Valley of the Kings

 It is called Biban el-Muluk in Arabic, the most intriguing burial site in the world, dat- ing to the New Kingdom Period (1550–1070  B.C.E.) of Egypt. The Valley of the Kings is located on the western shore of THEBES. The area is a dried river valley that is dominated by a high peak, naturally shaped as a pyra- mid, and contains the tombs of the most celebrated pharaohs of Egypt.

The Eighteenth Dynasty (1550–1307 B.C.E.), founded after ’AHMOSE (r. 1550–1525 B.C.E.) ousted the HYKSOS, or Asiatics, from the Delta, began to fashion elaborate mor- tuary complexes on the western shore of Thebes. ’Ahmose’s heir, AMENHOTEP I (r. 1525–1504 B.C.E.), seeing the extent of robberies and vandalism of royal resting places, separated his burial site from his MORTUARY TEM- PLE in order to protect his remains. His successor, TUTH- MOSIS I (r. 1504–1492  B.C.E.), following Amenhotep I’s example, was the first ruler to have his royal tomb carved out of the expanse of the Valley of the Kings.

This sacred necropolis was remote and easily guarded as a ravine. It is located at the base of a peak called  SHEIKH ABD’  EL-QURNA, sacred to the goddess MERESGER  and in earlier historical periods associated with the cult of the goddess  HATHOR. The site is com- posed of two main branches, to the east and to the west. The majority of the tombs are in the eastern valley, called Ta-set-a’at, “the Great Place,” or Wadi Biban el-Muluk. The eastern valley also contains ravines and minor branches that served as natural sites for the royal tombs. The western valley leads to a natural amphitheater sur-

The general plan of the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings developed rather early in that era. Most con- tained a central passage leading to a series of sloping cor- ridors, halls, shafts, and burial chambers. Some were dug straight into the rock, while others angled, probably because of natural barriers. The angle of descent was often quite steep.

In the Nineteenth Dynasty (1307–1196  B.C.E.), the tombs were not as inclined and straighter in design. Pas- sages were blocked or sealed, and wooden doors were installed. False burial chambers protected the deeper pas- sages that led to the actual resting places of the pharaohs. By the Twentieth Dynasty (1196–1070 B.C.E.), the tombs were smaller and simpler because of the short reigns of the rulers and the lack of resources.

The decoration of these tombs was normally reli- gious in nature, and sections of the sites were named after the various stages of Ré’s journey through the TUAT, or Underworld. Pillars, reliefs, paintings, and statuary graced each chamber and corridor. Magazines or storage rooms were included as well in the designs.

One of the most spectacular tombs is that of TUT’ANKHAMUN (r. 1333–1323 B.C.E.), discovered in 1922. Another site that drew world attention is the tomb erected by RAMESSES II (r. 1290–1224 B.C.E.) for his royal sons. Named KV5, this massive site has been undergoing recent excavations and contains more than 100 chambers thus far. A hall containing 16 pillars, descending stair- ways, offering chapels, magnificent reliefs, and passages link the tomb with the actual burial site of Ramesses II. The tombs in the Valley of the Kings were built and decorated by artisans living in DEIR EL-MEDINA, a village erected to offer adequate housing and facilities for these trained craftsmen. With the fall of the New Kingdom in 1070 B.C.E., the Valley of the Kings was abandoned as a burial site for the royals.