The Valley of the Kings
Royal Black Tour invites you to embark on a journey through time to one of the most rich, historical, marvelous catacombs in both the new and old world at Memphis, Luxor: The valley of Kings. This monumental catacomb which for approximately five centuries is the resting place of Egyptian kings from the Twentieth Dynasty to the Eighteenth Dynasty.
Where is the Valley of The Kings?
Located on the western bank of the Nile River, facing Thebes, which is now modern-day Luxor, and nestled within the heart of the Theban Necropolis, lies the valley of kings. This Valley comprises two primary sections: the East Valley, home to the majority of royal tombs, and the West Valley, also recognized as the Valley of the Monkeys.
The Valley of the Kings boasts an array of 65 tombs and chambers, each with its unique size and complexity. From the modest pit of KV54 to the sprawling labyrinth of KV5, boasting over 120 chambers dedicated to the sons of Ramesses II, the valley offers a glimpse into ancient Egyptian burial practices.
Serving as the primary resting place for prominent royal figures of the New Kingdom era and select nobles, these tombs are adorned with intricate scenes depicting Egyptian mythology, shedding light on the beliefs and customs surrounding the afterlife. Despite the apparent signs of looting in antiquity, these tombs still stand as testaments to the grandeur and authority of Egypt’s pharaohs.\
What sets the tombs in the valley of the kings from the rest?
The traditional architectural layout of these tombs typically featured a lengthy rock-cut corridor, which gradually descended through one or more halls, symbolically mirroring the sun god’s journey into the underworld. In the earlier constructions, the corridors often made 90-degree turns, leading to burial chambers shaped like cartouches, a design referred to as the “Bent Axis.” Following interments, the upper corridors were intended to be filled with rubble to conceal the tomb’s entrance.
Post-Amarna Period, the layout evolved into an intermediate “Jogged Axis,” before transitioning to the more linear “Straight Axis” observed in the tombs of the late Nineteenth and Twentieth Dynasties, such as those of Ramesses III and Ramesses IX.
Concurrently, the steep slopes of the corridors gradually diminished, nearly disappearing by the late Twentieth Dynasty. Additionally, a common feature found in most tombs is the presence of a “well,” initially serving a practical purpose to prevent flooding but later taking on a symbolic significance as a magical shaft. In some cases, during the later Twentieth Dynasty, the well itself was left unexcavated by builders, yet the well room remained intact.
Most of the royal tombs boasted elaborate adornments featuring religious texts and imagery. Initially, these decorations depicted scenes from the Amduat, detailing the nocturnal journey of the sun god across twelve hours. Subsequently, starting with Horemheb’s era, the tombs showcased the Book of Gates, illustrating the sun god’s passage through twelve gates that delineated night and ensuring safe passage for the tomb’s owner. These earlier tombs were typically modestly adorned, while non-royal tombs often lacked any decoration entirely.
In the later Nineteenth Dynasty, the Book of Caverns, delineating the underworld into vast caverns inhabited by deities and awaiting the sun’s rejuvenating passage, found its place in the upper reaches of the tombs. A complete rendition can be observed in Ramesses VI’s tomb. Ramesses III’s burial introduced the Book of the Earth, portraying the underworld divided into four regions, culminating in the sun disc’s emergence from the earth by Naunet.
Ceiling adornments within the burial chambers, commencing with Seti I’s reign, featured what later became known as the Book of the Heavens, chronicling the sun’s nocturnal journey once more. Concurrently, during Seti I’s reign, the Litany of Reemerged, a lengthy hymn venerating the sun god.
Who are the most famous Kings that are buried inside?
As previously mentioned, the Valley of Kings Houses about 65 tombs (that are discovered till now); and despite the fact that each and every tomb inside has its beautiful aesthetic and rich history Decorated on top of their majestic walls, there are some tombs which can be considered the cream of the crop like:
Tutankhamun
Despite the fact of being the smallest and least decorated tomb in the catacombs, what truly separates Tutankhamun’s tomb from the rest is that it stands alone as the sole royal burial site within the Valley of the Kings discovered in a state close to pristine condition.
