La Mappatura Geofisica Completa della Vale dei Re: risultati preliminari del primo anno di attività (2016-2017), Ricerche Italiane e Scavi in Egitto (RISE) VII

The main results of the project “The complete geophysical survey of the Valley of the Kings (VOK)” obtained during the first season of work (January-July 2017) are presented in this article. Two sites of particular interest have been surveyed: (1) the Western Valley, also named Valley of the Monkeys, in an area previously excavated by an Egyptian archaeological mission directed by Zahi Hawass, here referred to as “Area Z”, and (2) the area surrounding KV62, here referred to as “TUT Area”. Additional preliminary results obtained in other area of interest in the Central VOK are also discussed. The following geophysical methodologies were adopted: Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). The surveyed areas were georeferenced by means of a robotic total station, which was also used to reconstruct the topography of the area. The use of two methods (ERT and GPR) allowed us to increase our level of confidence regarding the interpretation of anomalies of possible anthropic origin.