Since the eighteenth dynasty, the burial place of the kings is on the site formerly named “Place of greatness” or “Place of truth.” Bereft of vegetation, this desert is dominated by Mount al-Qurn (Horn), natural shape of a pyramid. Having become the Valley of the Kings, the graves are dug in the arid mountain inspiration to both death and immortality. For more than 1000 years, the pharaohs were buried in this valley. These splendid paintings in tombs are listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Formerly, this desert was very lively. The priests who performed the ritual sacrifice lived near the temple guards. The pharaohs were monitoring from these temples advance the work of their burial.
These tombs have little near the same features: a door cut in the cliff opens onto a wide hallway straight slowly sinking beneath the earth and richly decorated with frescoes carved reflecting all the refinement of life thébaine. This corridor leads to a funeral hall where the sarcophagus of the pharaoh and the treasures he needed to survive for eternity.
62 tombs have been updated, including 25 royal tombs. The oldest grave belongs to Tuthmosis III. Taillées to the rock, enter the homes of eternal Séti I, Ramses II, Tutankhamen.
The most famous tomb is that of Tutankhamun (No. 62) discovered in 1922 by English archaeologist Carter. At that time, some thought that the tomb would be little value given the short duration of the reign of the Pharaoh. To their surprise, it was one of the greatest discoveries ever made. At its opening, the tomb was full of priceless treasures.
The beauty of these treasures is the symbol par excellence of this remarkable civilization. Although the tomb had been robbed twice in antiquity, its content was virtually intact. Statues, tanks, furniture, weapons, boxes, musical instruments, food, pottery. Were profusion. All these objects of gold, alabaster and ivory are now exhibited in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Therefore there is little to see in the tomb today. Only the large sarcophagus is visible in the funeral chamber whose walls are covered with paintings Tutankhamun in the afterlife.
“The tomb of Tuthmosis III (No. 33), son of Tuthmosis II and Hatshepsut, was summarily decorated but reveals a historical interest.
Hidden deep in the limestone cliffs, accessed through a very steep staircase above a ravine staggering. Tuthmosis III wanted to keep this secret construction and especially discourage looters of graves. Anti-room is supported by two columns. The walls are covered 741 deities of the Egyptian pantheon and the ceiling is full of stars. After a turn at 90 degrees, you arrive at the burial chamber very sober and oval containing the sarcophagus of the pharaoh.
The tomb of Ramses III (No. 11), builder of the great temple of Médinet Habou, was originally built for his father Sethnakt. The facades are decorated with painted reliefs representing traditional rituals. At the back of the funeral hall, two pillars are topped by a head of cattle, is very rare. The sarcophagus is now on display at the Louvre.
