The Valley of the Kings is a valley made of limestone, located in the Theban Hills. Here is where many Egyptian pharaohs mummified bodies are buried. The area marks a time in ancient Egyptian history, where pharaohs chose tombs made of limestone instead of the pyramid style, in order to preserve the mummies for eternity and also to avoid grave robbing.
Centuries ago, the tombs were stripped of much of their contents, but regardless of this, they still display fantastic wall paintings. The paintings portray the lives of the pharaohs in ancient Egypt, down to the smallest detail. The most famous tomb is that of Tutankhamun, which was discovered in perfect condition by Howard Carter in 1922. The Egyptian Antiquities Museum in Cairo displays the many treasures found inside. The tomb of Tutankhamun is less magnificent then the other pharaohs of Egypt, quite possibly due to his short reign and young age, however this tomb is a blessing to the boy King, as the Egyptians believed that if their name was remembered, their soul would live on.
Nearby to the Valley of the Kings, are the Valley of the Queens and the Valley of the Nobles, which are equally exciting. The most famous tomb in the Valley of the Queens is the Tomb of Queen Nefertari, the most important and favourite wife of Ramses II [Queen Nefertari was one of five wives]. The Queen was known as “ the most beautiful of them”, and in many of the paintings the Queen is usually wearing a golden crown with two feathers extended from the back of a vulture. She is also clothed in a white, gossamer gown. Be sure not to miss the side room where one scene portrays the Queen worshipping the mummified body of Osiris. This tomb was opened to the public in 1995.
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