Luxor - Valley of Kings

The Valley of Kings contains 62 tombs, almost all belonging to the pharaohs of the 18th, 19th and 20th Dynasties (1570 - 1090 BC). The tombs were cut into the soft limestone by workmen living at Deir el Medina. Construction and decoration began as soon as a Pharaoh came to the throne and followed a similar pattern in all tombs. Three corridors lead to an antechamber giving on to a main hall with a sunken floor for receiving the sarcophagus.

Some of the important tombs are:

Tomb 2: Ramses IV (20th Dynasty) - The New Kingdom was already in decline when this tomb was cut. The patterns of the bright colors against an overall background of white,a nd the excellent lighting, contribute to a favorable impression. There is much Ptolemaic and Coptic graffiti throughout.

Tomb 9: Ramses VI (20th Dynasty) - This tomb originally ended after three corridors but was later extended to double its length. The coloring remains fresh throughout.

Tomb 17: Seti I (19th Dynasty) - At 100 m, the tomb of Seti I is the longest in the valley. Its reliefs are wonderfully preserved and beautifully executed.

Tomb 62: Tutankhamun (18th Dynasty) - This is the only tomb in the Valley of kings that was found with its contents intact. Owing to the Pharaoh's eraly death at 19 ( he had ascended to the throne at the age of 12), the tomb is small and was hurriedly decorated. Its treasures have been moved to Cairo. All that remains now is the open sarcophagus. Within it lies the outermost of the three gold sarcophagi, and, unseen within that, the mummy of Tutankhamun himself.


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