Many of these were small tombs, which were basically single holes in the ground, while the very large ones revealed over 100 other underground chambers. For a period of nearly 500 years, from the 16th to the 11th century BC, known as the New Kingdom of Ancient Egypt, the Valley of the Kings was home to the tombs of the Pharaohs. On the West Bank of the Nile across from modern Luxor, cut into the Theban Hills, lies the Valley of the Kings (KV). Nearby, another cache was found holding the mummies of the priests that had moved the pharaohs to begin with. Past visitors recommended avoiding the area during the summer, since temperatures rise into the 100s. © Mohd Tarmizi - Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut. Because of the unpredictability of limestone formations in the area, pharaohs invariably tried to choose what they perceived to be the more âsuperiorâ spot, compared to their predecessors. With a name that encapsulates all of the grandeur of Egypt ’s ancient past, the Valley of the Kings is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979, it remains a popular tourist destination spot for both foreigners and locals. else if (h) d=g+h+i Thankfully, the real treasure found there was the artwork of ancient Egyptians; these wall paintings allowed experts a glimpse into the lives of the Pharaohs and other significant people buried there. It was founded by the third XVIIIth Dynasty king, Tuthmosis, who kept adding glory to ancient Egypt. Archaeologists have found around sixty-three tombs (with the latest discovery being in 2008) at this burial complex located in the hills of Dayr- … The mummies of over 50 kings, queens, and assorted nobles were moved from the Valley of the Kings to this temple by priests during the 21st Dynasty to preserve them from looting and desecration by grave robbers. Instead, some belonged to influential people such as members of the royal household, wives, trusted advisers, nobles, and even some commoners. During Egypt's New Kingdom (1539-1075 B.C. In these clefts, the softer marl and worn or eroded limestone could easily be chipped off to create entryways for the bodies of the departed. The tomb of Akhenaten was originally intended to be located in the Valley of the Kings; Archaeologists point toward the unfinished WV25 as the intended burial chamber for Akhenaten. Using the natural caverns within the valley, ancient architects carved walls, chambers and intricate pathways without any modern tools with surprising precision. Egyptians: 4 EGP It is one of the largest tombs in the Valley of the Kings, with a deep sloping entrance corridor, which leads to a grand pillared chamber. ©