Within its chambers were unearthed a staggering array of 5,398 artifacts, ranging from the majestic solid gold coffin and the iconic face mask to thrones, archery bows, trumpets, and even everyday items such as a lotus chalice, Imiut fetishes, and gold toe stalls. The tomb also yielded a wealth of furniture, provisions like food and wine, as well as clothing including sandals and fresh linen undergarments.
Archeologists dedicated a decade to meticulously cataloging each of these remarkable treasures. Recent examinations of certain artifacts, notably a dagger recovered from the tomb, have revealed astonishing insights: the blade of the dagger was crafted from meteoric iron, hinting at advanced metalworking techniques of the Mediterranean region during Tutankhamun’s era. Such analyses offer invaluable glimpses into ancient metallurgical practices.
Thutmose III
Often referred to as Thutmose the Great, he was the sixth pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty, ascending to the throne at a tender age of two and ruling until his demise at fifty-six. However, for the initial 22 years of his reign, he shared power with his stepmother and aunt, Hatshepsut, who bore the title of pharaoh. Despite being depicted first on extant monuments, both were endowed with royal titles and insignia, with no clear indication of seniority. Thutmose III led Hatshepsut’s armies and was the grand general.
Acknowledged as one of history’s preeminent warriors, military tacticians, and strategists, Thutmose III is celebrated as Egypt’s foremost warrior pharaoh and conqueror, a dominant figure during the pinnacle of Egyptian power in the New Kingdom era. Following Hatshepsut’s death, he assumed sole rulership, embarking on an impressive series of campaigns, numbering at least 17 and possibly reaching 20, all crowned with victory, thus expanding Egypt’s empire to its zenith.
His military exploits are meticulously documented in the inscriptions known as the Annals of Thutmose III, showcasing his unparalleled leadership and prowess. Additionally, he is credited with pioneering the ancient Egyptian navy, establishing the world’s inaugural combat fleet. His military acumen and conquests have led Historians to call him the “Napoleon of Egypt.”
However, another matter sets aside from other Egyptian pharos other than his outstanding and historical achievement and that was his hidden enmity with the Hatshepsut which became evident after he erased her name from the walls of her temples; historians suspect that the motive behind his action were 2 reasons. First, he wanted to erase Hatshepsut name from the annals of history and for her to be forgotten; ensuring that there is no competition to his line of succession.
The second and more likely reason is because he wanted her to get lost on her way to the afterlife with no blessing to guide her when she is resurrected. as for the reason for this enmity historians didn’t fully agree on one explanation other than that she usurped the throne from him when he was young.
Other historians counter that claim with the fact that Thutmose was leader of Hatshepsut’s army without her objecting. for now, the reason for his actions remains as a puzzle yet to be solved.
Ramses II
Ramesses II, born around 1303 BC and passing away in 1213 BC, is famously known as Ramesses the Great. He ruled as an Egyptian pharaoh during the Nineteenth Dynasty, marking one of the most significant periods in ancient Egypt’s history. Alongside Thutmose III, another renowned ruler of the Eighteenth Dynasty, Ramesses II is celebrated as one of the most exceptional and powerful pharaohs of the New Kingdom era. His reign was characterized by numerous victorious military campaigns, totaling at least 15, although the Battle of Kadesh is often viewed as a stalemate.
however, another thing that sets Ramses II 2 apart is the great monuments constructed during his reign; and OfCourse he is most famous for Abu Simbel. standing as a testament to the grandeur of ancient Egypt. Around 1255 BC, Ramesses II and his queen, Nefertari, journeyed to Nubia to unveil this magnificent temple complex. The imposing facade of the Great Temple reflects Ramesses’ ambition not only to reign as Egypt’s most illustrious pharaoh but also to be revered as a divine figure for eternity.
Seti I
Seti I’s tomb stands out as the most stunning and decorated masterpiece among all the tombs nestled in the Valley of the Kings. Its corridors and chambers are embellished with intricate high and low reliefs, showcasing meticulous craftsmanship. The grand burial chamber is particularly striking, featuring vibrant wall scenes and a mesmerizing astronomical tableau on the special ceiling.
Seti I’s tomb is notably distinguished as the inaugural tomb featuring a burial chamber with a vaulted ceiling. What adds intrigue is how the passage commences from the floor of the burial chamber, descending deeper into the earth. This design is thought to symbolically link Seti I’s tomb with the ancient forces of renewal and regeneration dwelling within the underworld.