Valley of the Kings | Ancient Egyptian Tombs & Archaeology

For the Pharaohs, the Valley of the Kings served as a magnificent tomb. The Pharaohs no longer constructed massive pyramids for burial after roughly 1500 B.C. Instead, the majority of them were interred in the Valley of the Kings’ tombs.

How Many Tombs are in the Valley of the Kings?

In the Valley of the Kings, there are more than 60 tombs. They range in size from modest tombs that aren’t much more than a big hole in the earth to enormous tombs with more than 100 subterranean chambers.

Unfortunately, the majority of the tombs were raided by thieves thousands of years ago, and the riches was taken or removed. However, there is art on the walls that gives archeologists a wealth of information about the life of the Pharaohs and other leaders who were buried here. Tutankhamun’s tomb was the only one that was found with the majority of the treasure and tomb remained in tact.

The Tutankhamun Tomb

The tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, often known as King Tut, is the most well-known one in the Valley of the Kings. It had largely escaped the attention of thieves and vandals when Howard Carter first discovered it in 1922. Carter discovered the burial beneath several derelict workmen’s cabins. This could be the reason why tomb raiders have not discovered it. The King Tut mummy, a gold mask, and a pure gold inner coffin were among the incredible objects that were found in the tomb. The burial room, antechamber, treasure chamber, and annex were just a few of the compartments in the tomb.

King Tut’s Curse

The curse on King Tut’s tomb has long been a source of intrigue. There was a rumor that Howard Carter had hidden a tablet with a curse on it within the tomb so his employees wouldn’t find out. The rumors of a curse, however, are almost certainly untrue. Few people died or suffered terrible outcomes as a result of opening Tutankhamen’s tomb or his mummy.

Anyone else buried here?

Tuthmosis I was the first Pharaoh to be interred in the Valley of the Kings. Numerous Pharaohs, including many of the Rameses (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, IX, X), Hatshepsut, Amenhotep I, and Tutankhamun, were interred here during the course of the following 500 years.

Facts Worth Knowing About the Valley of the Kings

Today, several of the tombs, including Tutankhamun’s, are open to visitors.

Greek, Latin, and Phoenician graffiti from many cultures and eras can be seen on the tombs.

Due to the time period, it is possible that Pharaoh was buried in the Valley of the Kings even though we don’t know who he was during the Exodus in the Bible.

Deir El Medina, a nearby town, was home to tomb workers.

A lock of hair from Tutankhamun’s grandmother was interred with him.