Valley of the Kings—Gateway to Afterlife Provides Window on the Past
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Report: Valley of the Kings
Purpose
The Pyramids of Giza and the Nile Delta were the tombs of choice for pharaohs of Egypt's Old
Kingdom. But New Kingdom pharaohs, who wanted to be closer to the source of their dynastic
roots in the south. The ancient Egyptians built massive public monuments to their pharaohs. But
they also spent time and treasure creating hidden underground tombs that no one was ever meant
to see.
During Egypt's New Kingdom (1539-1075 B.C.) the valley became a royal burial ground for
pharaohs such as Tutankhamun, Seti I, and Ramses II, as well as queens, high priests, and other
elites of the 18th, 19th, and 20th dynasties.
The tombs evidence elaborate preparations for the next world, in which humans were promised
continuing life and pharaohs were expected to become one with the gods. Mummification was
used to preserve the body so that the deceased's eternal soul would be able to reanimate it in the
afterlife.
Location
The most famed collection of such elaborate tombs—the Valley of the Kings—lies on the Nile's
west bank near Luxor. It is situated away from the Nile River in a hidden valley, surrounded by
granite cliffs.
Contents of the Tombs
The underground tombs were also well stocked with all the material goods a ruler might need in
the next world. Treasures—like the golden masks found with King Tut—are dazzling, but the
tombs also contained the more mundane.
"They included furniture, clothes (even underwear), and jewelry [though] it's curious that we
have no books—from Tut at least," says Salima Ikram, a professor of Egyptology at American
University in Cairo and a National Geographic grantee.
Tombs were also well provisioned with enough food and drink, including wine and beer, for
royal feasting in the next world, as well as sacred objects meant to help the deceased achieve
eternal life, even favored companions.
"[We find] pets buried nearby," Ikram says. "Hunting dogs, pet baboons, and gazelles."
More Mysteries Await?
Tomb robbers, treasure hunters, and archaeologists have been combing the Valley of the Kings
for centuries—yet it continues to yield surprises.
Many thought that the 62 tombs discovered before 1922 represented all that would be found in
the valley—until Howard Carter discovered the resting place of a boy king called King
Tutankhamun.
In 2005 a team led by archaeologist Otto Schaden discovered the valley's first unknown tomb
since Tutankhamun's. The site, dubbed KV 63, was found only about 50 feet (15 meters) from
the walls of Tut's resting place.
KV 63 had no mummy but housed sarcophagi, pottery, linens, flowers, and other materials.
Some believe it heralds the presence of another as yet undiscovered tomb.
"KV 63 is an embalming cache; there must be a tomb to go with it," Ikram says.
At least one late Ramesside pharaoh's tomb (Ramses VIII) is still undiscovered, and many
believe it may be found within the valley.
Clues to such discoveries may be found in period Egyptian writings that mention notables who
likely rated tombs but have not been identified.
"You try to find out what hasn't been discovered, and figure out where they might possibly be,
and then look in those areas," said David P. Silverman, an Egyptologist at the University of
Pennsylvania. "You never know what you are going to find."
But if more tombs are found, will they be as relatively unmolested as Tut's? The odds are against
it.
Though their entrances were well hidden, nearly all of the valley's known royal tombs were
likely robbed before the end of the 20th dynasty—Egyptian records testify to robbers' trials and
to the harsh punishments handed down.
By the time the Greek writer Diodorus Siculus visited the valley's tombs (circa 60 B.C.) he
wrote, "We found nothing there except the results of pillage and destruction."
http://science.nationalgeographic.com.au/science/archaeology/valley-of-the-kings/notice of
ancient thieves.
Note making: Valley of the Kings
Purpose
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Pharaohs built Pyramids in north in Old Kingdom as tombs
New Kingdom (1539-1075 B.C.) they built tombs in Valley of Kings in south
  hidden underground
Pharaohs buried there-Tutankhamun, Seti I, and Ramses II,
also queens, high priests, and other important people
preparations for the next world- afterlife
Mummification to preserve the body – needed for the afterlife
Location
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On Nile's west bank near Luxor
away from the Nile River in a hidden valley, surrounded by granite cliffs.
Contents of the Tombs
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goods needed for afterlife
 golden masks (King Tut), furniture, clothes (even underwear), and jewelry,
food and drink, including wine and beer, for royal feasting, sacred objects meant to help the
deceased.
 even hunting dogs, pet baboons, gazelles
More Mysteries Await?
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Tomb robbers, treasure hunters, and archaeologists still look for tombs there
62 tombs discovered before 1922
 1922 Howard Carter tomb of King Tutankhamun.
 2005 archaeologist Otto Schaden discovered unknown tomb KV 63
 KV 63 -no mummy but sarcophagi, pottery, linens, flowers, and other
materials.
 1922 Howard Carter tomb of King Tutankhamun.
 2005 archaeologist Otto Schaden discovered unknown tomb KV 63
 KV 63 -no mummy but sarcophagi, pottery, linens, flowers, and other
materials.
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entrances well hidden, but nearly all of the valley's known royal tombs robbed before the
end of 20th dynasty
 Egyptian records -robbers' trials –given the harsh punishments
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Greek writer Diodorus Siculus about valley's tombs (circa 60 B.C.) "We found nothing
there except the results of pillage and destruction."
http://science.nationalgeographic.com.au/science/archaeology/valley-of-the-kings/notice of
ancient thieves.