Egypt’s Valley of the Kings

Egypt's Most Famous Necropolis

Like any mysterious but enigmatic destination, the Valley of the Kings is one destination that should never be missed when in Egypt.

This vast valley is a royal burial place for almost 500 years during the 16th to the 11th century BC. Most of the Pharaohs as well as powerful nobles of the New Kingdom are buried here.

Located on the west bank of the Nile River in the ancient city of Thebes, now Luxor, this is one valley that travelers to Egypt should never miss.

A Short History

First used by the Pharaoh Thutmosis I, it is his predecessor Amenhotep I, who is consider the patron-god of the valley by the actual engineers and builders of the essential parts of the valley.

The Valley of the Kings itself has two main branches which are the royal tombs located in the East Valley and the West Valley housing only the tombs of Amenhotep III and Ay.

The valley is known to house at least 63 burial tombs with at least 120 chambers all ranging in size and decorations. The decorations that adorn the tombs are mostly scenes from the Egyptian Mythology – giving the explorers today a glimpse of the faith and belief of the ancient civilization.

Priests in the 21st ruling dynasty decided that the tombs are usual targets of many robbers and in efforts to save these tombs as well as the treasures inside them they were transferred to El Deir el-Bahri Mountains in two separate cache tombs.

The Valley Today

All of the tombs seemed to have been opened or robbed at some point in time, but those that were recovered gave us an idea of the great power of the rulers during their time.

The most famous discovery in this area is the tomb of Tutankhamen that was discovered almost intact by Howard Carter in 1922.

Today continuous efforts are being geared on recovering any more of the pharaohs, nobles or the treasures buried with them. Most Luxor Tours include a visit to the Valley of the King.