links

Theban Mapping Project
Egypt Sites
Tour Egypt
Crystal links
Thebes photographic Project

photos

Valley of the Queens
Tomb of
Amonkherhopshef

Tombs in Thebes, Valley of the Queens

There are roughly a hundred tombs in the Valley of the Queens. Not all of them are queens -- the sons and high officials of many pharaohs are buried here as well.

The most sought-after ticket in the valley is to see the tomb of Queen Nefertari (not to be confused with Nefertiti). This is probably the most beautiful tomb in the valley and years of work have restored the bright colors and inscriptions in the tomb. But, tickets are hard to get and the tomb closes without warning -- only 100 people a day are allowed inside, and even those people for only a few minutes apiece. The moisture from all the visitors breathing and sweating damages the delicate plaster and paintwork. It was closed when we went to the valley. It was, unfortunately, closed when we were there.

These tombs are no less ornate than those of the pharaohs in the next valley. In fact, many of the sons of pharaohs are buried here in elaborately decorated tombs.

The owners of all the tombs have not been identified, and only a few are open to tourists. I've listed the known tombs below. For a list of all the tombs in the valley, try the Theban Mapping Project, or narmer.pl.

Click on the name of the pharaoh or queen for more information about them, click on the number of the tomb to view details about the tomb and pictures, if we were lucky enough to get inside.