Deep in the limestone hills of Luxor, on the west bank of the Nile, lies the Valley of the Kings, the renowned royal necropolis of the New Kingdom. Here, the kings of the 18th, 19th, and 20th dynasties chose their eternal resting places, ensuring their legacies would endure for millennia.
Historical Significance
The Valley of the Kings, locally known as el-Qurn (meaning “the Horn”), is famous for its evocative pyramid-shaped peak, which likely influenced the selection of this site for royal burials. The valley branches into two wadis: the main branch, forming the primary valley, and the secondary branch, the Western Valley, which houses the tombs of only two known kings, Amenhotep III (WV22) and Ay (WV23).
Tombs and Discoveries
The necropolis contains sixty-two tombs, with the earliest being KV38, attributed to Thutmose I (1504-1492 BC), and the latest, KV4, belonging to Ramesses XI (1099-1069 BC). Despite its name, not all tombs in the Valley of the Kings belong to royalty. Out of the 63 tombs, only 20 are royal, while the others belong to nobles and the wives of kings.
KV63: The Last Discovery
In 2005, KV63 was discovered, initially thought to be a tomb but later identified as a storage site for mummification tools. This tomb located a few meters from Tutankhamun’s tomb, contained seven coffins, all empty except for mummification implements, dating back to the 18th dynasty.
Tutankhamun’s Tomb
The most famous tomb in the valley is that of Tutankhamun (KV62). Discovered by Howard Carter on November 4, 1922, it is the only tomb found intact and spared from ancient robbers, primarily due to its location beneath the tomb of Ramesses VI. Tutankhamun, known as the “Golden King,” ruled Egypt for approximately ten years, dying young at around 19 years old. Most of his treasures are now displayed in the Cairo Museum.
The Tombs and Their Robbers
Despite the measures taken to conceal the tombs, all except Tutankhamun’s were eventually broken into and plundered. Documents and papyrus records from the 18th dynasty reveal that robbers targeted the tombs of pharaohs, including Ramesses VI. During the reign of Ramesses IX, the priests hid the mummies of Amenhotep I and II and later relocated most mummies to a deep shaft near the Deir el-Bahri temple, known as the Deir el-Bahri Cache.
Visiting the Valley of the Kings
Several tombs in the Valley of the Kings are open to visitors, including those of Ramesses III, Merenptah, Ramesses IV, Tawosret and Sethnakht, Ramesses IX, Ramesses VII, Seti II, Siptah, and Thutmose IV. Notably, the tombs of Tutankhamun and Ramesses VI require an extra ticket. Admission typically includes access to three tombs, and the use of cameras and video equipment is prohibited to preserve the tombs’ colors.
Deep in the limestone hills northwest of Deir el-Bahri lies the Valley of the Kings, a testament to the grandeur and ambition of the Pharaohs of ancient Egypt. From the earliest tomb of Thutmose I to the last resting place of Ramesses XI, this valley has witnessed the rise and fall of some of Egypt’s most powerful rulers. Although many tombs were looted, the Valley of the Kings remains a profound symbol of the ancient Egyptian belief in the afterlife and the enduring legacy of its kings.
