This fabled valley, once the Necropolis of Thebes, holds 64 tombs. More tombs are anticipated to be discovered, chiseled deep into the cliff sides. This is where Howard Carter discovered the treasures of Tutankhamen in 1922.  The Valley was used for primary burials for royal tombs from approximately 1539 BC to 1075 BC.…… the world’s most magnificent burial ground and one of the most famous archaeological sites.

It is believed that this area was chosen as a burial ground to avoid the tomb-robbing at the Pyramids of Giza and the Nile Delta. By carving these tombs deep within the earth, the pharaohs believed their tombs and treasures would be safe from robbers.   Each tomb is long and narrow, has the king’s formal name and title inscribed, and is decorated with his images and statues.  Because these tombs were long sealed from the elements, their walls retained the vibrant colors and deeply chiseled details that were added by the original builders thousands of years ago.

We could tour five tombs, including Ramses III,  VI, IX, and King Tut.  The last picture below is the mummy of King Tut…the contents of his tomb have toured the world. They will ultimately settle in at the new museum in Cairo.

Visiting the Valley of the Kings was a transformative experience in many ways. I gained a deeper appreciation of ancient Egyptian history, art, and the achievements of the pharaohs and their civilizations. I felt a sense of awe at the tombs’ sheer scale and beauty. I also developed a reverence and respect for the individuals who built these monumental structures. Absolutely amazing!