424 Valley of the QueensThe 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.
Valley of the Queens This was the royal necropolis of
the New Kingdom Period (1550–1070 B.C.E.), located
southwest of MEDINET HABUon the western shore of the
Nile at THEBES. The site was called Ta-set-neferu, “the
Place of the Royal Children,” in the ancient periods and
is now called Biban el-Harim, “the Doors of the Women,”
or Biban el-Melikat, “the Doors of the Daughters,” in Ara-
bic. The queens, princes, and princesses of the New
Kingdom were buried here. The necropolis is believed to
contain 70 tombs. Located in an arid wadi, the site was
developed first on the southern hill and then on the
northwest side.
The most famous tomb of the Valley of the Queens
was built for Queen NEFERTARI- Merymut, the Great Wife
of RAMESSES II (r. 1290–1224 B.C.E.). This site has
columned chambers, stairs, ramps, and an offering hall
with shelves and a burial chamber with four pillars and
three annexes. Elaborately decorated with polychrome
reliefs, the tomb depicts Queen Nefertari-Merymut in the
usual funerary scenes but also portrays her in everyday
scenes of mortal life. The BENNU(phoenix) and the AKER
lions are also displayed. “The Great Wives” of the New
Kingdom all have tombs in this necropolis.
The tombs of the royal sons of the New Kingdom
Period include the resting place of AMENHIRKHOPSHEF(1),
the son of RAMESSES III(r. 1194–1163 B.C.E.). This tomb
has a ramp, three chambers, and two annexes, all painted
with scenes and cultic symbols. A vestibule was part of
the design.
The tomb of KHA’EMWESET(2), another prince of the
dynasty and also a son of RAMESSES III, is in the Valley of
the Queens as well. This is designed with three chambers,
two annexes, and a ramp. The walls are covered with
painted reliefs.
Some officials of the Eighteenth Dynasty (1550–1307
B.C.E.) were given the honor of having small pit tombs in
the Valley of the Queens. Other princesses and princes
were also provided with similar pit tombs.valley temples They were an element of royal mortu-
ary complexes, designed to complement and mirror the
PYRAMIDmortuary vestibule. In use in the Old Kingdom
Period (2575–2134 B.C.E.), the valley temples were
erected on the banks of the Nile, not far from the pyra-
mid sites that were located in the desert. The mortuary
temple was normally erected beside the pyramid and was
connected to the VALLEY TEMPLEby a gigantic causeway,
covered and elaborately decorated. Both temples had T-
shaped entrance halls.
There is evidence that the valley temple had a spe-
cific mortuary function in some reigns. Actual embalm-
ing rituals were conducted on the deceased rulers in
these temples. Special chambers were part of the valley
temple design, providing the arenas for the various stages
of the preparation and the wrapping of the pharaoh’s
human remains. The priests associated with this detailed
process took up residence in the valley temple for the
duration of the embalming process. When the valley tem-
ple was used for mortuary preparation, it was called PER-
NEFER, “the Residence of Beauty,” or WABT,“the Place of
Purification.”viceroy It was an office of the Egyptian royal govern-
ment, originally given to hereditary princes and counts of
the various nomes or provinces and then bestowed upon
commoners who displayed integrity, administrative skills,
and loyalty. These officers also governed territories out-
side of Egypt, such as the domain called Kush, the Egyp-
tian NUBIA(modern Sudan). The VICEROYof Kush was
given an honorary title of “the King’s Son of Kush,”
denoting his rank and favor. ’AHMOSE (r. 1550–1525
B.C.E.) established this position as Egypt put down rebel-
lions south of ASWANand reopened FORTRESSESand TRADE