The Valley of the Kings is not merely an archaeological site, but the greatest necropolis of the ancient world, carved into the heart of the lifeless Theban mountains on the west bank of the Nile in Luxor. For almost 500 years, this secluded, rocky gorge served as a secret cemetery for the mighty rulers of Egypt during the New Kingdom era (16th–11th centuries BC). Here, under the scorching sun, hidden from sight and thieves, the pharaohs hoped to find eternal rest.
The Evolution of Royal Necropolises: From Pyramids to Secret Gorges
To understand the genius behind the Valley of the Kings, one must trace the millennia-long evolution of royal tombs.
Saqqara (c. 2650 BC): The Birth of an Idea. Here, Pharaoh Djoser built the world`s first step pyramid—a giant staircase to the heavens. It was a monument proudly towering over the desert, glorifying the king in life and after death.
Giza (c. 2550 BC): The Apex of Grandeur. The Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure became the culmination of the idea of a visible, indestructible monument. They symbolized a ray of the sun, frozen in stone, and the absolute power of the pharaoh-god. But their greatness became their curse—they were too conspicuous, too rich, attracting tomb robbers for millennia.
Transitional Period: Later pharaohs of the Old and Middle Kingdoms attempted to build less noticeable or fortified pyramids, but to no avail. Almost all royal tombs were plundered.
The Valley of the Kings (c. 1500 BC): A Revolution in the Architecture of Death. The first pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty, Ahmose I, who expelled the Hyksos, ushered in a new era—the New Kingdom. His successors, starting with Thutmose I, made a radical turn. On the advice of their viziers, they abandoned pyramids in favor of hidden, rock-cut tombs.
The goal was simple: to hide, not to display. The pharaoh`s body and his treasures were buried in a secret, well-guarded gorge, while his funerary cult was observed in majestic temples on the edge of the Nile valley (like the Ramesseum or the Temple of Hatshepsut). Thus, the Valley of the Kings was founded.
What is the Valley of the Kings?
This is not a single cave, but a complex labyrinth of over 60 royal and noble tombs, designated by the Latin letters KV (King`s Valley) and a number (KV1, KV2, etc.). Tomb architecture evolved: from simple, bent corridors of early pharaohs to giant, arrow-straight "tunnels" from the 19th–20th Dynasties, plunging hundreds of meters deep into the rock.
The Most Impressive Tombs:
KV9 (Tomb of Ramesses VI): One of the deepest and most beautiful. It is adorned with stunning colored reliefs from the "Book of Gates" and the "Book of Caverns," and the ceiling of the burial chamber depicts the giant Celestial Nut, who gives birth to and swallows the sun daily. Interestingly, the entrance to this tomb was blocked by rubble, which for centuries concealed the entrance to the neighboring, most famous tomb.
KV11 (Tomb of Ramesses III, "The Tomb of the Harper"): Impressive for its size and variety of scenes. One of its side chambers depicts two blind harpists, which gave the tomb its modern name. It is one of the longest tombs in the Valley.
KV17 (Tomb of Seti I): The masterpiece of the Valley of the Kings. It is the longest, deepest, and most completely decorated tomb. Its reliefs are an example of the highest art of the New Kingdom: exquisite carving, part of which remained as elegant outlines drawn in red paint. Seti I`s alabaster sarcophagus is one of the most beautiful in Egypt and is now housed in the Sir John Soane`s Museum in London.
The Sensational Tomb: KV62 – Tutankhamun
This is undoubtedly the most famous, but by no means the largest or most beautiful tomb in the Valley. Its global fame stems from a single factor: it was found almost intact. Discovered by Howard Carter in November 1922, it became the greatest archaeological discovery of the 20th century.
Why wasn`t it found? The tomb of Tutankhamun, a young pharaoh who died unexpectedly, was small and modest. Its entrance was buried under rubble during the construction of the later tomb of Ramesses VI (KV9) and was forgotten for 3,000 years.
What`s inside? Tourists will see the tomb itself, but all the treasures are now housed in the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza. In the burial chamber, the gilded outer wooden sarcophagus with the mummy of Tutankhamun inside still rests. On the walls are bright, yet simply executed paintings depicting the pharaoh`s journey to the afterlife. The main thing one feels here is authenticity. This is the very chamber where Carter first shone a light and saw "wonderful things."
Legends, Mysteries, and the "Curse of the Pharaohs"
The Curse of Tutankhamun: The legend of a deadly curse striking the excavation participants was spawned by the tabloid press following the sudden death of Lord Carnarvon. Science explains the deaths by natural causes and possibly by spores of ancient bacteria in the sealed tomb. Howard Carter himself, the chief "disturber of Tutankhamun`s peace," lived a long life.
Unsolved Mysteries: Do undiscovered tombs still exist? Many Egyptologists believe that somewhere in the Valley, the burial place of the legendary Queen Nefertiti or other pharaohs of the 18th Dynasty may be hidden. Modern technologies like radar scanning periodically hint at voids in the rock, spawning new hypotheses.
KV5 – The Tomb of the Sons of Ramesses II: Rediscovered in 1995, it turned out to be the largest tomb in the Valley (over 120 chambers), intended for the numerous children of the great pharaoh. Its full investigation continues to this day, and it is closed to visitors.
What Tourists Must See?
A ticket to the Valley of the Kings typically includes entry to 3 tombs (the tomb of Tutankhamun is paid separately). Here is an optimal route for a first visit:
Purchase an additional ticket for the Tomb of Tutankhamun (KV62): To touch the history of the great discovery and see the pharaoh`s mummy.
Choose 2-3 "standard" tombs from the general list:
• Ramesses IX (KV6): Easily accessible, with bright colors and the famous scene of the solar disc with the goddess Nut.
• Ramesses III (KV11): For a sense of scale and to see the "Hall of the Harper."
• Merenptah (KV8): A deep, impressive burial chamber with the remains of a giant granite sarcophagus.
• Thutmose III (KV34): One of the earliest. To enter, one must climb a high staircase. Its decoration in a cursive hieroglyphic style appears austere yet royally powerful.
Purchase a separate ticket for a masterpiece tomb: For a complete experience, it is highly recommended to visit one of the two best tombs (tickets for these are sold separately and are limited):
• Tomb of Seti I (KV17): The absolute top choice. Not always open, but if possible—it`s a must-see.
• Tomb of Ramesses VI (KV9): Almost equal in beauty, usually always open. Its ceiling with the Celestial Nut is one of the wonders of the Valley.
Photography inside the tombs is strictly prohibited (only at the entrance). Bring water, a head covering, and comfortable shoes for walking on rocky paths. Visiting the Valley of the Kings is a journey into the heart of ancient Egyptian eschatology, where every drawing on the wall was a map, and every symbol was a pledge of eternal life in the world beyond.
