenes from the Book of Gates, a major New Kingdom funerary text found in royal tombs. It details the journey of the sun god Ra through the twelve gates of the Duat (underworld) during the night, illustrating the trials and protections required for the deceased king to achieve resurrection.