TAA i.2.1.90

{on page between entries for 6 and 7 December 1923}

I cannot help but remark that the more one contemplates

upon the scene on the walls of the Sepulchral Chamber, where

King Ai is represented before the Osiride King TutankhAmen,

the more one is inclined to think that the its true interpretation

is that Ai was Co-Regent with TutankhAmen. And that the

problem with regard to this part of the XVIII^th Dyn. branch of the

Amenhetep and El Amarna families we are dealing with a

series of Co-Regencies & not separate reigns.

The tomb of Amenhetep III in Wadyein, which immediately precedes

this period, is a full developed orthodox New Empire Royal tomb and

its dimensions are in keeping with the preceding Royal Tombs. The tomb

of Horemheb immediately succeeding Ai is also in exact keeping in its

sequence of Royal Tomb. Now the tombs of Akhenaten, Tutankhamen

and Ai are only of semi-Royal Type, and they are of meagre dimension.

In fact in plan & size what might be termed D/Semi-Royal.

In the tomb of TutankhAmen among the objects which referen to

SmenKaRa we find his name and titles linked with those of

Akhenaten. In the Sepulchral Chamber Ai is represented as a

King, having kingly titles, and stands before the Osiride form of

TutankhAmen, which links him with seems to link him with the

deceased Monarch.

Such facts would seem to tend towards co-regencies rather

than separate reigns.