Valley of the Kings
Location
About
A valley in the western Theban hills used as the royal burial ground for the New Kingdom pharaohs from Thutmose I (c.1504 BCE) to Ramesses XI (c.1070 BCE). The valley contains 65 known tombs, of which about 20 are royal. The walls of these rock-cut tombs are covered in the Amduat, Book of Gates, and Book of the Dead texts — a complete library of New Kingdom royal funerary literature.
Significance
The Valley of the Kings contains the richest collection of royal funerary art and inscribed religious texts in the world. Howard Carter's discovery of the virtually intact tomb of Tutankhamun (KV62) in November 1922 stands as one of the most dramatic moments in the history of archaeology. The 5,000+ objects in the tomb, including the golden death mask, are the most celebrated artifacts of ancient Egypt.
History & Historical Arc
Thutmose I (c.1504 BCE) chose this isolated valley as the burial site for the New Kingdom pharaohs, abandoning the pyram…
Archaeological Notes
KV5, the tomb of Ramesses II's sons, was discovered in 1987 and has revealed over 120 corridors — the largest tomb in th…
Key Features & Structures
- KV62 (Tutankhamun's tomb, virtually intact)
- KV11 (Ramesses III, extensive paintings)
Visitor Information
Open daily. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Entry allows 3 tombs; Tutankhamun extra. Photography inside tombs prohibited.
Related Figures
In the Bible
Source References
- Carter & Mace, The Tomb of Tutankhamen (1923)
- Amduat texts, KV17 (Seti I)